JackdawLT Wherever a Pen|s is crudely drawn I'll be there. Wherever a stick person is badly animated I'll be there. and wherever a kid enter a art contest to f with the judges I'll be there, for I am a cu|\|t!
@@the24thcolossusjustchillin39 Volo is a trickster/scoundrel type. He's traveled and recorded many places and things, but he's not particularly knowledgeable or virtuous. One of the 5e adventures begins with him essentially scamming you into helping him. I'd rather not say which for spoiler reasons. Elminster even has clarifications and sidebars in Volo's Guide that expand on or contradict things Volo has written. So you have to take what he writes with a grain of salt.
Yeah Volo is notoriously loose with his the truth in his works. Either adding Bardic embellishments or taking second and third hand accounts of things as truism without much further research. Add onto that that Elminster often edits his work (and his memories) to avoid "inconvenient truths" and you have a recipe for a work of utter drivel. Volo's guide is for lack of a better word much the same said drivel where lore is concerned. The emotionless Lizardfolk and Yu-anti for example are not true in anything published pre-Volo's guide & are explained when you consider that. A. Reptiles don't express emotions as outwardly as mammals & B. He once fell for a yuan-ti Pureblood then ran off once her identity was exposed. Best to treat D&D lore as suggestion rather then canon where 5e is concerned.
This really explains a lot about the was Taliesin plays Caduceus Clay. Especially not putting value in treasure and making sure he does not take credit for his deeds.
That, and to a degree his views on morality too. Hell, right down to The Clays, Dusts and Stones. Honestly, I feel like I understand more about the character now.
One of my favorite scenes *Spoilers to around episode 76 I think* is when there's an ancient white dragon pounding down on the dome the party is cowering under. Caduceus says "I toss out 7 plat" in hopes to... placate? distract? Something the dragon. It wasn't a good plan, but to him the price to try didn't seem like much, because he doesn't really care about money.
My firbolgs a lil different he will accept thanks n stuff but he doesnt understand money growing up in a monastery as a orphan but I think hd learned a few things from the elfs humans ect he grew up with. NPCs flip when he gives a gold for a tip or like the elf brothers new business he gave them a platinum the older bro was like freaking out xD i love playing him hes good at haggling too cause people like his personality and he mentioneds itd help in their quest to bring down tiamat
The art of the firbolg with the green Celtic knots when it talks about the Code is a piece I commissioned! His name is Robert Anawun and he's the result of me find out that more about how firbolgs were in older editions. It's really cool to see him in a video discussing the topic that lead to his creation.
I really like how the Fey Wild Firbolgs look. I’ve never been a fan of creatures that are just.. bigger people (same skin color, proportions, hair, just tall people)
Id rather the book specified from the begining that the img was of a feywild firbolg, and that they keeped theire 4e lore, that of being nature loveing and reclusive yes, but also a living representation of savegery and the Wild Hunt, just this tide Wave of Man and Beast Rampageing tougether in the name of theire pagan gods, and the Raven Queen
Uhhh... In 4e the Firbolg were already Fey to begin with, and they were the masters of the Wild Hunt. Also their portrayal in 5e is actually pretty similar to the Voadkyn (the Wood Giants) of earlier edition, so I suspect that in-universe Volo looked at a Voadkyn and thought "Wow this must be the fabled Firbolg!".
I think it would be cool if there were like annual competitive festivals similar to the Olympics or the highland games between a tribe of firbolg and a tribe of Goliath
Shepard Druids are a good solo class for Firbolgs. Same with Beastmaster Rangers. But... Multiclassing good for a Firbolg is a Moon Druid and a Totem of The Bear Barbarian.
@@TerrariaGolem indeed. Only lvl 1 druid rn because we just started the game but once I hit lvl 3 then its going to pop off. Turn into a bear then rage.
Keep up the good work man we love this. I know that this takes a Monster amount of time to make. But are you going to make the whole videos about the while monster manual?
one of my deadliest villains was a firbolg fighter known simply as "Big". He ran a group of monstrous bandits composed of hobgoblins, minotaurs and hill giants. He was a brilliant schemer, tactician and warrior. Came very close to a total party wipe.
@@Manos4everproductions for uniqueness they were Giant kin who had numerous magical abilities, and could catch balista and throw them back. not to mention they had a distinctive culture, and at least 3 books where a firbolg was the lead. this was a needless change that only served to make d&d firbolgs just like mmorpg firbolgs.
You honestly have no idea how happy this video makes me. There is a TON of information about firbolgs that most people just don't know about. Thank you for shedding some much needed light on these precious giantkin!
Kemvaros honestly tho Taliesin just KILLS IT playing a Firbolg lol, I love how he obviously does so much research and takes his time. A being of infinite life, using his time to create a beautiful story. Sorry for rambling lol, I was just hoping someone in the comments would mention him 😂
@@bloodhexesillustration1977 yea I like when he is explaining something but notice that he omitted information then reminds himself that he can't lie and adds the details
I think I just found my new favorite race to play as. I had no idea there was so much lore behind these weird, blue people. Thank you for making this, it was very informative.
I really enjoyed the idea of the Firbolg in 3.5. Conceptually firbolgs in 5e as a race is just fine; I just wish they called them something different and kept the idea of firbolgs consistent from 3.5. *edit: Thanks for this video and all its contextual information. This series really brings a lot of light to the subjects you cover. Keep up the good work.
This explains so much about the Firbolg character in The Adventure Zone Graduation! I had no idea just how consistent that character was with the lore!
