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### HOUSE GOLIATH ### THE HOUSE OF CHAINS In the darkness of the Underhive, where gangs wage war and monsters lurk behind every corner, strength is king. This is the creed of House Goliath, who determine everything from gang hierarchy to leadership of their entire house by contests of sheer might. These giants boast muscles as hard as plasteel and an almost abhuman stature. They have carved out vast swathes of territory in areas other Necromundans are physically incapable of treading; from the hottest slag pits to the most toxic of fungal domes. The members of House Goliath are almost all artificially born through a secretive cocktail of chems and advanced technology. The first of their kind were created to form a worker caste, kept purposefully brutish and ignorant, and no-one involved in their creation could have anticipated the rise to prominence of this hulking house. The Goliaths have transformed their clan from one of freed workers to that of a smelting empire, and their refined metal is the most sought after in the industry, helping Lord Helmawr to meet his punishing Imperial tithes whilst having plenty for House Helmawr's own supplies.
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Most Goliath workers are sterile, instead created through a complex biological growth process. They are grown in amneo-vats and churned out as fully formed adults. Yet these are no mindless workers. Each batch is imparted with the knowledge of every previous generation via a cranial data-slug, which deposits into their freshly matured brains a basic understanding of weapon usage, forging, fighting and many other facets of Goliath culture. This is a necessary addition due to the short lifespans and limited intellect of the Goliath, which would make standard teaching methods difficult. It also gives the Goliath a unique bond of kinship that connects the house's subjects with fiercely wrought loyalty. Rarely, though with increasing frequency, naturally born Goliaths are appearing and rising to positions of leadership. These fighters boast increased lifespan and intelligence, often building infamous gangs or becoming Alphas of entire hives. If the Goliath one day do manage to break free of their reliance on the amneo-vats - and thus the produce of their rivals - it is certain that the balance of power between the Clan Houses would be violently and irrevocably tipped.
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### BROKEN CHAINS House Goliath is the youngest of Necromunda's Clan Houses - yet still amongst its most powerful. Theirs has been an unexpected and meteoric rise to power, from first being designed as a worker caste under the yoke of their masters, all the way to taking their freedom by force. At the close of the 41st Millennium, House Goliath controls vast areas of Necromunda, each place too deadly for other houses to bother coveting. ### THE PERFECT WORKERS The seeds of House Goliath's creation were planted by Alberoth Helmawr, who ruled Necromunda near the end of the 39th Millennium. The Cult of the Redemption had ripped through the depressed drudging classes, and though it did little to change the overall balance of power, Alberoth raged at the idea these drudges found faith more important than serving their Helmawr masters. He dreamed of a caste of perfect workers that would see their duty to factoria and forge as paramount, and Alberoth no less than their god. Thus did he turn to the Clan Houses to make his dreams reality, for he knew that several of them were already harbouring interest in the idea of a manufactured race of healthy workers. The Van Saar had long been trying to perfect Vatborn humans to use as organ donors. Yet their attempts had so far met with failure, as they were unable to stabilise the genes of their clones, resulting in powerful but brain-dead mutants. In the meantime, the Escher had long been experimenting with their own genes in an attempt to restore their male population, but had been met with centuries of failure. Alberoth granted both houses the contract, hoping that Van Saar bio-engineering combined with Escher gene-smithing would surpass any solo effort. Progress would prove slow - mostly due to the two houses sabotaging each other's efforts, each wanting sole credit and ownership over the project. Yet just before the 40th Millennium dawned, so too did the first Goliaths take their steps into the world. Their name was ironically bestowed by the Escher after the house's greatest rivals. Little did they know it would become a self-fulfilling prophecy within only a few hundred more years. Perhaps as Alberoth had always planned, the Goliaths failed to solve the problems of their creators. They had short life-spans - shorter even than their Van Saar engineers. In addition, most were infertile, rendering them useless to the Escher. Whilst the Clan Houses blamed each other for their failures, Alberoth began putting his new product to work, fully satisfied with the services rendered. ### GATHERING KNOWLEDGE Soon Goliath workers were a common sight in every hive. They revived factoria and production domes that had been silent for centuries, either due to