Goliath
Until recent years, the only goliaths known were those who hailed from the hills and mountains. Fierce warriors and dedicated tribesmen, these goliaths could trace their ancestry back at some point to either hill or stone giants. However, in recent years it has come to light that there are small groups of other goliaths, previous assumed to be small giants, that are in fact sub races of goliath who can trace their ancestry back to other types of giants.
Home cities: Select an approximate location from the map that matches your heritage.
Fair Play
For goliaths, competition exists only when it is supported by a level playing field. Competition measures talent, dedication, and effort. Those factors determine survival in their home territory, not reliance on magic items, money, or other elements that can tip the balance one way or the other. Goliaths happily rely on such benefits, but they are careful to remember that such an advantage can always be lost. A goliath who relies too much on them can grow complacent, a recipe for disaster in the mountains. This trait manifests most strongly when goliaths interact with other folk. The relationship between peasants and nobles puzzles goliaths. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead, then clearly the most talented person in the kingdom should take his place. Goliaths rarely keep such opinions to themselves, and mock folk who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power. Survival of the Fittest
Among goliaths, any adult who can’t contribute to the tribe is expelled. A lone goliath has little chance of survival, especially an older or weaker one. Goliaths have little pity for adults who can’t take care of themselves, though a sick or injured individual is treated, as a result of the goliath concept of fair play. A permanently injured goliath is still expected to pull his or her weight in the tribe. Typically, such a goliath dies attempting to keep up, or the goliath slips away in the night to seek the cold will of fate. In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in battle, at the peak of strength and skill, than endure the slow decay of old age. Few folk have ever meet an elderly goliath, and even those goliaths who have left their people grapple with the urge to give up their lives as their physical skills decay. Because of their risk-taking, goliath tribes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by longterm leaders. They hope for innate wisdom in their leadership, for they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age. Goliath Names
Every goliath has three names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname assigned by the tribal chief, and a family or clan name. A birth name is up to three syllables long. Clan names are five syllables or more and end in a vowel. Birth names are rarely linked to gender. Goliaths see females and males as equal in all things, and they find societies with roles divided by gender to be puzzling orworthy of mockery. To a goliath, the person who is best at a job should be the one tasked with doing it. A goliath’s nickname is a description that can change on the whim of a chieftain or tribal elder. It refers to a notable deed, either a success or failure, committed by the goliath. Goliaths assign and use nicknames with their friends of other races, and change them to refer to an individual’s notable deeds. Goliaths present all three names when identifying themselves, in the order of birth name, nickname, and clan name. In casual conversation, they use their nickname. Birth Names: Aukan, Eglath, Gae-Al, Gauthak, Ilikan, Keothi, Kuori, Lo-Kag, Manneo, Maveith, Nalla, Orilo, Paavu, Pethani, Thalai, Thotham, Uthal,Vaunea, Vimak
Nicknames: Bearkiller, Dawncaller, Fearless, Flintfinder, Horncarver, Keeneye, Lonehunter, Longleaper, Rootsmasher, Skywatcher, Steadyhand, Threadtwister, Twice-Orphaned, Twistedlimb, Wordpainter
Clan Names: Anakalathai, Elanithino, Gathakanathi,Kalagiano, Katho-Olavi, Kolae-Gileana, Ogolakanu, Thuliaga, Thunukalathi, Vaimei-Laga
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. Goliaths are between 7 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 280 and 340 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Natural Athlete. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Giant.
---Choose one of these subraces--- (pick the one that matches your heritage)
1) Mountainborn
The most widely known type of goliath. They are hearty, strong creatures normally seen in and around hilly or mountainous areas. Males are generally devoid of hair, while females have long hair that is dark brown or black, usually braided. Skin tones range from pale white to light brown, often with darker brown or blue markings across their body. Many are said to look as though they were carved from stone. They are the shortest of goliath, and stand from just under 7 feet to near 8 feet tall, and weight up to 400 pounds. Ability Score Increase. Mountainborn gain an increase to their Constitution score by 1.
Stone's Endurance. You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll a d12. Add your Constitution modifier to the number rolled, and reduce the damage by that total. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, refreshed after a short or long rest.