IM SO HAPPY YOU FINALLY COVERED THEM! My first character was a Firbolg Druid that accidentally got wrapped up in a war between Elves and Humans, and was forced to pick the lesser of two evils in exchange for help finding his adoptive daughter. (He was travelling under the desire to learn about the world and its many inhabitants and of other forms of nature and life to better understand the world and how his magics worked, so as to become the replacement Arch-Druid of his tribe one day, as the Arch-Druid was training him, and said he had to move out into the world to learn of it, to become a true Druid.) I also took some things out of other editions to make him more imposing despite his existence as a gentle giant. He keeps the appearance of the 5th Edition, but has the life span and height of a 3.5 Edition. AKA: He is 9'6 Firbolg that is slightly short for his race, and a bit husky and can live over 500 years as a Druid.
@@TerrariaGolem Fjord as a Half-orc was called a Runt. Cad as a Firbolg say a few times Fjord is specjal and important etc. Think about Firbolgs codex and Giant phropecy about runts. ;)
Great video MrRhexx. In my campaigns, I have these guys have a friendly and complex relationship with Wood Giants. They also team up with Pixies or Sprites in their prank efforts. When humans become a problem (in general) to the woodland areas, Firbolgs usually volunteer to take diplomatic actions with the humans in hopes to resolve it peacefully. That happens when there is no Halfling dominated areas to have a buffer between Mankind and The Forrest. You should do some kind of collab video with AJ Picket. Better yet, join his AD&D gaming group at least as a visiting guest player or the guy assisting his NPC role-playing. You guys' knowledge and personality would be a great collab.
Your videos are flabbergastingly well made. I simply love them. Since you are covering giants now, can we expect goliaths too? And with the announcement of an Eberron setting guide, have you considered doing an overview of official settings? I think that would be very interesting too for younger/newer players (like myself).
The Code was a new one for me, but I researched all the rest when I created my first Firbolg. Firbolg are my favorite race ^_^ Watching this video made me happy because I saw how true to everything I was able to keep my characters (excluding one who was raised by a dwarf lol). Right now I'm playing a sort of unusual one another PC has dubbed Alabaster or Ali because she is completely white. She is a Path of the Ancestral Guardian Barbarian. She's out adventuring because she is to be co-leader of her tribe and basically will act as first contact/ambassador of her tribe should outsider manage to somehow make it into their mountains. So she has to go and get stronger and learn the ways of the outside world to better prepare her tribe and to know how to deal with the outsiders. She is the tribe's guardian. There is only one like her born every few generations. They have the ability to commune with their ancestors that were like them. Their lives are for the tribe. They are even raised with fewer things than the rest of the tribe, only being given things that will actually be of use, nothing frivolous. Ali is quickly becoming my favorite. The best thing that's happened so far is her being hit on by an escort and she was totally oblivious to the pick-up lines so the guy finally told her he needed money and wanted to know if she was attracted to him. She said she wasn't and she was betrothed, anyway. Then, the next town over we had a new player introducing their PC and he made a bee line for Ali and offered her drinks if she would come sit and talk, she immediately said, "Oh, no, I'm not attracted to you." This got some awesome laughs from the rest of the group. But she is so awesome. I'm not sure the group understands this yet, but she always gives up her share of things and is always the one sleeping out in the elements to protect their cargo while everyone else sleeps in the inns. She doesn't leave a battle until she knows the rest of her group are safe, even if she is badly wounded. I love her!
This is incredibly helpful, I have been building a homebrew world adapting Storm Kings Thunder into the events. I now possibly have a Firbolg wondering about and this video has given me several ideas based on how that campaign ended. I will deffinitely be watching more of these videos.
I love this video. This video is the original inspiration for one of my favorite characters. Basically a firbolg described exactly as he is in the video, but he decides to interpret the word tribe in the code as everyone, not just the firbolgd he originally lived with. He uses my altered version of dawnforgedcast's "most helpful build" multiclass
Firbolg’s don’t use armor and shields. Firbolgs are perfect for Druids Druids use armor and occasionally shields, but made of wood. Inconsistent information.
Leather armor can function as normal clothing, armor (metal) would be seen as cowerdous as with their philosophy as you only take what you need (including beatings)
Hey MrRhexx, thanks for the great videos, i've only just subscribed, but i've been a long time watcher of your "What They Don't Tell You About" series and your other lore videos, and think they are really good, and i really appreciate all the work you must put into them, with all the research you do. Even going back to previous editions regularly, to find more descriptions and data, such as with this one, and the one about Krakens. I would love if you made a "What They Don't Tell You About Minotaurs". I think the Minotaur is a really cool creature, ever since i battled one in my very first 5e campaign some years ago, and have just started playing one, in a Ravnica campaign, with the release of "Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica". What i think is especially cool is that, since there are the Minotaurs shaped by Baphomet, the Horned King, from his cultists, and that the Monster Manual specifies that those Minotaurs are actually able to breed, and give birth to an "independant race of Baphomet's savage children", such as those that come from the Ravnica setting, where they have avoided the demonic influence that Baphomet has.
I'd assume that pointy ears are for discerning and sensing magic and its effects more readily. Perhaps magic creates pressure waves and having longer ears acts sensor, picking up on the subtle ways magic can change the world around them. It's perhaps why Elves are near immunity to being charmed or being put to sleep through magical means. Since Elves were created in the Faewilds, they would have more time to evolve the needed traits to live in a world of unfiltered emotion (Long ears, slanted faces, even their trance is a response to their environment). Firbolgs likely weren't in the Faewilds long enough to be fully evolved but still show many a traits that those touched by that plane are.
