Homebrew Giff Species Details

The Giff are 7 to 9 foot-tall rotund, hippopotamus-headed humanoids. They have a tendency to be attired in gaudy uniforms, whether it be military or civilian, often with ceremonial weaponry and medals on display. Giff's by nature are mercenaries and are renowned for their firearms training and their love of explosives, of for that matter any thing that goes BOOM!.

Militaristic upbringings. Every aspect of Giff society is organized along military lines. From birth until death, every Giff has a military rank. It must follow orders from those of superior rank, and it can give orders to those of lower rank. Promotions don’t depend on age but are granted by a superior as a reward for valour. Giff are devoted to their children, even as most of their education is geared toward fighting and war.

Mercenaries Extraordinaire. Giff are in high demand as warriors for hire, but they insist on serving in units composed entirely of Giff; a Giff can be hired out individually as bodyguards, guards or law enforcement. Giffs will generally refuse to fight other Giffs, and will never agree to a contract unless it stipulates that they can sit out a battle rather than wage war against their kin. A Giff prizes the reputation of its unit above its own life. Life is fleeting, but the regiment endures for generations or even centuries.  When separated from your company, you must take on honourable work that brings honour to the unit, company and regiment.

Firearm Drills. Firearms are the favourite weapons of every Giff. From the moment they are able to hold a firearm they are drilled in there use.

River Born. Giff settlements are always next to bodies of water. Giff mothers give birth to there young whilst submerged in berthing pools and the first few years of a calf's life is spent in or around water.

Giff Traits

Your Giff character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and one other ability scores of your choice increase by 1.

Age

Giff mature faster than humans, reaching adulthood at 14 and old age at 60. They can live to 90 years.

Alignment

Giff have a reputation for honouring contracts: many are Lawful Neutral. They are less concerned about the ethics of those contracts, so Good giff tend to be less common.

Size

Giff are bulky and tall, and can be as tall as 9 feet and weigh between 350 and 500 pounds.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

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 colour in darkness, only shades of grey.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Giff typically learn the languages of other peoples they deal with.

Headfirst Charge

The Giff can try to knock a creature over; if the Giff moves at least 20 feet in a straight line that ends within 5 feet of a Large or smaller creature, that creature must succeed on a Strength saving throw or take (2d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus and the damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level.

River Born

Giff's can hold their breath for 10 minutes and have a swim speed of 30.

Firearms Knowledge

Your training from a young age grants your proficiency with firearms.

Powerful Build

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