Goliaths

The first goliaths lived on the highest mountain peaks—far above the tree line, where the air is thin and frigid winds howl. Distantly related to giants and infused with the supernatural essence of their ancestors’ mountainous home, goliaths stand between 2 and 2.5 meters tall and have a wide array of skin tones resembling different types of stone. Goliaths' eyes are usually monochrome ranging from pure white to light shades of grey. Goliaths have few body hairs, and beards are uncommon, most males are bald but it is not rare to see individuals with hairs usually kept long and braided, some females are also bald but most have long hairs. Goliaths' hair color ranges from black to light grey, but some have brownish or reddish hairs. Now most goliaths live in nomadic tribes on Uxal, in the region known as the tribal territories around Uxal's giant lake, but in the summer months retreat to the surrounding mountains. Most goliaths meet a violent end well before reaching old age, but the few that die from natural causes live for about a century. Goliaths are considered adults after their first adventure is completed, usually at the age of 14. After the free cities started colonizing Uxal, goliaths tribes were at first hostile, but later when the goliaths saw the humans fight their ancient enemy the minotaurs, some tribes began diplomatic talks with the colonies, now most goliaths are friendly to the colonies, and are valued as capable mercenaries in all The Empire of The White Flame, their appearance being similar to humans also gained them the status of race blessed by the Goddess by the Church of the White Flame, although there are still goliath tribes that are hostile to the colonies.

Goliaths' Tribes

Goliath tribes have no form of strict governance, all adult members of the tribe have a say in tribal matters, though distinguished members who accomplished many feats of glory are highly regarded and tend to have more sway among tribal members, meaning that some tribes have a few individuals, or in some case even only one, that are the de facto leaders of the tribe. Goliath tribal settlements are made up of hide tents and some have wooden palisade walls, they move frequently so their buildings are not made to be sturdy. There are approximately 200 goliaths tribes in Uxal and each tribe is made of 30 to 100 members, during prolonged conflicts with the larger minotaurs tribes goliaths gather themselves in temporary larger tribes. Goliaths tribes are like extended families so they find sexual partners from other tribes, goliaths are monogamous but their relationships don't last for long, once a goliath finds a mate they will choose in which of the two tribes to live in until their child or children become adults, at that point the partnership is over and the parents will once again separate and live in their original tribes.

Religion

Goliath followed a simple form of ancestor worship similar to the religion of the Nasamite tribes, goliaths believe they can commune with their ancestors by meditation at the top of mountains peeks, goliaths that die are cremated, they belive that their souls will follow the smoke into the sky, and so to talk to them one should go to a high place.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Goliaths have a spoken language similar to ancient Giant, but they do not have a written language, at least not in a traditional sense, they write only by tattooing their bodies, some tell tales of their adventures, and some remember them of friends and family and some very special tattoos are reserved for important milestones in their lives such as their first battle, the first enemy defeated, their children and recently each imperial legion they served in. Some tattoos are standardized, like the ones for reaching the summit of high mountains in Uxal, the most important being the roof of the world, the highest mountain in Mundus.

Shared customary codes and values

Goliaths value honesty to a fault, appearing rude to other cultures, they almost always give their opinion even when it is not asked of them, this creates major issues when goliaths meet with more hierarchical societies. Goliaths value strength in all its forms, not just the physical kind, they also value bravery, loyalty, independence, curiosity, adventure, and decisiveness. Goliaths hate inaction and prefer to act first and think later. Goliaths hate deceitfulness and dishonorable behaviors, a common goliath saying could be translated to "Only a week (enemy) stabs the back".

Ideals

Gender Ideals

Goliaths are completely egalitarians, and the only sexual dimorphic traits they have are those needed for reproduction.