Goliath

Basic Information

Anatomy

Goliath are bipedal humanoids with bulky proportions, standing between seven and eight feet tall at adulthood and weighing between 250 and 350 pounds.

Genetics and Reproduction

Goliath reproduce naturally like humans, although Goliath gestation is slightly longer- taking almost a year.

Growth Rate & Stages

Goliath have lifespans which are comparable to humans, although they grow slightly faster to accomodate their increased size.

Ecology and Habitats

Naturally adapted to both extreme cold and high altitudes, Goliath generally inhabit high mountain ranges and range across polar ice and arctic tundra. They are generally nomadic hunter-gatherers, following seasonal changes and the normal migrations of prey through their alpine and arctic homes. They tend not to build fixed structures, aside from a few ritual shrines at meeting places and gathering grounds. When they hunt or gather more than they can consume before moving on, they create food caches which they can return to later. Goliath hunters are selective, typically making use of every part of a kill and working to take no more than they need. They typically eschew trapping or net fishing as a weaker forms of the art, prefering instead to hunt in more martial fashions with slings or long spears. Goliath generally eschew the effort of domesticating and keeping animals, as their own strength and size enable them to serve as their own pack animals and most domesticated food species cannot survive the harsh climate and rigourous lifestyle Goliath keep to. 
Goliath settlements are generally little more than temporary campsites and refuges against the elements, but some communities maintain seasonal campsites they migrate between. These sites are often relatively more developed, featuring stacked-stone windbreaks or lean-tos, or with earthen dugouts or shallow caves. When encamped in the open, Goliath use tents and sleeping bags made from animal hides and bone, treated to help keep out the cold and damp. Most campsites are oriented around a large central fire-pit.

Dietary Needs and Habits

First and foremost, Goliath are survivalists and can rarely afford to pass on food in their high mountain and frozen homes, regardless of how palatable others find it. As a result, Goliath have earned a reputation amongst the Goodfolk as rather unscrupulous eaters with near-bestial dietary habits. They have been alleged to scavenge carrion, chew moss or bark for hours or suck lichen off stones, dig up worms and grubs, enjoy pinecones and raw acorns as a snack, or strip the entire branches of berry bushes bare- leaves, twigs, berries and all! Most extreme, some Goliath communities are accused of engaging in cannibalism. 
In truth, much of the popular knowledge about Goliath diets are overblown exaggerations born of ignorance and fear. Where Goliaths hunt more than they can use in a single meal, they bury meat in caches, trusting in cold or low-oxygen to keep it preserved and returning to the spots in the future, and only occassionally carefully scavenging meat which has not yet begun to rot from carcasses which they stumble upon. Goliath do forage for worms, grubs, and small insects- appreciating them as a source of protein and not quite as squeamish as other Goodfolk- yet generally prefer them cooked to raw, like the other meat they consume. Moss is a common part of Goliath diets, and while varieties other goodfolk would recognize as edible are prefered and often gathered for salads, Goliath will chew even moss to tough for other humanoids, sometimes for hours until it's sufficiently softened. Similarly, Goliath treat certain lichen as sweet treats and additional sources of minerals and nutrition. Though Goliath do ocassionally eat acorns, bark, leaves, and pinecones raw (and can do so without much difficulty thanks to their strong jaw muscles and thick skin), Goliath prefer to cook them to softness or grind them into flours, pastes, or teas or light broths. Though it is true that some Goliath communities do not share the typical Goodfolk cultural taboo on cannibalism, they are far from the bloodthirsty maneaters certain rumors make them out to be who hunt others as prey- and if these groups do exist, they are are an extreme exception rather than the norm. Instead, in some communities, ritual cannibalism is practiced as part of Goliath funeral rituals, while in other communities, the frequent occurence of famine has led to an acceptance of cannibalism of the dead as a survival mechanism.

Biological Cycle

Much like the stone they resemble, Goliath remain immutable and unchanging. They do not grow body hair or fingernails, and their skin does not wrinkle as they age.

