Goliath
At the highest mountain peaks-far above the slopes where trees grow and where the air is thin and the frigid winds howl-dwell the reclusive goliaths. Few folk can claim to have seen a goliath, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Goliaths wander a bleak realm of rock, wind, and cold. Their bodies look as if they are carved from mountain stone and give them great physical power. Their spirits take after the wandering wind, making them nomads who wander from peak to peak. Their hearts are infused with the cold regard of their frigid realm, leaving each goliath with the responsibility to earn a place in the tribe or die trying.
Driven Competitors
Every day brings a new challenge to a goliath. Food, water, and shelter are rare in the uppermost mountain reaches. A single mistake can bring doom to an entire tribe, while an individual's heroic effort can ensure the entire group's survival. Goliaths 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. Goliaths love to win, but they see defeat as a prod to improve their skills. This dedication to competition has a dark side. Goliaths are ferocious competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts. If a goliath slays a dragon, he or she might seek out a larger, more powerful wyrm to battle. Few goliath adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments.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.Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Goliath
ability score increase:
Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1
age:
Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.
Size:
Medium
speed:
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages:
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
race features:
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet.
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet.
Volo's Complete Subrace Handbook
Cloudborn Goliath
Descended from the cloud giants, cloudborn goliaths feel most comfortable in the highest reaches of the tallest mountains, where the cold and thin air would make it impossible for most creatures to survive. Few cloudborn goliaths ever leave their mountain homes, but those that are struck with wanderlust have been known to become captains of renown, or warriors of great strength. Cloudborn have pale tones of grey or blue skin, vibrant blue eyes and walk with a light, almost regal step, compared to the heavy footsteps of most goliaths.
ability score increase:
Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1
age:
Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.
Size:
Medium
speed:
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages:
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
parent race:
Goliath
race features:
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Ancestral Mist. By focusing yourself, you can make the air near you fill with clouds. You can cast the fog cloud spell once with this trait, requiring no material components. You regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a short or long rest. Unclouded Vision. Living in the highest peaks has trained your eyes to see beyond the fog that would mar other's sight. You can see through an area covered in fog or mist as though it were only lightly obscured, provided that the mist is natural or originates from a spell you are casting. Softened Descent. As you fall, you may use your reaction to make clouds materialize beneath you, slowing your descent. You fall at a rate of 120 feet per round and have resistance to falling damage for 1 minute. Nimbus Resistant. Cloudborn Goliaths can withstand a thunderstorm while inside the cloud itself. You have resistance to thunder damage.
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Ancestral Mist. By focusing yourself, you can make the air near you fill with clouds. You can cast the fog cloud spell once with this trait, requiring no material components. You regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a short or long rest. Unclouded Vision. Living in the highest peaks has trained your eyes to see beyond the fog that would mar other's sight. You can see through an area covered in fog or mist as though it were only lightly obscured, provided that the mist is natural or originates from a spell you are casting. Softened Descent. As you fall, you may use your reaction to make clouds materialize beneath you, slowing your descent. You fall at a rate of 120 feet per round and have resistance to falling damage for 1 minute. Nimbus Resistant. Cloudborn Goliaths can withstand a thunderstorm while inside the cloud itself. You have resistance to thunder damage.
Volo's Complete Subrace Handbook
Fireborn Goliath
Owing their fiery hair and skin markings to fire giant ancestors, Fireborn Goliaths are often militaristic and wild, forging tools of war and battling for the right to be the most respected warrior in the clan. Fireborn are at home in both warm and cold climates through a kind of internal heat that sustains them. Most Fireborn have grey, brown, or reddish skin, burning orange or red eyes and feel warm to the touch.
ability score increase:
Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1
age:
Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.