@@basetempest7106 Elves were not created in the Feywild, they were created from the blood of the god Corellon that the god Gruumsh spilled and originally resided on the celestial plane of Arvandor and had mutable forms before Lolth led some of them astray before betraying and trying to kill Corellon and failing, the Elves were then bound in fixed mortal forms and cast out of Arvandor and most took up residence in the Feywild because it reminded them of their home, Lolth fled into the abyss and became a Demon Lord, the Elves that still revered and worshiped Lolth became the Drow, Elves that remained in the Feywild became the Eladrin, the Elves that followed the Elven Queen that would become the Raven Queen were pulled into the Shadowfell along with their queen after a failed attempt to return to Arvandor (it failed because greedy Wizards betrayed the queen) and became the Shadar Kai who are eternally bound to their queen and by extension the Shadowfell, and the rest of the Elves moved to the material plane to eventually become Wood Elves, High Elves etc...
I made a Firbolg Conquest Paladin, Zealot Barbarian. Basically his tribe was destroyed by a group of Blackguards devoted to the Demon Lascer and after years of travelling to seek vengeance against the tribe, a Devil Lord came to the Firbolg and told him that vengeance against the demons was not enough, he must conquer them. So the Firbolg swore an Oath of Conquest, to conquer and destroy the Demons.
this is so convenient i just got the idea for a firbolg paladin today, checked out your channel to see if you had one and you posted it within 24 hours lol
Building a Firbolg Paladin of Lathander that was orphaned to the church. This vid was super helpful in understanding a race I knew little to nothing about. There's a large amount of overlap between Lathander's godly traits (a deity of creativity, dawn, renewal, birth, athletics, spring, self-perfection, vitality, and youth) and how a Firbolg would live naturally amongst a tribe. I can see a story where the Fey that touched the Firbolg was somehow at the direction of Lathander in an attempt to create/renew a race of people into being predisposed to many of his traits.
I'm really glad they made Firbolgs playable in 5th edition - but I do wish Volo's guide had given a more complete description of their culture. In Irish mythology, the FirBolg were a giant-like race that inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the gods (the Tuatha De Dannan - ancestors of the fairie-folk). I think D&D's new Firbolgs are pretty unique as a giant race, having wisdom and magic besides the obvious size and strength. However, if I wrote them, I would give them some natural armor, and proficiency with spears rather than invisibility, to stay true to their depiction in mythology (also they don't like to wear armor or shields - so they need some way to protect themselves).
Agreed. It's kind of bothered me while looking them at the same time. This lore he's connected/made actually makes a lot of sense. Might have to name one Streng, after the famous Firbolg Champion
I! JUST! LOVE! YOUR! VIDEOS!! Every single one is just great, and you have just a way of explaining things that makes it easy and nice to listen. Please keep up your great work.
10:50 Jotun comes from nordic languages, which pronounce the J as a Y, so Jotun is pronounced Yotun, but is probably closer to Yotin. I'm not aware if Icelandic has the classic "Uh" at the end of words that Norwegian has though.
09:30... I think I'm from this species because I agree that doing good for the recognition DOES harm the soul. I'm still human so I like praise for a job well done but when I do nice for someone else my reward is seeing them happy and I want nothing more.
That’s a interesting contradiction: The code says to judge by merit but it’s okay to judge others by the judgment of their comrades. So the weakest link in a clan seems the whole clan weak
So far I've been loving your videos covering D&D, would like to see something on elves and how they came to be, and not just high elves but wood elves, drows, and any other elf variation that you can find in the Forgotten Realms world.
The whole firbolg cow look was due to fanarr based on a misunderstanding of Matt mercer describing taliesin jaffe's character having a broad nose that was "almost cowlije". He meant in its broadness, not as in the character having bovine line features.
AHH-HA! Thought you could fool us did you? But I caught you! At 9:20 that is definitely not a Firbolg, that my friend is an Ogier a COMPLETELY different species from COMPLETELY different world. (Was checking up on the Wheel Of Time because I remembered that Ogier were very similar to Firbolgs, noticed that you copied the portrait and cut off its caption... for shame) Link: vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/wot/images/a/a3/Ogier.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20100319184606
I hadn't actually considered the similarities between the two races. Although they are both kind of similar to Beorn as well from the Hobbit, so maybe they all drew from similar inspiration.
@@Gabriel-vz9hq No lying, no harming other creatures (aside of fiends, undeads and - I think - elementals), and generally taking the "saint" role to a super-duper extreme overdrive on steroids. Turbo. Of course, that's only if you take everything literally, and give yourself no leniency in playing firbolg paladin.
It's worth mentioning that even redemption Paladins are warriors, they exist to redeem all the people that they can but also understand when to kill those that won't change their ways. After all, as the farmer's saying goes, you can lead cattle to water, but you can't force them to drink.
Try this on for size: Oath of Heroism Firbolg. That subclass (although Unearthed Arcana) is pretty much all about showing off how great and heroic you are.
@@MSOGameShow The thing is, if we are assuming the typical Firbolgian norms, the individual probably wouldn't even promote their own image, they would have people bring it up to them all the time. XD
I'm pretty sure they didn't feature the "not being able to lie" and "never wearing armor" parts because that would limit your roleplaying. You may not need to follow what the book says but some people are going to complain if you play as a lying firbolg if they would have featured that.
That's a terrible excuse though. If those people want to play a lying firbolg, maybe they should just either come up with a reason*, or admit they don't want to roleplay and accept it. *For instance, maybe the character just doesn't care about their society's morality, maybe they're just an immoral or unscrupulous firbolg. Maybe that's why they're a traveling adventurer, because they were exiled or their clan just thinks they're a deceitful shit. Or maybe they interpret the code as not applying to outsiders. Or maybe they just weren't raised by/around firbolgs or in a firbolg clan. Those are just off the top of my head. If you were planning a firbolg character I'm sure you could come up with many more, and more compelling, reasons. It's easy to justify a lying firbolg, it's not like their code is genetic or something.
