Homebrew Giff Species Details
Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered a regiment of giff.
Few races may be more intriguing or intimidating at first glance than the Giff. Massive, barrel-chested hippopotamus-headed humanoids attired in gaudy military uniforms, with gleaming pistols and muskets on display, it’s easy to spot the giff in a room. These spacefaring mercenaries are renowned for their martial training and their love of explosives.
DISCLAIMER! This race was made after the release of the Travelers of the Multiverse UA and attempts to add some much-needed depth to the official race as a whole. Additionally, this version takes direct inspiration from many other homebrew previously made.
Stout and Dignified
Even in crowded places, a giff stands out. With a powerful, portly body and a head like a hippopotamus, if that wasn’t enough to attract attention, and it usually is, they are rarely seen outside of garish military regalia. If the giff is particularly wealthy, it will also smell of gunpowder which serves as both a currency and an aphrodisiac for the giff. They prefer to adorn themselves with fine clothing and garments, often wearing their military uniforms with various medals and rank on display for all to see. Asking a giff about their outfit, particularly a military medal, is likely to lead to a long monologue about the rarity of the award and the courage the giff displayed in earning it. Making them even more conspicuous than being just a towering formally dressed hippopotamus- headed soldier, pipe smoking and eye wear, such as glasses or monocles, are popular accessories among giff.
Militaristic Lifestyle
Every aspect of giff society is organized by a militaristic hierarchy. Every giff has a military rank, and will dutifully fulfill or confidently bark orders to others, depending on the context of their rank. Promotions don’t depend on age but are granted by a superior as a distinguishment of valor. Giff are strongly familial and take great pride in their ancestral lines. They are often also well educated; taught at length about combat and strategy, as well as history and science, although often seen through the lens of warfare. Few giff see issue with this lifestyle, but there have been the odd giff out that chooses to leave their home and find their own path in life.
Mercenaries Extraordinarie
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.
Firepower-houses
In their endeavors to always be at the forefront of warfare, the giff have revel in the unique strength of firearms. The bigger the boom, the brighter the flash, and the thicker the smoke, 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. However, they know the danger of these weapons should they fall into the hands of others, and hoard them jealously. All know of the might a giff army possess, but rarely know from where its strength is drawn.
No Honor in Magic
Magic is frowned upon in giff culture, generally seen as a crutch for those not fit for combat. Some giff become wizards, clerics, and other kinds of spellcasters, but they are few and far between, and so infrequent that most giff 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.
Giff Names
A giff’s name is big and pompous, just like the being who bears it. Most giff have a given name and a surname, and also possess a rank and nickname. A giff’s nickname is assigned by their peers during their service, and can be a term of endearment, derision, respect, or fear. Most giff amass a hoard of nicknames over their lifetimes, and use them variably depending on the occasion. Giff are very proud people, and choose to honor their forefathers by naming their children after prominent members of their family tree, which results in many families naming their sons and daughters after themselves or their own parents. It is not uncommon to meet a Rowena Drake IX, or a Crawford Beaumont XV.
Male Names: Alford, Algernon, Alphonse, Ambrose, Bernard, Bertram, Benedict, Cornelius, Delmer, Edmund, Ernest, Gideon, Hibbard, Horace, Theodore, Percival, Rueben, Rufus, Zebulon
Female Names: Abagail, Adelaide, Bethany, Brigid, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Fredonia, Esther, Georgiana, Gertrude, Guinevere, Helena, Henrietta, Margaret, Martha, Sophronia, Tabitha, Winifred
Surnames: Ainesly, Brownrigg, Byron, Cholmondeley, Cromwell, Cumberbatch, Darcy, Eastaughffe, Finlayson, Gladstone, Gordon, Grenville, Harding, James, Knowles, Leicester, Marsh, Osborne, Pickering, Pinkerton, Wells, Whall
Nicknames: Boomer, Fullsteam, Powderkeg, Ironfist, Ironhead, Steelbones, Sharpshot, Thunderbottom
Giff Traits
Your giff character has the following racial traits.Ability Score Increase
Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.
Age
Giff mature slightly faster than humans, becoming adults at age 14. Most elderly giff pass away around 70 years old, but most giff die in the line of duty or blow themselves up long before then.
Alignment
Giff have a reputation for honouring contracts, and many are Lawful Neutral.They revel in the law and order that their militaristic culture brings. They understand the stability that the chain of command provides and willingly follow the orders of their superiors.
Size
Giff are massive, standing between 7 and 8 feet tall and almost quite as wide, and weighing anywhere from 500-850 lbs. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed equal to your walking speed.
Bulky Build
You have advantage on Strength-based ability checks and Strength saving throws. In addition, you count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Heavyweight Hitters
Like a hippopotamus in a crystalware shop, you are naturally adept at damaging things. When you roll a 1 on a damage die for a melee attack, you can reroll the die and use the new roll. You can do so no more than once per turn.
Natural Armor
You have thick, leathery skin. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Constitution modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Hold Breath
You can hold your breath for up to 10 minutes at a time.
Giff Weapon Training
You have been trained to wield firearms since birth. You have proficiency with muskets and pistols, and can ignore their loading property.
Explosive Alchemy
Giff's extensive use of gunpowder and explosives have granted them an uncanny ability to create a useful explosive in a pinch. You gain proficiency with Alchemist's Supplies and are able to create combustible substances during a short or long rest at a rate of 2lbs per hour if you have access to suitable materials.
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.
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