neglect or the degradation of the surrounding environment. The Goliaths' rugged bodies perfectly withstood harsh conditions that would have seen regular factoria workers perish. They even opened up new foundries in locations no-one would have considered, such as the middle of the ash wastes, or deep within molten slag pits. The Goliath were engineered to be purposefully unintelligent. Yet, any kind of life has a habit of evolving, and the grand cycles of a Goliath's life saw their intellect grow. This was overlooked by their foremen, their parent houses and even the Lord Helmawr - what threat was intelligence in a being that lived for so short a time? Eventually, crude languages emerged amongst workers, etched into factorum walls or conveyed via hand gestures and signs. What knowledge a single worker had was quickly passed down to those around them. Eventually, enough was left behind that each new Goliath could learn the basic information quickly - what generation they belonged to, how long the Goliaths had been in the hive for, and how to operate machinery and weapons. Despite this unprecedented growth, the Goliaths remained confined to the four walls of whichever foundry they had been consigned to. They might have remained in servitude forever - if not for the growing fallout between the Van Saar and the Escher, still furious with one another for the perceived failure of the Goliath project. When Lord Alberoth Helmawr eventually passed away, ownership of the Goliaths became a contested topic. Both houses attempted to mass-produce the Goliath themselves. The Van Saar sought to extend their lifespans even further, whilst the Escher still sought to solve the issue of their fertility, their Chymist Cults creating the first female Goliaths. With a handful more years and, for the first time, a way to create their own young, the Goliaths finally had the tools they needed to break free of their creators.
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### GOLIATH RISING Had the Goliath simply rebelled, such insurrection would have been quickly punished by the Imperial House. Yet the beginning of the Goliath uprising was subtle. They began by taking the most hostile of territories, within which no regular humans could survive anyway. All it took was the replacing of their overseers with Goliath kin; all the while, the house continued to work and fulfil the quotas demanded by the Imperial tithe. If House Helmawr noticed, it did not seem to care. The Clan Houses did not realise what had been set in motion until foundries deep within the hives themselves began to fall to Goliath rule. These were areas that still suffered with conditions hostile to life, but were much closer to home than the first of the Goliath territories. At this point the Clan Houses protested to Lady Jeuns Helmawr, successor to her father Alberoth. Their pleas were to fall on deaf ears: Lady Jeuns considered her father's ideas of a servile workforce antiquated, and was quite pleased at the uptick in production from Goliath-owned factoria. "If the Goliath wish to govern themselves, then let them prove their worth," she is alleged to have responded. Though the Clan Houses - particularly the furious Escher - continued to fight against Goliath emancipation, their ability to respond was limited without the backing of House Helmawr. ### THE VAT-MOTHER House Escher continued to fight bitterly in order to keep the Goliaths in line. Yet it was their introduction of Goliath females that finally gave the house their means to break away: though rare, these female Goliaths were occasionally born fertile. Though most Goliaths were still produced via amneo-vats, some were naturally born - or 'Natborn', as they came to be known. The very first ruler of House Goliath was a woman named Hefrum, revered both for her incredible strength, advanced intelligence and for birthing many Natborn. Over-tyrant Hefrum became known as the 'Vat-Mother'. Her children boasted longer lifespans than their Vatborn siblings as well as an advanced intelligence, making them natural leaders of their kin. With their coming of age came the first rudimentary hierarchy. In another blow to House Escher, the Van Saar decided to recognise Over-tyrant Hefrum's authority and met with her to offer an alliance. The Van Saar would give the Goliath the means to create their own kind. In return, House Goliath would forge a lucrative trade deal with the Van Saar. Hefrum knew this to be a heavy blow against the Escher, and that the deal was just as much about keeping the House of Blades in check as it was about benefitting the Van Saar. Yet in securing more amneo-vats and Van Saar technology, House Goliath could finally secure a long-term future, answering the question of their independence for good. It would still be centuries before every Goliath was truly free. Those working on the southern Hemisphere would remain enslaved until their kin could reach them and break their chains. Others in remote locations did not hear of the uprising for years, toiling away in the Spoil or across the Sump Sea. Yet despite the efforts of their foes, House Goliath was formally recognised as a Clan House by the middle of the 40th Millennium.
