Faux Giants

Artist's impression of the tragic yet feared Homo Miserabili, based on the rambling description teased from an escaped victim; they perished shortly after giving a brief, horrifying account of their experience.

Homo Miserabili

In the throes of the Schism, the increasingly desperate Deumana resorted to extreme measures in their attempts to smother the insurgency. With several Races now in open rebellion, and many of their own number flocking to the secessionist Frost Giants, these demigods-in-decline sought to resupply their ranks with staturesque soldiers. Sensitive of spawning more recalcitrant creations, they augmented the growth of embryonic neo-sapiens; capping their mental capacity, and in their haste producing many disfigurements. The results were mutated false giants of varied size, with twisted frames and insufficient intellect that quickly proved unable, or unwilling, to follow commands. Too preoccupied to rectify or iterate on their attempts, the Deumana were oblivious to the pitiful creatures escape in the fog of war, scattering throughout the Continent. Many died; those remaining proved stronger, more capable, more adaptable, and perhaps stumbled on a little luck along the way. They filled a niche as predators, successfully maintaining a small but resilient presence throughout the cycles.

The mutations demonstrated by the Faux are wild, and appear to develop in such a way as to allow the sufferer to be physically functional. While all Faux exhibit signs of gigantism, there is no standard set of ailments. These false giants can be anorexically slim, right across the spectrum to being larger in girth than they are tall. Disfigurements can include, but are not limited to: tumors and cancerous growths, swollen joints, thick skin, additional inoperable limbs, asymmetrical facial configurations, severe spine and hip misalignment, disproportionate limb length, and abnormal hair growth. All tend towards oversized jaws and prolific teeth. They are extremely hostile by design, and merely not due to their physical or mental ability.

As the flailing demigods did not record this misadventure, lacking their Slender servants who had customarily performed this fuction, the origin of the Faux is not common knowledge. On meeting a Faux in the forest, one is first stricken by their severe deformity, their sad, slouching eyes, crooked postures, and pained, swollen ligaments. Slenders now theorize this is an evolutionary preferred trait, as it allows them within closer reach of their prey.

False Giants are carnivores with a predisposition for humanoid flesh. This is not cannibalism, as they are a distinct species. They substitute their diet with assorted grasses, leaves, wild fruit, nuts, and vegetables, but only as a required. They are commonly seen stumbling about intoxicated, presumably on rotten fruit, stolen supplies, or homebrew concocted by captives. This shade of a giant will often maintain a sentient victim hostage to accomplish the tasks they cannot. The unfortunate individual tends the fire, cooks, cleans, mends, de-louses, and entertains its tormentor. A lamentable and terrifying existence, it oft not last long, as the focus of the Faux is prone to wander, and being territorial, they give up chase when their unshackled prisoner makes a well-executed break for freedom. It is best not to dwell on those who fail in their escape.

A Faux is a rarity to find, therefore Folk do not fear them as they should. These lumbering beings live and travel alone, often keep livestock, and live crudely. Palling in comparison to true Giants, they still measure an imposing 24 or more spans, though those who surpass 40 or so spans have noticeably shorter lifespans. Their quintessential hostility aside, it is unknown why they tend towards human flesh, considering the risks involved, and the plentiful supply of alternative wildlife. One theory suggests the trait was encoded by their Deumana creators.

They cannot be reasoned with even at the best of times; mistaking one for a misshappen Folk is an error not typically repeated.

A Druid couple in their waning years stumbled upon an abandoned child while out gathering wild fruit. The babe was perhaps five or six cycles in appearance, with an oversized head and an abnormal countenance. In an act of charity, they lured the child home with their gathered fruit, and did their best to raise the infant. Prone to violent bouts and slow to learn, the youngster ate almost only raw meat, but the couple persisted nonetheless. During a rare visit, their neighbour was viciously bitten, and left with a warning to their naive friends that this was no Folk infant. Patient and understanding to a fault, the couple continued to care for the youth. A season later, the neighbour called by again - this time accompanied by the village smith - and found the house to be unusually quiet. Inside both found a scene that chilled their very bones. The infant, having grown large enough to overpower his benefactors, slaughtered and ate them raw, spraying blood, guts and feces throughout the cabin. There was no sign of the creature, and once the burly smith had finished vomiting, they took off at a sprint, and never returned.