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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

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There is a Legacy version here.

PFS StandardShadow Giant

Shadow giants are natives of the Netherworld, where they have dwelled in perpetual twilight for millennia. They live in familiar groups and uphold a nomadic way of life as they roam across ancestral lands between shadowy forests and misty chasms. These hunter-gatherers pass down lore through oral histories, conduct pilgrimages to unholy ziggurats of black stone, and bathe in the blood of their long-standing foes, including rival shadow giant clans and fiends of the Netherworld intent on enslaving their kind.

Standing 15 feet tall, with gray skin and hair only a shade lighter, shadow giants are fearsome foes with a well-earned reputation as zealous warmongers and ruthless combatants. They rarely interact with outsiders, though they may treat with proven warriors who show the giants the respect and deference they feel they deserve.

Recall Knowledge - Humanoid (Society): DC 31
Unspecific Lore: DC 29
Specific Lore: DC 26

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Weak are marked in red below.
NOTE: The -2 damage penalty to non-strike offensive abilities (-4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Weak Shadow GiantCreature 12

Large Giant Humanoid Shadow 
Source Monster Core pg. 168
Perception +20; darkvision
Languages Common, Jotun, Shadowtongue
Skills Athletics +25, Intimidation +22, Stealth +19 (+21 to Hide in dim light)
Str +8, Dex +2, Con +5, Int +0, Wis +1, Cha +3
Items +1 striking spiked chain, +1 resilient breastplate
AC 31; Fort +23, Ref +18, Will +21
HP 255
Reactive Strike [reaction]
Speed 35 feet
Melee [one-action] spiked chain +25 [+20/+15] (disarm, reach 10 feet, trip), Damage 3d8-2+18 slashing plus pall of shadowMelee [one-action] fist +24 [+20/+16] (agile, nonlethal, reach 10 feet), Damage 3d8-2+18 bludgeoning plus pall of shadowPall of Shadow (divine, shadow) When a shadow giant hits with a melee attack, the target must succeed at a DC 28 Fortitude save or become drained 1 and take a –1 status penalty to Perception checks involving sight as long as they remain drained. On a critical failure, this condition doesn't heal naturally and can be removed only with magic.Shadow Chain [two-actions] (divine, shadow, teleportation) Shadows extend the giant's chain as they make a spiked chain Strike, increasing their reach to 60 feet for that Strike. If this hits, the target must succeed at a DC 31 Will save or be teleported to an empty space within the shadow giant's normal reach.Shadowcloak [one-action] (divine, shadow) The shadow giant gains the effect of the blur spell for 1 minute or until it is exposed to direct sunlight, whichever comes first.

All Monsters in "Giant"

NameLevel
Cave Giant6
Cloud Giant11
Desert Giant9
Fire Giant10
Frost Giant9
Hill Giant7
Marsh Giant8
Plague Giant14
Rune Giant16
Shadow Giant13
Giant, Smog7
Stone Giant8
Storm Giant13
Taiga Giant12
Tomb Giant12
Wood Giant6

Giant

Source Monster Core pg. 164
Giants are massive humanoid creatures who live in remote regions throughout the world. They vary widely but are united in their hunger, requiring sustenance of their own element along with the feasts one would expect from such a massive humanoid. Although a simple matter for some giants, more esoteric types find this need a harsh reality. While a massive fistful of ice or snow alongside their meal will satisfy a frost giant, shadow giants hunger for the coagulated shadows of the Netherworld.

Sidebar - Locations Giant Holdings

As oversized as they are, giants tend to dwell in remote regions of the world, where they have the luxury of claiming larger territories of their own. Giants of many types reside in the Saga Lands, where their ancestors were forced to serve ancient Thassilon, and in the Mindspin Mountains.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Giant Pets

As with many people, giants enjoy keeping pets. Large animals like bears and lions, megafauna like woolly mammoths, and dinosaurs are popular among many giants. Rune giants come closest to breaking this pattern, preferring to tend to their controlled giants, but esoteric types of giants often find equally curious pets.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Other Giants

Beyond the giants detailed here, many others dwell in remote regions of the world. Wood giants are peaceful guardians of the forests, cave giants lurk alone as vicious predators, and mountain giants are horrific butchers even other giants fear.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Oversized Themes

Giants are larger-than-life foes. While many giants have themes that tie them to elemental or magical forces, the primary theme giants share is that they embody a classic cultural trope as their basis. Fire giants, for example, can be seen as oversized smiths, while hill giants should evoke the flavor of an oversized bully.