Koloss (5e Race)

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Koloss

“	Just give them some wood painted yellow. The dullards can't tell the difference.	”
—Jastes Lekal, plotting to attackLuthadel

Physical Description

By Inkthinker

The koloss are hulking humanoids that often have bluish or mottled grey skin and maddened eyes. They are usually hairless and have bodies that lack much distinction from that of other brutish races like orcs. However, a glaring difference is that koloss are born with greatly sagging skin. This skin stretches as they grow into it, though it never grows itself. Koloss within the skin never cease growing, meaning they often outgrow this skin and end up splitting it, giving most mature koloss a horrible, bleeding appearance. Koloss growth is also very hard to control. Most will not live for much longer than a year before they are claimed by violence or their unstable bodies collapse in on themselves. This incredible growth does give them amazing talent for battle, however, which is their original purpose. There are generally two types of koloss: the full koloss and the koloss-blooded. Full koloss have special spikes driven into their bodies to allow them greater powers, at the cost of having an accelerated deterioration of their body. Koloss-blooded lack these spikes but still have a much more robust stature compared to humans.

History

Koloss were a creation by Rashek, the Lord Ruler who developed the hemalurgy magic system as he was reshaping the world. Using this magic, he created the koloss, which initially required live humans be inserted with four hemalurgical spikes in the body. This resulted in erasure of the original person and changed their entire body to that of a koloss, imbuing them with strength while making them more simple-minded. During his rule, Rashek commanded the koloss as their sole leader, using them as armies to crush his enemies. Following his death, the koloss became allegedly uncontrollable, though they did not engage in so many wanton acts of warmongering. For a time, their numbers neared extinction since they could not create the spikes necessary for their own creation. Following reconstruction after Rashek's death, the koloss were recreated with the ability to breed naturally, thus saving them from dying out. When koloss reach their coming of age, they can thus make the choice whether they want the spikes inserted in them to turn full koloss, or remain only koloss-blooded.

Society

Koloss are largely absorbed now into other societies following the fall of their creator. Initially, they were rampant and uncontrollable hordes hunted as remnants of an old world order. However, as the cities are being reconstructed, people found that koloss remained somewhat human at their core, and their strength is a boon for rebuilding and guarding vulnerable new settlements. As such, koloss are considered artificial relatives of humans. They are highly motivated by money and often work as mercenaries. It is said that koloss sometimes experience bouts of memory or emotions that recall back how they were back when they were human.

Koloss Names

Koloss have similar naming conventions to the human societies they have integrated into. Prior their integration, their names were simply terms assigned by their master or words they picked up from others.

Male: Human, Karsius, Tarian

Female: Odia, Merys, Shelly

Koloss Traits

Hulking humanoids that never stop growing
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 3. As normal, you cannot increase an ability score above 20 with this trait.
Age. Koloss are bloodthirsty from the moment they are created and grow in size rapidly until their hearts cannot support their massive bodies. It is unclear what influences the rate of their growth, but most koloss don't survive more than 5 years either due to collapse or violence.
Alignment. Koloss are frenzied killing machines, they tend toward chaotic neutral or chaotic evil. They can be calmed through metallurgy techniques though, and can even be lawful when working as mercenaries.
Size. Koloss change size rapidly throughout their growth. See your Uncontrolled Growth trait.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Uncontrolled Growth. Your starting size is Medium. However, as your body swells, you grow in size. When you reach 5th level, your height and weight increase to that of a Large creature and your size becomes Large.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
Bleeding Skin. Your split skin imagery scares others. You are proficient with the Intimidation skill.
Soldier Born. You are proficient with a melee simple or martial weapon of your choice.
Soldier's Constitution. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can't use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.

Race Variant: Koloss-Blooded

Koloss-blooded forgo the spikes that increase their strength, but therefore retain a healthier growth and lifespan. They are still heavily biased towards mercenary and paid work, but have a more diverse repertoire of abilities. This race variant replaces the Ability Score Increase, Size, Age, Uncontrollable Growth, and Bleeding Skin traits with the following:

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2 and one other score of your choice increases by 1.
Size. Your size is Medium.
Age. Koloss blooded live to be about 50 at most, far longer than full koloss. However, their lives remain marred by violent streaks.
Divergent Choice. You are proficient in one skill of your choice.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 0''	+1d12	185 lb.	× (1d8) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

5.00

(one vote)

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