Homebrew Half orc half goliath Species Details

At the highest mountain peaks — far above the slopes where trees grow and where the air is thin and the frigid winds howl — dwell the reclusive goliaths. Few folk can claim to have seen a goliath, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Goliaths wander a bleak realm of rock, wind, and cold. Their bodies look as if they are carved from mountain stone and give them great physical power. Their spirits take after the wandering wind, making them nomads who wander from peak to peak. Their hearts are their warmth in the cold environment, strong ties and sense of community keeping them alive in harsh conditions. 

Orcs can be found across nearly any climate, but many tribes have made their way into the mountains to gain isolation from those who unfairly judge them or seek to best them in order to prove themselves. Their strength and constitution allows them to survive conditions other races may struggle in. They are a determined people naturally drawn to community. It is not uncommon for them to create strong bonds with any nearby tribes of other isolated peoples. Unlike the goliath they are not so reserved, tending towards revelry and loud, vibrant music. 

Memory in Tattoos 

Both orcs and goliaths have a strong cultural tie to marking their skin in order to display history; personal and of the clan. For those mixed of the two races, it is common for there to be an intricate and complex combination between the two styles, sometimes involving multiple colors to represent the pride of both heritages. Even if a child resembles one race more completely, for anyone with knowledge of orcs or goliaths the patterns drawn across them can serve as enough of an indicator of their combined bloodline. Goliath tattoos tend to be very geometric with simple, straight lines, whereas orcish tradition paints organic patterns that often resemble animals or even stories. It depends which culture the children of the two are raised in, but most often they receive their first tattoo when they are only ten years old. 

Fair Play

For goliaths, competition exists only when it is supported by a level playing field. Competition measures talent, dedication, and effort. Those factors determine survival in their home territory, not reliance on magic items, money, or other elements that can tip the balance one way or the other. Goliaths happily rely on such benefits, but they are careful to remember that such an advantage can always be lost and that not everyone has the same advantages at their disposal. A goliath who relies too much on them and becomes too proud to accept help can grow complacent or reckless, a recipe for disaster in the mountains.

This trait manifests most strongly when goliaths interact with other folk. The relationship between peasants and nobles puzzles goliaths. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead and does not provide for his people, then clearly someone else should take his place. Goliaths rarely keep such opinions to themselves, and mock folk who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power. 

Communal Living 

Both orcs and goliaths rely on strong community ties in order to survive in the world. Though strength and skill are valued by both cultures, they are very aware of the differences between each individual and what they can offer. Isolated communities need many different positions in order to function and diversity creates strength. That does not mean that those who aren't entirely able to carry their own weight are forgotten. Anyone sick, young, or elderly is watched and protected by the tribe at large. Children, though they know their own parents, are raised by the community and given a chance with every skill in order to find what best suits them. Orcs value music and art just as much as they value physical prowess, knowing joy fills important gaps just as vital to survival. 

Goliath Names

Every goliath has three names: a birth name assigned by the newborn’s mother and father, a nickname assigned by the tribal chief, and a family or clan name. A birth name is up to three syllables long. Clan names are five syllables or more and end in a vowel.

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

A goliath’s 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, 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.

Goliaths present all three names when identifying themselves, in the order of birth name, nickname, and clan name. In casual conversation, they use their nickname.

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, Twistedlimb, Wordpainter

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

Half orc half goliath Traits

Goliaths and orcs share a number of traits in common with each other.

Darkvision

Thanks to your orc blood, 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.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Both orcs and goliaths have lifespans of roughly 150 years, reaching maturity at the same rate as humans but outliving them by a few decades. 

Size

Goliaths 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.

Menacing

Because of your stature and strength you gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Stone’s Endurance

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.

Powerful Build

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

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.

Languages

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