Homebrew Cyclops Species Details

At the highest mountain cave — far above the slopes where trees grow and where the air is thin and the frigid winds howl — dwell the reclusive cyclops. Few folk can claim to have seen a cyclops and live to tell the tale, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Cyclops wander a bleak realm of rock, wind, and cold. Their bodies look as if they are carved from water stone and give them great physical power. Their spirits take after the terrible tides, making them quick to anger. Their hearts are infused with the cold regard of their frigid realm, leaving each cyclops with the responsibility to do what the tribe wants.

Driven Competitors

Every day brings a new challenge to the cyclops. Food is rare in the uppermost mountain reaches. A single mistake can bring doom to an entire tribe, while an individual’s heroic effort can ensure the entire group’s survival. Yet their goat and sheep herds are well kept and protected, providing much except for the taste of satyr and hero flesh.

Goliaths place a premium on hero flesh and being on top. They have a compulsion to keep score, counting their deeds and tallying their accomplishments to compare to others. 

This dedication to competition has a dark side. Cyclopses are ferocious competitors, but above all else they are driven to outdo their past efforts with bitter dispositions. If a cyclops slays a hydra, he or she might seek out a larger, more powerful one to battle. Few cyclop adventurers reach old age, as most die attempting to surpass their past accomplishments, or falling in bitter rivalries with each other. 

Master Craftsmen

They fashioned thunderbolts for Zeus to use as weapons, and helped him overthrow Cronus and the other Titans. Cyclopes also created Poseidon's trident, Artemis' bow and arrow, and Hades' Helm of Darkness. According to a hymn of Callimachus, they were Hephaestus' helpers at the forge, causing eruptions as they used their strength and might hammers to craft the finest of weapons under volcanoes. 

Survival of the Fittest

Among  Cyclops,  the biggest and strongest are in charge. Many of the clan leaders are as tall as their giant cousins, nearly reaching 30 feet in stature. Most are around 7-8 feet tall and are strong enough to hold 8 galloping horses. Any adult who can't contribute to the tribe is expelled. A permanently injured cyclops is still expected to pull his or her weight in the tribe, as they are already cast out but the god's other children.

In some ways, the Cyclops drive to outdo themselves feeds into the grim inevitability of their decline and death. A cyclops would much rather die in battle, at the peak of strength and skill, yet their single eye leads to some hinderance in battle

Because of their risk-taking and lack of cohesion, cyclops tribes suffer from a chronic lack of the experience offered by long- term leaders. Despite having others around for protection, they are as likely to turn on one another to save themselves, as trust between them is nonexistent. 

 Cyclops Names

Birth names are rarely linked to gender. Cyclops 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, in addition to females being rare.

A cyclops’ nickname is a description that can change on the whim of a chieftain or tribal elder. It refers to a notable deed, either a success or failure.

Birth Names: Aukan, Eglath, Gae-Al, Gauthak, Ilikan, Keothi, Kuori, Lo-Kag, Manneo, Maveith, Nalla, Orilo, Paavu, Pethani, Thalai, Thotham, Uthal, Vaunea, Vimak

Nicknames: Bearkiller, Dawncaller, Fearless, Flintfinder, Horncarver, Keeneye, Lonehunter, Longleaper, Rootsmasher, Skywatcher, Steadyhand, Threadtwister, Twice-Orphaned, Twistedlimb, Wordpainter

Clan Names: Anakalathai, Elanithino, Gathakanathi, Kalagiano, Katho-Olavi, Kolae-Gileana, Ogolakanu, Thuliaga, Thunukalathi, Vaimei-Laga

Cyclops Traits

Goliaths 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.

Age

Cyclopes have lifespans of around 130-200 years. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live well past a century.

Alignment

Cyclopes tend to be each for their own pushing them toward chaotic neutral.

Size

Cyclopes are between 7 and 8 feet tall and weigh between 280 and 340 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and your base swim speed is 20 feet.

Natural Craftsmen

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill and with Smith and Tinkers Tools

Sore Eye

You are limited on sight and depth perception due to your one eye, making seeing things from far away difficult. While blinded or in a state where you can't see, not included in darkness, you gain advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. Further more you enter a state similar to a Barbarian's rage until you have killed the one who blinded you and you can see again. 

Powerful Build

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

Water Born

You’re acclimated to working at the mighty forges of the gods, having perfect skill with the forge that fire isn't a bother to you. In addition, your father helped you work at his underwater forges and helped you live in his domain without hinderance. 

Languages

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