Goliaths of Nordmaar

Description

The Goliaths of Nordmaar are towering, physically imposing individuals, standing between 7 and 8 feet tall and weighing between 280 and 340 pounds. Their powerful builds, adorned with tribal tattoos and scars earned in battle, embody their resilience and connection to the wild. Despite their intimidating appearance, they possess a strong sense of community, honor, and personal freedom. Restriction of their freedom is viewed as one of the gravest injustices, reflecting their deep-seated desire for self-determination.

Goliaths thrive in the lush jungles and verdant plains of Nordmaar, blending harmoniously with nature. Their skin tones are often gray or earth-toned, with mottled patterns resembling stone, and their eyes carry an almost ethereal glow, signifying their connection to their gods and the natural world. Though wild at heart, they strive to protect and improve their way of life, embodying a balance between strength and a capacity for greater good.

 

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History

The history of the Goliaths in Nordmaar is one of survival, unity, and resistance against oppression. For centuries, their ancestors roamed the jungles and plains, living in harmony with nature and crafting a culture that celebrates personal freedom and strength.

• Tribal Unity: The Goliaths were once a fragmented collection of tribes, each led by a Jarl who maintained sovereignty within their respective territories. However, external threats, such as invasions by neighboring powers and incursions from darker forces, necessitated unity. This led to the establishment of a monarchy, with the Jarls swearing fealty to a single king who resides in the formidable North Keep.
• King Huemac Kerian: The current king, Huemac Kerian, is a warrior of great renown and wisdom. A champion of justice and freedom, he has maintained peace among the tribes while fortifying Nordmaar against external threats. Under his rule, Nordmaar’s warriors have become legendary for their prowess and their bond with the wild creatures of their homeland.

The War of the Sky and Kithiri’s Pledge (202 AC)

During the War of the Sky, the Goliaths of Nordmaar, under the leadership of the legendary Queen Kithiri the Long-Limbed, clashed with the Knights of Solamnia. Kithiri, known for her towering stature, unmatched agility, and strategic brilliance, led her people with valor, commanding both respect and fear on the battlefield.

Initially, the war was a brutal conflict between two fiercely honorable factions. The Goliaths, fiercely protective of their homeland, sought to repel the invading Knights, while the Solamnic forces, driven by their own code of justice and duty, saw Nordmaar as a crucial territory for securing the region.

As the war progressed, mutual respect between the two sides grew. Both factions shared a dedication to honor, valor, and their faith in Kiri-Jolith, the god of righteous war. This common ground ultimately brought the conflict to an end. Following a decisive final battle, Kithiri extended her hand in friendship to the Knights of Solamnia, pledging to work together for the greater good of Krynn.

The Alliance with the Knights of Solamnia

In the aftermath of the war, Kithiri’s pledge marked the beginning of a powerful alliance between Nordmaar and the Solamnic Order. The two factions recognized their shared ideals and agreed to build a future rooted in cooperation and mutual respect.

• Solamnic Outposts and Castles: As a gesture of goodwill and a symbol of their alliance, the Knights of Solamnia established a series of outposts and castles throughout Nordmaar. These fortifications served as beacons of security and places of fellowship between the two peoples. Over time, these sites became centers for cultural exchange, trade, and joint military training.
• Cultural Exchange: The Knights of Solamnia introduced advanced methods of swordsmanship and chivalric values, while the Goliaths shared their knowledge of survival in the wilds, their unique combat techniques, and their bond with the natural world. This exchange enriched both cultures, blending the traditions of two noble societies.

Enduring Friendship

The bond between Nordmaar and the Knights of Solamnia remains strong to this day, forged in battle and strengthened by their shared worship of Kiri-Jolith. Both factions continue to honor their alliance, collaborating in times of peace and standing united against common threats. This friendship has also inspired generations of Goliaths and Solamnic Knights to uphold the ideals of justice, honor, and righteous combat, reinforcing the enduring legacy of Queen Kithiri’s vision.

 

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Culture

Nordmaar’s Goliaths have a rich and vibrant culture steeped in tradition and respect for nature. Their society is a balance of warrior discipline, spiritual reverence, and communal living.

• Tribal Structure: The Goliaths are divided into tribes, each governed by a Jarl who commands the loyalty of their people. Jarls are chosen through feats of strength, wisdom, and leadership, often tested in grand trials that demonstrate their ability to lead in battle and govern with fairness.
• Warriors of Nordmaar:
• Panther Riders: Mounted warriors who form the vanguard of Nordmaar’s forces, riding sleek panthers that blend seamlessly with the jungle.
• Housecarls and Shield Maidens: Elite warriors sworn to protect their Jarls and King, exemplifying discipline and martial skill.
• Displacer Beast Riders: The King and Jarls ride into battle atop majestic displacer beasts, symbols of their dominance and deep bond with the wild.
• Honor and Freedom: Nordmaar’s Goliaths value honor above all. They see betrayal, cowardice, and the restriction of freedom as the ultimate crimes. Their traditions include storytelling, wrestling contests, and rites of passage that involve navigating the dangers of the jungle.

