Highlanders

"Your goals are easy to see from up here. And people say I need to get my head out of the clouds..."

Highlanders were Humans who set out on an exploration expedition, but during a storm, were stranded on the icy shores of Northcrest. Over time the cold changed them, making their bodies more physically resistant and adept to the fierce everwinter. When they were finally discovered by another exploration vessel decades later, few wanted to leave the tundra they had grown to call home, thus seeing a Highlander in a populated city still comes as a surprise to most. Highlanders hate bieng called giants as well as being singled out due to their height, though they themselves make reference to it constantly. The breeding pool became concentrated, thus many Highlanders are closely related, from which they developed a sort of linked mental system which always lets them know when another of their kind is nearby or in danger.

Highlanders are almost identical to Humans other than being much larger in size. The average height of a Highlander is no more than nine feet tall, and their bulky bodies are almost completely muscular. Their hair color is particularly limited to golden, blond and white, though some females have been seen with rose or pink colored hair. Facial hair is common for the males, though the sexes are of nearly equal muscle mass and size. In old age, Highlanders' hair and eyebrows become curiously frosted in appearance, a genetic reminder of where they came from.

In the current era, Highlanders have made their presance known to the world, but Ternion is far from having a Highlander-based compoind in any major city. It is common knowledge that the passing of the Arl of Jetlynd on Highlander soil has led to his oldest son taking the throne, and his determination will see Jetlynd rise to a Teyrn, though Highlanders have remained silent in this matter.

D&D 5E Conversion
-Vale Highlander [Take the Goliath Race, gain Resistance to Cold, take Weakness to Fire and gain Deep Speech] Add to your Notes Section: Can tell when another Vale Highlander is close by or in danger.

-Mainland Highlander [Take the Goliath Race].

Stats

 * -2 to Cunning
 * +2 to Constitution
 * Start with 120 HP

Abilities
BRAWLERS, When unarmed, you may take two basic attacks instead of one

COLD AFFINITY, Highlanders hate the heat. Take -2 to all checks if the temperature rises above normal. Likewise, take +2 to all checks if the temperature falls below normal

HEAD HELD HIGH, When someone makes mention of your size, you may go Berserk as an Immediate Reaction

KOUROS' FAVOR, Kouros has smiled on the Highlanders. If he is your deity, gain +2 Constitution Bonus

TRIBAL WARDING, All Highlanders are connected mentally to the point that they always know when another is nearby or in danger

UNARMED STRENGTH, If a Highlander's HP falls below 0, they may drop their weapons as a Quick Action to remain conscious up to -9 HP. Becoming armed removed the benefit.