Goliaths

Goliath

Goliath are believed to be descended from communities of dwarves and humans that moved to the North, its Glacier halls governed by the empires of Giants. It's said that these first communities were embraced by the Giants, who taught them their runic magic, whose power was in the words themselves and their form, not just in the way their sound affected the Weave.
Upon depending more and more on the Runes of the Giants, these communities began to have their form modified permanently by their Patrons, taking on visual cues present in the various breeds of Giants.

Current Goliath communities have split in part from their original location, and their culture has shifted heavily to value self-reliance. In spite of Goliaths believing the construction of complex objects is at times a futile way to hide lack of capability, they still value craftsmanship, especially in leather, wood, and bone. Their societies now tend to be isolated from others, limiting their contact to trade and great contests of might that become holidays.

They are slightly taller than firbolg, varying from 6'4 to 8'5. Their skin varies in hue from grays, reds, or a desaturated blue depending on the Giant kind that most affected their elders, with hairs varying wildly in color, often missing entirely on those blessed by Stone. Goliaths frequently tattoo themselves, with members of their clans believing that one's markings determine their future paths. The amount of tattoos, however, doesn't necessarily determine the duration of one's life, only the frequency of noteworthy, life-shaping happenings.

The biggest honor for an outsider is to receive a nickname. Perhaps due to their understanding of Runic magic, just like tattoos, Goliaths believe that names can incorporate and manifest qualities in those that hold them.