One Shot - First Era
Outline
History
Legends say Íss was a ball of ice floating in Ginnungagap, the endless void. Then Magic, Galdr, happened upon it and enveloped the world, burning away all the ice. However, Galdr was too powerful, burning anything that lived. It caused rock from below to rise through the soil, creating massive earthquakes that formed mountains and volcanoes. To protect the world, Galdr split itself into many pieces, creating the sun (Sól), the moon (Máni), and the stars (Stjǫrnur).
Together they populated the world with many creatures sprung from their imagination. They created the giants, as stewards of this new place, they were seen as to be best suited to handle powerful Magic. A new world is born; Galdríss.
As the giants learn this new Magic, they too, wanted to create life in their image. Over time, they created goliaths, humans, and dwarves before losing the ability to create new life. The giants were never completely happy with their creations, yet they felt a sense of responsibility for what they called their little brothers and sisters. The races have lived together ever since, in cities carved into the flanks of mountains and hills, or in camps in the vast wilderness that stretches across most of the land.
Current Day
The largest cities number over 10,000 souls but most house a quarter of that, at most. They are usually ruled by a circle of elders, these include giants from different walks of life; including crafters, farmers, hunters, speakers (short for speakers of the gods; clerics). One language is spoken by all, and it is written in cuneiform; runes scribed into stone. Only a few know how to write.
Giants have domesticated some of the megafauna and keep giant oxen, rams, and geese for food and other uses. Some cities have recently started experimenting with agriculture by creating fields to grow grains. Others go out into the bountiful world to collect what they need.
There is no Arcane magic. Divine magic is overflowing; anyone can cast at least a simple spell or two. Those who are masters of their craft have personal spells that assist them in their creations. Thus, any weapon or armor created is always magical, and mundane items are of very high quality and much more robust. There is no mechanization.
Some feel that the giants treat the other races like children, never giving them the chance to grow up. This rankles some, mostly humans, so much that they have struck out on their own and tried to build towns just for the “little” races. This seems to always fail, most often due to the dangerous wildlife.
Meta Information
The different giants (storm, cloud, fire, frost, stone, and hill) all look quite similar and are all about the same size; 21 feet tall (6.4 m). There are no other humanoid races than those mentioned above; no elves, halflings, orc, goblinoids, etc. Some creature types don’t exist at all; celestials, dragons, fey, fiends, and undead.
The only existing classes: Barbarian, Cleric, Factotum (skill monkey with sneak attack, spells, and Inspiration), Fighter, Skald (warrior with some bard type abilities but no spells). Monk and Paladin are only available to followers of Holukein.
Yggdrasil, the World Tree, is an immense ash tree which links the planes. The Feywild and Shadowfell do not exist.
The concept of Evil doesn’t exist though there are very rare, but becoming less rare, instances of those who do cruel and violent things. These people (it happens to all races) are called Unbalanced and they are cared for as best as possible.
The concept of Greed doesn’t exist; there is no money or barter economy. There are certainly items and materials valued for their beauty; gems, pearls, precious metals to a degree (there is no metallurgy), etc. But all are in abundant supply and easily obtained and worked due to the ever-present magic.
Adventure
You all live in Hnitbjorg, a bucolic town in the foothills of the Dovrefjell mountains. Thonna, the stone giant cleric of Holukein, god of guardians, perseverance, and prophecy, has asked her Envoy (Monk) to go on a mission to the newly started City of Broken Shackles, to persuade their leader, a human by the name of Ragnvald to cease his call to stop supporting the giants and their rule. Thonna, graciously supplied you with magic items to brave the dangers of the wild.
Sif / Sólveig, Human Sage, Divine Focus Factotum
Growing up you knew you were different from the other kids. And not because you had no parents, that was the same for everyone at the orphanage. But where they decried their fate most nights, you stoically focused on the future. And the giants running the place made sure everyone there got the same chances as children living with their parents, you blossomed as you found you were able to pick up most skills much faster than others.
And you learned other things too; when you retaliated against another orphan for what they did to you, you got caught and punished more severely. From then on you always made sure to strike in such a way that it could not be traced back to you and celebrated your victories privately.
Soon you gained the attention of Kaaltar, a cloud giant cleric of Mundilfari, god of giants. He particularly appreciated your pragmatic nature, how you preferred to achieve your goals with the least amount of effort. Maybe he saw a kindred spirit? He is not very active at the temple, preferring to speak with you and those like you, in the vestry.
