Let's Talk About Goliath

     Hi and welcome back to my blog! Today I want to talk about the world of Goliath, a setting that's lived in my head for almost twenty years now. When I was twelve I wrote and drew a comic book set in a world called Goliath that's populated by numerous tribes who are all trying to live together in peace. It starts out in Darkday Academy, a school built and run by a man who seeks to find harmony among the tribes. The academy is open to children and teenagers of all tribes and teaches them how to defend themselves, use magic if they are capable, and how to get along with those who are different than they are.

    In my solo game, Goliath, you start out at the academy for up to level five, and then you graduate and become a Warven, what they call a graduate of the academy. Warvens travel the lands helping people and defending the weak.

    Goliath's combat system is based off of Four Against Darkness, but it has lots of mechanics that I Frankensteined from other games or just came up with myself.

    Eventually I'll get around to posting excerpts of my playtest with Goliath.

    In the game, you begin as a student at Darkday Academy. You attend classes for the week, spend time with friends, go shopping at the local market, and on the weekends go on missions for Aiden Darkday himself. You need 10 XP to level up, and you gain 1 XP for each battle encounter, unless it's against a boss, then you gain 2 XP. You also gain 2 XP for each successful mission. At level five you graduate the academy and become a Warven, and then the game really opens up for you. You are then free to explore and go anywhere and join guilds and work under patrons and choose your own destiny.

    There are fourteen tribes, or classes, to choose from when you create your character, and some tribes have variations. Like Healers: You can choose to be a Mage Healer or a Physician Healer. A Mage Healer can use magic to heal, while a Physician Healer uses items really well to heal. Or like the Spiderfolk: You can play a two-armed Spiderfolk who is better at stealth, or a four-armed Spiderfolk who can hold more equipment at once.

    There are also the skills you can learn in class or from studying skill books that can make each character unique, even if they are of the same tribe or class. That was a very important aspect for me to include because I love replayability in games as well as branching choices.

    Now onto some lore. The story is set on the planet Goliath, in the continent of Azalene. Azalene is divided into four countries: Alistair, the west country; Constance, the north country; Isidore, the south country; and Selene, the east country. Darkday Academy is in Alistair, the seat of the Conjurer Empire.

The Playable Tribes are:

Conjurers, Night Protectors, Deathseekers, Kirens, Spiderfolk, Catumen, Healers, Lightning-Wielders, Wind-Wielders, Sand-Wielders, Fire-Wielders, the Tane, Hevaelies, and Day Watchers.

Conjurers:

Appearance: Conjurers may be very pale to incredibly tan. They can be born with any shade of blonde, brown, red, or black hair, and have eye colors of any shade of blue, green, brown, violet, red, or amber. They are an average-sized tribe. Women may be anywhere from 5’ to 5’10, while males may be anywhere from 5’5 to 6’3. Notes: Conjurers were once part of the Wizard tribe, but split off into their own tribe in part due to how they desired to filter their magic. Conjurers filter their magic through their own bodies, without use of wands or other tools. This can be dangerous to the person performing the magic, but the magic is more potent. Conjurers are also warriors, rivaling even the Day Watchers in martial prowess and often combining their magic with their martial skills to transform themselves into formidable combatants. It is through their unique way of combat that they conquered all of Azalene, forming a mighty empire to rule over all other tribes of the continent. Conjurers do not often use magic in their daily lives as using it unfiltered is taxing on the body. Magic is mostly used to attack or to defend themselves.

Night Protectors

Appearance: Night Protectors have skin that varies from incredibly pale to very tan. They are known to be born with any shade of blonde, brown, red, or black hair, but many dye their hair wilder colors. As they age, their hair naturally turns gray or white. They can have eye colors of any shade of blue, green, brown, violet, red, or amber. They are an average-sized tribe. Women may be anywhere from 5’ to 5’10, while males may be anywhere from 5’5 to 6’3. Notes: Night Protectors were once part of the Wizards tribe, but split off from them in the Modern Era due to a civil war that was partially over how best to filter magic. Night Protectors filter magic through tools like wands, staves, and books. Night Protectors are allied with the Spiderfolk and can be found living in their underground cities, as well as the larger cities on the surface. They have a cold relationship with Conjurers to this day, and still remember when their two tribes were one. Night Protectors utilize magic in much of their daily lives, and learn little to no physical martial skills. They enjoy a good magic duel between Night Protectors and begin learning magic from a very young age. Outside their tribe, they are thought to be secretive and quiet. Night Protectors are much like their Spiderfolk allies in that they only speak when they believe something needs to be said. They are slow to trust others outside their own tribe. Night Protectors in Alistair tend to wear dark colors, while Night Protectors in Isidore are more colorful in dress.