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### THEFT OF KNOWLEDGE As the 41st Millennium dawned, the most important task for House Goliath was continuing to secure their future. Their independence meant that they had to identify and compensate for in areas they were lacking - charged with producing their own kind, that meant bolstering their ranks of patchers, docs, flesh-crafters and other workers in high-intelligence jobs. Over the following decades, House Goliath bought, stole or poached these skilled workers at an astonishing rate. Clemency or anonymity was even offered to criminal medicae, as well as the freedom to continue their dubious experiments in return for providing the Goliaths with necessary services. Many intellectual workers would go to House Goliath of their own accord, for so reliant were the Goliath on these outsiders that they could count on the house's protection against former foes. Whilst the foes of House Goliath had hoped the house would die out without Escher or Van Saar intervention, this great 'Theft of Knowledge' allowed Goliath numbers to grow like never before. It was around this time that the first Unborn emerged: regular humans transformed with a cocktail of chems and surgical enhancement into artificial Goliaths. In addition to skilled slaves, House Goliath also became a popular refuge for Ogryns. With their abhuman hardiness and natural strength, Ogryns were put to work in their thousands within the foundries and metalworks of the Goliath. To this day, many workers on Necromunda struggle to differentiate between Ogryns and Goliath subjects. ### ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ALPHAS House Goliath had always followed the strongest of their kind - most often the longer-lived and healthier-bodied Natborns. The term 'Alpha' had often been used informally to describe such infamous leaders. It wasn't until midway through the 41st Millennium that the Goliath hierarchy would crystallise into something more formal - it took a single, foolhardy Goliath to do it. Skullgar Hammerfist was born into the pits of Hive Primus and boasted an unbroken record of victories. His fame took him out of the pits and into the streets, attracting followers from throughout House Goliath, until he set his sights on the ultimate prize: rulership of the house. He climbed all the way to Hive City in order to challenge Over-tyrant Vascara Bull, resulting in a fight that lasted almost three cycles and attracted one of the biggest crowds ever seen. Vascara ultimately emerged victorious and kept her mantle as leader. Yet instead of slaying the defeated Skullgar, she granted him the formal title of Alpha, impressed with the strength that had brought him so far. As Alpha of Primus, Skullgar held authority over every enclave within the hive, enforcing Vascara's will in her absence. This system worked so well that the Goliath of other hives set about 'electing' Alphas as well. Some hives held great tournaments or violent feasts for the title, whereas others gained it by being the most impressive or popular of their number. The era of the Alphas had begun.
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### THE ARANTHIAN SUCCESSION The war for Necromunda's throne, triggered by Lord Helmawr's attempted assassination, prompted many of his children to begin fighting one another for succession. The then Over-tyrant, Varran Gor, saw an opportunity his house might not receive again for hundreds of years: a chance to become the most powerful of the Clan Houses. All they needed to do was back the correct contender for the throne... Varran Gor's rise to power had been meteoric. His predecessor, a grizzled ex-pit fighter known as Djangar 'Gunfists', had lost against Gor despite being at the height of his power. Djangar was hurled from the hive in humiliation and left for dead as Gor assumed the mantle of Over-tyrant. Yet, Gor's sights were set even higher than the pinnacle of his own house. For centuries, the Goliath had watched as House Escher enjoyed their close relationship with the Noble House Ulanti, receiving the lion's share of contracts from them. Gor wanted House Goliath to overtake their long-standing rivals, and for whoever became the next Lord Helmawr to see the Goliaths as their closest allies. Lord Helmawr's presumed death presented that single, perfect moment to Strike. Gor began rallying his army around Agriote Helmawr, most promising of Gerontius' sons, with the promise of dominating the other Clan Houses before the war was won. The only remaining obstacle to this plan was, of course, House Escher. So confident of his plan was Gor that he proposed a daring solution: fight up to the Sirens, the Escher seat of power, and assassinate the Matriarch Primus herself. Varran Gor's biggest weakness was his lack of subtlety. The moment Matriarch Primus Adina Sabine became aware of his plan, she set about countering it before it could ever reach fruition. She commanded the chem trade to cease all business with the Goliath, preventing them from making more of their number. The planned assault was scrapped as the succession war dragged on. House Goliath was forced to conserve the elixirs that remained during this chemical starvation. However, not all within House Escher were happy with this decision. Cyniss, mistress of the Chymist Cults, felt a sharp decline in her power within House Escher - her number one customers could