Since he took you under his wing you have been taking care of all kinds of things for him, he really values your skills. This does include more shady types of undertakings that are best kept secret from others. He has taught you the use of poison, sometimes those are the kindest way to deal with the terminally ill. But he also taught you how to heal and use other divine powers, broadening your skillset even more.
Your detractors would say you are vain, not only about your appearance but also your abilities and general standing, you see most others as being beneath you, something you don’t mind pointing out, often subtly so it goes over their head. Others would say you are rude; you prefer the term direct.
Obsession: If you see a chance you will sneakily do something against those that annoy you; from a prank to worse.
Fighter: Broken love. You both loved the same person and due to your war for their attention you both lost out to a third. A fact you are always reminded of when you see each other, something to commiserate over or to keep a grudge?
Barbarian: Enablers, everybody needs a friend willing to indulge their worst impulses. You’ve known each other not as long as the others but boy do you egg each other on. You’ve gotten into trouble together and had fun getting out.
Monk: Old Wounds. You were both very young, you used to bully them until they no longer left their house. When their parents found out they made both of you “make up”, since then, when you see them socially you mostly ignore them.
Kaaltar spoke about the expedition your friend asked you to join. The giant explained that Ragnvald, the founder of the City of Broken Shackles is a real problem, his rebellious outcries are an existential threat for your and his way of life. And he is right, the giants take good care of the “little races”, it would make no sense to have them as powerful enemies.
If your friend is able to change Ragnvald’s mind, so much the better, but Kaaltar doesn’t have much faith in that. He suggests you make a detour on your group’s journey and go to Tjörn lake. At the shore grows a very virulent, poisonous plant. With your skills you can harvest it [no roll needed] and then use it on the human if needed. It’s an ingested type of poison, you can add it to food or drink, but you can also deliver it via piercing or slashing damage.
Leifr / Ástríðr, Human Acolyte, Sun Soul Monk
You were a late comer, born when your brother and sister were almost adults. Your parents both liked to work, one a tailor, and the other a painter. You were often left to your own devices and at a young age discovered the temple of Holukein. The statues and the stories made you want to join.
Ever since that first day you spent much time at the temple talking to Thonna, she has formed your view of the world quite a bit. She showed you that the giants truly mean the best for their little brothers and sisters. Sure, there are some, especially followers of Mundilfari who seem to always be against anything the “little” races want, but they are not the silent majority. Without the giants you would be worse of, you are sure of that.
As soon as you could, you started training to become an Envoy, applying yourself to more fields of study than most. You have become stalwart supporter of Holukein and all he stands for; not giving up, protecting all that needs protecting. On the day of your dedication the god spoke to you, a rare event, you were truly blessed.
Ever since you have served your god and your church, you have been sent on missions to other cities, something only few people get to experience. You do not excel at one single thing but are quite capable in many fields, thus you are often sent into situations where there are unknowns.
You are very meticulous in everything you do, having to have every last detail correct and leaving nothing to chance. And you’re a good study of others’ character, in some cases you know better what drives them than they do themselves. You stand up to bullies at every chance.
One of your weaknesses is that you get too hung up on things sometimes and lose sight of the bigger picture. And some have said that your habit of seeing the best in everyone you meet, and giving them the benefit of the doubt, is another. Your good traits are that you are a staunch friend and ally and polite to a fault.
Obsession: You have to prove, to yourself as much as to anyone, when someone is wrong, though you are always very tactful about it.
Fighter: Allies, you share obsessions very closely. Your best friend since childhood. You don’t agree on everything but have decided that’s less important than spending time together and having a good time.
Barbarian: Partnership, professional and functional. You are actually much more friends with their twin but you still spend a lot of time together and you can’t deny their combat prowess.
Factotum: Old Wounds. When you were both very young they used to bully you until you no longer left your house. When your parents found out they made the both of you “make up” and since then you have maybe not really become friends but you see each other socially and tolerate each other.
Thonna invited you the other day and explained that Ragnvald, the founder of the City of Broken Shackles has been creating problems. His calls for people to no longer support the giants has awoken sentiments among both giants and the little brothers and sisters that will cause problems if left as is. She explained, and you agree, that all this will cause is for those at the far sides of the argument to drift further apart and possibly might make life less pleasant for all as the extremist might try and get laws passed restricting non-giants in certain ways.
She has asked you to go and talk with him to make him see that he is only hurting everyone and not solving anything. Thonna, and most giants, have no problem with the “little” races founding their own cities but he can’t keep saying what he’s saying.
