Homebrew Giff Species Details
It's easy to spot the Giff in a room: a group of 7-foot-tall, hippopotamus-headed humanoids attired in gaudy military uniforms, with gleaming pistols and muskets on display. These spacefaring mercenaries are renowned for their martial training and their of explosives.
Military Organization. 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 superiors as a reward for valor. 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 hiring itself out is unheard of. Giff refuse to fight other Giff, 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 own unit above its own life. Life is fleeting, but the regiment endures for generations or even centuries.
A Whiff of Gunpowder. Muskets and grenades are the favorite weapons of every Giff. The bigger the boom, the brighter the flash, and the thicker the smoke it produces, the more Giff love a weapon. Their skill with gunpowder is another reason for their popularity as mercenaries. Giff revel in the challenge of building a bomb big enough to level a fortification. They gladly accept payment in kegs of gunpowder in preference to gold, gems or other currency.
No Honor in Magic. Some Giff become wizards, clerics, and other kinds of spellcasters, but they're so infrequent that most Giff mercenary units have no magical capability. Typical Giff are as smart as the average human, but their focus on military training to the exclusion of all other areas of study can make them seem dull-witted to those who have more varied interests.
GUNPOWDER BY THE KEG
Aside from their personal gunpowder weapons, Giff ships and mercenary companies carry spare gunpowder in kegs. In an emergency, or any time a large explosion is needed, a whole keg can be detonated. A Giff lights the fuse on the keg and can throw the keg up to 15 feet as part of the same action. The keg explodes at the start of the Giff's next turn. Each creature within 20 feet of the exploding keg must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 24 (7d6) fire damage and is knocked prone. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and isn't knocked prone.
Every other keg of gunpowder within 20 feet of an exploding keg has a 50 percent chance of also exploding. Check each keg only once per turn, no matter how many other kegs explode around it.
Giff Traits
Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick; You’ll go Far.Ability Score Improvement
Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Age
Giff age at roughly the same rate as humans.
Alignment.
Giff culture tend towards militaristic code, pushing them towards lawful alignments.
Size.
Giff tend to stand at least a head taller than most humans, up to 9 feet. Your size is medium.
Speed.
Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.
Militaristic Culture.
Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) or Wisdom (Perception) check related to militaristic ranking and tactics, you are considered proficient in the History and Perception skills and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead your normal proficiency bonus.
Giff Weapon Training.
You gain proficiency with all firearms and ranged martial weapons.
Headfirst Charge.
When you move 20 feet in a straight line and end within 5 feet of a creature, you may use your action to attempt to knock it over. That creature must succeed on a Strength saving throw of (8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus). On a failure, the creature takes (2d6) bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone.
Languages.
You can read, speak, and write Common and one language of your choice.