no longer buy, and therefore her voice carried less weight with the Matriarch Primus. Treason quickly began to brew. Cyniss offered to provide Gor and his house with the chemicals they needed once again - provided they recognise her as the true Matriarch Primus. Gor had got as far as he had by relying on his cunning, and this was no exception; he swallowed his pride and accepted, allowing the Goliath to begin bolstering their numbers once again. Agriote and his bodyguards were ushered inside the Fist as the house finally unpaused its preparations for assault. The Matriarch Primus, however, was not done. Her ally, Lady Credo, wished to take the Helmawrs off the throne for good, and she had a trump card to play against Varran Gor: his old rival, Djangar, whom Credo had saved from death all those cycles ago. The Escher would have him repay the debt of his life by challenging Varran Gor to a rematch. It was less a demand to Djangar than it was a pleasure. The muscled old Goliath marched straight into the Fist and challenged Gor to a rematch, mocking him for failing to finish the job the first time. Agriote Helmawr, eager to impress, strutted between Over-tyrants old and new and attempted to order Djangar to leave. Djangar shot Agriote dead with a bullet to the face and launched into battle. He had studied his failures and targeted Gor's weak spots, refusing to make the same mistakes twice. Djangar dropped his weapons in favour of getting in close with his fists, making it difficult for Gor to pull back and retaliate. Once Djangar had his meaty palms wrapped around Gor's throat, it was all over. The puppet prince and Over-tyrant lay dead, and Djangar 'Gunfists' once again returned to power.
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### HOUSE STRUCTURE The average Necromundan outside of House Goliath tends to see it as a pack of beasts fighting for dominance, with their only leader being the Over-tyrant. However, centuries of their 'might-makes-right' creed has resulted in a rough hierarchy, with powerful individuals leading each hive's Goliaths to glory. ### ALPHAS 'Alpha' has long been a colloquial term for Goliaths that refers to leaders and individuals of great power. The first naturally born Goliaths in the clan's early days were often referred to as such, including all of Hefrum the Vat-Mother's children. Yet in later years, it became formalised, being bestowed upon only those Goliaths strong enough to oversee an entire hive. Each hive upon Necromunda has only one Alpha, though this position can change hands in the event of death or ritual combat - and in many cases, both. Most Goliath born to the pits and forges dream of clambering over their rivals to wrest the mantle of Alpha. With strength being the only deciding factor, it motivates the entire house to be stronger, faster and more terrifying in order to strive for the position. ### NATBORN When the Goliath were first created, they were loutish creatures and were all male and sterile. The fact that they could not create more of their kind without dependence on other houses was key to controlling the nascent house. Yet when female Goliaths were introduced by the Escher, naturally born Goliaths slowly began to appear. Though they still reach maturity in a matter of grand cycles, Natborns are able to nurture their intelligence and learn as they mature, rather than being spat out of a vat fully formed. Their longer lifespans and improved intelligence mean that Natborn command leadership more effectively and make up the majority of Alphas - in many cases, they can simply outlive their rivals. Though there have been a handful of Vatborn Over-tyrants after Hefrum the Vat-mother, her Natborn children set a precedent: their descendants have made up most of House Goliath's legacy. ### VATBORN The life of a Vatborn is uniquely brutal. Once they emerge, dazed from the amneo-vats, they have a cranial data-slug jammed into their brains that violently injects the collective knowledge of their house. This equips each Vatborn with what they need to do their jobs. A handful will simply collapse into genetic goop under the strain, their lives measured in mere hours. Once they survive that, a Vatborn is put to work wherever they are needed most. Whilst some fight to protect house interests in the Underhive, most Vatborn man the Goliath forges and factoria. These foundries are infamous for operating in areas most Necromundans could never tread. Bubbling slag pits burn Vatborn soles; raining ash sears their leathery skin. Only those that survive long enough to make a name for themselves earn a place in the fighting pits or the ranks of famous gangs. It is at this point a Vatborn can finally build up their own legacy. ### UNBORN Unborn comprise the smallest group of Goliath society - for each one has elected to join the house of their own free will. An Unborn is artificially produced at the hands of skilled medicae, each undergoing numerous operations, enhancements and cocktails of stimms to become hulking slabs of meat and muscle. Even then, many will pass away before they ever complete this transformation. Though not born of the vats, Unborn are equally valued; they bring outside knowledge that can enhance the house's industries, and greater natural intelligence that can improve future generations. Many were once medicae themselves, undergoing the process to secure their place in the house for good.
