The great social structure of giantkind (Ordening) was destroyed by the use of the Shroud and thereby terminating the connection to the god Annam All-Father of Giants. Who did it and why is still clouded, but nothing is certain in the chaos that ensues. Dragons stir as tribes of great frost and fire giants hunt them, cloud giants pilfer the ancient ruins of Ostoria, hill giants attacks villages in the low lands stealing food and forcing refugees towards Silvermoon, Mithril hall and the Silvermarches and Storm Giants roam the land in their cloud fortresses, all the while an ancient evil plots in the shadows.
The ordening was the social structure to which all giants adhered, dating back to the ancient empire of Ostoria. It was similar to a class-based society (kaste), but was much more specific, assigning a social rank to each individual. Therefore, each individual giant knew which other giants were inferior and superior to himself, and no giants were equal to other giants.
Each type of giant used a different combination of skills or qualities to determine the ordning. Giants believed excelling in these skills to be the purpose of their lives. Annam All-Father, creator of giants, was seen as the ultimate in each of these skills. In all cases, advancement was made by challenging a superior, but different types of giants used different systems and restrictions upon advancement. It was considered an evil (maug) act to show disrespect to a superior giant. This could be mocking, betrayal, disobedience, or a number of other behaviors.