Ettin

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Ettins are a species of mutant hill giants from Dungeons & Dragons, whose only real claim to fame is that they have two heads. Each head has its own brain and thusly its own personality. The two usually can't stand each other and so ettins tend to spend a lot of time bickering and yammering to themselves.

But, since two heads are better than one, they've got a couple halfway decent powers out of the deal, like ease of two-weapon fighting, enhanced ability to spot people sneaking up on them, and making sure that one head's always awake and keeping an eye out for pesky adventurers.

At some point around 2nd edition, Ettins became a distinct species of giant, as opposed to being mutants. In Forgotten Realms, detail in Giantcraft, they are the progeny of Arno and Julian, second to last son of Annam and Othea, making Ettins true born giants. Their name is translated in common as "ugly giant", which derives from giant language for the word "Runt"; Ettins gain zero recognition in the Ordning because of being the smallest and trying to compete with the mental faculties of a Hill Giant.

Ettins in the Forgotten Realms are the only true giants to have an earthy titan progenitor but no godly cousin to represent the ettin race; they often give their respects to Grolantor and he is often given credit for their creation given his promiscuity with monstrosities.

In Pathfinder they're noted to speak a creole of Giant, Goblin, and Orc.

Started to be posited in 4th that Demogorgon's demonic influence had spawned the first ettins. 5th edition, Orc legends say they're the result of Orcs messing around with one of Demogorgon's temples, since, you know, two heads.

In Warhammer Fantasy, Curs'd Ettins were pseudo-giants created by the Chaos Gods from a tribe of Norscans who opted to stay behind during a great war against the southlanders, stealing the land and resources of the weakened tribes. The Chaos Gods, as a form of punishment for their haughty Norscan leader Jorundr and his tribe for their two-facedness, cursed them into being constantly at war with themselves and denied them the merciful mindlessness of that-we-shouldn't-say. Not as strong as true Giants who were descendants of Sky Titans, and unlike other mutants the Norscans fear and despise them, knowing their origin. They fled to lonely caves and abandoned Chaos Fortresses to sulk, unable to die of old age or disease, only killable in combat.

Gallery

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  AD&D Monster Card
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  5e
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  Ettin Werewolf
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