Size:
Medium
speed:
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages:
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
parent race:
Goliath
race features:
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Heatforged Talent. You gain proficiency in smith's tools and either longswords or greatswords. Return Fire. When you take fire damage you may use your reaction to absorb some of its elemental essence and use it to incinerate an enemy. You gain resistance to fire damage until the end of your next turn. Also, your next melee weapon attack deals 1d6 additional fire damage on hit. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1) per long rest. Counterflare. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish rebuke spell as a 1st-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a short or long rest. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Heatforged Talent. You gain proficiency in smith's tools and either longswords or greatswords. Return Fire. When you take fire damage you may use your reaction to absorb some of its elemental essence and use it to incinerate an enemy. You gain resistance to fire damage until the end of your next turn. Also, your next melee weapon attack deals 1d6 additional fire damage on hit. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1) per long rest. Counterflare. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish rebuke spell as a 1st-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a short or long rest. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Volo's Complete Subrace Handbook
Frostborn Goliath
Born in the coldest highlands, the progeny of frost giants, Frostborn Goliaths are even among goliaths particularly well suited to extreme cold. The icy, thick white hair and blue-white skin of the Frostborn lends them great resillience to the chill winds of the northlands, and too the beasts and warrior clans that patrol it. When a Frostborn Goliath focuses their energy, their cold skin rapidly hardens up and creates a sharp chill that surrounds its body.
ability score increase:
Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1
age:
Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.
Size:
Medium
speed:
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages:
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
parent race:
Goliath
race features:
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Cold Resistance. Your frost giant ancestry and life in the frigid highlands has given you resistance to cold damage. Icewalker. You can move across difficult terrain made of ice or snow without expending extra movement. Glacial Durability. If an enemy within 5 feet of you hits you with a melee attack and you take damage, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage by a number equal to your Constitution Modifier and reduce the enemy's movement speed by half until the end of their next turn. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1) per long rest.
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Cold Resistance. Your frost giant ancestry and life in the frigid highlands has given you resistance to cold damage. Icewalker. You can move across difficult terrain made of ice or snow without expending extra movement. Glacial Durability. If an enemy within 5 feet of you hits you with a melee attack and you take damage, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage by a number equal to your Constitution Modifier and reduce the enemy's movement speed by half until the end of their next turn. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1) per long rest.
Volo's Complete Subrace Handbook
Hillborn Giant
Standing with a gaping, dripping mouth, and often eating anything that will come close enough, Hillborn Goliaths are the least trusted of goliaths, and are the most common type to leave the tribes, whether by choice or by force. Hillborn Goliaths often find their way to the city to enjoy good food, good company, and a good fight. They have tan or brown skin, dark brown eyes and hair and are known to devour creatures and objects alike.
ability score increase:
Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1
age:
Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.
Size:
Medium
speed:
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages:
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
parent race:
Goliath
race features:
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Universal Digestion. Your hill giant heritage gives you advantage on saving throws against poison and disease. You may also consume most items as though they were food. You can eat 1lb of items per round. For every 4lbs of items you eat, you gain the effects of having eaten 1lb of food and must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to not become poisoned until you finish a long rest. You cannot digest magic items. Dripping Maw. Your ancestry manifests as an unhinged jaw that can open wide and bite deep into your enemy. Your bite is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it you deal 1d4 piercing damage and deal additional acid damage equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1) instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Hungry Jaws. In battle, you can throw yourself into a vicious feeding frenzy. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your Dripping Maw. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and you gain temporary hit points (minimum of 1) equal to your Constitution modifier, and you can't use this trait again until you finish a short or long rest.
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Universal Digestion. Your hill giant heritage gives you advantage on saving throws against poison and disease. You may also consume most items as though they were food. You can eat 1lb of items per round. For every 4lbs of items you eat, you gain the effects of having eaten 1lb of food and must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to not become poisoned until you finish a long rest. You cannot digest magic items. Dripping Maw. Your ancestry manifests as an unhinged jaw that can open wide and bite deep into your enemy. Your bite is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it you deal 1d4 piercing damage and deal additional acid damage equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1) instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Hungry Jaws. In battle, you can throw yourself into a vicious feeding frenzy. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your Dripping Maw. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and you gain temporary hit points (minimum of 1) equal to your Constitution modifier, and you can't use this trait again until you finish a short or long rest.
Volo's Complete Subrace Handbook
Stoneborn Goliath
Sturdy, unwavering, and nigh immovable, stoneborn are a force to be reckoned with on their homeland in the mountains or any battlefield littered with stones. Their rough, deep gray skin is the sturdiest of all goliaths, and their empty gray-white eyes leave many haunted. Tossing stones at a distance, then rolling large boulders down a mountainside to crush a foe is their favored tactic.
ability score increase:
Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1
age:
Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.
