Anyone remember the Giff? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Anyone remember the Giff?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
captain_impulse
Jun 14, 2008 23:46:22 Hello everyone -

So I decided today that I want to revive an old favorite race of mine and make them playable on my custom world. Anyone remember the Giff from 2nd Edition/Spelljammer? Yeah, I love those guys.

Problem is, I'm not sure how many members of my group will have any idea of what I'm talking about. I've already drafted up the info for converting them to 3.5, but what I really need is a picture of one. I've found the old pic from the 2nd edition MM and I can use that if nothing else comes up, but I'm hoping that someone out there has a better image, or knows where I can get one.

Please let me know if you can help. Thanks in advance!

BTW, here's the info I have for making them playable. I found a conversion someone did online and toned it down a little.

Giff (DM Approval Required) –

The Giff are a peculiar race whose origins are shrouded in mystery. Typically standing around 700 pounds and resembling bipedal hippopotamuses, the Giff are far more sophisticated than their appearance would belie. The Giff are hardy, adventurous, clever, jovial and friendly to other races, and are generally a peace-loving society. However, they have a fascination with firearms and warfare, and many Giff leave their homelands to serve as soldiers and mercenaries. Although they have no official kingdoms or cities, the Giff typically live in small isolated communities in regions with vast deserts or savannahs.

(Note: each race in my campaign has customizable stat adjustments, instead of static ones, which is what you're seeing below)
Stat Adjust: +2 to STR and CON, -2 to DEX, and -2 to INT or WIS.

Language: Regional. The Giff do not have a language of their own, which
further collaborates with the theory of their possible creation by arcane experimentation.

Bonus Abilities: Large Size. As Large creatures, Giff suffer a -1 size penalty to attack rolls and AC, and a -4 size penalty on Hide checks. They may use larger weapons than humans use, and their lifting and carrying limits are twice those of Medium-size characters. A Giff also has a natural reach of 10 feet.

Speed: Giff base land speed is 30'.

Firearm Proficiency – All Giff gain the feat Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Firearms for free.

Natural Armor – Giff have a +2 natural armor bonus.

Head-Butt – A Giff can deliver a head-butt as a standard action, dealing 1d8 points of damage plus one and one-half his Strength bonus. A Giff cannot combine a head-butt with other attacks. This does not provoke an attack of opportunity.

Giff gain a +2 bonus to Swim and Survival checks, but suffer a -2 to Balance and Forgery checks due to their bulk and thick fingers.

Spell Resistance - Giff are naturally resistant to magic. A Giff’s SR equals his effective character level plus 5. However, a Giff cannot voluntarily lower his spell resistance, even for beneficial magic such as healing.

Malfunctioning Magic – The Giff’s resistance to magic extends even to magic items worn or used by the Giff. Any magic item activated via spell completion (such as scrolls), spell trigger (such as wands and staffs), or a command word or mental activation (such as a ring of invisibility) has a 10% chance of simply not functioning when activated by a Giff. Thus, most Giff stick to magic items that don’t require such activation, such as weapons, armor, potions, and the like.

Restriction: Due to their inability to comprehend the ways of spellcasting,
Giff cannot be Wizards, Sorcerers, Priests or Druids. However, they can become Rangers.

Due to their bulk, Giff have difficult concealing their presence and generally can not be Rogues.

Favored Class: Fighter.

Level Adjustment: +2.
#2
nightchill
Jun 15, 2008 5:51:07 I remember the Giff

Do you remember any products which had Giff on the cover, or even on artwork internally? The only picture that comes to mind is the one you mention: the Giff in the yellow suit.

I dug out my hardcopy of The Worlds of TSR and there's one painting in there by Jeff Easley that features a Giff in the background (about to shoot two humans). I've hunted this down: Linky.

It seems the pdf of this book is also buyable
#3
captain_impulse
Jun 15, 2008 6:58:17 I didn't really have anything in mind; the only pic I knew of was the one from the 2nd Ed. MM. I was hoping somewhere in the vastness of the internet, there would be some secret haven of images (probably freelance or fan art) where someone might have stumbled across an image or two of the Giff. I've found one pic other than the one you posted, and it was okay-ish.

