Goliaths

## Background

Goliaths are a race of tall humanoids with pale skin and muscular builds, sometimes referred to as half-giants, they are said to be the descendants of giants. They live nomadic lifestyles along the frigid peaks of the north, with many of them wandering into the frozen tundras of Phalos. They constantly seek to challenge themselves and each other in combat, seeking to hone their physical might and prowess, however they also tend to have a strong sense of honour in combat.

Of all races, they are some of the ones who have been most influenced by the forces of the abyss due to their close proximity to the Abyssal Rift in Phalos. Conversely, many completely shun the temptations of the abyss traversing the tundras and wastelands that once made up the kingdom of Astoria in the hopes of reclaiming their ancestral home.

## Subraces

### Narrskyen Goliaths

The narrskyen goliaths claim descent from the Cloud Giants that once inhabited the skies, ruling over great cities high above the ancient land of Astoria. The narrskyen goliaths are said to possess a love of freedom, with some also being described as enjoying the occasional bit of mischief, a strange trait amongst such a hardy race. These goliaths are said to possess the ability to channel their ancestors' control of the winds through the use of runic magic.

### Steinherjer Goliaths

The steinherjer goliaths claim descent from the Stone Giants that carved out the Astorian mountain ranges long ago. They are remarkably tough and well attuned to survival within the mountains; they are also described as being extremely stalwart and unshakeable in their beliefs. These goliaths are innately capable of utilizing runic magic in order to empower themselves and reduce the power of oncoming strikes.

### Ildblud Goliaths

The ildblud goliaths claim descent from the Fire Giants that ruled over the volcanic peaks to the northeast of Astoria. They tend to be the most passionate amongst their kin; quick to anger, and prone to emotional and sometimes violent outbursts. They are able to channel their innate runic magic to unleash their inner flame and let it consume their enemies.

### Isehjarta Goliaths

The ishjarta goliaths claim descent from the Frost Giants that wandered the frozen tundras of Astoria. They tend to be far colder than their ildblud kin, both literally and figuratively with many coming off as dispassionate individuals that rarely show their emotions. They are able to channel their innate runic magic to fortify their bodies, and resist the deadliest of effects.

### Tuvaren Goliaths

The tuvaren goliaths claim descent from the might Storm Giants that once governed and guided the great storms that came from Astoria. Legend speaks of how these goliaths were treated with disdain and resentment by their ancestors many of whom claimed that they were nothing more than thieves who dared try to steal their primal storm. This belief came from the fact that no Storm Giant would ever openly admit to mingling with humanoid, and therefore amongst the giantkin the tuvaren goliaths whilst mighty were treated with the most disdain by their peers. They are able to channel their tempestuous runic magic to resist the dangers inherent to the storms and empower their strikes.

### Haugssoven Goliaths

The haugssoven goliaths claim descent from the lesser Hill Giants that dwelt in the hills and open spaces of lesser Astoria, like their ancestors they are seen as mindless dullards, governed by their anger and hunger, with many forced into lives of servitude within the many tribes and nomadic herds that goliaths tend to form. They possess no innate runic magic instead they live their lives fighting their inner hunger although have learned to use this hunger to empower themselves, giving into it and succumbing to it in the heart of battle.

## Properties

### Narrskyen Goliaths

* **Average Lifespan.** Goliaths usually reach maturity in their late teens and live around 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Your size is Medium.
* **Ability Score Increases.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score Increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Atmospheric Arcana.** You know the *light* cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the *fog cloud* spell with this trait. Starting at 5th level, you can also cast the *misty step* spell with it. Once you cast a spell with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
* **Gentle Descent.** At the end of a fall, you only take 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 20 feet you fall rather than 10 feet. In addition, you do not land prone even if you take damage from a fall.

### Steinherjer Goliaths

* **Average Lifespan.** Goliaths usually reach maturity in their late teens and live around 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Your size is Medium.
* **Ability Score Increases.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score Increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Natural Athlete.** You are considered proficient in Strength (Athletics) checks.
* **Stone's Endurance.** You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll a d12. Add your Constitution modifier to the number rolled, and reduce the damage by that total. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
* **Mountain Born.** You have resistance to cold damage. You're acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You're also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the *Dungeon Master's Guide*.

### Ildblud Goliaths

* **Average Lifespan.** Goliaths usually reach maturity in their late teens and live around 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Your size is Medium.
* **Ability Score Increases.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Charisma score Increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Fireblooded.** You have resistance to fire damage. You're also naturally adapted to hot climates, as described in chapter 5 of the *Dungeon Master's Guide*.
* **Legacy of Flame.** You can use your action to conjure forth a mote of primal fire and hurl it at a point you can see within 120 feet. Each creature within 5 feet of that point must make a Dexterity saving throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. A creature takes 2d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

### Isehjarta Goliaths

* **Average Lifespan.** Goliaths usually reach maturity in their late teens and live around 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Your size is Medium.
* **Ability Score Increases.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score Increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Heart of Ice.** You have resistance to cold damage. You're also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the *Dungeon Master's Guide*.
* **Legacy of Frost.** When you fail a Constitution saving throw, you can re-roll the save and must use the new roll. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining the ability to do so after you finish a long rest.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

### Tuvaren Goliaths

* **Average Lifespan.** Goliaths usually reach maturity in their late teens and live around 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Your size is Medium.
* **Ability Score Increases.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score Increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Fury of the Storm.** You can use your action to unleash a bolt of lightning in a 30-foot line that is 5-feet wide. Each creature within that line must make a Dexterity saving throw. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier. A creature takes 2d6 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The damage increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6 at 16th level. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining the ability to do so after you finish a long rest.
* **Tempestuous Resilience.** Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the *absorb elements* spell with this trait. Once you cast the spell with this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast the spell using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for when you cast *absorb elements* with this trait.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.

### Haugsovven Goliaths

* **Average Lifespan.** Goliaths usually reach maturity in their late teens and live around 90 to 100 years.
* **Size.** Your size is Medium.
* **Ability Score Increases.** Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score Increases by 1.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* **Superior Slumber.** When you finish a long rest you regain all your expended hit dice rather than half your total number of them.
* **Legacy of Gluttony.** You have a powerful bite which counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 1d4 piercing damage on a hit, and restores hit points equal to the piercing damage dealt by the bite.
* **Glutton's Rampage.** As a bonus action, you can move up to your movement speed toward a hostile creature you can see or hear, and make a bite attack against the creature. You can use this feature once, regaining the ability to do so after you finish a short or long rest.
* **Powerful Build.** You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.