@@satqur I agree, I actually play as a firbolg barbarian, exiled from his clan and then accepted into a barbarian tribe due to his size and strength. You have to have a reason to go against the grain; good comment.
Hey I'm an artist whose artwork you used in previous videos, if you ever need a illustration just tell me and I'll be glad to do it
francisco chinchilla resende or i can draw for you, only stick figures tho
Where could i find your art?
JackdawLT Wherever a Pen|s is crudely drawn I'll be there. Wherever a stick person is badly animated I'll be there. and wherever a kid enter a art contest to f with the judges I'll be there, for I am a cu|\|t!
@@JackdawLT @chinchillarte on instagram
@@mitlandson167 hero incarnate
A Firbolg of Great power once said: "This is great. Yeah, this is real nice"
whomstove?
Good ol' Cadeuceus Clay
The firbolg we all need but don’t deserve
I can _hear_ Talesin's voice lmao
A Firbolg of Great power also once said “Hello, bees.”
19:41 "Firbolgs don't use armour or shields..." *shows picture of a firbolg with a shield*
And a giant mace
he's also wearing armor
He must be the weak link in the tribe.
His tribe must be the weak link.
I sure hope somebody got banished for this blunder.
Giants: Birth above actions
Firbolgs: *I Refuse*
Giants: Birth above actions
Firbolgs: reverse uno card
Volo didn’t meet many Firbolg before he wrote his book.
Haha, now my headcannon
Doesn’t Volo have a reputation of being really eccentric? Or am I thinking of Elminster?
@@the24thcolossusjustchillin39 Volo is a trickster/scoundrel type. He's traveled and recorded many places and things, but he's not particularly knowledgeable or virtuous. One of the 5e adventures begins with him essentially scamming you into helping him. I'd rather not say which for spoiler reasons. Elminster even has clarifications and sidebars in Volo's Guide that expand on or contradict things Volo has written. So you have to take what he writes with a grain of salt.
@@JoeGrzzly you mean the whole bag of salt?
Yeah Volo is notoriously loose with his the truth in his works. Either adding Bardic embellishments or taking second and third hand accounts of things as truism without much further research. Add onto that that Elminster often edits his work (and his memories) to avoid "inconvenient truths" and you have a recipe for a work of utter drivel.
Volo's guide is for lack of a better word much the same said drivel where lore is concerned. The emotionless Lizardfolk and Yu-anti for example are not true in anything published pre-Volo's guide & are explained when you consider that. A. Reptiles don't express emotions as outwardly as mammals & B. He once fell for a yuan-ti Pureblood then ran off once her identity was exposed.
Best to treat D&D lore as suggestion rather then canon where 5e is concerned.
This really explains a lot about the was Taliesin plays Caduceus Clay. Especially not putting value in treasure and making sure he does not take credit for his deeds.
That, and to a degree his views on morality too. Hell, right down to The Clays, Dusts and Stones.
Honestly, I feel like I understand more about the character now.
One of my favorite scenes *Spoilers to around episode 76 I think* is when there's an ancient white dragon pounding down on the dome the party is cowering under. Caduceus says "I toss out 7 plat" in hopes to... placate? distract? Something the dragon. It wasn't a good plan, but to him the price to try didn't seem like much, because he doesn't really care about money.
My firbolgs a lil different he will accept thanks n stuff but he doesnt understand money growing up in a monastery as a orphan but I think hd learned a few things from the elfs humans ect he grew up with. NPCs flip when he gives a gold for a tip or like the elf brothers new business he gave them a platinum the older bro was like freaking out xD i love playing him hes good at haggling too cause people like his personality and he mentioneds itd help in their quest to bring down tiamat
I was thinking the exact same thing! Especially with how much he tries to avoid dishonesty throughout the campaign
Annam the All-Father: Your worth is determined by your birth.
Firbolgs: Well I just reject your hypothesis.
“I reject your reality and substitute my own.” -Adam Savage
Well, you would, too, if you were the size of a half giant/jovian.
Annam the All-Father: listen here you little shit
@@SerDerpish "The cream always rises to the top."
- "Macho Man" Randy Savage
They can reject it all they want but a Storm Giant will still mud stomp a tiny Firbolg
Is it possible to learn such power?
MrRhexx: Not from Volo's Guide.
Absolutely in character for volo😂
... Now I want to make a Firbolg that's basically a reverse rogue; sneaking around giving things to people unnoticed
Thaankkyoou for the idea
So basically Santa Claus?
@@Carlos-ne3zf blue beard d&d santa claus. 😏
Amazing idea!!
@@Carlos-ne3zf maybe Santa is really a firbolg 😏
The art of the firbolg with the green Celtic knots when it talks about the Code is a piece I commissioned! His name is Robert Anawun and he's the result of me find out that more about how firbolgs were in older editions. It's really cool to see him in a video discussing the topic that lead to his creation.
I was trying to learn more about the Fir Bolg of Ireland and somehow I've stumbled into a Dungeons and Dragons video 🤣🤣🤣
Tis the topsy turvy power of the feywild, my friend
"Well hello, I myself am also enchanter pomat-sol"
"The fourth one is in the back"
Pumat*
I now wonder how pumat got to where he is today
I really like how the Fey Wild Firbolgs look. I’ve never been a fan of creatures that are just.. bigger people (same skin color, proportions, hair, just tall people)
I'm a big fan of 5e Firbolgs. Not so much of Critical Roles take on them, they're too close to furries in Exandria.
I see some parallels between firbolgs and Ogier from Robert Jordan's Wheel Of Time novels.
