Goliath

From the highest mountain peaks - far above the slopes where trees grow and where the air is thin- dwell the reclusive goliaths. Few folk can claim to have spent much time with a goliath, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Goliaths wander a bleak realm of rock, far from the soft lands of the other Soulborn. Their spirits take after the wandering wind, making them nomads who wander from peak to peak. Their hearts are infused with the struggle to survive, leaving each goliath with the responsibility to earn a place in the tribe or die trying.

Personality

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.
A cloud goliath is referred to as a Narrskye (“near the sky”) in Jotunalder—a reference to their referred physical distance from other creatures, as well as an allusion to their reputation for paying little heed to the plights of the world. Cloud goliaths have an innate attunement to the magic of their forefathers’ airy domain and many are renowned for their foresight and eloquent speech. They are sometimes arrogant and vainglorious, however.
Fire goliaths are called Ildblud (“fire blood”) and consider themselves elite among the other goliaths. They find comfort by the heat of the forge or in warm, even volcanic environments. Fire giants are known to be a militaristic race, and their goliath counterparts are no different. Formal martial training and a strict hierarchy of leadership are integral aspects of fire goliath society. Fire goliaths also have a rich tradition of storytelling through singing tales of great battles past.
The Steinhjerten (“stone hearts”) are goliaths who derive their blood from the mountains themselves. Stone goliaths are remarkably tough, and well-adapted to mountain life. Much like the rocks they appear to be carved from, these goliaths tend to be rather stubborn and slow to adapt to changes, though they also the most steadfast and reliable of their kin.
Frost goliaths are known as Isekriggen (“ice warriors”) in their native tongue. They are fierce and hardy in battle, and they take pride in their scars and grisly trophies taken from their fallen enemies, which they fashion into armor, weapons, and jewelry. Frost goliaths respect brute strength above all, and as such, routine challenges of leadership are a regular part of their culture as they wrestle to exert their dominance.
Hill goliaths are referred to as Haugsovven (“hill sleepers”), so named because of their tendency to doze off in broad daylight atop whatever hill they find themselves on. They are prone to fits of violent destruction, especially when they realize someone has tried to deceive them or make a fool of them. They are voracious eaters and can generally be bribed with rare delicacies and luxurious drinks.
Goliaths of the stormare called Tuvaren, meaning “storm thieves”—an allusion to the belief that their progenitor, Stronmaus, was too proud to willingly create lesser, humanoid offspring and too powerful to be forced to, so he was magically subdued and had his blood stolen. Storm goliaths prefer a life of isolation where they contemplate the events of the world—past, present, and future—as well as the meaning of their existence. Still, their rich history of prophecies and omens drives many to a life of adventure, seeking out truth and answers.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Goliaths are massive. They average between 7 and 8 feet tall, making them even taller than dragonborn and half-orcs. Goliaths have noticeably bony or prominent supraorbital ridges above their eyes, which are often a bright blue or green and sometimes glow a bit. Goliath skin is usually colored in grey hues, though with slight gradations of color depending on their heritage (such as red for fire goliaths or blue for frost goliaths), and is extremely tough (often compared to rock). 
One of the most distinctive features of the goliath is the darker (often vertically symmetrical) patches of skin that cover their entire bodies. Goliaths believe that these markings somehow explain or controll their fate or destiny. For this reason, goliaths never tattoo themselves, as this could affect their future.

Growth Rate & Stages

Goliaths have lifespans comparable to most Soulborn. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.

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

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The cultures and traditions of goliath tribes varies from tribe to tribe and region to region but a number of traits are common across several tribes. 
Goliath society's key focus is competitiveness. Their society also holds equality and fairness in high regard. Goliaths live in small tribes that number between forty and sixty goliaths. This is usually made up of three to five extended families. Most goliaths live in the same tribe their entire life. On rare occasions, however, a tribe that gets too large will split into smaller tribes, while sometimes smaller tribes would merge together into a larger one.
Goliaths have little empathy or pity for adults who can't take care of themselves, but they will treat and take care of the injured and sick. Permanently injured goliaths are still expected to contribute in every way that they can. 
Arts and crafting in goliath culture is limited by the resources they have at hand. As a result, goliaths are skilled in crafts like flintknapping, tanning, stitching, creating simple pottery, bone-carving, and painting. Goliath art is often colorful and expressive; it is also one of the few tasks that goliaths understand to be non-competitive. They fully appreciated that art can't possible have a winner.