 

Cuichtalic Tribe

• Leader: King Huemac Kerian of the Cuichtalic
• Personality: Wise and just, Huemac Kerian is a master tactician and charismatic leader. His vision for Nordmaar is unity through strength and prosperity, balancing the needs of the tribes while maintaining the kingdom’s naval superiority.
• Goals: Expand Nordmaar's naval power to defend against external threats and ensure the kingdom remains a dominant force in trade and warfare across the seas. He seeks to establish alliances and trade routes while protecting the time-honored traditions of his people.
• Motto: “The Tide Shall Rise for Us.”
• Sigil: A golden trident crossing a ship’s wheel against a backdrop of ocean waves, symbolizing their naval might and dominion over the seas.

 

Topotlic Tribe

• Leader: Jarl Chantico
• Personality: Fierce and unyielding, Chantico embodies the spirit of the warrior. She is a relentless fighter and an inspiring leader who values strength, loyalty, and courage above all. Her presence alone is enough to rally warriors to battle.
• Goals: Train the greatest warriors in Nordmaar and maintain their status as the fiercest defenders of the realm. Chantico also aims to ensure her tribe’s warriors are prepared for any threat to Nordmaar’s sovereignty.
• Motto: “Honor in Strength, Glory in Victory.”
• Sigil: A crossed axe and sword beneath a roaring flame, representing their martial prowess and unyielding spirit in battle.

 

Netzalic Tribe

• Leader: Jarl Itzcoatl
• Personality: Quietly confident and deeply attuned to the natural world, Itzcoatl is a skilled rider and a master tracker. He is known for his patience and his almost supernatural bond with the panthers that his tribe rides into battle.
• Goals: Strengthen the bond between the tribe and the natural world, perfecting the art of mounted combat. Itzcoatl also aims to protect Nordmaar's jungles and ensure the survival of the panther populations that are central to his tribe’s identity.
• Motto: “Stride with the Jungle’s Shadow.”
• Sigil: A sleek black panther leaping through a crescent moon, symbolizing their agility, stealth, and connection to the wild.

 

Huitzitlic Tribe

• Leader: Hersir Ixchel
• Personality: Hersir Ixchel is a practical and nurturing leader, embodying both the martial strength of the Horselords and the wisdom of an agrarian visionary. She is deeply committed to her people, ensuring that their traditions as skilled mounted warriors are preserved while fostering the agricultural advancements that sustain their survival. Ixchel’s leadership reflects a balance of compassion and discipline, earning her the loyalty of her tribe.
• Goals:
• Ensure the Huitzitlic Tribe thrives as both Horselords and stewards of Nordmaar’s fertile lands. Protect the tribe’s way of life, balancing nomadic traditions with their agrarian society. Strengthen ties with Solamnia, leveraging the alliance to improve agricultural techniques and maintain mutual defense against threats from the south.
• Motto: "From the Soil, Strength Grows; From the Saddle, Freedom Reigns."
• Sigil: A stalk of corn intertwined with a plow and a rearing warhorse beneath a rising sun.

 

Xocnalic Tribe

• Leader: Jarl Tepiltzin
• Personality: Mysterious and deeply spiritual, Tepiltzin is a druid who serves as both a leader and a spiritual guide. He is known for his wisdom, enigmatic nature, and fierce devotion to the natural and mystical balance of Nordmaar.
• Goals: Protect the sacred groves and ensure harmony between Nordmaar’s people and the natural world. Tepiltzin also seeks to preserve and expand the tribe’s knowledge of magic, druidic practices, and shamanic traditions.
• Motto: “In Balance, Power Resides.”
• Sigil: A serpent coiled around an oak tree, representing wisdom, balance, and the intertwining of magic and nature.

 

 

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Religion

The Goliaths of Nordmaar worship a pantheon of deities that reflect their connection to nature, honor, and the cycle of life.

• Habbakuk:
• Known as the Fisher King, Habbakuk oversees animal life, the sea, and the balance of nature. His worship is prevalent among sailors, hunters, and those who rely on nature’s bounty.
• Symbol: A blue bird or a phoenix wreathed in blue flames.
• Worship: Followers honor Habbakuk through offerings of fish, hunts, and acts of balance, ensuring they never take more than nature can provide.
• Kiri-Jolith:
• The god of righteous war, Kiri-Jolith embodies justice and valor. He blesses those who fight to protect the weak and root out evil.
• Symbol: A pair of crossed swords or a bison’s head.
• Worship: Warriors dedicate their victories to Kiri-Jolith and meditate on the principles of honorable combat.
• Chislev:
• The god of nature’s rhythms, Chislev governs the cycles of life, growth, and decay. Revered by druids, hermits, and those who live close to the land, Chislev’s presence is felt in every leaf and breeze.
• Symbol: A leaf or a serpent coiled around a branch.
• Worship: Ceremonies often involve planting trees, blessing crops, and protecting sacred groves from harm.

Together, these gods guide the Goliaths in their daily lives, shaping their values, decisions, and way of life. Their faith reinforces their bond with nature and their commitment to freedom and honor.

Race Recommended Classes and Subclasses

• Barbarian
• Path of the Ancestral Guardian
• Path of the Beast
• Path of the Berserker
• Path of the Totem Warrior
• Path of the Carrion Raven
• Path of the Wild Heart
• Bard
• College of Valor
• Cleric
• Nature Domain
• War Domain
• Druid
• Circle of the Land
• Fighter
• Battle Master
• Blade Breaker
• Cavalier
• Champion
• Paladin
• Oath of Glory
• Ranger
• Beast Master
• Hunter
• Monster Slayer
• Blood Hunter
• Order of the Lycan