Goliaths, also called half-giants, are a race of tall, grey-skinned humanoids related to stone giants.[1]
Appearance[]
Goliaths are a humanoid race of distant giant ancestry, with a notable relation to stone giants. They average between seven to eight feet tall in height, although some, such as Kevdak, can be noticeably taller. Goliaths are known for their incredible strength and fortitude, being naturally capable of various athletic feats and possessing an inherent ability to resist damage. Goliath males typically lack hair, but females have hair along their scalp. They have grey skin, similar in color to stone.
Society[]
Issylra[]
There are at least some goliaths residing in Issylra. Shore Shanty captain Santy operated out of Shorecomb in 812 PD, and by 843 PD the village of Hearthdell was led by Elder Abaddina.
Tal'Dorei[]
Official artwork of a Goliath for Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition.
In Tal'Dorei, some goliaths live in isolated mountain communities in the Cliffkeep Mountains and Stormcrest Mountains, primarily as hunters and gatherers.[6] Goliath clans are typically known as "herds", and some herds in the Stormcrest Mountains tame wyverns as mounts.[7] Others roam the Dividing Plains, stealing from the various villages of the region. One notable example of such a group was the Herd of Storms. After its dissolution, many of the former members turned to fighting or thievery, either as mercenaries along the Lucidian Coast or bandits around the Ruins of O'Noa and Stilben.[6] Others joined the more spiritual and peaceful Rivermaw Tribe.[8]
Goliaths have an oral tradition rather than a written one.[6] Despite this, a small number of goliaths have been sponsored by the wealthy of Emon in study, although the motivations of their benefactors are not always genuine.[6]
Herd of Storms[]
Fan art of Grog Strongjaw landing the killing blow on Kevdak, by David Rodrigues.[art 2]
The Herd of Storms was a roving band of goliath barbarians led by a Thunderlord that roamed the countrysides of Tal'Dorei. By the time of the Chroma Crisis, the Herd, led by Thunderlord Kevdak, had led the Herd down a violent and savage path. After Kevdak was slain during the liberation of Westruun, his son Zanror became the Herd's new leader and the remaining members agreed to renounce their brutal lifestyle and merged with the more peaceful Rivermaw Tribe.[9]
While the Herd was led by Kevdak, it is known that one custom was for the leader to accept a challenge for the title of Thunderlord in single combat to the death, as was the case when his Kevdak's nephew Grog Strongjaw challenged him while the Herd was occupying Westruun.
Wildemount[]
Fan art of Wyatt Maranoss, the Plank King since 820 PD, by Nguyen Minh Hieu.[art 3]
Goliaths are rarely seen in the cities of Wildemount, many choosing to live, like their Tal'Dorei brethren, in herds in the various mountain ranges that divide the continent, or in the arctic lands of Eiselcross.[10] However, some have ventured into more populated areas. Two notable examples are former Victory Pit champion Jermai Kull and musician Camilla.
Goliaths also have a place within The Revelry, led by the goliath Plank King Wyatt Maranoss. One of the deep scions killed by the party near Urukayxl and the Inkclaw Reef on their way to the peace negotiations was originally a goliath.[11] Zoran Kluthidol was also originally from the Menagerie Coast, although he did not specify where.[12]
Specialized roles[]
Stormborn[]
Official art of two half-giants, a stormborn and a brawler, by Claudia Ianniciello from Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 253.[art 4]
According to goliath legend, stormborn are born beneath a raging storm and grow to become mighty warriors with the ability to command lightning. Stormborn are revered, but this reputation often leads them to be arrogant or reckless.[8] After the dissolution of the Herd of Storms, the remaining stormborn, raised during Kevdak's time, joined the Rivermaw Tribe.[13] In the following years, more storm-blessed children were born, and not all of them were of half-giant blood.[14]
Some of the legendary goliath heroes blessed by the Stormlord were:
- Kaldon Thunderhead, who killed the ember roc of the south.
- Marydra Skysplitter, who defeated a champion of the Ruiner in single combat.
- Yodrell Rumblechest, who halted a flood with his voice.
Brawlers[]
Goliath brawlers refuse to use weapons, instead favoring their own body strength and skill in fist-fighting. In the Rivermaw Tribe, goliath brawlers are front-line fighters at the head of many battles. Beyond the Dividing Plains, goliath brawlers can be found within criminal organizations and fighting rings, and some work as private bodyguards for important individuals. Brawlers have gained recognition in Emon in the the Godsbrawl Ring at the annual tournments in honor of the holy day of the Stormlord.[13]
Sport[]
Goliaths' compulsive competitiveness translates to the world of sport.