Common Taboos

Goliaths who betray the Brisingelion and the Culled races are referred to as Jötunnkyn. They are said to be beastial savages eking out an existence in the harshest corners of Edras. Their lives are spent in veneration of the spawn of Hrissgamondr, usually in the form of blood sacrifices of fallen beast they've hunted.

History

Goliaths are the children of Hrissgamondr, the Mountain the Mocks Fate. They were stolen from it during the War of Souls by Enmensur, Lord of Beasts.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Goliaths are friendly to anyone who didn't threaten their tribe, but wouldn't wait around for travelers who couldn't keep up with them. They are also particularly fond of dwarves and have great respect for dwarven blacksmiths. Some goliaths will even venture into mountain tunnels to seek out dwarves to trade with.
Attitudes toward giants vary. Some are friendly with them to point of trading and sharing territory. Others have a deep hatred for the primordial spawn and seek to exterminate them from the world's mountains and hills.
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.

Origin/Ancestry

Hrissgamondr, the Mountain That Mocks Fate

Lifespan

90 years

Average Height

7'-8'

Average Weight

280-340 lbs.

Founding Emanation

Stronmaus, the Thunderhead, Skoraeus Stonebones, King of the Rock, Memnor, the One Above, Grolantor, The Ever-Hungry, Surtur, the Anvil of Flames, Thrym, the Great Glacier-

Patron Deity

Enmensur, Lord of Beasts

Racial Stats

Goliath(Stone)

Goliath (Stone)

Ability Score Increase +2 Str, +1 Con

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

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Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Natural Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Mountain Born

You're acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You're also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.

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. After you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages. Eolian and Jotunalder

Goliath(Fire)

Goliath (Fire)

Ability Score Increase +2 Str, +1 Cha

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

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Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Legacy of War

You learn one maneuver of your choice from among those available to the Battle Master archetype in the fighter class and can use it once with this trait. For the purposes of using this maneuver, your superiority die is a d4 (this die does not add to any superiority dice you have from another source). If the maneuver requires your target to make a saving throw to resist its effects, the saving throw equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Charisma modifier (your choice). You regain the ability to use this maneuver with this trait when you finish a short or long rest.

Master Metallurgist

You have proficiency with artisan’s tools (smith’s tools).

Fire Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Languages. Eolian and Jotunalder

Goliath(Frost)

Goliath (Frost)

Ability Score Increase +2 Str, +1 Con

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

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Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Glacial Fortitude

When you fail a Constitution saving throw, you can reroll the save and must use the new roll. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Tanner

You have proficiency with artisan’s tools (leatherworker’s tools).

Cold Resistance

You have resistance to cold damage.

Languages. Eolian and Jotunalder

Goliath(Cloud)

Goliath (Cloud)

Ability Score Increase +2 Str, +1 Wis

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

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Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Atmospheric Arcana

You know the light cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the fog cloud spell as a 1st-level spell once with this trait. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the misty step spell once with this trait. You regain the ability to cast these spells with this trait when you finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Gentle Descent

At the end of a fall, you only take 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 20 feet you fall, rather than every 10 feet. In addition, you do not land prone, even if you take damage from the fall.

Languages. Eolian and Jotunalder

Goliath(Storm)

Goliath (Storm)

Ability Score Increase +2 Str, +1 Int

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

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Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Storm Strike

You can use a bonus action to conjure a bolt of pure lightning in your hand and hurl it at a point you can see within 120 feet. Alternatively, if you take the Attack action, you may use this a trait in place of one of your attacks. Each creature within 5 feet of that point must make a Dexterity saving throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier. A creature takes 2d6 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or a long rest.

Tempestuous Resilience

When you take lightning or thunder damage, you can use your reaction to cast the absorb elements spell as a 1st-level spell once with this trait. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Languages. Eolian and Jotunalder

Goliath(Hill)

Goliath (Hill)

Ability Score Increase +2 Str, +1 Con, -2 Int

Size Medium

Speed 30ft

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Powerful Build

You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

Superior Slumber

When you finish a long rest, you regain all expended hit dice, rather than half your total number of them.

Rampage

As a bonus action, you can go on a rampage, which lasts for 1 minute. While on a rampage, when you roll damage for a melee weapon attack using Strength, your Strength modifier is doubled. In addition, at the start of each of your turns while on a rampage, roll a d10. On a roll of 1, you use all your movement to move within reach of a random creature within 30 feet and then use your action to make a melee weapon attack against it. If there are no creatures that you can reach within 30 feet, you instead take the Dash action and use all your movement to move in a random direction. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Languages. Eolian and Jotunalder