Homebrew Half-Goliath Race Details

Humans can go a lifetime without seeing a single goliath, but those who dwell close to grim mountains may chance upon them more than most. Some goliath clans may even return to a human settlement once every few years or so for trade during their nomadic journeys. Occasionally a tribe or mercenary band of more primitive, savage humans may join themselves to a goliath clan. From these unions come the powerful, versatile half-goliaths.  

Respected Survivors

Half-goliaths combine the physical traits of both parents in equal measure. Taller than humans, shorter than goliaths, with typically pale skin, powerful builds and strong, square features. They have no facial or body hair, but grow hair on their head equal to any human, and in just as many colors. They also share humans' eye coloration.

Unlike most half-breeds, half-goliaths are well accepted among both their parent races. Goliaths are practical, and any half-goliaths that can pull their weight are welcome additions to the clan. They make particularly good scouts, sentinels, crafters and lorekeepers among goliath clans — somewhat smaller than full goliaths, they can conceal themselves better than their pure cousins, their hands are more nimble and they learn new skills with great ease. 

Half-goliaths are snubbed by the higher classes of human society yet respected and favored by just about everyone else. They are rumored to be able to carry out twice the physical labor of a pure human and without a word of complaint—even through ice and snow. For most half-goliaths it's true and they are never short of work among human lands. Appearing as similar, if very tall pure humans, a shorter-than-average half-goliath might even manage to pass themselves off a large human.

Rare is the half-goliath that feels they do not fit in with either race, but even those find welcome among mercenary bands and military orders.

Half-Goliath Names

Half-Goliaths follow either pure-goliath or human naming conventions, depending on who they are raised with. A half-goliath growing up in a mixed clan of humans and goliaths typically take goliath names, with goliaths usually the dominant race in those rare, mixed societies.

Half-Goliath Traits

Half-goliaths have inherited traits from both humans and goliaths.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and Constitution scores, and an ability score of your choice, each increases by 1.

Age

Half-goliaths have lifespans equal to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.

Alignment

Half-goliaths who grow up among goliath clans lean strongly toward a lawful nature, yet can vary. Those raised elsewhere can have any alignment.

Size

Half-goliaths are between 6 and 7 feet tall and weigh between 220 and 290 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Stone-Forged Skills

You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.

Gravel's Endurance

You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll a d6. 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.

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.

Shrug It Off

You have advantage on saving throws against being stunned and paralyzed.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Giant and one other language of your choice.