When it comes to evil creatures, I see Ogres as very very low in terms of malice. Their biggest act of malice is eating humanoids, which, to be fair, isn’t great. I think their low intelligence, bond to the ordning, and obligate carnivore nature makes Ogres predisposed to having trouble empathizing with smaller humanoids. They are big, humanoids small, taste good, we eat. This works in reverse, as Ogres willingly serve any greater giant’s request. Their culture being based entirely around food means the getting and eating of it is central, rather than the morality of doing so.

I think a good Ogre is very possible, especially if helped to socialize by someone who speaks Jotun. A town that offers cooked meat for services could probably get an Ogre to be less violent, especially if they treated them with respect and dignity.

As minions, they often feel like tragic and comedic ones, being tricked by smarter bosses into doing things.

“I guard the gate, I get the shinnies and booze. Good job. Lots of time to look at things.”

I think Ogres have strong familial bonds, and they treat each other with close, joviality with also friendly insults and wrestling. Ogres tend not to kill their own, because they can get quite lonely. Adding to this, I think Ogres bond generally with a low number of people very very strongly, leading to friends loyal to the bitter end. Stupid, yet thoughtful friends. They might make you a lovely dinner out of a farmer’s sheep, or try to sharpen your sword and accidentally break it.

Ogrillons, half Ogres, I think are treated like a different class of Ogres but not necessarily lesser.

“Thinkin’ problem, get tha halfin’!”

Goblins and Orcs often ally with Ogres, and maybe their religions have some overlap as natural allies, although such relationships can be abusive for the Ogre. Hobgoblins and Ogres though? That seems to be almost certainly to end in chattel slavery.

Ogres are great, I love them a lot, and I want to hear how you run them in the Forgotten Realms!