Gaosi

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Overview

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Physical Description

Resembling giant humanoids with tough, angular features like stone. Some are tall and lean while others are as broad and massive as boulders. What is also notable about their kind are their incredibly dense bodies that increase their weight overall, this makes them incredibly strong but also very heavy. Gaosi are all virtually the same skin-tone as each other, a kind of stone grey that's sometimes darker or lighter but rarely ever uniquely so. They also have no hair to speak off, their skin is said to be smooth like polished stone and barely moves to the touch, enough to tell it's skin but doesn't relent to pressure as much, at least to a non-giant. Etch-like markings and lines can be seen running along the bodies of the Gaosi for decorative effect, however most are natural formations much like fingerprints for a human, just on a larger scale.

Culture & Social

The Gaosi are an age-old True-Giant race that joined the Viridian Republic long before the Ceruleans, Vermillions and Saffron began. They were deigned as stewards of the land and contribute towards the grand society by growing and distributing crops from the hills, valleys and mountains which they reside. While many Gaosi stay within their clans to lead peaceful lives, others seek more excitement and choose to gain careers in home defense and even adventuring.

Many fear the Gaosi because of their incredibly dense bodies, impervious to most harm and strong enough to crush an equal-sized opponent, never mind a smaller one. It is fortunate that most Gaosi have tempered personalities and are slow to anger. Even within their own communities, Gaosi tend to keep to themselves or close friends, except in the interests of cooperation will they band into groups to take advantage of both size and number.

If a non-giant were to give a Gaosi enough of an incentive to join them or their group, the Gaosi would become an immensely powerful ally who would do their best to protect their new group or at the very least repel any threats levied against themselves.

Game Facts

• Better known as: Stone Giants
• Height/Size: 105-155ft / 135ft (Size: 16, Colossal)
• Genus: True-Giant
• Rarity: Rare
• Faction(s): Viridian Republic, Saffron Alliance

The Gaosi are effectively the 'Stone Giants' in this setting, like with the other true giants, their base size was increased dramatically, and now they stand among the largest sentient beings on the planet. Reserved and passive as they've always been, Gaosi only tend to attack when there is little chance of it coming back to bite them. The Gaosi are now depicted as being super-dense like rock and stone, taking upon its qualities including a lack of buoyancy, an absurd amount of commotion when moving, weighted movement and incredible durability. The only race besides oversized Warforged that can tank without armour and tank even better with it on!

Despite Gaosi being more passive than most giants, their incredible size and weight can cause almost as much destruction as a Colossal creature, be mindful you don't cause any earthquakes by running too fast!

Racial Adjustments & Archetypes

Gaosi

Gaosi are incredibly strong and tough, the closest thing to living stone statues. However, their dense bodies make it difficult to move quickly and their stern expressions make them threatening to others.

♦ Gaosi gains a +3 attribute bonus to Strength and Endurance, but suffers a -1 penalty to Charisma and Agility.
♦ Gaosi are considered to be Gargantuan-sized; they are size 8.

Archetype: Avalanche

Avalanche Gaosi can roll into battle like a landslide and bury their opponents under their might. They tend to be quicker and more agile than most Gaosi.

♦ This Gaosi gains a +1 attribute bonus to Perception and Agility. The penalty to Agility is negated.
♦ They also gain a Skill-Focus in 1 [Combat] skill and all Defense skills.

Archetype: Stone-Faced

Some Gaosi are ridged not only in their body but also in their expressions, other Gaosi are nuanced enough to tell how their kind are feeling but to other races they appear emotionless and stoic.

♦ This Gaosi gains a +2 attribute bonus to Endurance.
♦ They also gain a Skill-Focus in all Defense skills.

Archetype: Rock-Launching

Gaosi are adept at catching and throwing large rocks, rock that could definitely crush even a larger Cerulean citizen. In combat, these Gaosi turn pastime into combat potential.

♦ This Gaosi gains a +1 attribute bonus to Perception.
♦ They also gain a Skill-Focus in all Athletics skills.
♦ Their base attack bonus is increased by 5.

Archetype: Rune-Etched

All Gaosi have strangely detailed etch-like intentations in their skin as part of their biology, some Gaosi use these etchings to channel metaforce energy to give them greater powers.

♦ This Gaosi gains a +1 attribute bonus to Perception and Intelligence.
♦ They also gain a Skill-Focus in 1 [Metaforce] skill group.

Archetype: Moai

In what can only be explained as a total mystery, some Gaosi become pleasingly aesthetic and attractive according to other races. Some theorize that stone heads on far away islands were tributes to these beautiful and handsome Gaosi.

♦ This Gaosi gains a +2 attribute bonus to Charisma. Their Charisma penalty is negated.
♦ They also gain a Skill-Focus in all Social skills.

Archetype: Mountainous

Some Gaosi continue to grow past the size of their peers and become the very mountains which they revere, some get to see eye to eye with the elites of the Viridian Republic and others, far past them.

♦ This Gaosi gains the Big perk: their base size category is now Colossal (Size: 16). Their average height is now 135ft.
♦ When this Gaosi unlocks Tier 2 Perks: they gain the Huge perk immediately, their size category becomes Colossal+ (Size: 24). Their average height is now 200ft.
♦ When this Gaosi unlocks Tier 3 Perks: they gain an additional perk point. (They cannot gain the Gigantic perk while Colossal+).

Traits

Passive: Stone-Skinned

Gaosi have dense, rock-like skin that has the hardness and weight of stone.

♦ Gaosi gain 3 natural Armour-Rating to Physical: Blunt, Cut and Pierce attacks. (Size adjustment increases this to 24 AR)
♦ Gaosi gain 3 natural Armour-Rating to Fire, Ice, Wind and Electric attacks. (Size adjustment increases this to 24 AR)
> The above two natural AR stacks on top of artifical AR granted by equipment.
♦ Gaosi tolerate Level 2 Hot and Cold Temperature environments (Icy Mountain and Hot Desert).

Passive: Dense Body

Due to the immensely dense weight of their bodies, Gaosi suffer penalties related to their increased weight.

♦ The amount of free movement is reduced by 50%, the AP cost of movement is doubled.
♦ Gaosi suffer a -50% penalty to stealth checks while moving (stealth unaffected while stationary).
♦ Gaosi with less than Adept (60) skill in Aerobics: Swim cannot swim, and will sink to the bottom of a body of water.
♦ Gaosi suffer a 50% evasion rating penalty against any attacks made against them.

Ability: Ridged-Body

Because Gaosi skin, muscle and bone are so dense, they are capable of locking their joints and stay in immobile poses indefinitely, even while asleep! This can often fool those who are unaware to thinking Gaosi are life-like statues!

♦ This ability can be activated at the cost of ALL Actions points and maintained each round for the same amount of action points.
♦ Effect: When activated, the Gaosi user can turn their entire body ridged, they will not be able to move but their pose and position cannot be adjusted by others without succeeding a 100-point Strength check. If the position is not balanced or stable, the Gaosi may topple over and take damage relative to the force, but their body will still not change until released.

♦ Dismiss: The Gaosi can dismiss the Ridged-Body effect at any time, even during another creature's turn. Activation always requires the Gaosi to be able to act on their turn and consume the necessary AP to activate it.