Goliaths

Goliaths descend from the ancient giantkin who once ruled parts of Eldareth. Many of their oldest communities developed in remote mountain regions, where difficult terrain and long winters made cooperation essential.

Their giant ancestry remains an important part of clan history, but descent alone carries little status. Goliath traditions tend to place greater importance on what a person has done, the responsibilities they can be trusted with, and how they have contributed to the clan.

Many clans use trials to mark important stages of life. These may test endurance, judgment, practical skill, or the ability to work with others, depending on what responsibility the individual is preparing to take on. Completing a trial shows that the clan considers them ready, rather than placing them above those who have not yet attempted it.

Identity and Culture

Goliaths are among the tallest humanoid peoples of Eldareth and are usually heavily built. Their skin commonly resembles stone in color or texture, ranging from pale grey to dark basalt.

Some bear natural markings that become more visible during physical strain or when they draw upon their giant heritage. Hair may be worn short, shaved, or braided according to family and clan custom.

Clan markings are also common, though their form varies considerably. They may record important accomplishments, agreements, positions held within the community, or events in which the bearer took part.

Responsibility to the clan carries considerable weight in many Goliath communities. Physical ability is respected where it is useful, but judgment, reliability, and the ability to keep others safe are valued just as highly. A hunter who consistently brings a group home safely may earn as much respect as someone known for success in battle.

Failure during a trial or difficult task is not automatically treated as disgrace. A trial may be attempted again after more training, and asking for help is often considered preferable to hiding a problem that could place others at risk.

This expectation can sometimes clash with ideas of personal pride. Some Goliaths find it difficult to admit when they are struggling, particularly if they have built a reputation for handling difficult work without assistance.

Giant Heritage

Every Goliath carries some trace of giant ancestry, though its form depends on the heritage preserved within their clan. These inherited traits may appear physically or emerge through abilities that become stronger with age and training.

Clans preserve stories about the giants from whom they descend, but those ancestors are not viewed the same way everywhere. Some clans honor them through memorials and family histories, while others treat them simply as distant figures from a much older period.

Young Goliaths are usually taught how to recognize and control inherited abilities before using them in situations where a mistake could endanger others. The details of this training vary between clans and according to the form their giant heritage takes.

Goliaths Across Eldareth

Goliath communities remain concentrated in mountainous regions, where many maintain settlements, hunting grounds, and travel routes that are difficult for outsiders to reach.

Their familiarity with high passes and dangerous terrain has made Goliath guides valuable to merchants, travelers, and expeditions crossing these regions. Some clans maintain long-standing agreements with nearby settlements concerning particular roads, passes, or seasonal routes.

Clan history is usually preserved through spoken accounts and memorials maintained by later generations. Stories often record past leaders, difficult journeys, agreements with neighboring communities, and the circumstances surrounding important trials.

Although the clans share giant ancestry, they have developed their own customs around it. Traditions surrounding trials, markings, inherited abilities, and the giants themselves can therefore differ considerably from one Goliath community to another.

Goliath Traits

Ability Score Increase. When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. You can't raise any of your scores above 20.

Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.

Size. You are Medium.

Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.

Robust. You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Powerful Build. You count as one Size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift. You also have Advantage on any Saving Throw you make to end the Grappled condition on yourself.

Giant Ancestry. You are descended from Giants. When you choose this race, select one of the following ancestral boons. This represents the giant bloodline most prominent in your heritage.

You can use the chosen benefit a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest:

• Cloud’s Jaunt (Cloud Giant). As a Bonus Action, you magically Teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see.
• Fire’s Burn (Fire Giant). Once on each of your turns, when you hit a target with an Attack Roll and deal damage to it, you can also deal an additional 1d10 Fire Damage to that target.
• Frost’s Chill (Frost Giant). Once on each of your turns, when you hit a target with an Attack Roll and deal damage to it, you can also deal an additional 1d6 Cold Damage to that target and reduce its Speed by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
• Hill’s Tumble (Hill Giant). Once on each of your turns, when you hit a Large or smaller creature with an Attack Roll and deal damage to it, you can knock that target Prone.
• Stone’s Endurance (Stone Giant). 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.
• Storm’s Thunder (Storm Giant). When you take damage from a creature within 60 feet of you, you can use your Reaction to deal 1d8 Thunder Damage to that creature.

Large Form. Starting at 5th level, you gain the ability to supernaturally growin size. As a Bonus Action, you change your Size to Large, provided you are in a big enough space. This transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a Bonus Action. During that transformation, you have Advantage on Strength Checks, and your Speed increases by 10 feet.

Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest.

Languages. Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.