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 folks 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 their powerful builds give them great physical might. 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. Goliaths are a type of giant kin.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Being giant-kin, goliaths tower above the normal human at around 7 to 8 feet tall, usually weighing anywhere between 280 to 340 lbs. Both the males and females are this size, and both are expected to pull their weight within the tribe. Their skin is stone-colored, and they decorate it with ritual tattoos at times of great achievement in their lives. They are adapted to mountain life, being able to operate with less oxygen than species that dwell at lower altitudes, and their skin is naturally insulating against the cold.
Growth Rate & Stages
Young goliaths are worked from the moment they are born. In goliath society, its survival of the fittest, and there is no room for a child to hinder the tribe. They are trained to hunt and fend for themselves in the tribe and are raised communally, with the children being mixed up among each other as babies so nobody knows who the parents are. This is done to prevent parental bonds, as they are seen as a weakness in the harsh environment they inhabit. They enter adulthood in their late teens and have the same lifespan as a human.
Ecology and Habitats
Goliaths are usually found in the coldest mountain peaks, completely isolated from most other sentient races.
Additional Information
Social Structure
In goliath society its survival of the fittest. 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. However, despite this, 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.
Average Intelligence
Goliaths are usually lesser or similar to the average human in intellect.
Lifespan
60 years
Average Height
7-8 ft
Average Weight
280-340 lbs
Average Physique
Goliaths are almost always physically fit, as it is required for survival in their environment. They are naturally stronger than most other races of Ebresia, being among the strongest.
Related Organizations
Comments