| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Aug 2016 : 21:02:12
|
Not the book, but that was the first place I looked. What I'm wondering is whether giants possess a tradition among them for producing excellent smiths for the forging of weapons and armor and whatnots.
They must. It's not as if they can use the product of lesser (smaller) folk.
|
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2016 : 22:03:31
|
| Some of the more "advanced" giants might, but most species seem content to hurl stones and use other primitive weapons. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
 |
|
|
Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6447 Posts |
|
|
Wrigley
Senior Scribe
Czech Republic
605 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2016 : 23:56:07
|
| If you are talking about hill giants and verbegs they haven't got any culture even before. However more advanced giants like stone, cloud and storm giants had and probably have their culture and technology advanced at least to the human level. There should be cloud cities in the sky where you can find forges and jeweleries. Also Fire giants are known for their skill at forge to this day and in Underdark are sought for it. |
|
|
|
AuldDragon
Senior Scribe
USA
578 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2016 : 00:11:49
|
It would depend a lot on the breed and the community specifics (there are more and less advanced communities of most giants), but I would say the general guidelines for the larger communities would be as follows:
Storm giants and firbolg would generally produce high-quality metalwork the most often, and voadkyn would have smiths similar to elves.
Cloud giants and fire giants produce high metalwork at lower rates, partly because there are a lot more "primitive" tribes than those above. Fog giants would produce high-quality work less often, with an emphasis on silverwork.
Frost giants and verbeeg produce a lot of metalwork, but it is generally low-quality.
Jungle giants produce high-quality non-metal/natural weapons, and desert giants could produce high-quality weapons if they have the opportunity to do so (so such items are usually prized heirlooms).
Stone giants and some cyclops (those modeled after Hephaestus's assistants) can be excellent smiths, but usually aren't on their own.
Hill giants, ettins, mountain giants, cyclopskin, island giants, ogre giants, and fomorians would never produce much metalwork, even of low quality, except fomorians, who would produce crude blunt metal weapons.
That's my opinion based on the culture and capabilities generally ascribed to the various giants.
Jeff |
My 2nd Edition blog: http://blog.aulddragon.com/
My streamed AD&D Spelljamer sessions: https://www.youtube.com/user/aulddragon/playlists?flow=grid&shelf_id=18&view=50
"That sums it up in a nutshell, AuldDragon. You make a more convincing argument. But he's right and you're not." |
Edited by - AuldDragon on 30 Aug 2016 00:12:31 |
|
|
|
Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1607 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2016 : 11:37:38
|
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
Frost giants (...) produce a lot of metalwork, but it is generally low-quality.
I mostly agree, but I think Frost Giants (as their Fire cousins), being influenced - or influencing - vikings, would have a nice metalwork technique. Probably the Fire Giants are better forgers, though. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
|
|
|
AuldDragon
Senior Scribe
USA
578 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2016 : 08:25:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
I mostly agree, but I think Frost Giants (as their Fire cousins), being influenced - or influencing - vikings, would have a nice metalwork technique. Probably the Fire Giants are better forgers, though.
While listed with the same intelligence, it seems to me Frost Giants tend to be described as less intelligent/more barbarous in general. In addition, they are cold-dwelling and cold-loving creatures, and would dislike the hot flames of a forge. Fire giants are more similar to dwarves than humans, and have much better access to ores and forge-friendly environments. That to me says that in general, frost giants will have metal equipment, but it will be of poorer quality and workmanship than that of the fire giants.
Jeff |
My 2nd Edition blog: http://blog.aulddragon.com/
My streamed AD&D Spelljamer sessions: https://www.youtube.com/user/aulddragon/playlists?flow=grid&shelf_id=18&view=50
"That sums it up in a nutshell, AuldDragon. You make a more convincing argument. But he's right and you're not." |
|
|
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12194 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2016 : 13:33:25
|
quote:
Originally posted by AuldDragon
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
I mostly agree, but I think Frost Giants (as their Fire cousins), being influenced - or influencing - vikings, would have a nice metalwork technique. Probably the Fire Giants are better forgers, though.
While listed with the same intelligence, it seems to me Frost Giants tend to be described as less intelligent/more barbarous in general. In addition, they are cold-dwelling and cold-loving creatures, and would dislike the hot flames of a forge. Fire giants are more similar to dwarves than humans, and have much better access to ores and forge-friendly environments. That to me says that in general, frost giants will have metal equipment, but it will be of poorer quality and workmanship than that of the fire giants.
Jeff
Yeah, I'd agree with this assessment. I don't see Frost Giants being comfortable around a forge's heat. While I think they'd appreciate and purchase weapons of iron forged by other giants, I don't see them doing so often. Ironically though, I can see them creating basic lead weapons and depending on their mass to overcome their fine make, as it melts as a MUCH lower temperature. By that, I mean things like a lead club, a lead mace, lead ballista bolts, lead sling bullets. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
|
|
|
AuldDragon
Senior Scribe
USA
578 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2016 : 22:40:32
|
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Yeah, I'd agree with this assessment. I don't see Frost Giants being comfortable around a forge's heat. While I think they'd appreciate and purchase weapons of iron forged by other giants, I don't see them doing so often. Ironically though, I can see them creating basic lead weapons and depending on their mass to overcome their fine make, as it melts as a MUCH lower temperature. By that, I mean things like a lead club, a lead mace, lead ballista bolts, lead sling bullets.
Frost giants are modeled after Norse/Viking stereotypes, and canonically prefer axes and chain mail; they would need access to iron for those items. Wrought iron equipment could be made at lower temperatures than steel, so they would probably favor weapons of that type, I think. Frost giants aren't vulnerable to heat and fire, so I think they would just be more uncomfortable than humans are, as opposed to actually harmed by it; one or two members of the tribe could put up with it in order to better equip their people.
Lead really only saw usage in weapons as sling shot and weights in Roman war darts, so I'm not so sure that would make a good metal for frost giants to use, especially when they prefer axes. I believe the lead mace heads we've found have been primarily decorative, as lead is a soft and would probably deform in usage, making it less effective even than an iron or stone mace head.
Jeff |
My 2nd Edition blog: http://blog.aulddragon.com/
My streamed AD&D Spelljamer sessions: https://www.youtube.com/user/aulddragon/playlists?flow=grid&shelf_id=18&view=50
"That sums it up in a nutshell, AuldDragon. You make a more convincing argument. But he's right and you're not." |
Edited by - AuldDragon on 04 Sep 2016 22:42:38 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Giantcraft
