Stone Giant

Lean, strong and somber, a stone giant has smooth, hairless gray skin that blends into any cliff, hollow cheeks and sunken black eyes. It stands about 18 feet and, being very dense, weighs some 9,000 pounds; females run slightly smaller. They rely on natural AC 0, wear rock-colored clothes rather than armor, and may live 800 years. A traveling sack holds 2d12 throwing stones, a share of its treasure and 1d8 everyday items. Besides their own tongue they speak storm, cloud and hill giant, and half know the human common tongue.

They prefer to fight from afar, hurling rocks for 3d10 at ranges from 3 up to 300 yards, and snatch thrown stones from the air on 90% of tries. A classic ambush has them standing motionless against the rock until foes draw close, then stepping out to throw. Many rig rockpiles near the lair to bring down an avalanche on intruders. In melee they wield stone clubs for 2d6+8, double a man-sized club plus Strength.

They inhabit deep caves on high, stormy peaks in temperate and subtropical ranges. A family clan numbers 10 or fewer, but clans cluster for company and safety, so a range may hold 2d4. With eight or more at home, one quarter are males, one quarter females and the rest young. Roll 1d4 per youngster: 4 means a helpless infant with an ogre's hit points, and 1 to 3 an adolescent that fights like a hill giant.

One in 20 becomes an elder who can, once a day each, cast stone tell, transmute rock to mud or its reverse, and stone shape as a 5th-level mage; one elder in 10 also casts spells as a 3rd-level wizard. Elders often lead several clans. Three lairs in four keep 1d8 cave bears as guards, or polar bears in the rare cold-country lair.

They are playful by night and adore contests of strength. Whole tribes gather to throw boulders at one another, and whichever side takes more hits loses. Their art is rough: painted cave walls and hide scrolls, painted stone bead necklaces, stone drums and flutes.

Omnivores, they insist on fresh food and cook meat soon after killing it. Hides become blankets or trade goods, swapped with nearby humans for cloth or livestock to eat. Many bands keep giant goats for milk, butter and cheese.