Perhaps I'm asking the impossible. ;)
#4
taradusis
Jun 15, 2008 7:29:02 Didn't spelljammer .org become the fansite for that sort of thing with a "BeYond the Moons"campaign?
#5
Shiftkitty
Jun 15, 2008 9:44:08 Are these the hippo looking dudes? If so, I've got a picture of one in my spelljammer set. I just have to get my scanner back to working again and I can post the picture.
#6
ikki
Jun 15, 2008 10:10:27
I remember the Giff

Do you remember any products which had Giff on the cover, or even on artwork internally? The only picture that comes to mind is the one you mention: the Giff in the yellow suit.

I dug out my hardcopy of The Worlds of TSR and there's one painting in there by Jeff Easley that features a Giff in the background (about to shoot two humans). I've hunted this down: Linky.

It seems the pdf of this book is also buyable

Btw thats the guy with his ultimate helm.. and the giff is friendly iirc
She isnt tho :D also iirc
#7
mightytev
Jun 15, 2008 10:11:16 I was thinking of 4e-izing the Giff this morning! I hit a problem pretty early on though in their racial ability scores - I would give them +2 to Str and Con, but they are both keyed to fort save so they're losing out a bit!

I guess when I get my PHB back from one of my players I'll see if any other races have the same problem. I'll let you know what I come up with!
#8
the_ubbergeek
Jun 15, 2008 10:20:24
Didn't spelljammer .org become the fansite for that sort of thing with a "BeYond the Moons"campaign?

Yes, they updated the Giff for 3,X!

I want now to see it in 4th ed.
#9
otherdoc
Jun 15, 2008 12:11:58
I've already drafted up the info for converting them to 3.5, but what I really need is a picture of one. I've found the old pic from the 2nd edition MM and I can use that if nothing else comes up, but I'm hoping that someone out there has a better image, or knows where I can get one.

Here are a couple from www.spelljammer.org -- hope it helps!

http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Giff.jpg
http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Giff2.gif
#10
captain_impulse
Jun 15, 2008 20:24:17
Here are a couple from www.spelljammer.org -- hope it helps!

http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Giff.jpg
http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Giff2.gif

D'oh! Those appear to be the only pics in existence on the entire Internet! They're the only ones I can find! Hehe.

