Fire giants typically dwell in the tunnels beneath volcanically active mountain ranges whose natural magma fuels their forges.[3] One fire giant, Whaska, was described being around 16 to 20 feet tall with dark grey ash-like skin, piercing red eyes, and a full red beard singed on the edges.[4] They appear to be shorter than other highborn, but only because of their perpetually stooped posture.[5]
Fire giant civilization's heart is the city-state of Vulkanon, built deep into the magma tunnels that run beneath the heart of the Cliffkeep Mountains. They are masters of the forge, and have been known to occasionally ally with the duergar of the Emberhold to produce some of the finest arms ever seen in Tal'Dorei. Vulkanite weapons are prized by mercenaries across the continent, and are as much a status symbol as they are an excellent weapon. The giants of Vulkanon have long dreamed of empire, and their duergar allies have given them a foothold in Tal’Dorei's darkest depths.[5]
During Thordak's control of Emon, he had several fire giants under his rulership, including Ordis, a female fire giant general who was sent to squash the resistance forces stationed at Fort Daxio.[6]
The setting of the adventure hook Vault of the Fire Giants in the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, set in 835 PD, is a vast dungeon beneath Kravaraad where fire giants have collected treasure since before the Calamity. They have enslaved an adult red dragon to guard their vault.[9]
Within the city there is a temple, the Smoking Hammer Shrine, dedicated to the god of these giants, Surtr.[10]
A few years before 811 PD, there was a coup organaized by Sugan against his kin fire giants and suported by Whaska, Juuraiel, and her late husband either named Guras or Drogat. In aftermath, most of the giants were enslaved or cast out of the city, the only four who remained free elevated their social status and became more powerful figures within the city.[11][12]
Subjugated fire giants wear metal black bands across their neck with pulsing red gem in the center.[13][14]
Named fire giants[]
Sugan: Serves as a respected chain lord in the City of Brass, having enslaved most of his people.[15]
Vox Machina dealt with fire giants in the City of Brass: during their quest to obtain the Plate of the Dawnmartyr, they got directions from Whaska and ended up briefly enslaved by Juuraiel, but earned their freedom and the armor by assassinating the pit fiend ambassador from the Nine Hells, Ghurrix.
Immediately afterward, Vox Machina fought the fire giant General Ordis (on an ember roc mount) who was sent by Thordak to crush the remaining forces of the Republic of Tal'Dorei at Fort Daxio,[20] but she died in battle.
Fan art of Zahra using Evard's Black Tentacles to lock down the fire giants protecting Thordak, by Brandon Chang.[art 5]
Soon after that, in the siege of Emon, Zahra Hydris and Kashaw Vesh took on a pair of fire giants just outside Thordak's lair so that Vox Machina, Lady Kima of Vord, and Jarett Howarth could rush in to slay the dragon.[21] After fighting Thordak and then Raishan, Vox Machina emerged from the lair to find Jarett and (unexpectedly) Kerrek helping to finish off the fire giant guards.[22]
The Mighty Nein, guided by Spurt, encountered a pair of fire giants near an underground citadel as they followed a tunnel carved by Kryn Dynasty forces.
References[]
↑ 1.01.1See D&D: Monster Manual (2014), 5th ed., p. 154.