Behaviour

Goliath feel little need to reclusive or shy, trusting in their size, strength, and survival skills to see them through most adversity. They tend to greet strangers directly and openly when their paths cross to assess their intent, and are rarely intimidated or physically threatened. Goliath have almost no natural threats, especially when gathered in large numbers, and will gladly meet almost any foe in battle when challenged. Goliath tend to recognize only two distinct superior powers, Giants and Dragons. Giants are treated with deference, while Dragons are viewed as threats and potential predators to be avoided unless one is in a position of superiority and can destroy them.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Goliath generally live in small groups of between 10-100 individuals. Goliath society is strongly meritocratic, selecting their leaders based on whomever seems most fit to lead the group through the typical challenges of survival. This leader typically assigns tasks and roles in the tribe to the individual most suited to them for the day, with new positions and assignments handed out by the leader daily. Althoough any Goliath may challenge for leadership of their tribe, this occurs only rarely, when the existing leader has lost the confidence of the group or appears weak or otherwise unfit to meet the demands of the position. The two competing individuals then attempt to sway the opinions of the tribe through feets of strength and athletic prowess, resorting to ritual combat if necessary. These challenges are carefully considered, as they are not only intensely physically exacting- potentially leaving the tribe weaker regardless of the outcome- as well as creating a potential flashpoints for future conflict within the tribe between the winners and losers of such challenges.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Some evil folk and monsters take Goliath skins as prizes, often fashioning them into cloaks to protect themselves from the cold or displaying the fallen Goliath's tattoos as grisly trophies.

Facial characteristics

Goliath are completely hairless, lacking not only facial hair, but eyebrows, eyelashes

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Goliath can be found worldwide, but are most concentrated around the poles and in high mountain ranges.

Average Intelligence

Goliath possess intelligence comparable to human intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Goliath have roughly equivalent senses of smell, vision, and hearing to humans. Their thick, stony skin also gives them a natural resistance to cold temperatures, meaning Goliath are comfortable even with exposed skin in temperatures that would risk frostbite for most other humanoids. Additionally, Goliath are naturally acclimated to high altitudes, possessing high lung-capacities and super-oxidized blood. This not only enables them to thrive on high mountain peaks where low oxygen would be a hazard to others, but also renders them natural athletes and grants them an exteremely powerful build proportionate to their size.

Civilization and Culture

Relationship Ideals

Goliath have a strong sense of justice, fair play, and equality. They are reluctant to accept charity, believing in equal exchange and honest dealings. They

Common Dress Code

Goliath often appear underdressed for the frigid environments they inhabit, but are in fact generally comfortable in such conditions in what would be considered light-outerware for other peoples thanks to their insulating skin.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

For Goliath, strength and survival prowess aren't merely points of pride, but are their identity itself. Goliath are driven by an overriding ambition to prove themselves through feats of physical bravery and athleticism, and thus achieve immortality through the legend of their deeds. Although they could take up farming or settle, living easily off green lands and fertile plains, such a soft, easy lifestyle is anathema to Goliath and is suited only to soft, weak folk who have accepted thier lack of greatness.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Goliath often greet one another by butting foreheads. 
Given their general reluctance to accept help or charity, Goliath sometimes incur life-debts whereby having had their life saved by another, that Goliath is honor-bound to return the favor in kind or through some act of great service. Rather than looking on such service as a burden, many Goliath see life-debts as an opportunity for honor and glory, as while Goliath society does not place much stock in indivdiual martial prowess, valor in defense of others is highly extolled.

Common Taboos

Goliath have strong taboos against deceit.
Additionally,

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Goliath are generally standoffish and prefer to remain isolated from other species.
On Dwarves: "They're hard enough workers, and they understand legacy, but they can't help but dedicate themselves to lesser purposes! A dwarven stronghold stands the test of time, sure, and the stonework is something to behold, but to what end? They hide behind their walls, and dream only of shutting themselves away from the outside to listen to the echoes of past deeds through stale halls. That's not strength, or greatness."

Goliath

ability score increase: Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

age: Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.

alignment: Goliath society, with its clear roles and tasks, has a strong lawful bent. The goliath sense of fairness, balanced with an emphasis on self-sufficiency and personal accountability, pushes them toward neutrality.

Size: Medium

speed: 30 ft.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Giant.

race features:
Natural Athlete. You have proficiency in the Athletics Skill. 
Stone's Endurance. You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off an injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll a d12 1d12 . Add your Constitution modifier to the number rolled, and reduce the damage by that total. After you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest. 
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. 
Mountain Born. You're acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You're also naturally adapted to cold climates. 

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

7-8 feet

Average Weight

280-350 lbs

Average Physique

As their name suggests, goliath are large and physically imposing, easily looming over humans. They also have more muscle mass proportionally than their human counterparts, and build muscle mass faster. They have broad shoulders and wide chests, along with thick arms and powerful legs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Goliath skin tones are generally gray, resembling the stones of their mountain homes. They are typically completely hairless. 
Goliath also tattoo themselves extensively. A goliath receives their first tattoos only days after birth, marking their clan association and family history. As they age, they add additional tattoos to reflect personal histories and accomplishments or for spiritual value. By adulthood, a goliath is are covered in unique and intricate patterns and bands of tattoos which serve to identity them and display status.