Homebrew Goron Species Details

The taste of the finest granite, a brotherly bond stoked in flames, the echoing of picks and hammers in deep mines and blazing forges, and the strength of many working as one —these common threads unite all Gorons.

Body of Stone, Heart of Steel

Bold and hardy, Gorons are known as skilled warriors, miners, and workers of stone and metal. An average Goron looms over a Hylian, about a head taller; a mass of rippling rocky muscle made for cleaving stone in two and enduring long days of mining in blazing molten heat.

Goron skin is hard and leathery, with their backs covered in what appears to be solid rock. The thicker and sharper the rock, the older the Goron. Their skin is the colour of the volcanic rock they call home, ranging from earthy brown to lava red to stony grey. Gorons have very little and sometimes no hair on their heads, but they can grow beards, and a long grand beard is usually the mark of a great Goron chief.

It is not well known how Gorons come into the world. It is believed that they simply pop out of the rock as a baby, and familial relatives are determined by what cave they were birthed in. All Gorons appear to identify as male, although it is not known if that is a biological factor, or a product of their culture. Gorons live slightly longer than Hylians, usually about 125 years, but some have been known to live to 150.

All Gorons have the miraculous ability to curl up into a ball, which is an excellent form of camouflage, making them nearly indistinguishable from rocks and boulders. Their legs are rather short in proportion to their body, so they are quite slow when walking, so rolling around in ball form is a much quicker and more common way for them to get around.

Brothers in Arms

Gorons have an extremely strong sense of brotherhood and camaraderie. Their culture is built on teamwork and they always strive to get on well with everyone, although their simple and straightforward lifestyle can sometimes conflict with other races. Gorons have a strong love for food and cooking, although they only eat rocks. It can be a difficult concept for them to grasp why other races may refuse eat their carefully crafted meals. 

Once you have done a favour for a Goron, you will have a lifelong friend. Gorons thrive on social friendships and bonds forged by shared experiences. They are fiercely loyal and have great respect for those who can match their immense strength. They can often be seen with strong Hylian and Gerudo adventurers, but some Gorons are more inclined to protect those more delicate than they are.

Clans and Colonies

Tough and hardy, Gorons thrive in places often inhospitable to other races. They make their homes on the sides of volcanoes and in cave formations, where the very earth is active and changing. They are highly resistant to fire, being able to withstand skin melting temperatures for extended periods of time.

A Goron village is run by a chief or boss, who oversees all mining operations on the mountain and also protects the village against threats. Daily Goron life runs almost like clockwork - everyone has their place of belonging, a task to do, and the skill to do it to perfection. The sculpting skill of a Goron is unmatched, and their villages often have great statues depicting historic feats of bravery by their ancestors, whom they feel a strong connection to.

Gorons in other lands are typically artisans, especially weaponsmiths, armorers, and jewelers. Some become mercenaries or bodyguards, highly sought after for their courage and loyalty.

Gods and Culture

Gorons are natural patrons to Din, the goddess of power.

A common language element of Goron speech is the word "goro", which they pepper into their speech, usually at the ends of sentences.

Goron Traits

Your Goron character has an assortment of inborn abilities, part and parcel of Goron nature.

Cantrip

You know the Mold Earth cantrip.

Resistance

You have fire resistance.

Ruler of Rock

You are particularly familiar with the Mountain natural environment and are adept at traveling and surviving in such regions. When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to your favored terrain, your proficiency bonus is doubled if you are using a skill that you’re proficient in.

While traveling for an hour or more in your favored terrain, you gain the following benefits:

• Difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel.
• Your group can’t become lost except by magical means.
• Even when you are engaged in another activity while traveling (such as foraging, navigating, or tracking), you remain alert to danger.
• If you are traveling alone, you can move stealthily at a normal pace.
• When you forage, you find twice as much food as you normally would.
• While tracking other creatures, you also learn their exact number, their sizes, and how long ago they passed through the area.

Rolling Boulder

As a Bonus Action, the Goron can roll into ball form to dash up to half it's movement speed; while in ball form, if the Goron moves at least 20 feet in a straight line and hits with an attack on the same turn, the target must make a Strength Saving Throw (DC = 8 + Str + Prof.) or be knocked prone.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Strength score increases by 1.

Age

Gorons mature at the same rate as Hylians, but on average, they live about 125 years.

Alignment

Most Gorons are good, with a strong sense of friendship and brotherhood with the people they spend time with. They are always willing to help others.

Size

Gorons are usually 6 feet tall and average about 150 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.

Goron Combat Training

You have proficiency with the battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and warhammer.

Tool Proficiency

You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, or mason’s tools.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Goron (Dwarvish).