The LOBster
2013-02-01, 03:12 PM
Jotun are a rare race, not to be confused with Frost Giants. However, it's easy to see why some people confuse the two - Jotun are larger than even the tallest Dragonborn. Living high in the mountains, these proud warriors and craftsmen guard their citadels against all threats - it's difficult to earn the trust of a Jotun, but once you have, the entire stronghold will welcome you.
Physical Description: Jotun are taller than any other Medium humanoid race, but shorter than giants - the average Jotun is around 7-1/2 feet tall and heavily muscled, with larger individuals topping out at nearly 8 feet. Jotun skin ranges from a pale-whitish blue to a bright, icy blue. Most Jotun have long, wavy white hair, while males have trim beards, and their eyes are almost always a piercing shade of blue.
Society: A Jotun stronghold is ruled by a jarl, who is given his position when the previous jarl dies. Ascending to become a jarl means that the clerics of the stronghold believe he's been chosen by the patron god of the Jotun, Ymir. Jotun are renowned for their ability to craft objects out of a crystal known as Isstein - while the material looks like ice, it's almost as hard as adamantine while weighing only a little more than mithril. Jotun believe that Isstein was made from fragments of Ymir's bones.
Relations: Despite the height difference and the distrust dwarves have for giants, Jotun and dwarves get along very well - it helps both of them have a distinct love of crafting. They respect humans and shifters, but don't look upon them as fondly as they do dwarves. They find halflings rather annoying, and view elves with active disdain - it's possible they dislike elves even more than dwarves do. They also aren't terribly fond of Dragonborn for many reasons, the least of which is that Dragonborn often live in hot, volcanic areas that are inhospitable to the Jotun.
Alignment and Religion: Jotun tend towards Lawful Neutral, but can be of any alignment. Jotun are a serious, solemn folk, and value hard work and valor in battle. Their belief system is centered around Ymir, a great giant who died in battle with Zarus, and whose blood gave rise to the first Jotun.
Adventurers: A Jotun adventurer often leaves a stronghold to find strong opponents and battle them in the name of his jarl. In addition, Jotun often adventure to seek out chromatic dragons, who are the ancient enemies of their kind. Jotun are often Fighters, Barbarians or Clerics, and some are also Bards due to a strong musical tradition.
Jotun Racial Traits
+2 Strength, +2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity: Jotun are a powerful, hardy race, but they move slow due to their size.
Medium: Although they verge on Large size, the Jotun are Medium creatures and receive no bonuses or penalties.
Powerful Stride: Goliaths receive no speed penalties when wearing heavy armor.
Cold Resistance:: Goliaths don't need to wear thick clothing in cold environments, and also take less damage from Cold attacks, meaning they don't need to make survival checks in cold climates and have +4 defenses against Cold attacks. However, they're more susceptible to hot regions and Fire attacks than most races, taking -2 to Survival rolls and defenses against such.
Level Adjustment: 0
Languages: Jotun begin play speaking Dwarven and Common. Jotun of high intelligence can also speak Giant and Orc.
Sturdy: Due to their size, it's harder to knock a Jotun prone. They receive a +2 racial bonus to avoid attacks that would do so.
Favored class: Barbarian. A Jotun receives no penalties for multiclassing to or from Barbarian.
Physical Description: Jotun are taller than any other Medium humanoid race, but shorter than giants - the average Jotun is around 7-1/2 feet tall and heavily muscled, with larger individuals topping out at nearly 8 feet. Jotun skin ranges from a pale-whitish blue to a bright, icy blue. Most Jotun have long, wavy white hair, while males have trim beards, and their eyes are almost always a piercing shade of blue.
Society: A Jotun stronghold is ruled by a jarl, who is given his position when the previous jarl dies. Ascending to become a jarl means that the clerics of the stronghold believe he's been chosen by the patron god of the Jotun, Ymir. Jotun are renowned for their ability to craft objects out of a crystal known as Isstein - while the material looks like ice, it's almost as hard as adamantine while weighing only a little more than mithril. Jotun believe that Isstein was made from fragments of Ymir's bones.
Relations: Despite the height difference and the distrust dwarves have for giants, Jotun and dwarves get along very well - it helps both of them have a distinct love of crafting. They respect humans and shifters, but don't look upon them as fondly as they do dwarves. They find halflings rather annoying, and view elves with active disdain - it's possible they dislike elves even more than dwarves do. They also aren't terribly fond of Dragonborn for many reasons, the least of which is that Dragonborn often live in hot, volcanic areas that are inhospitable to the Jotun.
Alignment and Religion: Jotun tend towards Lawful Neutral, but can be of any alignment. Jotun are a serious, solemn folk, and value hard work and valor in battle. Their belief system is centered around Ymir, a great giant who died in battle with Zarus, and whose blood gave rise to the first Jotun.
Adventurers: A Jotun adventurer often leaves a stronghold to find strong opponents and battle them in the name of his jarl. In addition, Jotun often adventure to seek out chromatic dragons, who are the ancient enemies of their kind. Jotun are often Fighters, Barbarians or Clerics, and some are also Bards due to a strong musical tradition.
Jotun Racial Traits
+2 Strength, +2 Constitution, -2 Dexterity: Jotun are a powerful, hardy race, but they move slow due to their size.
Medium: Although they verge on Large size, the Jotun are Medium creatures and receive no bonuses or penalties.
Powerful Stride: Goliaths receive no speed penalties when wearing heavy armor.
Cold Resistance:: Goliaths don't need to wear thick clothing in cold environments, and also take less damage from Cold attacks, meaning they don't need to make survival checks in cold climates and have +4 defenses against Cold attacks. However, they're more susceptible to hot regions and Fire attacks than most races, taking -2 to Survival rolls and defenses against such.
Level Adjustment: 0
Languages: Jotun begin play speaking Dwarven and Common. Jotun of high intelligence can also speak Giant and Orc.
Sturdy: Due to their size, it's harder to knock a Jotun prone. They receive a +2 racial bonus to avoid attacks that would do so.
Favored class: Barbarian. A Jotun receives no penalties for multiclassing to or from Barbarian.