#goliath druid

[basil0saurus95]

Yet another redesign of my D&D character.

The varieties of Beira Cailleach Battlehammer, Goliath druid.

Here we have: studded leather (current armor), Dwarven half-plate (prospective upgrade), civvies, and when she was a smol bean.

[jonesylium]

a bust commission for @beauwegawd, on trumblr! this is their Goliath Druid, Talhequah, and her Hawk -thank you for the patronage!!! 

[reagancrew]

I am playing in my first ever d&d game tonight (and with strangers). Suffice it to say, I am le nervous.

[toobusydungeonmaster-blog]

Vana “Icesmasher” Tynalla

Icesmasher was once the tribe’s record keeper, it was she that memorised the great deeds and wrote them down in Giant for later generations. But one day, when out on a hunt, she was gored by a giant wild boar. Her left leg was horribly damaged, and both she and the tribe’s Lamenter agreed that she should be left behind so as to not impede the tribe.

However, Icesmasher’s daughter Bonecrusher refused to honour the traditions of their tribe and came back for her. Icesmasher was furious, but Bonecrusher slowly managed to help her regain her strength and in turn Icesmasher forgave her.

After the winter they went out into the world looking for a new home. Icesmasher was still powerful, strong and her mind was not clouded, but she grew sick more easily. She is still waiting for her daughter to realise that she should be left behind, but until she does Icesmasher will protect her with her life and her magic.

Randomly Rolled Stats (with Goliath increases)

STR - 17

DEX - 13

CON - 9

INT - 16

WIS - 14

CHA - 11

[dailycharacteroption]

Goliath Druid (Druid Archetype)

All that lives is a part of the natural world, but few things embody the power and capacity of nature like truly massive beings, particularly the dinosaurs, megafauna, and other massive creatures of yore, including the mighty giants, many of which have elemental qualities which further tie them to nature. Perhaps it is the size of these beings, or their association with primeval times and places untouched by civilization.

Regardless, like all forms of nature worship, power breeds respect and reverence, and there are some druids that specifically focus on such gigantic beings, seeking to emulate and placate them wherever possible, and using the gigantic might associated with them to protect nature, even turning it on giants themselves if a particular group proves to be harmful and disrespectful of the natural world.

These goliath druids are not true animal shamans, their power base being too broad, though they do share some similar interests with the like of saurian and draconic shamans, who tap into the primeval and supernatural aspect of nature in their reverence.

Goliath druids tend to be heavy hitters, preferring to leave subtlety to druids that revere smaller, more inconspicuous creatures. You know when one is angry at you, and you’d best hope you have a head start.

 Emulating the huge might of such gigantic creatures, these druids develop a reserve of energy they can use to embiggen themselves, increasing their own power.

As one might expect, their bond with the massive side of nature gives them some unique options and restrictions when choosing what to bond with specifically. If they choose to gain a domain, it must be of the animal, destruction, or strength domains, or the ferocity, growth, or rage subdomains.

If, however, they choose an animal bond, it must be with a megafauna or dinosaur. Furthermore, they are able to use the same reserve of energy that allows them to increase in size to do the same for their companion.

Their association with such massive beings means they are naturally most comfortable when working with them, and prove to be supernaturally able to read and befriend such creatures.

Rather than bother with the trivialities of the fey, these mighty druids instead focus on the powers of giants, and become quite versed in standing up to their overwhelming might.

As one might expect, their wild shaping prowess is limited to the bestial forms of megafauna and dinosaurs and the like, but like many specialized druids, they add a twist, namely gaining the ability to become giants, the variety and abilities increasing as they grow in mastery, allowing them to achieve great power through shapechanging without sacrificing their ability to wield weapons.

Additionally, they also learn to summon a greater variety of dinosaurs, megafauna, the occasional primal reptile, and even a few more varieties of giant with their summoning magic.

Interested in a druid with a love of big critters and a connection to giants? This might be the archetype for you. Powerful attack and impenetrable defense are the name of the game with this archetype, so by all means build a melee druid, either focusing on empowering just yourself with a domain, or splitting between you and a companion. Increasing your size does make you more vulnerable to touch attacks, however, so keep that in mind.

 Big and boastful, possibly with an ego to rival the very giants they emulate, I see these druids being extremely confident. However, don’t mistake them for foolhardy, they are still druids, and druids do not get very far by lacking in wisdom. They know exactly what they are capable of, and where their might begins and ends. On the other side of that coin, I can definitely see many, even the smallest among them having the demeanor of gentle giants, being extremely careful and kind, but capable of incredible destruction against those who pick on the weak.

  From the gods came the titans, and the titans the gigas, and the gigas, the giants, so too to the legends of the mountain folk claim that they are descended from the mighty giants that dwell there. Their mystics and priests channel their might through their very bodies, and call upon the massive creatures they herd to aid them.

 The Hidden Nation of Akinoorg is really no nation at all, but a valley untouched by time, where primeval beasts from a forgotten era rule, and wyvarens vie for control with the serpentfolk conclaves. Jungle giants guard the deep rainforest, and teach the primitive humans there to do the same, even lending them a bit of their might.

 Claiming ocean giant ancestry, Lady Morkissa is an undine druid who rules over a small island nation. Though she is their leader, she makes the protection of her people her utmost priority, and often patrols the surrounding waters with her warriors and zeuglodon companion in a variety of saurian and megafauna aquatic forms, her favorite being an archelon turtle.