Deathseekers

Appearance: Deathseekers have light brown skin and dark brown or black hair. Deathseekers have bright green “Spider Eyes”, eyes that have pupils which divide the eyes into eight sections, allowing the Deathseekers to see into the future, past, or even elsewhere in the present. Adult Deathseekers are generally between 5’3 and 5’6 for women and 5’6 and 5’9 for men. They all wear chokers with a chain attached to a crucifix, a symbol of protection from demons. Men and women both wear their hair long, women down to their ankles, men to their waists. They often tie their hair up in braids. All have a tattoo on their left shoulder in a unique shape that glows whenever they use their psychic powers. Notes: Deathseekers are a matriarchal society where women hold the highest positions of power. It is claimed that women have a stronger link to their psychic powers and a stronger tie to the spirit world Delianth, given their ability to create life. Men are placed in more martial positions, mostly as soldiers and hunters. Both men and women work forges, create art, cook, and raise children. Unlike other tribes, Deathseekers always have a queen rather than a king to rule them, and take on the maiden name of the woman’s mother when married or having children. They are psychic, with bright green Spider Eyes. During the era before the Dragons ruled, Deathseekers acted as stewards for the Spirits. They could travel between Delianth and Goliath in their dreams and using the World Trees. After the Spirits left Goliath and left Dragons in charge, however, the Deathseekers settled in the country of Vyush. It is there that the largest population of Deathseekers on the planet has remained. In the Romantic Era, fleets of ships full of Deathseekers left Vyush bound for Azalene. They settled in the country of Constance. The Constanci Deathseekers have been major players of trade and royalty in Azalene ever since. The Constance Deathseekers are allied with the Wind-Wielders.

Kirens

Appearance: Kiren have long limbs with rubbery joints, narrow bodies, and skin the color of white chalk. Their bone structure is superfluous at best and they are known to have red, pink, blue, or purple hair and eyes that match. They are a tall tribe, females averaging between 6’ and 6’5 and males averaging between 6’5 and 6’8. Men and women tend to keep their hair short. Many do not express any gender preference at all. Kiren cannot grow beards or body hair. Notes: Kiren are a mysterious tribe who live together in their city of Kira, are rarely seen outside of it, unless on official Kiren business, and harness the power of steam technology. They favor guns over swords as weapons and are feared by other tribes because of this. The Kirens are the only tribe to exclusively use guns, going on from the Heroic Era, when gunpowder was first discovered in Fenri's Courtyard and eventually recreated. The continent of Azalene held its breath, waiting for what they thought would be an inevitable war of oppression from the Kirens for power and dominance with their new incredible weapons. This war never came. The Kirens are not ambitious for power but for discovery and invention. They horde their secrets from other tribes. Kirens trust no one but other Kirens. Most remain in their giant city of Kira, only travelling out on pilgrimages to Fenri's Courtyard. It is possible to be exiled or leave Kiren culture. Most who do leave for one reason or another eventually become mercenaries. Still, they do not reveal the secrets of the Kirens. Kirens do not have families the way many other tribes do. They mate for life in arranged marriages, but any children borne to them are sent to nurseries where they are raised and taught history, math, science, and how to use a gun. When they are 12 they begin their first pilgrimage to Fenri's Courtyard to find some new piece of technology or artifact and return it to Kira to be studied. When they are 18 they are married in arranged marriages. Kiren men and women are equal in all things and work the same jobs, even wearing the same kinds of clothes and hairstyles.

Spiderfolk

Appearance: Spiderfolk have two large fangs that always hang out of their mouths and sharp teeth. Their skin ranges from pale to dark brown. Many Spiderfolk born in the wild are born with four arms. Their eyes are black, as are their lips and fingernails, which are quite sharp. Males and females can be anywhere from 5’3 to 6’3. Spiderfolk with four arms tend to be on the taller side. They do not naturally grow body hair, but many, both male and female, wear wigs. Notes: Spiderfolk are part spider, part humanoid who live in caves and forests, though some may be found in the larger cities. They are quiet, straight-to-the-point, and secretive. Spiderfolk are a secretive, quiet tribe that do not speak unless something needs to be said. They live in caves and the dark parts of the forests, though some can be found in the larger cities as well. They farm giant beetles for food and raise giant spiders as pets and mounts. In the Modern Era they have an alliance with the Night Protectors. They are completely hairless but many, men and women, enjoy wearing wigs. Some Spiderfolk are born with four arms instead of two. These are considered lucky and often act as wise men and women. Spiderfolk are looked upon with both curiosity and slight suspicion from other tribes, but most Spiderfolk do not care what others think of them, not even other Spiderfolk. Like the Deathseekers, Spiderfolk have a matriarchal society where mothers are in charge of families and make all of the biggest decisions for their offspring. The Spiderfolk cities are ruled by councils that consist of both men and women. Contary to popular belief, Spiderfolk give birth naturally and do not come from eggs.

