Goliaths
Far away in the Eastern Chain, a race of giant people called Goliaths began to emerge from their mountain caves and tunnels. This race of towering people, similar in build to humans, but each averaging 7-8 ft. in height, once inhabited the tallest mountains and glacier-clad plateaus. But as their civilization grew, competition for resources grew more intense, and some of the Goliath tribes were forced down the mountains into the fertile lands between the rivers. Here, they built vast kingdoms that controlled much territory.
The Goliaths are a race driven by competition and pride. As such, when differences arise between the Goliaths, it usually comes to blows, though not always in all-out war. Historical records indicate some tribes settled their differences through physical competitions, our by selecting champions to fight each other to the death, at which point, the argument was settled. However, many of the Goliath tribes have gone to war with other races. Far to the north around the Northern Heights in modern-day Nor'Vagu, there was once giants that roamed the earth and pillaged the Goliath cities. And when humans from Scuros started migrating northward, the Goliaths fought long wars against them.
Today, Goliaths are not the mighty nations that they once were. Many have assimilated into human society, particularly Nor'Vagu, which integrated many cultural aspects of the Goliaths into their own. There are still some isolated and disparate tribes of Goliaths living in the mountains, but without much competition between them and other Goliaths, they enjoy a peaceful life. Many other families have decided to migrate to other cities and countries. Even though Goliaths are minorities wherever they live, they still live for the competition and the challenge that comes with that.
Naming Traditions
Unisex names
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.
Birth Names: Aukan, Eglath, Gae-Al, Gauthak, Ilikan,
Keothi, Kuori, Lo-Kag, Manneo, Maveith, Nalla,
Orilo, Paavu, Pethani, Thalai, Thotham, Uthal,
Vaunea, Vimak
Family 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.
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.
Clan Names: Anakalathai, Elanithino, Gathakanathi,
Kalagiano, Katho-Olavi, Kolae-Gileana, Ogolakanu,
Thuliaga, Thunukalathi, Vaimei-Laga
Other names
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.
Nicknames: Bearkiller, Dawncaller, Fearless, Flintfinder,
Horncarver, Keeneye, Lonehunter, Longleaper,
Rootsmasher, Skywatcher, Steadyhand,
Threadtwister, Twice-Orphaned, Twistedlimb,
Wordpainter
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
In addition to the common tongue, Goliaths can speak Giant, which is the language of those ancient, titan people from the far north. Giant is a very demanding language that uses the whole mouth to emanate one's voice across great distances. It is a common misconception that someone speaking Giant is always yelling; it only sounds that way because the language is designed to carry over great distances with the help of great big lungs and a strong diaphragm. Humans and others of similar build must take a big gulp of air before speaking one sentence of Giant speech. Halflings and gnomes typically struggle with the physical demands of the language and must have received years of training on how to control their breath.
Today, Northern Common (the dialect spoken commonly in Nor'Vagu) is heavily influenced by Giant speech.
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