Homebrew Dunrock Goliath Species Details

Preferring to settle in the foggy valleys between mountains, the dunrock goliaths seclude themselves from other populations as much as possible. Also known as a "cloud goliath", few folk can claim to have seen a goliath, and fewer still can claim friendship with them. Dunrock goliaths root themselves in a humid green ecosystem of trees, grasses, moss, and waterfalls. Their bodies look as if they are carved from mountain stone and give them great physical power. Their spirits take after the wandering river, carving their paths out of stone through determination and patience. Their hearts are infused with the steadfast regard of their protected realm, leaving each dunrock goliath with the responsibility to earn a place in the tribe or die trying.

Stone-faced Tricksters

Most dunrock goliaths embrace the idea that they are distant descendants of the cloud giants. Memnor the Trickster, being the patron god and father of the cloud giants is the cleverest and slyest of the goliath deities. Dunrock goliaths align themselves according to the aspects and exploits of Memnor that they most admire, with evil dunrock goliaths emulating his deceitfulness and self-interest and good dunrock goliaths emulating his intellect and silver-tongued speech. Family members usually align in the same direction. 

In battle, they are every bit of fierce warriors that any other sub-race of goliath is, and likewise they 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. Dunrock goliaths are also natural spellcasters, likely due to their connection with cloud giants. 

Ungracious Hosts

If you're looking for a dry bed and a warm welcome, then do not wander into the domain of a dunrock goliath tribe. They are not outright violent to visitors, but they won't be rolling out any red carpets or fluffing any pillows. They do tend to warm up to a newcomer if they can prove themselves equal in wit or strength. As a matter of fact, it is highly unlikely for a dunrock goliath village to even have an inn. Taverns, on the other hand, are twice as likely to be established as in any other town except maybe a dwarven one. Just don't leave your drink unsupervised as these unscrupulous tricksters just might take the opportunity to drop a hallucinogen or some other drug into it just for the joy of playing a prank on you. 

When interacting with other races or people, dunrock goliaths tend to remain stoic when outside of their home territory. Many of their kind have been known to take up the adventuring life, but not for no reason. Considering they tend to think of themselves as above other races, it takes no insignificant event or purpose to draw these folk out of their realm into the dredges of the rest of the world. 

Natural Spellcasters

There is a natural magic that is passed down from generation to generation dating all the way back to when the sub-race first split off from that of the giants. Besides their blue-ish, gray-ish skin tone, or sky blue eyes, their innate magic is the biggest piece of evidence to support their link to cloud giants. Dunrock goliaths can cast detect magic, fog cloud, and light at will with Charisma as the associated spellcasting ability.

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

Dunrock Goliath Traits

Dunrock goliaths share a number of traits in common with each other.

Ability Score Increase

Your Charisma score increases by 2, and your Constitution 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.

Innate Spellcaster

Rumored to have descended from cloud giants, who are known to be magically capable, you have the ability to cast detect magic, fog cloud, and light at will with Charisma as the associated spellcasting ability..

Powerful Build

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

Valley Born

You have advantage on Stealth checks when you are in a valley.

Languages

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