The Everbleeding Giants

“I am well-versed in the history of the Conclave, but I must admit that some of the stories defy the sound judgment of a logical mind. Our records put Molech’s death at the hands of giants. Once I wondered: ‘How could that be? For a god to fall through the crude brutality of flesh?’ Now that I have seen one of these beings, I understand.”

— Polinore, Prime Archivist of the Conclave of the Spheres

The existence of the giants, albeit mostly disregarded as a myth by the people of the Sovereign Cities, comes as no surprise to the great factions of Selejia. Their existence is well attested by surviving litanies, written records, and the very words whispered by the dead. In a rare display of agreement, the factions treat the creatures with a fearful respect, knowing the power bound within them, and the dangers that would unfold should they rise. All but the Primal Blood, as their Everlasting Vestige, the Heart of Avakra, lies deeply rooted in the chest cavity of such a creature, which was defeated by the hands of their greatest hero.

While most creatures of the world can be traced back to one of the Thirteen, no single Everlasting is responsible for the creation of the giants. Rather, all of them used their powers to give shape, strength, and mind to the creatures. This unity of purpose was required to create beings unlike all others, able to perform the greatest of tasks: the construction of the Thorn of Olem.

Inside the Malediction, the monsters can be easily distinguished not only by their enormous size, but also by the decrepit state in which they can be found. With stakes piercing their hands and heads, it is clear that they have been contained by great powers in ages past, although the reason for such is unknown. Albeit they may vary in size and appearance, one thing is clearly shared by all of them: immortality. Whatever sway death may hold over the world, it seems to have forgotten these accursed beings. For countless ages, they have bled and agonized, always close to the release of death, but never fully embraced by it.

While most shudder in their presence, the Primal Blood fully embraces the noxious magic that seeps from the giants. Their blood, contaminated by ancient curses, sears the flesh of all who dare touch it. In conflicts, berserkers are known to deliberately douse themselves in the burning ichor, using the pain it inflicts to bring about an enhanced awareness and thirst for battle. Even more simply, many of the Primal Blood’s foes have been invited by the berserkers to “take a swim”.

Most of Selejia sleep soundly, believing the tales of the giants to be just a fable, those aware of their existence find no such rest. Their dreams are haunted by a grim, albeit reasonable truth: if the giants manage one day to recover their consciousness and decide to rise against the continent, there will be no power in Selejia able to contain them.