How did the three giant ravers grow up so quickly?

[jackgiantkiller]

The triplets are born prior to LFB as Foamfollowere is sent as a legat to tell the lords, by the IEW they are all grown men thats what 40yrs land time

[wayfriend]

Why couldn't forty year old Giants be adults?

[jackgiantkiller]

it just strange if a giant lives 1000 years childhood wud be at least a 1/8th by any mammal standered

[hyarmion]

Very good question. Giants lived over 1000 years (Saltheart Foamfollower was 1000 years old, but definitely not in his dotage). Yet the three Giants who became the Giant-Ravers were fully grown at 40 years (they should have not even reached puberty). When I first read TIW, I was surprised that Fleshharrower was described as wearing a beard.

Of course, all this is assuming that because Giants lived over 10 times longer than normal humans they grew up over 10 times more slowly overall. But, they may have grown to, say, puberty at the same rate as humans and then aged very slowly to 1000 or more.

I guess it really depends on what we envisage Giants to be, are they mutant humans, or are they a completely different species? If they are mutant humans then they may have reached puberty at the same rate, and then aged slowly. But if they are a different species (was interbreeding ever attempted?) then I guess anything goes.

[Kaos Arcanna]

I remember when Pitchwife related the story of the First's father that he mentioned that a Giant of Linden's age would still be a child living with her parents.

I think that it's probably just an internal error on SRD's part.

[hyarmion]

Rereading my last post, I think I should explain myself in a bit more detail. What do I mean by suggesting the Giants are 'mutant humans'?

I do not mean that individually they are such, but as a race. What I propose may have happened is that thousands/millions of years ago over in the land of Giant Home (wherever that is) a race of humans became exposed to some mutagenic radiation/chemical/virus and mutated, changed, grew large and became the Giants (yes there are other differences besides size: the lifespans, the Giantish resistance to fire, and the Giantish resistance to Raver-possession to name a few). But, in this scenario, the Giants were originally human, they are 'mutant humans'.

The alternative view is to suggest that Giants were/are a completely different species. One that evolved or was created (whichever turns you on) completely separately.

In the first scenario interbreeding between Giants and humans might be genetically possible (altho physically difficult). Genetically it is possible for a Great Dane to mate with a chihuahua, but physically that would be awkward.

[Thorhammerhand]

Maybe the corruption of the Illearth stone is more than moral, surly its possible the power gave them extra age/height as well as power?

[Krazy Kat]

Genetically it is possible for a Great Dane to mate with a chihuahua, but physically that would be awkward.

Maybe they need a better trainer!

[peter]

I remember when Pitchwife related the story of the First's father that he mentioned that a Giant of Linden's age would still be a child living with her parents.

I think that it's probably just an internal error on SRD's part.

Yes - I remember something that indicated giants remained as children long after humans were grown up (in terms of years), Thus I'm with Kaos on this. Hmm.... unless the Illearth Stone bearing Giant Ravers were 'forced', sort of like potatoe plants grown under polythene (almost in the manner of 'fertile sun' trees).

[peter]

Genetically it is possible for a Great Dane to mate with a chihuahua, but physically that would be awkward.

Awkward agreed, but not impossible. Clearly a male Chihuahua could with an appropriate footstool.......No, lets leave it there!

[Ur Dead]

Foul laced their food with steriods.

They grew up quickly and by token they didn't have the lifespan of regular Giants. It's true, the books have it. Not one of them made the age of 60.

See what steroids do to you!