Personally, I envision them as a Sasquatch-esque race; big, kind of hairy, and shy, but peaceful.
Id rather the book specified from the begining that the img was of a feywild firbolg, and that they keeped theire 4e lore, that of being nature loveing and reclusive yes, but also a living representation of savegery and the Wild Hunt, just this tide Wave of Man and Beast Rampageing tougether in the name of theire pagan gods, and the Raven Queen
I always wanted to play a druid but never really found a race that fits them aesthetically (IMO)...these are the druids i was looking for!
Uhhh... In 4e the Firbolg were already Fey to begin with, and they were the masters of the Wild Hunt. Also their portrayal in 5e is actually pretty similar to the Voadkyn (the Wood Giants) of earlier edition, so I suspect that in-universe Volo looked at a Voadkyn and thought "Wow this must be the fabled Firbolg!".
So natural Firbolgs are essentially Beorn from the Hobbit
Firbolg werebear
Right without the whole "I can change into a giant bear" situation, I guess..
4:20 Now that I think of it, we didn't get a video on Shadow Dragons. Saving that one for October?
So 420 and I was about to like but then I saw the count...
Hello my hippy friends.
Us Goliaths would like a fair competition of sporty or athletic games. We seek to excel with honor and fairness.
Is druid magic allowed?
I think it would be cool if there were like annual competitive festivals similar to the Olympics or the highland games between a tribe of firbolg and a tribe of Goliath
Wow ok so I just built my first firbolg (druid/barbarian) and thats really cool how much of their culture I nailed by mistake.
Moon Druid / Totem Barbarian?
Shepard Druids are a good solo class for Firbolgs. Same with Beastmaster Rangers.
But... Multiclassing good for a Firbolg is a Moon Druid and a Totem of The Bear Barbarian.
@@TerrariaGolem indeed. Only lvl 1 druid rn because we just started the game but once I hit lvl 3 then its going to pop off. Turn into a bear then rage.
Ever since Elminster said Volo was a crackpot in Baulder's Gate I never paid attention to the guy.
Wait, you mean that litterally? As in the dude actually does crack?
@@the24thcolossusjustchillin39 Look up the definition of words.
@@marmyeater So he’s just mildly crazy? I’m probably missing right?
@@the24thcolossusjustchillin39 He's a hack. He writes and says stuff about things he doesn't know.
@@marmyeater Ah, now I get why Tasha roasts some of her colleagues
Keep up the good work man we love this. I know that this takes a Monster amount of time to make. But are you going to make the whole videos about the while monster manual?
In the mean time check out aj pickett, he just finished the monster manual
19:40 "Firbolgs do not use armor or shields."
Shows picture of firbolg holding a shield.
I could understand them not using metal armor or shields but saying they can't use them at all would make them rather weak in combat.
I found this to be a weird one as druids use both and they seem to be very Druidic. I decided to ignore this detail in my world.
one of my deadliest villains was a firbolg fighter known simply as "Big". He ran a group of monstrous bandits composed of hobgoblins, minotaurs and hill giants. He was a brilliant schemer, tactician and warrior. Came very close to a total party wipe.
I think they just changed Firbolgs for 5th edition, thats all. But (the first part of) your video is still a cool explanation for the change!
So do I
they did, and it kills me.
@@Sagdrag I think they just wanted firbolgs to not just be a big human, so they were made into something more unique
@@Sagdrag Good.
@@Manos4everproductions for uniqueness they were Giant kin who had numerous magical abilities, and could catch balista and throw them back. not to mention they had a distinctive culture, and at least 3 books where a firbolg was the lead. this was a needless change that only served to make d&d firbolgs just like mmorpg firbolgs.
You honestly have no idea how happy this video makes me. There is a TON of information about firbolgs that most people just don't know about. Thank you for shedding some much needed light on these precious giantkin!
While FirBolgs fought the Tuatha De Danann, their real enemy was the Fomorians and their leader King Balor
These videos only reinforce my love of Giants of all kinds. I can’t wait for a video on Goliaths!
Mr. Clay wants to know your location.
(gets location) "Aahhhh, that's nice"
Kemvaros honestly tho Taliesin just KILLS IT playing a Firbolg lol, I love how he obviously does so much research and takes his time. A being of infinite life, using his time to create a beautiful story. Sorry for rambling lol, I was just hoping someone in the comments would mention him 😂
Everything about this comment I like
To make sure you are fine and maybe share some tea
@@bloodhexesillustration1977 yea I like when he is explaining something but notice that he omitted information then reminds himself that he can't lie and adds the details
>Giant Irish people.
Error 404: Not found.
HappyPileOfGuts hence them being mythical creatures
H00ligan it’s called a joke
Short Irish People: Leprechauns
MR L r/whoosh🙄
Internet’s Ambassador ikr
I think I just found my new favorite race to play as. I had no idea there was so much lore behind these weird, blue people.
Thank you for making this, it was very informative.
I thought firbolgs were my favorite race, this info just makes me like them even more (and also shows me a bit how I am playing mine wrong)
I really enjoyed the idea of the Firbolg in 3.5. Conceptually firbolgs in 5e as a race is just fine; I just wish they called them something different and kept the idea of firbolgs consistent from 3.5.
*edit: Thanks for this video and all its contextual information. This series really brings a lot of light to the subjects you cover. Keep up the good work.
When has people from 3.5 every like any change made to the lore?
This explains so much about the Firbolg character in The Adventure Zone Graduation! I had no idea just how consistent that character was with the lore!
That just gave me the idea for my next character plus backstory, thank you very much.
I appreciate the deeper looks into the lore, keep it up!
