Goliadh

"I was astounded at the size of the creature as it lumbered out of the rain and into the cave. Its head would have scraped the ceiling. Its large muscles blocked out the small amount of moonlight. I was terrified, and I found myself locked in place by fear. I couldn't move or speak, and I watched as it came into the cave, ducking to avoid the ceiling. It then laid something down on the ground and wandered off, all without waking my comrades.
I awoke in the morning, expecting some kind of horrible warning from our nightly visitor. Instead, it was a small package of rocks, with colourful striations and small crystals inside. I don't know why the figure didn't hurt us. But it did leave us a peace offering.
~Anna Issadoro, Logs of the Barrier Peaks Expedition, 2E 556

Appearance

The goliadh resemble most other humanoid races of Orkanis from an anatomical perspective. The only major differences are their great size (hence the belief they are descended from giants) and the intricate and unique tattoo-like patterns that adorn their skin.

Common Traits

The mountain caves of the goliadh's native regions are filled with danger, and so they have long since evolved to have a small amount of sight in dark regions. They also have a very strong sense of smell. Magical abilities among the goliadh are relatively rare, but not unheard of.
It is said that when a goliadh is under attack, their skin can harden and turn to stone temporarily, protecting them from a deadly blow. They are also incredibly strong, making them natural climbers and powerful swimmers.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The goliadh stay in small tribes or clans, travelling across the various mountain valleys of their homeland. The clan or tribe is very self-sufficient, and very divided in terms of age and experience. Those who get too old are often left to die, and those who can't pull their own weight might be equally abandoned.

History

Goliadh are mentioned in weddelar and xertilar tales going back to the Second Era. They would often come and hunt in the valleys, possibly bringing them into contact with hunting parties sent by the cities of the region. Usually, the smaller races would come out on the losing side of those disputes. Very rarely, a large group of goliadh would show up at the gates of a dwarven city, demanding food or aid. The weddelar would usually refuse and then they would eventually move on.
However, they are not just bogeymen that appear in children's tales. They may be simple, but they are incredibly strong and becoming more and more common in tepilar nations.

Common Myths and Legends

The myths of the weddelar feature them, as well as some songs and stories among the xertilar. If they have a mythology or religion, it is not known to anyone but them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Only the weddelar and xertilar have had any major contact with the goliadh until recently. They usually see them as savage or uncaring, not unlike the giants or trolls wandering the higher reaches of the mountains.
Something has happened in one of the large groups of goliadh living in the Kral-Dogash, causing several of them to come down from the mountains and seek refuge among the smaller peoples of Loria and Quempo. It is unknown why, but they are rarely welcomed in those places. Believed to be giant-kin, they are shunned and left out in the woods or hills alone.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Giant

Lifespan

65-80 years.

Average Height

2.1-2.4 metres tall.

Average Weight

125-160 kg.

Naming Traditions

Names among the goliadh tend to be attached to a specific event in the goliadh's life. A goliadh who defeated a great monster, for instance, might be named Beastslayer or something of that sort, while a learned goliadh might be known as Wordsmith. They also have identifying names and clan names, but they rarely share them with strangers.

Language

Goliadh speak a rudimentary form of the giant language. Those that have recently settled among the peoples below often learn the languages common to that area, although they might have difficulty with some sounds or complex words.

Geographic Distribution

Kral-Dogash forms the centre of giant and goliadh presence on Orkanis. Due to the recent influx of fleeing goliadh into neighbouring nations, there are several small groups in Loria and Quempo.

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)