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### ARMOUR OF THE FORGE House Goliath may have been born of the vats, but their culture was born of the forge. The inhospitable places where Goliaths spend their lives have also shaped what their gang members wear. Furnace plate is commonly seen - thick sheets of metal that can protect a Goliath from sizzling debris as well as an enemy ganger's chainblade or las round. Most Vatborn Goliath will spend periods of time working in the foundries before joining their gangs - though Underhive foundries will often also serve as gangs in order to protect their turf - and will modify the armour they received for gang warfare. As a result, those with thicker and more full-coverage armour in Goliath gangs speak to more dangerous jobs in the past, and often command much more respect. Goliath gangs take pride in their gear. Spikes are welded to every available surface to serve both as weapons and decorations. Discarded rivets and blades are also added if the wearer thinks it will make them more threatening. The weapons carried by Goliath gangs are often just as functional in the forge as they are at killing, with rivet cannons, rock saws and cutting tools being common choices. ### COLOURS OF THE GOLIATH When a Goliath is recruited into a gang, they will often hand paint their armour to reflect this change in status. Red is a popular colour amongst house gangs, the hotter and more molten it looks the better. Bright yellows and oranges are also often seen. If a hue is threatening and eye-burningly bright, it is a viable choice for a Goliath. These colours also allow Goliath to spot their own kind at a distance, and with many living, working and fighting in the most dangerous areas of the hives, the function of bright colours is very important. Goliath of all genders prefer to wear their hair short, as long hair could easily be set alight or caught in machinery. Partly shaved heads or dyed mohawks are commonplace.
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Goliath fighters will mount tools to their fists, such as crucible hooks or a chem slugger, for quick and easy use in a fight. Goliaths make full use of their musculature, favouring hulking weapons that regular fighters would struggle with, such as the heavy stubber. A worn forge axe is considered a status symbol in some Goliath-run factoria - especially if it is still used by the original owner. The 'pulverizer' serrated axe is a typical example of a Goliath hand weapon, optimised for tearing apart both flesh and metal. Ignition cannons are just as useful for blowing apart foes as they are at getting the fires of the forge burning hot. Metal is best shaped whilst hot - and a worker's trusty flamer is just as good at burning through foes. The 'krumper' rivet cannon was conceived as an easy way to join metal in the creation of weapons. It can also pin the bodies of foes to metal dome walls. Servo-medicae are important, especially amongst the stimm-dependant Unborn gangs, to keep a Goliath's overly strong body from breaking down and failing.