Oh well, thanks for trying, everyone.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 captain_impulse Jun 14, 2008 23:46:22	Hello everyone - So I decided today that I want to revive an old favorite race of mine and make them playable on my custom world. Anyone remember the Giff from 2nd Edition/Spelljammer? Yeah, I love those guys. Problem is, I'm not sure how many members of my group will have any idea of what I'm talking about. I've already drafted up the info for converting them to 3.5, but what I really need is a picture of one. I've found the old pic from the 2nd edition MM and I can use that if nothing else comes up, but I'm hoping that someone out there has a better image, or knows where I can get one. Please let me know if you can help. Thanks in advance! BTW, here's the info I have for making them playable. I found a conversion someone did online and toned it down a little. Giff (DM Approval Required) – The Giff are a peculiar race whose origins are shrouded in mystery. Typically standing around 700 pounds and resembling bipedal hippopotamuses, the Giff are far more sophisticated than their appearance would belie. The Giff are hardy, adventurous, clever, jovial and friendly to other races, and are generally a peace-loving society. However, they have a fascination with firearms and warfare, and many Giff leave their homelands to serve as soldiers and mercenaries. Although they have no official kingdoms or cities, the Giff typically live in small isolated communities in regions with vast deserts or savannahs. (Note: each race in my campaign has customizable stat adjustments, instead of static ones, which is what you're seeing below) Stat Adjust: +2 to STR and CON, -2 to DEX, and -2 to INT or WIS. Language: Regional. The Giff do not have a language of their own, which further collaborates with the theory of their possible creation by arcane experimentation. Bonus Abilities: Large Size. As Large creatures, Giff suffer a -1 size penalty to attack rolls and AC, and a -4 size penalty on Hide checks. They may use larger weapons than humans use, and their lifting and carrying limits are twice those of Medium-size characters. A Giff also has a natural reach of 10 feet. Speed: Giff base land speed is 30'. Firearm Proficiency – All Giff gain the feat Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Firearms for free. Natural Armor – Giff have a +2 natural armor bonus. Head-Butt – A Giff can deliver a head-butt as a standard action, dealing 1d8 points of damage plus one and one-half his Strength bonus. A Giff cannot combine a head-butt with other attacks. This does not provoke an attack of opportunity. Giff gain a +2 bonus to Swim and Survival checks, but suffer a -2 to Balance and Forgery checks due to their bulk and thick fingers. Spell Resistance - Giff are naturally resistant to magic. A Giff’s SR equals his effective character level plus 5. However, a Giff cannot voluntarily lower his spell resistance, even for beneficial magic such as healing. Malfunctioning Magic – The Giff’s resistance to magic extends even to magic items worn or used by the Giff. Any magic item activated via spell completion (such as scrolls), spell trigger (such as wands and staffs), or a command word or mental activation (such as a ring of invisibility) has a 10% chance of simply not functioning when activated by a Giff. Thus, most Giff stick to magic items that don’t require such activation, such as weapons, armor, potions, and the like. Restriction: Due to their inability to comprehend the ways of spellcasting, Giff cannot be Wizards, Sorcerers, Priests or Druids. However, they can become Rangers. Due to their bulk, Giff have difficult concealing their presence and generally can not be Rogues. Favored Class: Fighter. Level Adjustment: +2.
#2 nightchill Jun 15, 2008 5:51:07	I remember the Giff Do you remember any products which had Giff on the cover, or even on artwork internally? The only picture that comes to mind is the one you mention: the Giff in the yellow suit. I dug out my hardcopy of The Worlds of TSR and there's one painting in there by Jeff Easley that features a Giff in the background (about to shoot two humans). I've hunted this down: Linky. It seems the pdf of this book is also buyable
#3 captain_impulse Jun 15, 2008 6:58:17	I didn't really have anything in mind; the only pic I knew of was the one from the 2nd Ed. MM. I was hoping somewhere in the vastness of the internet, there would be some secret haven of images (probably freelance or fan art) where someone might have stumbled across an image or two of the Giff. I've found one pic other than the one you posted, and it was okay-ish. Perhaps I'm asking the impossible. ;)
#4 taradusis Jun 15, 2008 7:29:02	Didn't spelljammer .org become the fansite for that sort of thing with a "BeYond the Moons"campaign?
#5 Shiftkitty Jun 15, 2008 9:44:08	Are these the hippo looking dudes? If so, I've got a picture of one in my spelljammer set. I just have to get my scanner back to working again and I can post the picture.
#6 ikki Jun 15, 2008 10:10:27	I remember the Giff Do you remember any products which had Giff on the cover, or even on artwork internally? The only picture that comes to mind is the one you mention: the Giff in the yellow suit. I dug out my hardcopy of The Worlds of TSR and there's one painting in there by Jeff Easley that features a Giff in the background (about to shoot two humans). I've hunted this down: Linky. It seems the pdf of this book is also buyable Btw thats the guy with his ultimate helm.. and the giff is friendly iirc She isnt tho :D also iirc
#7 mightytev Jun 15, 2008 10:11:16	I was thinking of 4e-izing the Giff this morning! I hit a problem pretty early on though in their racial ability scores - I would give them +2 to Str and Con, but they are both keyed to fort save so they're losing out a bit! I guess when I get my PHB back from one of my players I'll see if any other races have the same problem. I'll let you know what I come up with!
#8 the_ubbergeek Jun 15, 2008 10:20:24	Didn't spelljammer .org become the fansite for that sort of thing with a "BeYond the Moons"campaign? Yes, they updated the Giff for 3,X! I want now to see it in 4th ed.
#9 otherdoc Jun 15, 2008 12:11:58	I've already drafted up the info for converting them to 3.5, but what I really need is a picture of one. I've found the old pic from the 2nd edition MM and I can use that if nothing else comes up, but I'm hoping that someone out there has a better image, or knows where I can get one. Here are a couple from www.spelljammer.org -- hope it helps! http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Giff.jpg http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Giff2.gif
#10 captain_impulse Jun 15, 2008 20:24:17	Here are a couple from www.spelljammer.org -- hope it helps! http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Giff.jpg http://www.spelljammer.org/monsters/conversions/Giff2.gif D'oh! Those appear to be the only pics in existence on the entire Internet! They're the only ones I can find! Hehe. Oh well, thanks for trying, everyone.