Homebrew Dalkoth Species Details

From deepest parts of the deserts - so far in, most races would perish from dehydration; where the sun pounds the ground with intense heat - live the Dalkoth. A race that is often called a distant cousin of the Goliaths, these four armed humanoids thrive on combat. Rarely do they travel outside of their clan’s lands, but when they do, it is usually in search of food and water. On the rare occasion, a Dalkoth may forsake its clan and leave on a journey in search of adventure and combat.

Combat Driven Ethics

In Dalkoth society, everything is decided through combat. If two Dalkoth have a disagreement about anything, they fight until one yields or dies. The winner is considered the right party, even if they are wrong. The losing party must accept the outcome of combat until they feel they can win the next combat.

Dalkoth thus place a premium on martial prowess and skill. If someone can hold their own in combat, or against a Dalkoth, that person is worthy of respect from the Dalkoth. Cheating in combat is considered an insult to a Dalkoth.

This reliance on combat has a negative side. Because of the stubborn nature of the Dalkoth, some may not yield during combat decisions, thus leading to the death of their opponent or themselves. Only the older Dalkoth are truly able to understand when they have won or lost.

Honorable Combat

For Dalkoth, combat is the governing decision maker. Dalkoth are not without a sense of honor, however. A Dalkoth will accept a combat challenge from anyone willing to fight, and the Dalkoth will fight as honorably and fairly as possible until their opponent cheats or performs a dishonorable act during combat. In response to cheating, a Dalkoth will cease combat and declare itself the winner unless the opponent continues to attack, at which the Dalkoth will then fight the opponent until death. In Dalkoth society, cheating is punished by death.

Survival of the Fittest

Among the Dalkoth, any adult who can’t contribute to the tribe is considered weak and dishonorable and is usually expelled. A lone, wandering Dalkoth has little chance of survival, especially if it is an older or weaker one. Dalkoth have little pity for adults who can’t take care of themselves. Even a sick or injured individual is not spared.

A permanently injured Dalkoth is put to death immediately by its fellow tribe members. Typically, if a Dalkoth sustains a permanent injury in combat, it’s opponent performs the killing blow. If a Dalkoth sustains a permanent injury outside of combat, the tribe Elder executes the Dalkoth. This is viewed as an honorable death.

Because of their combat-driven society, goliath tribes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by long- term leaders. They hope for innate wisdom in their leadership, for they can rarely count on a wisdom grown with age.

Dalkoth Names

Every Dalkoth has two names: a birth name assigned by the tribe’s chief, and a clan name. A birth name is up to three syllables long. Clan names are two to four syllables long and end in a consonant.

Birth names are rarely linked to gender. Dalkoth 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 Dalkoth, the person who is best at a job should be the one tasked with doing it.

Dalkoth present both names when identifying themselves, in the order of birth name and clan name. In any conversation, Dalkoth always use their full name. It is a sign of disrespect to be addressed otherwise.

Birth Names: Sholath, Dorvok, Goldon, Vokdar, Tok, Koro, Xokdin, Qindat

Clan Names: Shinok, Quintok, Woloth, Palpock, Shokar

Dalkoth Traits

Dalkoth share a number of traits in common with each other.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1, but your Dexterity score is decreased by 1.

Age

Dalkoth have lifespans that last somewhat longer than humans. They enter adulthood in their 30’s and can live to be about 150, but due to their combative nature, many rarely see their 90’s.

Alignment

Dalkoth society is built around honor and combat. Therefore, Dalkoth alignment is almost always Lawful. With their lack of compassion for other races, and sometimes their own race, Dalkoth tend to be neutral or evil. It is very common to see Lawful Neutral or Lawful Evil Dalkoth.

Size

Dalkoth are between 8 and 9 feet tall and weigh between 300 and 400 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Natural Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Thick Skin

Dalkoth can strengthen their skin by focusing on its thickness for a short period of time. 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.

Quad-Armed

Due to their large physique and four arms, Dalkoth can dual-wield weapons that cannot normally be dual-wielded by other races. For example, a Dalkoth can dual-wield Greatswords and Greataxes. Along with this ability, the Dalkoth can wield up to four single handed weapons at one time. Only one arm counts as a main hand. The other three are considered off-hand. While their multiple arms increase the number of weapons they can wield at one time, it does not increase the number of attacks they can make. This feature is solely allows you to dual-wield two-handed weapons.

Note: The Dual Wielder feat must be taken before this feature can be used.

 

Powerful Build

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

Desert Born

You’re acclimated to scorching temperatures and long exposure to the sun including temperatures up to 200 degrees. Due to this acclimation, you have resistance to fire. You’re also naturally adapted to hot climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Giant.