IM SO HAPPY YOU FINALLY COVERED THEM! My first character was a Firbolg Druid that accidentally got wrapped up in a war between Elves and Humans, and was forced to pick the lesser of two evils in exchange for help finding his adoptive daughter. (He was travelling under the desire to learn about the world and its many inhabitants and of other forms of nature and life to better understand the world and how his magics worked, so as to become the replacement Arch-Druid of his tribe one day, as the Arch-Druid was training him, and said he had to move out into the world to learn of it, to become a true Druid.)
I also took some things out of other editions to make him more imposing despite his existence as a gentle giant. He keeps the appearance of the 5th Edition, but has the life span and height of a 3.5 Edition. AKA: He is 9'6 Firbolg that is slightly short for his race, and a bit husky and can live over 500 years as a Druid.
def hope they throw this in as a playable race in BG3. Can't wait for some 5e video games
Fjord was called a runt. Think about it.
Fjord is a Half-Orc
Grog was a Goliath
Travis never played a firbolg from my memory.
@@TerrariaGolem Fjord as a Half-orc was called a Runt. Cad as a Firbolg say a few times Fjord is specjal and important etc. Think about Firbolgs codex and Giant phropecy about runts. ;)
@@GreatCezar1 you sir are prophetic in some way shape or form.
@@marcus4046 so you tell me that I maybe Fjordcast something? ;)
@@GreatCezar1 -_-............that should not have made me laugh but it did....i am weak.
Polite, humble and democratic. Love to the Firbolgs, the Canadians of DnD!
No wonder Pumat has a Canadian accent XD
Great video MrRhexx.
In my campaigns, I have these guys have a friendly and complex relationship with Wood Giants. They also team up with Pixies or Sprites in their prank efforts. When humans become a problem (in general) to the woodland areas, Firbolgs usually volunteer to take diplomatic actions with the humans in hopes to resolve it peacefully. That happens when there is no Halfling dominated areas to have a buffer between Mankind and The Forrest.
You should do some kind of collab video with AJ Picket. Better yet, join his AD&D gaming group at least as a visiting guest player or the guy assisting his NPC role-playing. You guys' knowledge and personality would be a great collab.
Your videos are flabbergastingly well made. I simply love them. Since you are covering giants now, can we expect goliaths too?
And with the announcement of an Eberron setting guide, have you considered doing an overview of official settings? I think that would be very interesting too for younger/newer players (like myself).
My first character was a Firbolg Druid. Thank you for this video!
I really want to see you do a deep dive on Tritons and Aasimars! You do such a great job with these videos man!
The Code was a new one for me, but I researched all the rest when I created my first Firbolg. Firbolg are my favorite race ^_^ Watching this video made me happy because I saw how true to everything I was able to keep my characters (excluding one who was raised by a dwarf lol). Right now I'm playing a sort of unusual one another PC has dubbed Alabaster or Ali because she is completely white. She is a Path of the Ancestral Guardian Barbarian. She's out adventuring because she is to be co-leader of her tribe and basically will act as first contact/ambassador of her tribe should outsider manage to somehow make it into their mountains. So she has to go and get stronger and learn the ways of the outside world to better prepare her tribe and to know how to deal with the outsiders. She is the tribe's guardian. There is only one like her born every few generations. They have the ability to commune with their ancestors that were like them. Their lives are for the tribe. They are even raised with fewer things than the rest of the tribe, only being given things that will actually be of use, nothing frivolous. Ali is quickly becoming my favorite. The best thing that's happened so far is her being hit on by an escort and she was totally oblivious to the pick-up lines so the guy finally told her he needed money and wanted to know if she was attracted to him. She said she wasn't and she was betrothed, anyway. Then, the next town over we had a new player introducing their PC and he made a bee line for Ali and offered her drinks if she would come sit and talk, she immediately said, "Oh, no, I'm not attracted to you." This got some awesome laughs from the rest of the group. But she is so awesome. I'm not sure the group understands this yet, but she always gives up her share of things and is always the one sleeping out in the elements to protect their cargo while everyone else sleeps in the inns. She doesn't leave a battle until she knows the rest of her group are safe, even if she is badly wounded. I love her!
I really appreciate your videos, I'm considering playing a Firbold in my friends next Homebrew campaign
This is incredibly helpful, I have been building a homebrew world adapting Storm Kings Thunder into the events. I now possibly have a Firbolg wondering about and this video has given me several ideas based on how that campaign ended. I will deffinitely be watching more of these videos.
Best RUclips channel I follow atm. Not complaining about RUclips or ad rev. Keep it up dude.
Thank you for all your research. Rolling a Firbolg Ranger, and this video really helped me a lot. Thanks!!!
Not even a dnd player, jus love ur lore breakdowns
This was a great video. I'm writing a complex Firbolg npc that I couldn't make without these insights, thank you!
I have been waiting for specifically this.
I love this video. This video is the original inspiration for one of my favorite characters. Basically a firbolg described exactly as he is in the video, but he decides to interpret the word tribe in the code as everyone, not just the firbolgd he originally lived with. He uses my altered version of dawnforgedcast's "most helpful build" multiclass
Oh, my heart. I love firbolgs, I never knew I loved firbolgs 😍
This was very educational for me. I am currently working on a firbolg barbarian and this helped me a lot with building his background story.
Firbolg’s don’t use armor and shields.
Firbolgs are perfect for Druids
Druids use armor and occasionally shields, but made of wood.
Inconsistent information.
U r inconsistent
Kyrlics and you’re just an idiot who can’t type the full word out
Leather armor can function as normal clothing, armor (metal) would be seen as cowerdous as with their philosophy as you only take what you need (including beatings)
this was so helpful to me as a newbie D&D player and finding this race. Thank you!!!!
