Homebrew Elf-Goliath Species Details

 Whereas the Goliath lives a cold, harsh nomadic life in a hunter-gatherer society deeply rooted in the material needs of reality, the magical Elf typically live a prosperous, gentle rounded life who have lived past that era in absolute frivolous decadence. When a child of these two races is born, an internal conflict of interest is created that is never sated until the child's demise. While the Elf-Goliath may not experience hatred like that of orcs and orc-hybrids, they will still have to deal with a confusing duality that is their life.

Hybrid of Absolute Rarity

Every hybrid of races is known to be rarer than the purebloods, but Elf-Goliaths are some of the rarest hybrids in the world. This hybrid not born from opposing ideologies, like that of Elf-Orc or Aasimar-Tiefling, but born from opposing lifestyles. These two cultures already live in nigh-total isolation, so the union is already unlikely. Once born, even the parents argue with what principles should the child should be raised under. The child will be confused at the dynamic of their creators, but will simply assume that one likes that and the other like that. Because of the strangeness of their union and the extremities of their cultures, the union will most likely move to more neutral land, like living among humans.

Their appearance consists of graceful and fine features, just as beautiful as the elves, and they covered in the goliath markings. They are around the same height as humans on average, ranging from 5 feet tall to just over 7 feet. Many of them possess the slender build of elves, but it hides the strong developed muscle inherited from the goliath, weighing anywhere from 190 to 243 pounds. Males and females are about the same height, and males are only marginally heavier than females. 

The coloration of the Elf-Goliath encompasses a slightly desaturated version of the normal human range, but they also include skin in shades of copper, bronze, and almost bluish-white, hair of green or blue, and eyes like pools of liquid gold or silver; they come with skin markings many shades darker than the natural skin tone. Elf-Goliaths have little body hair and no facial hair; the hair on their head grows very slowly. Because of their frigid upbringing, they tend to prefer wearing simple clothing that brings warmth or signifies it, like sheepskin, fur patterns, or leather. However, because of their elven heritage, they tend to extremely gravitate to when their simple clothing is made somewhat elegant by the use of bright colors, and they enjoy simple jewelry.

The Fittest and the Wisest

Elf-Goliaths can live well over 400 years, giving them a broader perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races, similar to dwarves. Because of how the Goliath culture is, and how late an elf's body starts to decay, the lifespan of this hybrid proves very helpful towards the goliath culture. When they do start to decay, they will accept that the goliaths will not need them anymore, and will live among other races. When pursuing a goal, whether adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art, elf-goliaths are focused, relentless, and tireless. Like elves, they are slow to make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget them. They don't tend to care about insults, as long as it doesn't interfere with their work or sense of progress.

Their goliath blood drives them to constantly work and constantly improve. When they feel accomplished in one field, they will switch to another. When they feel accomplished in all fields, they will start from square one, and relearn it all over again until death. Because of the number of fields the elven culture has brought, Elf-Goliaths may feel overwhelmed, but will attempt to better themselves anyway. Many Elf-Goliaths excel in politics and their multiple ideologies, simply because they were either raised between two extreme ones, and/or many others lived among other cultures with different histories and different forms of progress. As such, they are flexible and are known to contribute to a society's wellbeing.

Change of the Cultural Structure

 Elf-Goliaths follow a similar ideology to both goliath and elven culture; They accept that competition measures talent, dedication, and effort, but include the effects that external items may bring. Elf-Goliaths accept and take into account all factors that may affect a person's livelihood or efficiency. They will depend on any and all sources of competition. When it comes to diplomacy, Elf-Goliaths are much more direct and forceful; they gather all their needed information, say what needs to be said, and expect an appropriate answer. Because of the straightforward and methodical nature, they are very few long conversations. Should diplomacy not work in the Elf-Goliath's favor, they're strong and intimidating enough to deter anything extreme.

This trait manifests more strongly when Elf-Goliaths interact with other folks. They feel that everyone should meet the requirements before given a chance to lead, but they feel everyone should be given an equal chance to attain such high status. They also feel that if one were born into nobility, they should prove whether they should still be of noble standing. Many wish to create a world where people can prove themselves to be good enough. They look at all the cultures of the world and wonder how they could be made better. Elf-Goliaths are some of the main supporters of democracy, but are drowned out by the masses.

Born to Travel

Goliaths wander a bleak realm of rock, wind, and cold. Their spirits take after the wandering wind, making them nomads who wander from peak to peak. Elves take up adventuring out of wanderlust. Since they are long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of exploration and discovery. Goliaths travel by nature. Elves travel for sport and purpose. Meanwhile, Elf-Goliaths travel for both. They may travel for centuries before deciding to settle down and help the people where they may have settled, only to then take up a kit of items and travel once more.

They find the pace of societies everywhere curious and interesting; some cultures are stagnant, some are everchanging. Elf-Goliaths may spend multiple years in one race's society and then move when they feel they've had enough. Elf-Goliaths also enjoy exercising their martial prowess or gaining greater magical power, all to improve themselves as characters, and traveling allows them to do so. Some might join with rebels fighting against oppression, some may act as diplomats, and others may do it for pride and might be driven to outdo their past heroic and championing efforts.

Elf-Goliath Variants

Some Elf-Goliaths have a racial trait in place of the Natural Athlete trait. If your DM allows it, your half-elf character can forgo Natural Athlete and instead take the elf trait Keen Senses or a trait based on your elf parentage:

Elf-Goliath Names

Every Elf-Goliath has four names: a child name, assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, an adult name they choose for themselves once they reach adulthood, a family/clan name, and are also given a nickname.

Child names are rarely linked to gender, with even the gendered names not having many differences between them. Like their parent races, Elf-Goliaths see females and males as equal in all things, and they don't find many differences between the two. If they decide to, they will add an extra 'a' or 'o' at the end of their name to gender it. [Ex: Rama (Neutral) → Ramaa OR Ramao].

Elf-Goliaths are considered children until they declare themselves adults, sometime after the 50th birthday, and before this period they are called by child names. On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name, although those who knew him or her as a youngster might continue to use the child name.

An Elf-Goliath’s nickname is a name tradition inherited by the goliaths. It is a description that can change on the whim of their superior. 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.

Elf-Goliaths present all three names when identifying themselves, in the order of child/adult name, nickname, and clan/family name. In casual conversation, they use their nickname.

You can choose any combination of names from the races of the parents. 

Elf-Goliath Traits

Elf-Goliaths share a number of traits in common with each other.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score, your Constitution score, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Elven, and Giant. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar.

Age

Elf-Goliaths have lifespans comparable to dwarves. They enter adulthood in their 50s and usually live up to 400 years.

Alignment

Elf-Goliath society, with its clear roles and tasks, yet alongside their love of freedom, variety, and self-expression has a neutral disposition. The goliath sense of fairness, balanced with an emphasis on self- sufficiency and personal accountability, but also their empathetic nature and how they value and protect others’ freedom as well as their own, pushes them toward slightly good. They are not exactly saints, but they are Neutral Good.

Size

Elf-Goliaths are between 5 and 7 feet tall and weigh between 190 and 243 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to the twilit forests and the night sky atop mountaintops, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Mountain Born

Inherited from the goliaths, you’re acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You’re also naturally adapted to cold climates.

Trance

Inherited from the elves, Elf-Goliaths don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Natural Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.