The cleric gave you a gift for Ragnvald and his people; a basalt bowl set with rubies that can casts the Heroes' Feast spell. She suggested taking a few of your friends along as the journey could be perilous. And so you invited the Fighter and the Barbarian along. You then ran into Kaaltar, a cloud giant cleric of Mundilfari, who heard of your mission, and he suggested bringing the Factotum, another sort of friend of yours, one who is quite resourceful.
Eiríkr / Ingfríðr, Dwarf Outlander, Giant Path Barbarian
You are one of a pair of twins, something not very common in dwarves. Growing up it soon become apparent the two of you are little alike; they are all serious and interested in boring stuff like administration, whereas you like to live an exciting live and have fun. Friends, feasts, and lovers are things you can never have enough of.
Your parents are pillars of the community; your mother is a healer of no small repute and your father is an advocate; he’s had to use his oratory skills numerous times to get you out of trouble when you were young. From those days you also have a long scar running up your left forearm. You’d like to tell people it was from an epic fight you were in, but unfortunately you got it when you hit a vase when practicing.
These days you enjoy spending time in the wilderness, gathering resources for the city, and have been involved in more than one fight with the local megafauna, it sure gets the blood pumping. In the city you like to spend your time on the athletic field, competing and winning your fair share.
One might say that testing your limits is what gets you out of bed every day. But most of the time you know not to push too far, community comes first and you are the kind of person who is there to help anyone in need, even if they don’t ask. You have a good sense of when someone could use an uplifting word or two.
If one were to mention your flaws, your rashness would be at the top of the list. You often like to dive right in without giving any thought to further implications. Your superstition might be another; you see omens in many things and have to do things a certain way’or else misfortune will befall you.
Obsession: You find it very hard to resist self-imposed challenges; if other cross the bridge you might just see if you can jump the canal. Why do things the easy way if the hard way is fun?
Factotum: Enablers, everybody needs a friend willing to indulge their worst impulses. You’ve known each other not as long as the others but boy do you egg each other on. You’ve gotten into trouble together and had fun getting out.
Fighter: Rivalry, each of you tries to surpass the other in your fields of expertise. The both of you compete in the same athletic disciplines, and while you get along really well outside of the field, once on there, the gloves come off.
Monk: Partnership, professional and functional. They are friends with your twin so you see them frequently but don’t actually talk all that much.
You’re really not interested in the whole discussion about giants versus the “little” races. You’re fine living with giants and you’re sure you’d be fine if you had to live without them.
Gunnarr / Brynhildr, Goliath Guild Artisan, Rune Knight Fighter
You are blessed, that’s what your father told you from an early age, with your one violet and one indigo eye. Several times now you have survived where you should not have, starting with the horrible accident that left your mother dead. An unseasonal storm blew over a tree that crushed her but you crawled out from under it without a scratch.
Your father is your rock; he made sure you had the best upbringing you could have and was always there for you. Looking up to him, you wanted to be a scribe like him. And you took up the hammer and chisel, carving was in your blood. And then you discovered how easy it came to you to create magical runes.
You took to athletics as a fish to water as well, competing and winning on the field. Then you were invited to militia training and found another calling. You haven’t had to use your martial skills often, but those few times you were called upon, you felt you were right there where you should be; protecting others. You’re someone who doesn’t give up and always makes others laugh.
Your biggest weakness; jealousy. It’s hard to admit, but you covet what other people have, intangible things; moods, relationships, etc. It’s not rational but the grass is truly greener across the way. And those of an unkind persuasion would point out your tendency to mix words up when you speak.
Obsession: You can’t help but press your luck, trying to see how blessed you truly are.
Barbarian: Rivalry, each of you tries to surpass the other in your fields of expertise. The both of you compete in the same athletic disciplines, and while you get along really well outside of the field, once on there, the gloves come off.
Factotum: Broken love. You both loved the same person and due to your war for their attention you both lost out to a third. A fact you are always reminded of when you see each other, something to commiserate over or to keep a grudge?
Monk: Allies, you share obsessions very closely. Your best friend since childhood. Growing up you two were inseparable. These days you hang out whenever you can. You disagree on certain things but have decided to just not discuss those, instead focusing on all the good times you have together.
Unlike most of your goliath brethren you think the humans c.s. have a point; you are being treated like second class citizens in certain respects. Going off to live in some town in the wilderness wouldn’t be your first pick but you do think the giants should be held to account; the “little” races should be given a voice on the council of elders at the very least.