The Problem with Giants in D&D

Summary

This video explores a unique reimagining of giants in Dungeons & Dragons, focusing on the concept of *Colossi*—immense, planet-sized giants that continue growing throughout their lifetimes, eventually becoming part of the landscape or even entire moons. The narrative suggests that these colossal beings could be central to world-shaping events, with possibilities for interplanetary conflicts, ancient wars, and the awakening of cosmic forces. It offers exciting story opportunities for DMs, including campaigns involving giant wars, planetary-scale battles, and the mysterious roles of living worlds. The video also provides ideas for incorporating these colossi into player characters and adventures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Giants in D&D can be reimagined as *living planets*, with their size and existence tied to the very fabric of the world and cosmos.
• 🌍 A giant's life doesn't end with death; they grow infinitely, and after centuries, they may transform into Colossi—giants so massive they become part of the landscape (mountains, volcanoes, etc.).
• 🛸 Colossi giants could continue to grow past the planet's ability to sustain them, potentially leading to interplanetary journeys or floating land masses in the sky.
• 🌑 The idea of the Moon being a sleeping Colossus introduces a unique world-building element, where the Moon itself is alive and could awaken, causing catastrophic tidal waves or celestial changes.
• 🌪️ Giants are tied to *creation itself*—the gods of creation, like Anan, are deeply intertwined with their existence, and may even control the essence of existence and matter.
• 💥 Colossi giants could eventually become so large that they lose their human-like form and turn into unrecognizable planetary beings, opening up dramatic storytelling possibilities.
• ⚔️ Campaigns involving giants can include giant vs. giant wars where entire civilizations live on the bodies of the giants and fight for dominance, adding layers of political intrigue and warfare.
• 💡 Theories suggest that if a Colossus reaches a certain size, it may escape the planet's gravity, leading to cosmic exploration and new forms of conflict beyond the material world.
• 👽 The lore hints that the very *planes of existence* could have once been giants, linking the concept of giants to the origin of all reality and making them central to the universe's history.
• 🎲 Player characters can be designed with new, imaginative backstories: such as warlocks whose patrons are giant entities like mountains, planets, or even moons, tying personal stories to larger cosmic events.

Q & A

What is the core concept that makes giants unique in D&D lore?

The core concept that makes giants unique in D&D lore is their size. The essence of giants is their immense scale, which is emphasized and exaggerated in this reimagining, with giants growing so large that they become part of the landscape itself or even transform into planets or moons over time.

How are giants portrayed differently from traditional D&D lore in the video?

In the video, giants are portrayed as more than just large humanoid creatures. They are depicted as living forces of creation, whose existence is tied to the very material they are made of, and whose growth continues throughout their lifetimes. Some giants even enter a state where they become part of the landscape, and eventually evolve into massive celestial bodies.

What is the significance of the Colossus in the context of the video?

The Colossus represents the final stage of a giant's growth, where they become so large that they fall into a hibernation-like state, their bodies transforming into part of the planet's landscape. The Colossus continues to grow and live, and the narrative suggests that these giants could eventually become moons, planets, or even interplanetary entities.

What potential conflicts are suggested by the Colossus' immense size and continued growth?

The Colossus' immense size creates numerous storytelling possibilities, such as conflicts between growing giants, the civilizations that form on their bodies, and even planetary-scale wars. These conflicts could involve factions attempting to control or destroy a Colossus, or the world-shaking consequences of a Colossus waking up or colliding with another celestial body.

How does the video suggest incorporating the concept of giants into a D&D campaign?

The video suggests using the concept of giants in a campaign by focusing on their size and the mythical elements surrounding them, such as the idea that giants can grow so large that they transform into planets or moons. DMs can craft epic battles between giants, explore the societal impact of civilizations living on their bodies, or introduce the idea of a planet-sized war between Colossi.

What are some examples of potential campaign scenarios involving Colossi?

Some potential campaign scenarios include two Colossi locked in an eternal battle, with entire civilizations fighting to control the giants' growth or land. Alternatively, players could uncover that the moon is a Colossus awakening, causing massive environmental changes on the planet, or they could explore a campaign where a planet is on the brink of collapse due to a Colossus' unchecked growth.

How do the giants' connections to the divine figure 'Anan' influence their story?

Anan, the Creator God, is described as the source of all creation and the being responsible for making giants in his image. This divine connection gives giants a cosmic significance, linking their growth to the very fabric of the universe. As a result, giants are not just beings of great size, but also living embodiments of creation, with the potential to reshape the world or even the cosmos.

What role do Colossi play in the larger cosmic narrative of the video?

In the larger cosmic narrative, Colossi are portrayed as ancient, powerful beings that are tied to the creation and destruction of planets and even the planes of existence. Their growth and transformation could lead to them becoming celestial bodies like moons or planets, and their continued existence challenges the boundaries of what is possible in the D&D universe.

How could players incorporate the Colossus concept into their characters?

Players could incorporate the Colossus concept into their characters by forming connections with these giant, cosmic entities. For example, a character's warlock patron could be a Colossus in its dormant state, or the character might have a personal stake in a Colossus' awakening. Additionally, players could explore unique abilities tied to the elemental and cosmic nature of giants.

What are some ways the giants' size could impact the world or society in a campaign?

Giants' size could have profound impacts on the world, with entire civilizations living on the bodies of dormant Colossi, wars breaking out over control of land, or entire regions being transformed as giants grow. The environmental consequences could include massive geological shifts, with mountain ranges, volcanoes, or entire cities emerging from the body of a giant, creating complex political and social dynamics for the players to navigate.