The Ariock giants were a race of intelligent and good-natured beings who roamed the high mountain forests and arctic ranges of Zor and Antara. These majestic creatures were born from the elements and had a natural connection to the land. They were highly respected by those who knew of them, though many only spoke of their existence as legend. The Ariock’s immunity to cold allowed them to thrive in the harshest climates, particularly in the high peaks of Windstross, a mountainous region where the wind howled both day and night, and in the icy ranges of Antara.
Though their size alone made them formidable, the Ariock were known for their gentle nature and profound wisdom. They were guardians of the wilderness, sometimes referred to as “Giant Rangers” due to their unparalleled tracking, archery, and survival skills. These giants, despite their towering forms, moved with surprising agility and were protectors of the natural world, ever vigilant of threats that might upset the delicate balance of their environments.
Description
Ariock giants stood up to a towering 30 feet tall, their skin pale blue or white, shimmering in the moonlight like ancient glaciers. They had long, flowing hair, usually grey or white, which seemed to ripple like clouds caught in the wind. Their eyes were vibrant blue or purple, glowing like the deep, icy lakes hidden within the mountains they called home. Despite their massive size, the Ariock were remarkably strong and agile, able to wield the enormous bows they crafted from ancient trees with ease and precision. Their proficiency with these colossal weapons was unmatched, and they often struck from afar before an enemy even knew they were there.
huge
30'
giant
200 years
chaotic good
pale grey, pale blue, white
blue, green
mountain, arctic, tundra
white
nightgrey
They typically wore only thin leather and fur hides for protection, as their elemental powers and agility often rendered heavy armor unnecessary. These hides, gathered from the creatures of the forests and mountains, kept them connected to the natural world they so deeply respected. Ariock giants often formed strong bonds with giant winter wolves, their constant companions, with whom they shared a profound sense of kinship. These wolves were not merely pets but equal partners, hunting and fighting alongside their Ariock masters.
One with the Wind
The Ariock possessed an innate ability to manipulate the air and wind around them, an extraordinary power that allowed them to defend themselves and combat adversaries with ease. Known as “Windweaving,” this skill enabled the giants to summon fierce gusts of wind or shape the air to their will. In times of battle, an Ariock could cause tornado-like whirlwinds that disoriented enemies, creating a barrier of cutting wind that made it nearly impossible for foes to approach.
For defense, they could bend the air to deflect projectiles, redirecting arrows and spears away from their massive bodies. The wind responded to their thoughts like an extension of themselves, making it seem as if they had a living force always at their side. This ability wasn’t only used in battle; it also aided in their survival, allowing them to move effortlessly through the trees or across dangerous mountain cliffs, the air cushioning their massive steps.
At their most powerful, they could even call upon mighty storms, channeling the wind to summon lightning or hail, turning nature’s fury upon those who dared threaten their homes. Yet, they rarely resorted to such destruction, preferring to solve conflicts without bloodshed.
Night Grey (Ariock)
In stark contrast to the Ariock were their sinister counterparts, the Nightgrey. These evil giants, though similar in size and form, could not have been more different in temperament and abilities. Where the Ariock were connected to nature, the Nightgrey were divorced from it, thriving in cold stone temples hidden deep within dark mountain ranges. They preferred the comfort of these grand, foreboding structures, shunning the wilderness in favor of isolation and darkness.
The Nightgrey were known for their wickedness and mysterious ways, their hearts blackened by malevolent magic. They lacked the Ariock’s affinity for the elements, instead relying on dark sorcery and brute strength to overpower their enemies. Their skin was ashen grey, and their eyes glowed with a malevolent red or sickly yellow light. They were cruel and malicious, delighting in destruction, and their very presence brought despair to the lands around them.
Where the Ariock embraced life, balance, and peace, the Nightgrey sought chaos, power, and domination, making them a force of malevolence wherever they appeared.