Catumen

Appearance: Catumen are half cat and half humanoid. As such, they have cat ears instead of human ears, furry tails, and clawed fingers and toes. They also have sharp teeth and keen cat-eyes. Their hair and fur come in a variety of shades and patterns. Their skin tends to be pale to tan and light brown to dark brown. They are not usually very tall, women averaging 5’ to 5’5 and men averaging 5’3 to 5’6. Notes: Catumen are hunters at their core. They hold hunting tournaments, almost exclusively hunt their food, and hunt to provide gifts and tokens to one another. They wear the pelts of what they have slain and use the bones to make tools. When they fish they use spears fashioned from wood and rocks. Men and women both learn to hunt and fish and forage. There are 24 clans of Catumen in Kota Forest. Catumen marry outside their clan, and the wife lives with the husband's clan. There are Catumen who seek greater glory than hunting or marriage. These Catumen can be found in larger cities of Azalene. They usually work as hunters, guards, or in physical labor jobs. Catumen are fond of naps, food, and shiny objects. Most Catumen have their own horde of useless shiny stuff that they use for trade or just to collect.

Healers

Appearance: Healers have long noses extending from their forehead down to the lower-middle of their faces. They are considered exotic-looking, typically with tan skin and, for both male and female, long hair. Their hair can be any shade of red, brown, or blonde. Their eyes are usually blue or brown. They are on the tall side for most tribes, women averaging between 5’8 and 6’ and men averaging between 6’ and 6’5. The women wear long leather skirts and the men wear leather pants and jerkins. They are known to dress modestly with comfortable footwear suited for traveling. Notes: Healers are a nomadic tribe that travels in troupes across the world. They can be found at every corner of Goliath. They do not, nor have they ever had, any nations of their own due to their nomadic nature and also their pacifist nature. They do not learn any martial skills and immerse themselves fully into the healing arts. They do hunt and offer prayers before every meal. They do not kill unless it is to eat. Because of this they often have to hire mercenaries to guard their troupes as they travel. Only half of all Healers can use magic to heal. The other half learn more natural methods of healing such as surgery and mixing potions and medicines. Not all Healers live a nomadic lifestyle; some set up shops in cities and most royal families have a royal healer. Healers ply their trade for coin but if a patient has no coin they are willing to accept trade and temporary service as well. Healers dress and behave modestly. They are rarely selfish and are often willing to help others even at their own peril.

Lightning-Wielders

Appearance: Lightning-wielders have pale to tan skin with brown, black, blonde, or rarely red hair and blue, brown, or gray eyes. Notes: Lightning-wielders are from eastern Azalene, from the nation of Selene. They have the ability to form lightning from a cloudy day or even from the static electricity around them. Like Kirens, Lightning-wielders are ambitious in their pursuit of knowledge and invention and regularly have pilgrimages to Fenri's Courtyard to investigate any new technology or artifacts. Lightning-wielders have never been true royalty but have always been scholars and scientists.

Wind-Wielders

Appearance: Wind-wielders are pale with blue, white, silver, gray, or light blonde hair and blue or gray eyes. Notes: Wind-wielders are a tribe that is loyal to the Deathseekers of Constance. But before the Deathseekers came, it was Wind-wielders who colonized and braved the elements of the cold north. They fought amongst each other for millennia for control over territory until the Deathseekers arrived and created peace. The Wind-wielders have served and stood beside the Deathseekers ever since. They are warriors, hunters, and fishermen. They wear heavy furs and can withstand the cold better than most other tribes.

Sand-Wielders

Appearance: Sand-wielders have light brown skin with red, black, or brown hair and brown eyes. Notes: The Sand-Wielders were once Earth-wielders until the Dragons pushed them back into the desert. Eventually, they taught themselves to wield sand and most lost the ability to wield earth. Now in order to wield earth, Sand-wielders require many long years of training. Sand-wielders were once kings and queens in the Desert of Sanai before the Conjurers conquered Alistair. They have never forgotten this. The Sand-wielders ride camels and thin horses bred specially for the harsh desert climate. It is a rite of passage among them to kill his or her first giant scorpion at 12. In the Sanai Desert is a great coliseum where many boast their combat prowess, but Sand-wielders always get the loudest cheers from their own people. They wear colorful, bright colors and big-brimmed hats and hoods to combat the harsh desert sun.

