Big Hero Six [Half Giants]

[Cale_Knight]

So I just got done watching Big Hero Six. It's a wonderful, adorable movie and you should all go see it. About halfway through, though, I had a sudden realization.

"Holy shit. Baymax (the robot) is an Arm half-giant."

Baymax has absorbed a lot of information, but he doesn't really know how to apply any of it. He's dumb but sweet. He forms quick friendships. He's huge and strong, but doesn't really know that he's either of those things. He's pretty much everything that an Arm half-giant should be.

So yeah, you should watch this movie because it's great. But it also happens to have an Arm half-giant in it and that's pretty cool too.

[RogueGunslinger]

The movie was great. But I think the dumb, sweet, confused half-giant is a trope that's too often used. Half-giants should make you fearful, not endear you too them.

I wouldn't mind seeing more mean, bullying half-giants. The sort that uses their strength to get what they want from people.

[Beethoven]

Well, the docs do say they have "astounding degrees of curiosity and kindness." It also follows this up with "(usually)," but you can hardly fault people for going by what the docs say is normal.

[Fujikoma]

The movie was great. But I think the dumb, sweet, confused half-giant is a trope that's too often used. Half-giants should make you fearful, not endear you too them.

I wouldn't mind seeing more mean, bullying half-giants. The sort that uses their strength to get what they want from people.

I had a half-giant that would unpredictably get angry, I got an account note that said I was playing them more like a mul than a half-giant.

[RogueGunslinger]

Well , there's a difference between being a mean bully and being unpredictable. A half-giant should be pretty easy to read. It should be really easy to see what upsets them, what calms them down, and what makes them happy.

I don't fault people for playing the kind, curious, dumb half-giants. It just tends to come off like all half-giants are the same when I see it so often.

[Fujikoma]

Well , there's a difference between being a mean bully and being unpredictable. A half-giant should be pretty easy to read. It should be really easy to see what upsets them, what calms them down, and what makes them happy.

I don't fault people for playing the kind, curious, dumb half-giants. It just tends to come off like all half-giants are the same when I see it so often.

I recall a big dumb thug HG, even though my PCs hated him, the player did an excellent job. It was a pants-shitting good time for all who found themselves being eyed morbidly by this big fellow.

[Reiloth]

It could be assumed that some of the half-giant population has lived around arrogant, violent, or plain old mean people, rather than dumb, curious, and intelligent people. They are sponges and give back what they get -- I can see RGS' line of thinking.

[Patuk]

I'm inclined to think that any half-giant who goes out of their way to be bullying and aggressive is going to be put down like a rabid dog. A human, elf, or even a dwarf can get away with much more than a HG could in this regard, I'd wager.

[Eluin]

Yeaaah, I haven't played all that long but from how I would see it.

Nice, pliable, not tooo bright half giants are useful in their various roles as hunters, in the byn, working with the city guard/army etc and smashing your enemies on command.

Brash unpredictable bad tempered half giants are a gigantic threat not worth the risk that should be gotten rid of ASAP before they decide to smash your skull in on a bad day.

[Patuk]

Self-admitted newb dude illustrates my point nicely.

[Fujikoma]

Self-admitted newb dude illustrates my point nicely.

Even an angry, somewhat unpredictable half-giant could be useful, it's all a question of, well, what exactly pushes them in that direction, so I can avoid it?

[Patuk]

Uh, no. A half-giant is not a buzzsaw, with clear instructions and a good way of use. A half-giant that is not docile is a menace to everyonr around it. It matters not if you're a templar, a soldier, some elf or a lowly grebber: one swat from a giant is going to mean your death. If a giant does not fit into Zalanthan society,  doubt said society is going to give it a pass.

[Fujikoma]

Uh, no. A half-giant is not a buzzsaw, with clear instructions and a good way of use. A half-giant that is not docile is a menace to everyonr around it. It matters not if you're a templar, a soldier, some elf or a lowly grebber: one swat from a giant is going to mean your death. If a giant does not fit into Zalanthan society,  doubt said society is going to give it a pass.

If you're not able to keep a leash on a violent, unpredictable monster, I think we're playing different games. Huzzah for massive wisdom scores. Sure, some mob justice could happen, but ask anyone, they don't want to be in front.

[Armaddict]

Mean half-giants are no greater threat than cheerful half-giants.

It's all about whose word they're following.  Yes, there do need to be some darker half-giants.

[Saellyn]

I remember a mean half-giant but he was not spontaneously mean. He was trained to be that way. He was mean to people that he was trained to be mean to, not reactionary mean or mul-rage mean.

[BleakOne]

Half-Giants greatly desire acceptance, and generally will seek it out from wherever they are. They do, however, have personalities of their own which push them one way or another in what they do. Obviously even a HG would work out that being nice to people makes them at least appear to like you, so it's understandable that a lot of giants would make willing helpers of themselves until someone or something stops them.

