Homebrew Bromkiln Goliath Species Details

Spread throughout the foothills at the bases of mountains dwell the bromkiln goliaths. Also known as a "hill goliath", few folk can claim to have seen a goliath, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Bromkiln goliaths wander a golden-green realm of rock, wind, and dirt. 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 hill crest to hill crest. Their hearts are infused with the fleeting regard of their windy realm, leaving each bromkiln goliath with the responsibility to earn a place in the tribe or die trying.

Mirthful Hosts

Every day brings a new challenge to all people and bromkiln goliaths are well aware of this. Food, water, and shelter can often be hard to come by for any sentient creature even when those resources are abundant. With that in mind, bromkiln goliaths believe in challenging themselves to constant self-improvement, but they also believe in accepting others for who they are, where they are.

In battle, they are fierce warriors that are always looking for the next biggest challenge. They believe strongly in self-sufficiency and individual skill, but these are standards that they hold for themselves. Bromkiln Goliaths may love to win, much like all of their goliath cousins, but after they win, they'll give the losers a hearty slap on the back, a loud laugh, and hand them a pint.

Much like other goliaths, the drive to compete with themselves does harbor a dark side. If a goliath slays a dragon, he or she will almost definitely seek out larger, more powerful prey. Very few goliath adventurers ever reach old age. Most bromkiln goliath die attempting to surpass their previous deeds.

Fair Play

For goliaths, competition exists only when it is supported by a level playing field. This is true across the board. 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 - some more so than others - but they are careful to remember that such an advantage can always be lost. A goliath who relies too much on them can grow complacent, 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 most goliaths. If a king lacks the intelligence or leadership to lead, then clearly the most talented person in the kingdom 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. But when the bromkiln goliaths mock, it is with a boisterous laugh, a pint of ale, and a slap on the back.

A Healthy Appetite

Few bromkiln goliaths would ever admit that there even might be a link between their heritage and that of the Hill Giants - bromkiln goliaths are clearly much smarter and less evil on a whole - but there is one trait that is shared between both species: a voracious appetite.

Bromkiln goliaths love to eat. Everything they do whether it be as a community or as individuals or in small groups is centered on food. Having a wedding? Let's eat! Having a funeral? Let's eat. Celebrating the winter solstice? Let's eat! Won a great battle against a manticore? We food! You get the picture.

One side effect of this, or perhaps the reason for it, is that bromkiln goliaths are nearly impossible to kill with poison. They are resistant to all poisons and they are immune from the condition of being poisoned altogether. They can eat, drink, and be merry without needing to worry about the hangover afterward.

Goliath Names

Every goliath, no matter the type, 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, Twice-Orphaned, Twistedlimb, Wordpainter

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

Bromkiln Goliath Traits

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

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Goliaths have lifespans comparable to humans. They enter adulthood in their late teens and usually live less than a century.

Alignment

Goliath society, with its clear roles and tasks, has a strong lawful bent. The goliath sense of fairness, balanced with an emphasis on self- sufficiency and personal accountability, pushes them toward neutrality.

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.

Natural Athlete

You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.

Voracious Eater

Rumored to have descended from hill giants, who are known to eat literally anything, you have the ability to consume any food or liquid and only taking minimal damage from poison while being completely immune to the poisoned condition.

Powerful Build

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

Hill Born

You have advantage on Stealth checks when you are on a hill.

Languages

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