Page 26 - Volo's Guide to Monsters

framed in gold leaf, rare perfume stored in vials of crys-
tal with silver lids, or a scene in the sky depicted in a ..
tapestry composed entirely of pearls.
Another way for a family to demonstrate its wealth
is by bestowing lavish gifts on other families. (A gift
from one family member to another doesn't prove any-
thing about the family's largesse.) No cloud giant truly
believes that it's better to give than to receive; a family
-Volo
does so only with an eye toward how the giving can el-
evate its status. Memnor and his trickery play a role in
this "game." The very best gift (from the giver's perspec-
tive) is one that everyone believes to be far more valu-
able than it truly is. Only the giver and the receiver will
richest of cloud giants can afford the dozens of masks
ever know a gift's true value, and neither of them would
necessary to show all the subtle differences in emotion
ever reveal that a gift is worth less than it appears to be,
possible among their kind. Artisans who can sculpt and
because to do so would reduce the status of both.
craft masks that meet the cloud giants' exacting stan-
Wealth also changes hands between cloud giants
dards in such matters are richly rewarded for their skill.
when they indulge their obsession for gambling and
wagering. Cloud giants don't engage in betting for en-
FIRE GIANTS
joyment; it is less a form of entertainment than a type of
bloodless feud. No cloud giant is a good loser, and one The fire giants were the officers, engineers, and craft-
would be aghast to hear someone else say, "I lost 40 ers of ancient Ostoria. Their position and unparalleled
pounds of gold, but I had a good time." Betting wars be- skill, along with their domineering outlook, make them
tween families can go on for generations, with fortunes haughty and arrogant.
and estates (and the position in the ordning that goes
0RDNING OF CRAFTWORK
with them) passing back and forth repeatedly. What a
Fire giants are the gre~test smiths, architects, and tech-
parent loses, a child hopes someday to win back, plus
nicians among giantkind. The iron-lined halls of a fire
more; what the child wins back, a grandchild probably
giant stronghold, deep inside a mountain or a volcano,
will eventually lose again. The tales that cloud giants
support the unimaginable weight of the stone above
tell of their ancestors are seldom about wars or magic
them and enable the giants to harness the heat of rivers
or battles against dragons- they're about brilliant wa-
of magma to power their forges.
gers won through boldness or deceit, and rival families
A fire giant's prowess in the occupations of crafting
brought to disgrace and ruin by the same.
determines its place in the ordning. Although fire giants
MASKS OF NOBILITY put stock in combat skill, they recognize that success
Ancient depictions of Memnor often showed him wear- in battle or on the hunt derives mainly from the quality
ing a two-faced mask. Because of this, cloud giant no- of one's weapons and armor, and those that can fashion
bles seldom show their faces, but instead wear exquisite the finest gear enjoy the highest status in the clan. Mas-
masks made of precious materials adorned with gem- ter artisans, architects, and engineers select the best
stones. Each noble has a collection of these masks that disciples to pass their knowledge on to, along with their
it wears to conceal its face but still reflect its current standing. Often pupils are children or siblings of their
mood; an individual might change masks many times teachers, but that's not always so. Leaders are chosen
during the day as its emotions shift. by general recognition from among the best crafters
A mask is prized both for its material value and for its in the clan.
accuracy in expressing the mood it represents. Only the One group of fire giants, known as the dreadnoughts,
owe their place in the ordning not to their crafting abil-
ity but to their extraordinary physical prowess. They
Two FACES OF MEMNOR
take on a lot of the work of guarding the forges and
The chief deity of cloud giants is Memnor, the cleverest of keeping them stoked- effort without which the crafters
Annam's offspring. But Memnor isn't only dever, he's sly
and deceitful. Tales of his exploits emphasize his charisma, couldn't succeed. (See chapter 3 of this book for more
his smooth manner, and his ability to manipulate and information on fire giant dreadnoughts.)
mislead his siblings and other legendary figures into doing Fire giants don't spend a lot of time crafting works of
exactly what he wants, usually to their great detriment art, although they would maintain that all of their feats
Thus, doud giants have two distinct aspects ofMemnor of metalworking and engineering are themselves forms
to admire and emulate. Those of a benign disposition of artistic expression. Beyond such accomplishments,
revere him for his charm, intelligence, and persuasive- true artwork is scarce among fire giants, and most of
ness, while those of a more malign bent take Memnor's what exists is jewelry, made from gems and ore that they
self-interest to heart and imitate his trickery. Cloud giants mine and then refine. A unique form of art that some fire
that take a particular interest in trickery, known as "smit- giants produce involves manipulating magma as it cools,
ing ones," wear two-faced masks as they practice their
deceptions and prey on those who are susceptible to their forming it into fantastical, one-of-a-kind shapes. The
charms. Statist~cs for cloud giant smiling ones appear •n most striking of these works are collected and displayed
chapter 3 of thts book. inside the stronghold, not unlike how other cultures cre-
ate topiary gardens.