Child of the Mountains. You’re acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You’re also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
2) Fireborn
Living in the hottest areas of the world, goliath descended from fire giants are a stout and short tempered bunch. Many are held as captive workers for their giant kin, but those who are desire nothing more than to kill their captors. They are often devious, and make long term plans that they will do all in their power to accomplish. Fireborn goliath are roughly the same size as their mountain brethren. Their hair ranges from red to orange to light brown, often reflecting the colors seen in the flames themselves. Males do not have facial hair, but some do grow their hair long. Skin tones are light brown to rusty, sometimes with hints of red. Ability Score Increase. Fireborn gain an increase to their Charisma score by 1.
Hot Tempered. You are very quick to anger. When you are hit with a critical attack, as a reaction you can make a melee attack against the creature that hit you, with advantage. After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Fire in the Veins. You are born of the heat of volcanoes and lava. You have resistance to fire damage.
3) Frostborn
Called Shepherds of the Snow, frostborn goliath were the last of the sub races to be found. Living almost exclusively in the deep polar climates, these goliath maintain small familial groups that tend to follow game. Almost impossible to see against the snow, frostborn goliath have skin that is pale white to light blue, with hair colors to match and eyes that are icy blue. They stand over 7 ½ feet to just over 8 feet tall, and weight between 400 and 600 pounds. Females have high status in the familial groups, often acting as the leader. Ability Score Increase. Frostborn gain an increase to their Intelligence score by 1.
Whiteout. You have advantage on Stealth checks in areas that are snow or ice covered.
Glacial Endurance. Your birthplace in the most frigid of lands has tempered your body against the cold. You have resistance to cold damage.
4) Stormborn
Few things in the world are more fearsome to see than a cloud or storm giant. The tallest of giants, standing near 25 feet tall, their blood has lent itself to very powerful goliath, but ones that are mindful of their surroundings and that are slower to act. Stormborn goliath stand almost exclusively over 8 feet tall, weigh over 500 pounds, and have skin that ranges in color from light blue to light purple to blue-green. They have piercing green or violet eyes, and have long hair that varies in color from silver to faint blue or purple. Males often have facial hair, though it is not uncommon to see them without. Most grow up in coastal regions, and can often be found working on ships, where they tend to feel very at home. Ability Score Increase. Stormborn gain an increase to their Wisdom score by 1.
Water Child. Your life around the water gives you advantage on any Athletics checks for swimming, holding your breath, or Nature checks when identifying aquatic creatures.
Lightning and Thunder. You have electricity in your blood. You have advantage on any save when taking damage from lightning or thunder, and are immune to spell effects that would push you backwards.
For goliaths, competition exists only when it is supported by a level playing field. Competition measures talent, dedication, and effort. Those factors determine survival in their home territory, not reliance on magic items, money, or other elements that can tip the balance one way or the other. Goliaths happily rely on such benefits, but they are careful to remember that such an advantage can always be lost. A goliath who relies too much on them can grow complacent, a recipe for disaster in the mountains. This trait manifests most strongly when goliaths interact with other folk. The relationship between peasants and nobles puzzles goliaths. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead, then clearly the most talented person in the kingdom should take his place. Goliaths rarely keep such opinions to themselves, and mock folk who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power. Survival of the Fittest
Among goliaths, any adult who can’t contribute to the tribe is expelled. A lone goliath has little chance of survival, especially an older or weaker one. Goliaths have little pity for adults who can’t take care of themselves, though a sick or injured individual is treated, as a result of the goliath concept of fair play. A permanently injured goliath is still expected to pull his or her weight in the tribe. Typically, such a goliath dies attempting to keep up, or the goliath slips away in the night to seek the cold will of fate. In some ways, the goliath drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A goliath would much rather die in battle, at the peak of strength and skill, than endure the slow decay of old age. Few folk have ever meet an elderly goliath, and even those goliaths who have left their people grapple with the urge to give up their lives as their physical skills decay. Because of their risk-taking, goliath tribes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by longterm leaders. They hope for innate wisdom in their leadership, for they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age. Goliath Names
Every goliath has three names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname assigned by the tribal chief, and a family or clan name. A birth name is up to three syllables long. Clan names are five syllables or more and end in a vowel. Birth names are rarely linked to gender. Goliaths see females and males as equal in all things, and they find societies with roles divided by gender to be puzzling orworthy of mockery. To a goliath, the person who is best at a job should be the one tasked with doing it. A goliath’s nickname is a description that can change on the whim of a chieftain or tribal elder. It refers to a notable deed, either a success or failure, committed by the goliath. Goliaths assign and use nicknames with their friends of other races, and change them to refer to an individual’s notable deeds. Goliaths present all three names when identifying themselves, in the order of birth name, nickname, and clan name. In casual conversation, they use their nickname. Birth Names: Aukan, Eglath, Gae-Al, Gauthak, Ilikan, Keothi, Kuori, Lo-Kag, Manneo, Maveith, Nalla, Orilo, Paavu, Pethani, Thalai, Thotham, Uthal,Vaunea, Vimak
Nicknames: Bearkiller, Dawncaller, Fearless, Flintfinder, Horncarver, Keeneye, Lonehunter, Longleaper, Rootsmasher, Skywatcher, Steadyhand, Threadtwister, Twice-Orphaned, Twistedlimb, Wordpainter
Clan Names: Anakalathai, Elanithino, Gathakanathi,Kalagiano, Katho-Olavi, Kolae-Gileana, Ogolakanu, Thuliaga, Thunukalathi, Vaimei-Laga
Goliath Traits
Goliaths share a number of traits in common with each other. Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2.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. Goliaths are between 7 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 280 and 340 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Natural Athlete. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Giant.