There is a sport popular among goliaths called goatball, in which players stand on stone pillars and hurl goatskin balls at each other; Grog played the game as a youth.[15][16]
In addition to the brawls in honor of Kord or in the Brawler's League, goliaths are known to compete against giants in the quadrennial Sky Queen's Favor tournament at the stone giant fortress known as Skyanchor Citadel.[17]
Named goliaths[]
Critical Role: Vox Machina - Kith & Kin[]
- Wick: Friend of Shademaster Derowen, protector and tutor of Derowen's daughter Aswin
Campaign One: Vox Machina[]
Herd of Storms[]
- Grog Strongjaw: Member of Vox Machina
- Horace
- Kevdak: Former Thunderlord
- Cole
- Seer Greenbeard: Former advisor to Kevdak
- Shale: Helped defeat Umbrasyl
- Stonejaw Strongjaw: Grog Strongjaw's father
- Suda
- Worra: Zanroar's wife[18]
- Zanroar: Succeeded Kevdak as Thunderlord and eventually disolved the Herd, merging with the Rivermaw Tribe
Elsewhere[]
NPCs[]
Fan art of Dimble Thaydeen, by BlackSalander.[art 5]
Campaign 2: The Mighty Nein[]
NPCs[]
- Dimble Thaydeen: Shopkeeper in Rexxentrum
- Jermai Kull: Champion of the Victory Pit
- Sorah: Employee of the Gentleman
- Wyatt Maranoss: The second Plank King
- Gaima Stone: Partner to Darrah, and the head of the Guardian of the Shrine.
- Zoran Kluthidol: Member of the Tombtakers
Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep[]
- Master Aradrine the Owl: Co-leader of the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream
- Quartermaster Croog Lynn: Elderly former mercenary running the Scarbearers
- Xot: Archaeologist working for the Allegiance of Allsight
Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn[]
- Balthasar Bleakskull: College of Tragedy bard
- Edelbern Cleareyes: Master of Development on the Tal'Dorei Council, member of the Rivermaw nomads[19]
- Gardessk: Stormborn leader of the Dawnmist Herd[20]
- Skyhaal: Daughter of Zanroar who helps him lead the Rivermaw Herd[20]
The Re-Slayer's Take[]
Official art of Janet, by Elaine Tipping.[art 6]
PCs[]
Campaign Three[]
NPCs[]
- Joan Abaddina: Elder of the village of Hearthdell, former Hishari cultist
- Ratanish: Leader of the Paragon's Call
- Damid: One of the workers at the Emerald Curtain in Zadash, more slender than most goliaths, with elven tattoos matching his natural markings[22]
Trivia[]
- In Tal'Dorei it used to be normal for nomadic clans of goliaths and orcs to fight and intermingle in equal measure, being now common that both groups often find common ancestors if they check their respective family histories.[1]
- It is possible that the male half-giants able to grow hair (like Ratanish) are able to do so thanks to such an union between their ancestor and a non-goliath.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 159.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
Goliath on D&D Beyond
- ↑ Dimble Thaydeen's hair is red. See "Frigid Propositions" (2x109) at 2:20:45.
- ↑ Ratanish's hair is red and grey. See "A Dance of Deception" (3x13) at 1:05:23.
- ↑ See "Test of Pride" (1x51) at 2:16:43.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 26-27.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 62.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 133.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 57.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 175.
- ↑ See "High Seas, High Stakes" (2x99) at 0:31:08.
- ↑ See "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" (2x122) at 2:28:48.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 133-134.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 253.
- ↑ See "Umbrasyl" (1x55) at 1:14:59.
- ↑ See "Misery Loves Company" (2x93) from 18:54 through 19:14.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 125.
- ↑ In both "At Dawn, We Plan!" (1x53) and "In the Belly of the Beast" (1x54) Matt and the cast refer to Zanror and Worra as husband and wife, not only as mates.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 46.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 88.
- ↑ See "The Whispers" (RTx05).
- ↑ See "Gathering of Needs" (3x95) at 1:09:05.
Art
- ↑ Screenshot of a female goliath from Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 26. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Fan art of Grog Strongjaw landing the killing blow on Kevdak, by David Rodrigues (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Wyatt Maranoss, the Plank King since 820 PD, by Nguyen Minh Hieu (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Official art of two half-giants, a stormborn and a brawler, by Claudia Ianniciello from Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 253. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Fan art of Dimble Thaydeen, by BlackSalander (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Official art of Janet, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
External links[]
Goliath on D&D Beyond- Goliath on The Forgotten Realms Wiki (note)
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