Some giants might be more timid, avoiding combat, pain and frightening situations. He or she may join a militia if others push him to it, and he'd even fight if others led him to it, but he'd be quick to run, eager to complain (until told to shut up) and would likely eventually just decide to up and leave.

Mean HGs likely exist as well. They would seek out acceptance in ways which fuel their desire to feel powerful. They'd make good thugs, raiders or bodyguards. However, I imagine they'd be unlikely to act alone, since the HG desire to be accepted would drive them to find someone to earn the praise of.

I agree that many HGs are played as the 'kind and dumb' lot, but as others said before, that's just the most comfortable place for most HGs. I also agree that it's cool when someone breaks out of the standard mould, as long as it is with good reason.

[Saellyn]

bleak stop quoting half-elf docs!

[BleakOne]

 

[Fujikoma]

  If you think half-giants only act as trained, or think of them as easily predictable, then you've never seen four HGs shouting directions as part of a wagon escort.

[Saellyn]

Four half-giants shouting directions during a wagon escort is probably how shamim l shamim came to be...

[CodeMaster]

Half-Giants greatly desire acceptance, and generally will seek it out from wherever they are. They do, however, have personalities of their own which push them one way or another in what they do. Obviously even a HG would work out that being nice to people makes them at least appear to like you, so it's understandable that a lot of giants would make willing helpers of themselves until someone or something stops them.

Some giants might be more timid, avoiding combat, pain and frightening situations. He or she may join a militia if others push him to it, and he'd even fight if others led him to it, but he'd be quick to run, eager to complain (until told to shut up) and would likely eventually just decide to up and leave.

Mean HGs likely exist as well. They would seek out acceptance in ways which fuel their desire to feel powerful. They'd make good thugs, raiders or bodyguards. However, I imagine they'd be unlikely to act alone, since the HG desire to be accepted would drive them to find someone to earn the praise of.

I agree that many HGs are played as the 'kind and dumb' lot, but as others said before, that's just the most comfortable place for most HGs. I also agree that it's cool when someone breaks out of the standard mould, as long as it is with good reason.

Good post.

[X-D]

Most my HGs have been perfectly willing to bully to get what they want.

But really never had to.

HG Hey Amos, I REALLY like that sword of yours.

Amos, Oh, well, Here ya go big guy, like to keep you happy.

Most players keep in mind what exactly a HG is, oh sure, there are some newer ones here and there that do not, but normally it only takes one or two emotes to remind them.

Half-Giants greatly desire acceptance, and generally will seek it out from wherever they are. They do, however, have personalities of their own which push them one way or another in what they do. Obviously even a HG would work out that being nice to people makes them at least appear to like you, so it's understandable that a lot of giants would make willing helpers of themselves until someone or something stops them.

Some giants might be more timid, avoiding combat, pain and frightening situations. He or she may join a militia if others push him to it, and he'd even fight if others led him to it, but he'd be quick to run, eager to complain (until told to shut up) and would likely eventually just decide to up and leave.

Mean HGs likely exist as well. They would seek out acceptance in ways which fuel their desire to feel powerful. They'd make good thugs, raiders or bodyguards. However, I imagine they'd be unlikely to act alone, since the HG desire to be accepted would drive them to find someone to earn the praise of.

Um, This entire post is NOT backed by the docs, I have to give it a thumbs down.

"A" half-giant may be that way, but as a race, no, not in the least.

No where does it say or even hint that they desire acceptance, not greatly or otherwise. In fact, being that the concept itself is rather abstract, I would have to argue that you would have a very hard time getting a HG to even understand what it is. The docs do state that HGs readily adopt other cultures/customs, but in that, they do not know they are doing it, they just do, that is part of being a HG. And they can switch to new ones just as easily, depending on who they might be around.

[BleakOne]

My post was just my opinion on HGs, although since they generally identify with a 'group' or friend they want to act like or be part of, I'd imagine most would be quite upset if their chosen people to be like rejected them. Similar to how a fame-worshipping person would feel if their favourite celebrity insulted them. Only a HG would only be upset for a short time before he either tried again, or went looking for greener pastures.

HGs don't understand concepts at all, but they still are driven by them. They might not understand bloodlust as a concept, but that doesn't stop them smashing heads when they feel it.

[X-D]

The point is, they do not "want" to act like them...they just DO act like them...there is a difference.

[Harmless]

I thought bleakone's post was reasonable. The desire for belonging/acceptance/approval is basic, subconscious, and instinctual. I like to use Lord of the Flies as an example. Kids in that story were made to do great evil by the dominant power structure that formed in their society. Not a single kid realized they were doing what they were for acceptance and belonging. They simply did what was natural.So both xd and bleak are correct