---Choose one of these subraces--- (pick the one that matches your heritage)
1) Mountainborn
The most widely known type of goliath. They are hearty, strong creatures normally seen in and around hilly or mountainous areas. Males are generally devoid of hair, while females have long hair that is dark brown or black, usually braided. Skin tones range from pale white to light brown, often with darker brown or blue markings across their body. Many are said to look as though they were carved from stone. They are the shortest of goliath, and stand from just under 7 feet to near 8 feet tall, and weight up to 400 pounds. Ability Score Increase. Mountainborn gain an increase to their Constitution score by 1.
Stone's Endurance. You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll a d12. Add your Constitution modifier to the number rolled, and reduce the damage by that total. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, refreshed after a short or long rest.
Child of the Mountains. You’re acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You’re also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
2) Fireborn
Living in the hottest areas of the world, goliath descended from fire giants are a stout and short tempered bunch. Many are held as captive workers for their giant kin, but those who are desire nothing more than to kill their captors. They are often devious, and make long term plans that they will do all in their power to accomplish. Fireborn goliath are roughly the same size as their mountain brethren. Their hair ranges from red to orange to light brown, often reflecting the colors seen in the flames themselves. Males do not have facial hair, but some do grow their hair long. Skin tones are light brown to rusty, sometimes with hints of red. Ability Score Increase. Fireborn gain an increase to their Charisma score by 1.
Hot Tempered. You are very quick to anger. When you are hit with a critical attack, as a reaction you can make a melee attack against the creature that hit you, with advantage. After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Fire in the Veins. You are born of the heat of volcanoes and lava. You have resistance to fire damage.
3) Frostborn
Called Shepherds of the Snow, frostborn goliath were the last of the sub races to be found. Living almost exclusively in the deep polar climates, these goliath maintain small familial groups that tend to follow game. Almost impossible to see against the snow, frostborn goliath have skin that is pale white to light blue, with hair colors to match and eyes that are icy blue. They stand over 7 ½ feet to just over 8 feet tall, and weight between 400 and 600 pounds. Females have high status in the familial groups, often acting as the leader. Ability Score Increase. Frostborn gain an increase to their Intelligence score by 1.
Whiteout. You have advantage on Stealth checks in areas that are snow or ice covered.
Glacial Endurance. Your birthplace in the most frigid of lands has tempered your body against the cold. You have resistance to cold damage.
4) Stormborn
Few things in the world are more fearsome to see than a cloud or storm giant. The tallest of giants, standing near 25 feet tall, their blood has lent itself to very powerful goliath, but ones that are mindful of their surroundings and that are slower to act. Stormborn goliath stand almost exclusively over 8 feet tall, weigh over 500 pounds, and have skin that ranges in color from light blue to light purple to blue-green. They have piercing green or violet eyes, and have long hair that varies in color from silver to faint blue or purple. Males often have facial hair, though it is not uncommon to see them without. Most grow up in coastal regions, and can often be found working on ships, where they tend to feel very at home. Ability Score Increase. Stormborn gain an increase to their Wisdom score by 1.
Water Child. Your life around the water gives you advantage on any Athletics checks for swimming, holding your breath, or Nature checks when identifying aquatic creatures.
Lightning and Thunder. You have electricity in your blood. You have advantage on any save when taking damage from lightning or thunder, and are immune to spell effects that would push you backwards.
