Monday, November 6, 2017

Multi-headed and -limbed giants

D&D has a bizarre fixation with making every possible anatomical configuration of giants into a distinct race. For example, every two-headed giant is an "ettin," every three-armed giant is an "athach," every three-headed three-armed three-legged giant is an "ubue," every two-headed cyclops is a "biclops," every two-headed troll is a "two-headed troll" (at this point the writer gave up on trying to devise a new name, what a surprise!), etc.

This became so pervasive that Octavirate Presents: Lethal Lexicon Vol 1 parodies the two-headed cyclops by introducing its own "biclops": a cyclops with two eyes, oriented vertically, that give it better depth perception.
© Jennell Jaquays
Instead, I would propose treating extra body parts as mutations that could afflict any giants. Maybe a specific tribe of mutant giants, like the Gegenees in Greek mythology. Certainly not an entire race just for two-heads or three arms and the associated setting baggage.

Random generation is an excellent method of creating such giants. In The Dungeoneer Journal 23 (Judges Guild, Oct/Nov 1980), we get a basic "1d6 heads, d6x2 arms, and a 15% chance to cast magic at a level equal to the number of heads."

My suggestion: Roll 1d6 (1-6) to determine the number of heads, 1d12+1 (2-13) to determine the number of arms, 1d6+1 (2-7) to determine the number of legs, and 1d20-1 (0-19) to determine the number of eyes (total, not per head). Substitute your own ranges and body parts as desired; for example, roll 1d100 for all body parts.

Rolang's blog gives an ingenious suggestion for letting the ettin attach the severed heads of its victims to its own body, gaining some degree of their capabilities.

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