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3 New Ways to Use Goliaths in a D&D Campaign

Goliaths, the towering mountain folk, are often portrayed as hardy nomads who live for competition and the thrill of survival. But their rugged culture and imposing presence lend themselves to a variety of creative story angles. Let’s climb higher and explore three unique ways to incorporate Goliaths into your campaign, whether as allies, adversaries, or something in between. There are lots more in this series, check out the Kenku here.

1. The Cloudborne Champions

What if Goliaths didn’t just roam the mountains but made their homes among the clouds? These Cloudborne Champions dwell on floating peaks or sky islands, using their connection to the Elemental Plane of Air to traverse their lofty domains.

In Your Campaign:

• Character Concept: A Goliath monk or sorcerer trained by sky-dwelling elders, channeling the winds in battle.
• Worldbuilding: Build a society where Goliaths ride giant birds or tame air elementals, relying on sky-forged weapons and gliders.
• Plot Hooks: The Cloudborne Goliaths face a crisis—a rival aerial tribe, a planar rift threatening their home, or the theft of their sacred storm crystal—and seek the party’s aid.

Gameplay Twist: Design vertical encounters with narrow platforms, swirling winds, and foes who can knock players off cliffs. Give the party opportunities to gain temporary flight to level the playing field.

2. The Mountain Keepers

Instead of nomads, imagine Goliaths as the stalwart guardians of ancient mountain citadels, charged with protecting the peaks from intruders or keeping an ancient evil sealed beneath the rock. These Mountain Keepers are fierce and unyielding, defending their sacred homes with unmatched strength and resolve.

In Your Campaign:

• Character Concept: A Goliath fighter or cleric sworn to defend their mountain fortress from all threats, even those brought by adventurers.
• Worldbuilding: Create a mountain stronghold filled with ancient stone statues, runes of protection, and powerful relics tied to the Goliath ancestors.
• Plot Hooks: The party seeks entry into the Goliath fortress to retrieve a relic, only to face trials or a Goliath chieftain who challenges their intentions. Alternatively, the Goliaths hire the party to stop a mining operation threatening their sacred mountain.

Gameplay Twist: Include puzzles or trials based on physical prowess, endurance, and clever problem-solving, challenging the players to prove their worth to the Mountain Keepers.

3. The Stonebound Tribes

Legends speak of Goliaths with skin as hard as stone, their bodies infused with elemental earth. These Stonebound Tribes roam the land as mercenaries, sages, or prophets, using their unique abilities to protect—or reshape—the world.

In Your Campaign:

• Character Concept: A Goliath barbarian or druid whose stony skin gives them enhanced durability and resistance to magic.
• Worldbuilding: Introduce tribes that can shape stone with their bare hands, creating elaborate carvings, weapons, and even temporary shelters in the wild.
• Plot Hooks: The Stonebound Goliaths are revered—or feared—as agents of an earth deity, leading to conflicts with neighboring civilizations. The party may need to uncover the truth behind their mysterious powers.

Gameplay Twist: Add environmental hazards like shifting stone paths, collapsing caves, or traps that the Goliaths themselves can bypass with their unique connection to the earth.

Why Reimagine the Goliaths?

Goliaths are already compelling with their focus on survival and competition, but by expanding their role to include cloud-dwelling champions, steadfast mountain guardians, and elemental stonebound warriors, you can add fresh dimensions to these towering titans.

Conclusion

Goliaths aren’t just hardy nomads—they’re champions of the sky, keepers of ancient fortresses, and elemental warriors tied to the stone itself. Whether your players meet them as allies, rivals, or adversaries, these new perspectives on Goliaths can enrich your campaign and create unforgettable moments at the table.

How have Goliaths shaped your campaigns? Share your stories in the comments, and stay tuned for more creative takes on classic D&D races!

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!