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### HOUSE GOLIATH TIMELINE ### A MANUFACTURED CLAN The first Goliaths are conceived to be the perfect workers and are shipped across Necromunda. Little do their creators know that this new race will undergo a rapid and powerful evolution, rising up to become an official Clan House... ### 813.M39 - PROJECT GOLIATH A war of sabotage begins between Houses Escher and Van Saar after they are tasked with the creation of a subservient caste. Both wish to outclass the other in the eyes of Alberoth Helmawr whilst solving their own house's problems. Both houses are determined to prevent the other from succeeding. It will be decades before they can struggle across the finish line due to their hatred of one another. ### 992.M39 - THE FIRST OF MANY None remember the name of the first successful Goliath, for his life is measured in mere shifts before he withers of old age. However, he is the first successful product and from here, the Goliaths are refined until each boasts several grand cycles of life. Soon, Goliath workers are being shipped by Alberoth Helmawr to every hive upon Necromunda. ### 359.M40 - GENERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE In Hives Primus, Mynerva and Temenos, concerned factorum overseers report pidgin scratchings upon the walls of Goliath forges. Only the Escher-dominated Mynerva bothers to punish the Goliath workers with execution, which the other two hives consider pointless, given their short lives. In hundreds of more remote forges, the passing down of knowledge continues completely unnoticed. ### 443.M40 - NATURALLY BORN The Escher and Van Saar continue to experiment on the Goliath, the former angry that they failed to create menfolk that could restore their line, and the latter frustrated that they failed to find a way of extending the human lifespan. Unbeknownst to the Imperial house, Goliath deployments begin including more and more women, and each generation starts living longer and longer. Meanwhile, the first Goliath young are raised deep within forge-enclaves far away from prying eyes. ### 599.M40 - THE GREAT REVOLT Out in the ash wastes, foundries dominated by the Goliath quietly rid themselves of their overseers, replacing them with their own kind. This change of management does little to harm production rates - shipments of processed metal continue to arrive at the Eye of Selene, if anything, in greater numbers. When the day comes that the Goliath free their siblings in the hive cities, Lady Jeuns Helmawr makes the fateful decision to remain impartial to the conflict. She continues to count her credits as complaints from the Clan Houses are left ignored. ![House Goliath Timeline: A Manufactured Clan](../assets/goliath-journal/charts/page-016-timeline-1.svg)
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### INHERITORS OF NECROMUNDA Against all odds - including attempts of sabotage - the nascent House Goliath thrives in the worst places imaginable. Like the sumpkrocs of the sludge seas or the fungi of the deep hives, the Goliath remain unassailable and ever-growing, their constitution allowing them a foothold in Necromunda's most hostile territories. ### 907.M40 - THE VAN SAAR ALLIANCE The first of the Clan Houses begins to accept the Goliath as their peers when House Van Saar offers Over-tyrant Hefrum a historic alliance. Amneo-vat technology is entirely handed over to House Goliath and a cut of the finest metals is slated for Van Saar weapon production. It is not long after that House Goliath accrues enough business to be recognised as a legitimate Clan House. ### 088.M41 - THEFT OF KNOWLEDGE Infamous Rogue Doc Galin 'Needlefingers' flees Escher assassins after her theft of several chem shipments. She surprises Goliath workers in the Ironhard when she stumbles in, bloodied and desperate, and bargains for their protection by turning several indentured workers into Unborn. This sets a precedent for the Goliath, who begin recruiting - or kidnapping - skilled practitioners and scholars for the sake of their medical knowledge. ### 399.M41 - THE LEGEND OF SKULLGAR Skullgar Hammerfist makes his legendary challenge to Over-tyrant Vascara Bull, losing the fight to succeed her but taking charge of Hive Primus' gangs in reward for his tenacity. The formal recognition of Alphas triggers a glorious period of violence. Skullgar's legend inspires infamous gang leaders to meet within their hives and hold ritual tourneys to figure out who should be crowned each hive's Alpha. House Goliath's hold over its territories grows tighter as a result. ### [CRWYR] 067.2 - GUNFISTS UNLEASHED Within the Fist, Djangar 'Gunfists' becomes the first Over-tyrant to hold the title twice over. Whilst his new victory is fresh, Djangar seeks to erase his past failure by forging a new, even more terrifying reputation. He declares that he will see through his predecessor's dream of conquering the other Clan Houses and launches an attack on Cinderak City, foremost trading settlement of the ash wastes. ### [CRWYR] 069.3 - WAR FOR CINDERAK CITY The most ferocious Goliath gangs converge on Cinderak City in an attempt to eradicate its resident House Escher. Shiv's Crushers and the Ironlords rampage through the residential districts, leaving large swathes ablaze. Their forces are only stopped by the timely arrival of Lady Credo's Aranthian-aligned rebels, who join the Escher to drive back Djangar's gangs. Balance is restored - though how long it will last is anyone's guess. ![House Goliath Timeline: Inheritors of Necromunda](../assets/goliath-journal/charts/page-017-timeline-2.svg)
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### HOUSE HOLDINGS House Goliath rose to prominence by claiming forges across Necromunda. It is little surprise, then, that the majority of the clan's holdings are comprised of their foundries. Yet, if this was the only industry in which their power lay, the Goliaths would not command such an overwhelming presence across Necromunda. Their ties to the Mercator Sanguis provide thousands of underhivers with entertainment - and their gangs with trained killers. The house's vow to protect Rogue Docs has also seen a rise in Goliath medicae enclaves. Their seat of power in Primus grows bigger with every grand cycle. ### THE FIST By Goliath standards, The Fist is the pinnacle of everything the house stands for. It was built in an outer dome at the base of Hive City, drilled out to force lava to flow freely through its centre. Hundreds of forge-fractoria dot this burning river. Further out are countless mine pits where the house's drudges toil or await sale. The surrounding abandoned domes are stacked high with raw material to be processed, their previous residents having long since been forced out. At the very top of the dome, a great arena stands for challenges to the Over-tyrant.
