- "Goliaths can prove useful allies, but never turn to them in weakness. They are as hard and unforgiving as the mountain stone, as cold and pitiless as its bitter, cold winds. If you approach them in strength, they might consider you worthy of an alliance."
- — Tordek, A Guide to the Peaks[5]
Goliaths are a humanoid race of high mountain dwelling nomads, who typically migrate between mountain peaks and valleys. They are known for their strength and endurance.
Description[]
Appearance[]
Personality and alignment[]
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Religion[]
Goliaths for millennia have been nature worshipers, in addition to following various gods.[6] However, with the recent rise of clerics in Goliath society, so called evangelists have been making progress in steering their society to pantheistic worship.[7]
Pantheism[]
There are five deities worshipped in the Goliath pantheon, and one demi-goddess. Clerics will worship the whole pantheon as a singular unit, but still allow themselves a personal patron. They are capable of performing rites and rituals for any one member of the pantheon without issue, and hold no internecine hostility to those clerics with different patrons.[6]
The Goliath pantheon includes:
- Kavaki, the Ram-Lord, chief deity of the pantheon and god of Goliaths overall and competition.
- Kuliak, the Dead Goddess, demi-goddess of the dead and patron of exiles.
- Manethak, the Wise Hunter, god of the hunt and knowledge.
- Naki-Uthai, the Brave Climber, god of bravery and climbing.
- Theleya, the Fertile One, goddess of fertility and growth.
- Vanua, the Harbinger of Woe, god of misfortune and disasters.
Druidism[]
Druids play a major role in goliath society, and hold a specialized title within the tribes. Called skywatchers, they are an important force in leading the spiritual and physical needs of their people ny healing the sick, finding new foraging areas, and contradicting the chief if needed. In absence of any clerics, they lead prayers to Kavaki, as well as other rituals regarding nature. The presence of a Skywatcher is still important even in pantheistic tribes.[6][8]
Stonespeakers are an order of druids, clerics, and other mystics who are touched by "Stone". They are apart from the tribal life yet greatly aid them with their works throughout the mountains goliaths call home.
Art[]
Language[]
They speak Common,[1] Giant,[1], and Gol-kaa.[2]
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Origins[]
Recent history[]
Notable Goliaths[]
For a full list of goliaths, see Category:Goliaths.
- Mualio Lonehunter, legendary Goliath hero
- Egeth Darkhunter Kolae-Gileana, goliath ranger
- Vadaeth Bloodseeker, goliath blackguard
Variants[]
Gargun[]
Garguns are a more aggressive offshoot of goliaths that inhabit the far north. They are believed to be derived from Goliath and giant coupling.[9]
In other worlds[]
Forgotten Realms[]
- See also: Goliath at the Forgotten Realms Wiki
Goliaths were once humans, specifically of the Rengarth tribe during the age of Netheril. When the Rengarth lands succumbed to desertification, a select group journeyed to the sacred mountains known as the Columns of the Sky to seek answers from their gods. Those who returned became what we know as Goliaths.[10]
Publication history[]
D&D 3rd edition[]
Goliaths first appeared in the D&D 3.5 supplement Races of Stone (2004), where they were detailed as both a playable race and for NPC encounters.
D&D 4th edition[]
Goliaths appeared as a playable race in Player's Handbook 2 (4e) (2009). In the Dark Sun Campaign Setting (4e) (2010), they are made synonymous with the half-giant.
They also appeared as a monster in Monster Manual 2 (4e) (2009), p.136, featuring the goliath sunspeaker (level 7 artillery) and goliath guardian (level 9 soldier). The Dark Sun Creature Catalog (2010) also features the goliath enforcer (level 8 brute), enforcer legbreaker (level 16 minion brute), gladiator (level 11 soldier (leader)), and king's guard (level 16 soldier).
D&D 5th edition[]
Goliaths returned in Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016), where they are again a playable race.
Creative origins[]
The name "goliath" originates from the Biblical figure Goliath, a giant appearing in the Book of Samuel. A human warrior of exceptional height and strength, he is ultimately defeated by a sling stone hurled by a boy David.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016), p.109.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Races of Stone (2004), p.55.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Monster Manual 2 (4e) (2009), p.136.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Races of Stone (2004), p.56.
- ↑ Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016), p.108.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Races of Stone (2004), p.65.
- ↑ Races of Stone (2004), p.71.
- ↑ Races of Stone (2004), p.77.
- ↑ Races of Stone (2004), p.89.
- ↑ Monument of the Ancients, Dungeon #170 (Sep 2009), p.80.