Goliath Encampments

## A Nomadic Tribe

The goliath people are a nomadic one. Few tribes exist about the world, but all exist quite similarly, traveling through the mountainous regions of Teneros and setting camp for months at a time for renewed resources. Goliath is a name quite deft in description, as the people tend to be much taller than other common races, and physically much stronger as well. This proves to be quite a boon in travel through mountain ranges such as the Karsthaags, where the terrain can become quite dangerous.

Camps have a number of other problems to deal with however, such as winter wolves, giants, the occasional dragon, perytons, griffons and hippogriffs, and the politics of the dwarves, orcs, and other goliaths that live nearby. Even the myriad creatures that wish them harm cannot dampen the goliath spirit however, as their community is a very close-knit one, and one that enjoys readily any sort of friendly competition.

Games are an important part of goliath culture as a way to honor their god, Kavaki, and the most common ways including that of Goat Ball, climbing mountains, and crossing rivers half frozen on wet stones. Competition is important, it lets people safely feel shame, feel accomplished, and perhaps, at least from an outsider perspective, that is the reason why.

## Kavaki, the Ram-Lord

Kavaki is the creator and guardian of the goliaths, guiding them safely from alpine meadow to snowy mountain peak and back again. He bids his followers to honor goliath heritage, to compete fiercely, and to act for the good of the tribe in all things. Cave paintings often depict him as a massively muscled goliath with curled ram horns emerging from his head. As recently as the beginning of the fourth era, clerics and paladins of Kavaki have been losing their power, and many believe it is because he may have died in the war that ended 3E.

Nonetheless, most goliaths still praise and worship him, and tell stories in honor of him. Every morning the tribe's chieftain says a prayer to Kavaki, typically in a brief tale depicting him in protection of the goliath people.

Shrines are always erected in the center of the encampment, where the main campfire rests, and are a major centerpiece of goliath's daily lives. When honorifics or blessings are being given, Kavaki is called upon in a rite as well.

## Leadership

Until recently, the largest tribe of goliath people had been led by a chieftain named Tarlok 'Bearkiller' Rethalakiloktotuzuxaya. A strong and reliable leader, and well-loved by his people he was, until a tragedy struck when his son had challenged him to a duel a long time in the making, an honorable thing. Tragically, he passed in the ordeal, no fault of his son's, but ever since then the tribe has not been quite the same.

Typically at the top of the goliath "chain of command" I suppose, you would find a chieftain. As a chieftain one would be compelled to leading worship, and guiding and protecting the tribe during times of strife, and much less majorly so in peaceful days. They know the mountains inside and out, every inch, all of the best gathering routes and to where the people should move next when the time should come.

Below the chieftain lays the captains, who are appointed tasks each morning, who then build their teams to complete them, and the two compete, encouraging a sort of healthy rivalry. Dawncallers are goliaths who are known to be the first line of defense in the evening, and also are in charge of waking the camp in the morning with stories of heroism and bravery to begin the day.

Other roles included adjudicators, in charge of solving disputes after the evening meal. Typically these were solved via a contest of some sort, and an appeal to the chieftain after the fact about the adjudicator's decision would have them dismissed from their position. Tent-mothers take care of and educate the children of the tribe, and are in charge of sending young ones on to be able to contribute to goliath society. Lastly, lamentors are about to determine when one can no longer contribute, due to any variety of reasons, and would be in talks with the individual and the chieftain to send them from the tribe in exile, all the while preparing and giving a long chant to commemorate the goliath and their life.

## A Current State of Affairs...

Since the passing of the last chieftain, and the disappearance of his son, a sort of problem had arisen in the tribe that no one truly knew what need be done now. Returning from travel however was a goliath known as Vakhal 'Rockhand' Athunavea, an old friend of Tarlok's. In his travels it seems that his opinions on the world and how it should be had changed drastically, and these ideas he brought forth to the tribe.

Kavaki's presence has not been felt in a very long time, and power waning ever more each day. Vakhal gives light the idea that perhaps the goliath should move on, still remembering and respecting Kavaki, but perhaps the worship has begun to be a waste of their time. Many of the younger goliath agree with Rockhand and believe that it is perhaps the time to move on, move to a permanent home, and finally settle down.

Elders such as Gumala, a current dawncaller, disagree. Many of the elders, adults, and young folk who still believe that Kavaki persists wish to stay behind or they might lose their heritage, and their honor.

#### *A Note:*

*Personally, I'm quite worried for the state of those who may stay behind. It seems to me that all those goliaths that flourished in the past did so because of their tight-knit community. The numbers of those it looks like will not leave may be in serious danger, over half of them at least are growing quite elderly. I don't fully know how this works, but would this be entering a sort of self-imposed exile? Perhaps that's what happened to the last chief's son. Either way I worry for them both. It's hard seeing a goliath without a family. Always seems like they have something they want to protect.*

*- Ser Emhyr von Emeric, Wanderer of the Two Worlds and Scholar of All Histories*