Hephaeston [Giant]

A hephaeston's dark skin is living iron, flexible yet incredibly tough. Both sexes are heavily muscled, especially through the arms and chest, and males usually grow thick, bushy beards. They wear loose, practical clothes that will not snag at the forge, and each always carries a massive iron weapon, typically a sword or axe.

Hephaestons rarely go looking for a fight, but they are fearsome when one finds them. Only weapons of +2 or better enchantment can pierce their dense iron hide. They are immune to all fire, to 1st- and 2nd-level spells, and to mind-affecting magic such as charm, hold and every illusion.

Each round the giant swings its iron weapon once, for 4d10+12 including Strength. It also either punches or uses one of its special abilities. The fist deals 3d10, and a natural attack roll of 18, 19 or 20 means the giant has grabbed hold; at round's end it may slam the victim to the ground for another 5d6, halved by a successful save vs. death.

These solitary giants make their homes on the loftiest peaks or in the deepest caverns, always with a forge, and spend their lives pursuing the perfect weapon, forging and reforging one piece for months or years until it satisfies them. Wisps of forge smoke or the distant clang of a hammer are often the only signs one lives nearby.

They eat game such as deer and boar along with various plants, and must swallow at least 50 pounds of iron a month to sustain their bodies.

A male may, once or twice in a life of 500 years or more, craft a work of truly surpassing beauty. Then he seeks out a female and presents it to her in an elaborate courtship. If it pleases her, she forges him a gift in return. The pair may stay together up to a year, shaping an infant out of flawless iron and quickening it with a few drops of liquid metal drawn from each parent's skin. The youngster stays with either the mother or father until it has mastered smithing, then departs.

Hephaestons avoid other thinking creatures and resent visitors. Still, one can sometimes be talked into making human-sized weapons of iron or steel, and since they always want large amounts of iron ore, they may trade knowledge or weapons for it. They also collect metals, coins included, and weapons of every kind, especially finely made ones.

A hephaeston weapon is exceptionally durable (+2 on saving throws), keen (+2 damage) and gorgeous, fetching three to five times the normal price for its type.