Fomorian

Far above the clouds on the highest mountain peaks where trees do not grow and the frigid winds howl, the Fomori live in small isolated communities. Legends say they are distantly related to the Frost Giants and once lived as raiders along the frozen coasts and mountains of the archipelago.
A few centuries ago, these raids stopped and the Fomori suddenly and seemingly without reason migrated to the highest mountain peaks. Physically the Fomori are tall, strong, and resilient as if carved from the mountain with a wide array of skin tones resembling different types of stone. With strong emphasis on the community and tradition, Fomori culture encourages individuals to find their place within the tribe and specialize themselves to benefit the group.

History of Terror

The stories of Fomori tell of monstrous invaders from the seas and mountains. Rarely are the Fomori painted in a flattering light. Images from the times show giants with antlers and horns and terrible gazes raiding towns and coastlines.
While based in a grain of truth, and remarkably similar to the modern ritualistic and warrior attire of the modern day, the Fomori are not the monsters portrayed in these old tales. Individual Fomorians can be shamans, warriors, scholars, leaders, or scientists. Few venture out to be adventurers, and even fewer students of universities.

Driven by Competition

Every day brings a new challenge to a Fomorian. Food, water, and shelter are rare in the uppermost mountain reaches. A single mistake can bring doom to an entire village, while an individual’s heroic effort can ensure the entire group’s survival.
Fomori thus place a premium on self-sufficiency and individual skill. They have a compulsion to keep score, counting their deeds and tallying their accomplishments to compare to others. Fomori love to win, but they see defeat as a prod to improve their skills.
This dedication to competition has a dark side. Fomori are ferocious competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a Fomori slays a dragon, he or she might seek out a larger, more powerful wyrm to battle. Few Fomori adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments.

Fair Play

For Fomori, 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. Fomori happily rely on such benefits, but they are careful to remember that such an advantage can always be lost. A Fomorian who relies too much on them can grow complacent, a recipe for disaster in the mountains.
This trait manifests most strongly when Fomori interact with other folk. The relationship between peasants and nobles puzzles Fomori. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead, then clearly the most talented person in the kingdom should take his place. Fomori rarely keep such opinions to themselves, and mock anyone who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power.

Goliath Names

Every Fomorian has three names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname assigned by the village chief or shaman, 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. Fomori see females and males as equal in all things, and they find societies with roles divided by gender to be puzzling or worthy of mockery. To a Fomori, the person who is best at a job should be the one tasked with doing it.
A Fomorian’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 Fomorian. Fomori assign and use nicknames with their friends of other races, and change them to refer to an individual’s notable deeds.
Fomori 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

Fomorian Traits

Fomori share a number of traits in common with each other.

Ability Score Increase

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

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Age

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

Size

Fomori 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.

Little Giant

You have a +2 bonus to your Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

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, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Mountain Born

You have resistance to cold damage. You’re also acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet.

Languages

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