So, after you done with giants, could you do kobolds eventually please
Jonathan Newman
Best race in D&D
@@ZaESims123 Best race. end of story
Hey MrRhexx, thanks for the great videos, i've only just subscribed, but i've been a long time watcher of your "What They Don't Tell You About" series and your other lore videos, and think they are really good, and i really appreciate all the work you must put into them, with all the research you do. Even going back to previous editions regularly, to find more descriptions and data, such as with this one, and the one about Krakens.
I would love if you made a "What They Don't Tell You About Minotaurs". I think the Minotaur is a really cool creature, ever since i battled one in my very first 5e campaign some years ago, and have just started playing one, in a Ravnica campaign, with the release of "Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica". What i think is especially cool is that, since there are the Minotaurs shaped by Baphomet, the Horned King, from his cultists, and that the Monster Manual specifies that those Minotaurs are actually able to breed, and give birth to an "independant race of Baphomet's savage children", such as those that come from the Ravnica setting, where they have avoided the demonic influence that Baphomet has.
I wonder if elongated, pointed ears is an evolutionary trait related to magical environmental factors, and if so for what purpose. 🤔
The Archfey pranks the fetus so hard the ears go pointy /s
I'd assume that pointy ears are for discerning and sensing magic and its effects more readily. Perhaps magic creates pressure waves and having longer ears acts sensor, picking up on the subtle ways magic can change the world around them. It's perhaps why Elves are near immunity to being charmed or being put to sleep through magical means. Since Elves were created in the Faewilds, they would have more time to evolve the needed traits to live in a world of unfiltered emotion (Long ears, slanted faces, even their trance is a response to their environment). Firbolgs likely weren't in the Faewilds long enough to be fully evolved but still show many a traits that those touched by that plane are.
@@basetempest7106 Elves were not created in the Feywild, they were created from the blood of the god Corellon that the god Gruumsh spilled and originally resided on the celestial plane of Arvandor and had mutable forms before Lolth led some of them astray before betraying and trying to kill Corellon and failing, the Elves were then bound in fixed mortal forms and cast out of Arvandor and most took up residence in the Feywild because it reminded them of their home, Lolth fled into the abyss and became a Demon Lord, the Elves that still revered and worshiped Lolth became the Drow, Elves that remained in the Feywild became the Eladrin, the Elves that followed the Elven Queen that would become the Raven Queen were pulled into the Shadowfell along with their queen after a failed attempt to return to Arvandor (it failed because greedy Wizards betrayed the queen) and became the Shadar Kai who are eternally bound to their queen and by extension the Shadowfell, and the rest of the Elves moved to the material plane to eventually become Wood Elves, High Elves etc...
@@thefracturedbutwhole5475 Thank you for correcting me on that. For some reason my mind spaced that.
Personally... I'd just assume it was to make them look more like Ogier. lol
Firbolgs just came up in my last session and I am so glad to have this video in my feed!
Maybe they just changes what the furbolg was
Cuz we got a Goliath
Fernbog
Fear bear
Funkykong
Chunkykong
Shutupbolg
@@jambalaya1779 it's spelled firbolg and pronounced fear-bolg. And how much of a man-child are you? Your reply is so immature.
@@grimdarkAngel i am a child
11
cronk-gratulations
@@jambalaya1779 that explains why you can't spell and why your comment has such bad grammer.
dood relax stop proving yourself to be a manchild
THANK YOU FOR CHANGING THE BACKGROUND MUSIC!!!!
This video could not come out at a more perfect time as I was considering actually creating a firbolg barbarian.
Quickly becoming my top resource for d&d, amazing work. Thanks for putting in the time make these!
I'm making my ranger halfling adopted by these guys end of story.
Aaaaand this video just made my next character a Firbolg! Awesome job!
I made a Firbolg Conquest Paladin, Zealot Barbarian. Basically his tribe was destroyed by a group of Blackguards devoted to the Demon Lascer and after years of travelling to seek vengeance against the tribe, a Devil Lord came to the Firbolg and told him that vengeance against the demons was not enough, he must conquer them. So the Firbolg swore an Oath of Conquest, to conquer and destroy the Demons.
I like all of your videos I've seen so far, but this and your Kobolds video are my favorites so far.
talliesin Jaffe has entered the chat
That dude is a piece of shit for real. Going out of his way to ruin the hobby he profits from because he's too stupid and lazy
You can put that bait right back in the tacklebox
this is so convenient i just got the idea for a firbolg paladin today, checked out your channel to see if you had one and you posted it within 24 hours lol
I imagine 5e Firbolgs have a stronger relationship with Wood Giants now
Building a Firbolg Paladin of Lathander that was orphaned to the church. This vid was super helpful in understanding a race I knew little to nothing about. There's a large amount of overlap between Lathander's godly traits (a deity of creativity, dawn, renewal, birth, athletics, spring, self-perfection, vitality, and youth) and how a Firbolg would live naturally amongst a tribe. I can see a story where the Fey that touched the Firbolg was somehow at the direction of Lathander in an attempt to create/renew a race of people into being predisposed to many of his traits.
I'm really glad they made Firbolgs playable in 5th edition - but I do wish Volo's guide had given a more complete description of their culture.
In Irish mythology, the FirBolg were a giant-like race that inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the gods (the Tuatha De Dannan - ancestors of the fairie-folk).
I think D&D's new Firbolgs are pretty unique as a giant race, having wisdom and magic besides the obvious size and strength. However, if I wrote them, I would give them some natural armor, and proficiency with spears rather than invisibility, to stay true to their depiction in mythology (also they don't like to wear armor or shields - so they need some way to protect themselves).
