GOLIATH GROUPS Goliath groups are as varied as the goliaths that comprise them. However, some typical examples are provided below for quick reference and to serve as a springboard for your own ideas. Each includes an Encounter Level (EL) to help assess its threat. Dawncaller Team (EL 10–11): 1d3+1 goliath hunters, 1 goliath dawncaller (see Chapter 5: Prestige Classes). Hunting Team (EL 2–4): 1d3+1 goliath hunters. Hunting Team, Elite (EL 13–15): 1d6+2 goliath hunters, 2 goliath cragtop archers (see Chapter 5: Prestige Classes). Stonespeaker Team (EL 11–12): 1d3+1 goliath warriors, 1 goliath stonespeaker guardian (see Chapter 5: Prestige Classes), 1 goliath stonespeaker shaman.
HOLIDAYS Often overlooked in many campaigns, holidays provide a simple and interesting way to convey a race’s culture and beliefs. When the adventurers enter a gnome community during the chaotic and boisterous Dance of Lights, they can’t help but notice that the illusions around them seem more compelling; gnome culture seems more developed and complete because of it. Holidays shouldn’t be common occurrences, and in most cases, a little goes a long way. Most cultures should have only three or four major holidays in each year, but individual DMs have plenty of room to go beyond this guideline for special races or cultures. Remember too, that holidays needn’t all be annual events. A holiday that comes only once every four hundred years might carry more power (and therefore more substantial game effects) than an annual celebration. Likewise, a holiday that occurs every month will have a much greater chance of affecting an adventure than one that occurs only once a year, and will therefore play a much greater role in the campaign. Holidays can also serve to differentiate groups within a race or culture—religious holidays are the most common example of this kind of holiday, but guilds, clans, or any other group might have holidays of its own. These can provide a particularly interesting insight into a setting when they differ noticeably from the main culture around them. For example, if the dwarves of the Ironweave clan do not venerate Moradin, they might not celebrate the Days of Forging. This unusual custom might cause strained relations or even conflict with clans that do so. The section below details sample holidays that you can include in your campaign. Although the holidays are split between races, feel free to choose among them or create your own if they better fit another race or culture in your campaign. None of the holidays described below are assigned to specific days of the year or month, allowing you to place them in your campaign’s calendar as you see fit.
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Goliath Warrior (CR 1) Goliath warriors are formidable combatants. A single one is nearly the equivalent of two human warriors, and in numbers they can overwhelm ogres or even giants. They serve as guards, soldiers, and hunters. Goliath Warrior: Male goliath warrior 1; CR 1; Medium monstrous humanoid; HD 1d8+5 plus 3; hp 12; Init +0; Spd 20 ft.; AC 16, touch 10, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +1; Grp +7; Atk +4 melee (3d6+3/19–20, Large masterwork greatsword) or +1 ranged (2d6+2/×3, Large composite longbow); Full Atk +4 melee (3d6+3/19–20, Large masterwork greatsword) or +1 ranged (2d6+2/×3, Large composite longbow); SA —; SQ goliath traits; AL N; SV Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +0; Str 15, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 8. Skills and Feats: Climb –2, Jump –10, Sense Motive +2, Survival +1; Toughness. Goliath Traits (Ex): This warrior’s physical stature lets him function in many ways as if he were one size category larger, including using weapons designed for a creature one size larger. He can make standing long jumps and high jumps as if they were running long jumps and high jumps. He can engage in accelerated climbing without taking the –5 penalty on the Climb check. He is automatically acclimated to life at high altitudes and does not take the penalties for altitude described on page 90 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Possessions: Banded mail, Large masterwork greatsword, Large composite longbow (+4 Str bonus), 20 Large arrows.
Trading Team (EL 12–13): 1d4+2 goliath warriors, 1 goliath peregrine runner (see Chapter 5: Prestige Classes), 1 goliath stonespeaker shaman. Warband (EL 12–14): 1d6+2 goliath warriors, 2 goliath raiders, 1 goliath cragtop archer (see Chapter 5: Prestige Classes). Warband, Giant-Slaying (EL 13–14): 1d4+1 goliath warriors, 1d4+1 goliath raiders, 1 goliath liberator (see Chapter 5: Prestige Classes). CAMPAIGNS OF STONE
Woodland Stride (Ex): This shaman can move through natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain at her normal speed and without damage or other impairment. However, thorns, briars, and overgrown areas that are magically manipulated to impede motion still affect her. Druid Spells Prepared (6/5/4/3/1; save DC 13 + spell level): 0—create water, detect magic, detect poison, light, mending, purify food and drink; 1st—detect snares and pits, endure elements, longstrider, produce flame, speak with animals; 2nd—barkskin, bear’s endurance, fog cloud, resist energy; 3rd—call lightning, cure moderate wounds, greater magic fang; 4th—ice storm. Possessions: +1 dragonhide breastplate, Large +1 spear, cloak of resistance +1, wand of entangle (50 charges), potion of cure serious wounds, 50 pp.
DWARF HOLIDAYS Despite their stoic demeanor and sometimes dour reputation, dwarves celebrate a large number of holidays. Many of these holidays are unique to a particular clan or guild, and they remain unknown even to most dwarves. Whether a simple prayer at the beginning of a week that is sacred to a revered ancestor or a more elaborate ritual to celebrate the founding of a guild, these minor holidays appeal to dwarves’ lawful natures and their sense of honor. Most dwarves observe the small set of major holidays described below.
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