Size:
Medium
speed:
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages:
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
parent race:
Goliath
race features:
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Stonebound Footing. While standing, if you would be pushed or pulled, you may instead move 10 fewer feet in the direction you were being moved. In addition, while standing you have advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone, pushed, or pulled. Stone's Endurance. You can supernaturally draw on unyielding stone to shrug off harm. 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. Boulder Toss. If you make an improvised ranged weapon attack with a stone you can lift, you may add your proficiency bonus to that attack. Use your Strength modifier instead of Dexterity for ranged attacks and damage when attacking with a stone. Use the following table to determine how far you can throw a stone, and the damage it deals. You can wield stones up to 50 lbs. with one hand-- this increases to 150 lbs. at 8th level.
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Stonebound Footing. While standing, if you would be pushed or pulled, you may instead move 10 fewer feet in the direction you were being moved. In addition, while standing you have advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone, pushed, or pulled. Stone's Endurance. You can supernaturally draw on unyielding stone to shrug off harm. 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. Boulder Toss. If you make an improvised ranged weapon attack with a stone you can lift, you may add your proficiency bonus to that attack. Use your Strength modifier instead of Dexterity for ranged attacks and damage when attacking with a stone. Use the following table to determine how far you can throw a stone, and the damage it deals. You can wield stones up to 50 lbs. with one hand-- this increases to 150 lbs. at 8th level.
Volo's Complete Subrace Handbook
Stormborn Goliath
Raised in the chill waters of the northern seas, stormborn, with their green-tinged hair and solid green eyes often rise quickly through the clan’s leadership, and most think themselves superior to all other goliaths. Their bravery in combat is nearly unmatched and stormborn chieftains will fight alongside their brothers and sisters in battle, leading the charge with speed, and a sword of lightning.
ability score increase:
Choose one of: (a) Choose any +2; choose any other +1 (b) choose three different +1
age:
Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.
Size:
Medium
speed:
Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Languages:
You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for your character.
parent race:
Goliath
race features:
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Lightning Quickness. Your base walking speed increases by 5 feet. Storm's Fury. If a creature within 30 feet of you hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to strike at them with a bolt of lightning. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save the creature takes damage equal to 1d6 + your Wisdom modifier, or half as much on a successful save. The creature has disadvantage on the save if it is wearing metal armor. You can use this trait a number of times equal to 1 + your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1) per long rest. Storming Weapon. If at least one of your hands is free you can use your action to create a weapon made of wind or lightning, it lasts 1 minute or until you dismiss it as a bonus action. You are proficient when using these weapons. You may use your Wisdom modifier for your attacks with these weapons. These weapons do not count as magic weapons for purposes of overcoming resistance. A weapon created using this feature cannot be wielded by another creature and disappates into mist when a creature tries to do so. Once you create a weapon with this feature, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long rest. Lightning Sword - Versatile, deals 1d8 / 1d10 + your Wisdom modifier lightning damage on hit. Wind Javelin – Light, thrown (60/120), deals 1d6 + your Wisdom modifier thunder damage on hit.
Little Giant. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill, and you count as one size larger when determining your carrying weight and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You also naturally acclimate to high altitudes, even if you've never been to one. This includes elevations above 20,000 feet. Lightning Quickness. Your base walking speed increases by 5 feet. Storm's Fury. If a creature within 30 feet of you hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to strike at them with a bolt of lightning. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save the creature takes damage equal to 1d6 + your Wisdom modifier, or half as much on a successful save. The creature has disadvantage on the save if it is wearing metal armor. You can use this trait a number of times equal to 1 + your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1) per long rest. Storming Weapon. If at least one of your hands is free you can use your action to create a weapon made of wind or lightning, it lasts 1 minute or until you dismiss it as a bonus action. You are proficient when using these weapons. You may use your Wisdom modifier for your attacks with these weapons. These weapons do not count as magic weapons for purposes of overcoming resistance. A weapon created using this feature cannot be wielded by another creature and disappates into mist when a creature tries to do so. Once you create a weapon with this feature, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long rest. Lightning Sword - Versatile, deals 1d8 / 1d10 + your Wisdom modifier lightning damage on hit. Wind Javelin – Light, thrown (60/120), deals 1d6 + your Wisdom modifier thunder damage on hit.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
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 or worthy 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
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