Agreed. It's kind of bothered me while looking them at the same time. This lore he's connected/made actually makes a lot of sense. Might have to name one Streng, after the famous Firbolg Champion
I! JUST! LOVE! YOUR! VIDEOS!!
Every single one is just great, and you have just a way of explaining things that makes it easy and nice to listen.
Please keep up your great work.
First time I ever heard/read about Firbolgs was in Darkwalker on Moonshae... yeah, I'm freakin' old...
10:50 Jotun comes from nordic languages, which pronounce the J as a Y, so Jotun is pronounced Yotun, but is probably closer to Yotin. I'm not aware if Icelandic has the classic "Uh" at the end of words that Norwegian has though.
Obviously Irish mythology and D&D and separate things but in Irish fir is pronounced fear
Fearbolig
Piss one off. The fear comes across
09:30... I think I'm from this species because I agree that doing good for the recognition DOES harm the soul. I'm still human so I like praise for a job well done but when I do nice for someone else my reward is seeing them happy and I want nothing more.
Looks like Volothamp was slacking on his research. lmao
Dude, thank you so much! They enriched my next character background so much!
I kept wondering why they don't look like giant vikings anymore
I love it when Mr Rhexx rocks my world
That’s a interesting contradiction:
The code says to judge by merit but it’s okay to judge others by the judgment of their comrades. So the weakest link in a clan seems the whole clan weak
Oh man what a good video! Now I also want one for Goliaths for I have a Goliath and a Firbolg in my party and this gives me so many ideas!
I'm wondering why the firbulgs in Volo's can innately speak read and write elvish instead of sylvan
So far I've been loving your videos covering D&D, would like to see something on elves and how they came to be, and not just high elves but wood elves, drows, and any other elf variation that you can find in the Forgotten Realms world.
this video change my dnd game completly thank you
After watching this I now understand caduceus clay‘s mannerisms far more
robbiewazup he’s really kept a lot of the original firbolg’ identity. It’s neat
My last time out as a player, I had an absolute blast playing a Firbolg Tempest Cleric, who followed Stronmaus.
I am playing an introverted nice firbolg Druid and it is great
The more fantastic content i see from this man the more I hope he does a Half Orc and Vampire video one day
“Firbolgs don’t use armor or shields as it is seen as cowardly or weak” then it’s no wonder they’re non-confrontational!
I absolutely love your enthusiasm!!!
I would love to see you do warhammer lore
Have you seen leutin09 videos, because it's kinda like this. Although it's 40 k if you meant fantasy
The whole firbolg cow look was due to fanarr based on a misunderstanding of Matt mercer describing taliesin jaffe's character having a broad nose that was "almost cowlije". He meant in its broadness, not as in the character having bovine line features.
AHH-HA! Thought you could fool us did you? But I caught you! At 9:20 that is definitely not a Firbolg, that my friend is an Ogier a COMPLETELY different species from COMPLETELY different world.
(Was checking up on the Wheel Of Time because I remembered that Ogier were very similar to Firbolgs, noticed that you copied the portrait and cut off its caption... for shame)
Link: vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/wot/images/a/a3/Ogier.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20100319184606
I hadn't actually considered the similarities between the two races. Although they are both kind of similar to Beorn as well from the Hobbit, so maybe they all drew from similar inspiration.
Video: about wholesome forest creatures
Picture at the end: Orcus, demon lord of undeath, casting magic on an Elder Brain
How to hate your life:
*Play an Oath of Redemption paladin firbolg.*
Borkymarp why?
@@Gabriel-vz9hq No lying, no harming other creatures (aside of fiends, undeads and - I think - elementals), and generally taking the "saint" role to a super-duper extreme overdrive on steroids. Turbo.
Of course, that's only if you take everything literally, and give yourself no leniency in playing firbolg paladin.
It's worth mentioning that even redemption Paladins are warriors, they exist to redeem all the people that they can but also understand when to kill those that won't change their ways. After all, as the farmer's saying goes, you can lead cattle to water, but you can't force them to drink.
Try this on for size: Oath of Heroism Firbolg. That subclass (although Unearthed Arcana) is pretty much all about showing off how great and heroic you are.
@@MSOGameShow The thing is, if we are assuming the typical Firbolgian norms, the individual probably wouldn't even promote their own image, they would have people bring it up to them all the time. XD
this is so wholesome
tbh I strongly prefer the 5e firbolgs, idk why
cuz they cute ?
I do and don't. Should be a Variant
I strongly hate 5e firbolgs.
They're more unique while the older editions just look like humans
Yeah, I also find the new design much more interesting.
7:45 What is the OG image for that? I NEED to get a better look, that building looks so cool.
I'm pretty sure they didn't feature the "not being able to lie" and "never wearing armor" parts because that would limit your roleplaying. You may not need to follow what the book says but some people are going to complain if you play as a lying firbolg if they would have featured that.
That's a terrible excuse though. If those people want to play a lying firbolg, maybe they should just either come up with a reason*, or admit they don't want to roleplay and accept it.
*For instance, maybe the character just doesn't care about their society's morality, maybe they're just an immoral or unscrupulous firbolg. Maybe that's why they're a traveling adventurer, because they were exiled or their clan just thinks they're a deceitful shit. Or maybe they interpret the code as not applying to outsiders. Or maybe they just weren't raised by/around firbolgs or in a firbolg clan.
Those are just off the top of my head. If you were planning a firbolg character I'm sure you could come up with many more, and more compelling, reasons. It's easy to justify a lying firbolg, it's not like their code is genetic or something.
@@satqur I agree, I actually play as a firbolg barbarian, exiled from his clan and then accepted into a barbarian tribe due to his size and strength. You have to have a reason to go against the grain; good comment.