Fire-Wielders

Appearance: Fire-Wielders are tan with red, brown, or black hair and yellow, red, or brown eyes. Notes: Fire-wielders were the last tribe to defect from the Dragons during the reign of Dragons. They can create fire using the oxygen in the air. They are warriors and historians. They are the ones who chronicled most of the information about the Dragon War after the Great Split. They are from Isidore in southern Azalene. They live at the base of a great volcano. A rite of passage is to bathe in the volcano when one becomes 18 to prove himself or herself an adult and a full-fledged Fire-wielder. They are fond of competing in hand-to-hand combat with each other and celebrate tournaments and duels year-round.

The Tane

Appearance: The Tane are a short race with stout, muscular frames who adorn themselves almost completely in tattoos as they age. They tend to have light to dark brown skin with dark brown or black hair that turns silver, gray, or white as they age. They have big feet and big hands with large brown eyes. In height, women are often between 4’5 and 5’ and men are often between 4’7 and 5’2. Notes: The Tane are divided into four castes: the miners, the artisans, the warriors, and the merchants. They do not grow their own food, and only in times of desperation do they hunt, so they trade their own goods for necessities. They mine iron and other precious metals and gems and sell them, as well as the pottery and art that the artisans make. In return other tribes provide them with food, weapons, wood, and cloth. The Tane mostly live near wherever mining is best as it is the cornerstone of their tribe. Merchants travel far and wide trading goods. Family and kinsmen are important to the Tane, and entire generations of families work and live together. The Tane originally heil from the Isle of Bluut, but during the Heroic Era many traveled by boat to Azalene and set up roots in what is modern day Alistair. The Tane in Bluut are ever in disputes and occasionally at war with the Strongtooths.

Hevaelis

Appearance: Hevaeli are the most unique among the tribes for the sheer variety in their appearances. Hevaeli can have skin that varies from very pale to very dark. They can have red, black, brown, or blonde hair in different shades. They usually have blue, green, or brown eyes. Their adult heights range from 5’ to 7’ in the extremes, but usually women fall between 5’3 and 5’9 while men fall between 5’7 and 6’3. Notes: A tribe that is seemingly completely unextraordinary, Hevaeli have proven themselves as heroes time and time again with their bravery and loyalty to those dear to them. The Hevaelis can be found at every corner of Goliath and have no central culture or nations of their own. They tend to serve other nations or tribes as farmers, hunters, blacksmiths, miners, or in other occupations. They are the most populous and diverse tribe in the world, though. They are just as capable of being warriors as any other tribe and many have been listed in the annals of history for their great deeds. Still, they are the exception to Hevaelis rather than the rule. For the most part, Hevaelis seem content to raise their families and their livestock, plow their fields, work their forges, hunt their prey, and serve their nation. In Hevaeli towns and villages, leaders are often elected among the populace. These are the only true "nobles" the Hevaelis claim.

Day Watchers

Appearance: Day Watchers have skin the color of gold that appears to shimmer in the sun and bright lights. They tend to have varying shades of blonde, white, or silver hair, although a few rare Day Watchers are born with bright red hair. They usually have either brown, amber, or blue eyes. They are an average sized-tribe with a muscular frame, women averaging between 5’5 and 5’10 and men averaging between 5’10 and 6’5. Notes: Day Watchers are a martial tribe with a weakness against magic. Otherwise, they are formidable and have tremendous stamina and natural defenses. They learn how to swing a weapon and notch a bow from the time they can walk. Every Day Watcher, from the highest noble to the lowest commoner, has his or her own armor. The Day Watchers of Alistair wear their hair short with beards, the Day Watchers of Selene wear their hair long and are beardless. The Day Watchers of Constance wear their hair long and wild with long beards. Day Watcher men and women are equal in all things, including combat prowess, but arranged marriages are common. It is considered a blessing to have many children. Day Watchers farm, mine, and hunt, but they mostly enjoy combat. Tournaments of arms are common things in Day Watcher cities and towns. Day Watchers have little use for art or music that is not about battles or war. They do not dance much and live to feel the rush of combat.

    Those are the tribes of Azalene, although in other lands throughout Goliath there are more tribes. I may add them as a sort of DLC later on. These tribes have lived in my head since I was twelve. I adore them dearly. I'll add some more gameplay stuff later on and hopefully you'll like it and even be encouraged to play in the world of Goliath!

    Also, here is the map of Azalene so far.