June 2026 RPG Blog Carnival Round-up: Cyclopes, Ettins, Hill Giants, and Ogres

This June I have been the host of the RPG Blog Carnival and my chosen topic was "Cyclopes, Ettins, Hill Giants, and Ogres." My intention was that we could collectively make these big folk more interesting: "I've chosen this topic for a simple reason: ogres and their ilk are too often boring, and I'm hoping you can help me fix that." And, boy, did everyone deliver! Let's look at the contributions in chronological order. 7 June 2026 - At Vulcan Stev's Database, Vulcan Stev writes, "Cyclopes, Ettins, Hill Giants, and Ogres – Psyclopes, Day-Nighttens, G.I.Ants and 00 Gher," which really takes the prompt seriously. He recreates these giants in creative, unexpected ways: cyclopes with psychic lances (reminiscent of Balor, I think?); ettins who have two heads but only one at a time; ant soldiers; and superspy ogres, my favourite of the four. (System: 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons) 12 June 2026 - At Lonely Star, Havoc writes, "The Land Cannot Hold Us (Giant-Type Class)," which has goblins…