Goliath (Go-Lye-Eth)

In Striving for Perfection, We Attain Excellence.

Introduction:

At the highest mountain peaks, across vast grasslands, and along the trackless tundras dwell the reclusive goliaths. Their bodies look as if they are carved from mountain stone and give them great physical power. Their hearts are infused with a fire that keeps them striving for greater deeds, even if that leads to their demise. Goliaths strive to be paragons in whatever pursuit they undertake. This has led to many goliaths becoming great adventurers, noble heroes, and villainous tyrants.
Goliaths have the following features;

• Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
• Size. Your size is Medium
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
• Natural Athlete. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.
• 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.
• Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
• Mountain Born. You have resistance to cold damage. You’re also acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet.
• Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Giant.

Culture:

Subcultures:

• Frostrun: The Frostrun Goliaths are the predominant culture of Lokkheimer. The Frostrun were brought to Lokkheimer by the Frost Giant overlords to serve of the Giant's underlings. The Frostrun broke free from the Giants and moved south spreading across Lokkheimer. The Frostrun are abolitionists and fiercely oppose the Bugbear and Giants that still try to enslave humanoids in Lokkheimer.
• White Elk Herd: The White Elk Herd is the predominant Goliath culture and herd in the northern Heartlands. These Goliaths are nomadic and follow the Elk herds from Fensalar to the Heartlands, traveling south in the fall and winter and north in the spring and summer. The White Elk have a close bond with the Capsan Empire arising out of a treaty preserving the Elk and the paths traveled by the White Elk.

Religion:

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Most goliaths are bald and clean shaven, however it is possible for goliaths to grow hair and facial hair, particularly when a goliath is born of one goliath parent and a non-goliath parent.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Goliath naming traditions are somewhat peculiar. Goliath children are given a name along with their family name that they inherit from their father. The peculiarity comes from their middle name or nickname that is given during the life of the Goliath. This middlename is unique to each Goliath and is meant to reference a great achievement or defining characteristic of the Goliath. A Goliath that is particularly comfortable in the wilderness may be called Woodwanderer, while a scholarly Goliath may recieve the nickname Loregazer.
These middle name is far more important that a Goliath's given name or last name and the sharing of a middle name is a sign of trust and friendship from a goliath. Goliath family names are often four sylables and have a rythym to them. No one really knows why this is, but it is common for non-Goliaths to learn how to pronounce Goliath names by singing each sylable to a beat.
For naming ideas for Goliaths please reference the following name generator; Goliath names.

Common Taboos

The greatest taboo amongst Goliaths is to cheat or otherwise atempt to gain advantage in an honest competition through deception. To bluff in a game of cards is perfectly acceptable as that is an expected part of the game. But to use underhanded tactics in a competition where such things are prohibited is seen as deeply shameful. Goliaths can atone for such transgressions, but those that refuse to make ammends or who are repeat offenders will be ostracized from their community.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Goliaths are often eager to meet other species so they can then challenge others to a number of competitions. Goliaths also see interaction with other species as a chance to learn and thus become more adept or knowledgeable.
Due to their history Goliaths have a mix of reverence and contempt for Giant kind. Goliaths particularly loath Hill and Frost Giants due to their violent, cruel, and dim witted nature compared to the other giants. This may be attributable to the lasting influence of Sefdius on the Goliaths.
Similarly, Goliaths are wary of Dragons as they were initially created to fight the great wyrms. They share a kinship with the Dragonborn who they see as having a parallel story in their creation. There are several tales in Goliath culture that tell of Goliaths and Dragonborn banding together to strike down an evil dragon.

The White Elk Herd of the northern Heartlands.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Giants

Lifespan

75 years. Maturity is reached in their late teens.

Average Height

7'00-8'00 ft.

Average Weight

280-340 lbs.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Goliath skin tones range from marble white to obsidian black. All goliaths have tattoo like patterns that contrast their skin and streak across their bodies from head to toe. Some Goliath cultures believe these tattoos have prophetic meaning and are tied to the destiny of the Goliath.