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### THE IRONHARD Centuries before, the silo known as the Ironhard fell halfway into the abyss of Dust Falls. It was filled with enough ore to make a gang rich for life - yet it was considered so dangerous that none had claimed it. When the Ironlords gang set their eyes on it, it sparked a fierce war with the Escher that eventually resulted in a hard-won victory. The wealth of the Ironhard equips Goliath gangs throughout Primus' Underhive. The silo itself is slowly being hollowed of its resources, with the empty space slowly being repurposed into gang dwellings for the Ironlords. ### PITS OF TRAZIOR UNDERHAB ### ZONE GAMMA Among all of the Goliath fighting pits, those of Trazior are the most famous. This arena comprises an entire layer of the Trazior underhive. After being conquered by the Knuckle Boys, they have hosted a number of spectacular bloodsports within the abandoned hab-domes. Most popular is the Kroc Survival Challenge, where sumpkroc packs are released into the ruined habs to chase pit fighters until only one remains. Occasionally they win the right to face the Knuckle Boys' leader as a 'reward'.
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### GANGS OF LEGEND Goliath gangs can be found in every hive, and at almost every level. Their gene-smithed bodies and advanced musculature make them formidable fighters. Many have theorised that when every other human on Necromunda has perished, the Goliaths will continue on, their constitutions perfect for the dead world. Goliath gangs are the backbone of the house's power. Many Goliath forge-enclaves are tucked away in corners of the underhive, so having gangs to secure and reinforce the surrounding territory is a necessity. Some forge workers also double as gangs if personnel is thin. Hundreds of infamous gangs have risen and fallen over the short centuries of the house's existence. Most Over-tyrants have begun as gang leaders and fought their way up to being Alphas before challenging their predecessors. The current Over-tyrant Djangar 'Gunfists' once raised his old gang, the Rust Town Reavers, out of obscurity before his first stint in charge; previous Over-tyrant Varran Gor made sure the Ironlords were known throughout Primus. Every Over-tyrant worth his starch keeps an eye on up-and-coming gangs, for one such Forge Tyrant may eventually climb to Hive City and make a challenge. Axon Hammer, the Overfiend, Durgan Kill-Fist and Brok the Stimmer are all listed in the Six Clans for patrons to place bets on - each a gang leader of global renown that could one day take the ageing Djangar down once more. Asking a Goliath if they've placed a bet rarely ends well, however: most of them would rather put their own name forward for future Over-tyrant, and will punch anyone who asks them to prove their eligibility. ### IRONTREE REAVERS The Irontree Reavers eschew hive life in favour of the Spider Points, where they drive their battle-rigs in search of trouble. Their leader Axon Hammer has a bounty on his head from House Orlock, for the House of Iron is his favourite target, and he has grown rich robbing their convoys and slaughtering their Road Gangs. Axon easily avoids upstart bounty hunters by travelling through tunnels of his own creation in the underearth. ### KNUCKLE BOYS Few have met Durgan Kill-Fist, for his wanted status in Hive Trazior has him constantly on the move. This has not stopped him or his Knuckle Boys from becoming legendary. They have turned Underhive Zone Gamma into a giant fighting pit, and routinely kidnap and throw the toughest fighters they can find into it for ultimate battles of survival. The scum of Trazior will flock to the Knuckle Boys for their entertainment, though all must be careful not to get thrown into the bloodsport themselves. Rumour holds that Durgan sometimes battles the winner and is so far yet to lose. ### SHIV'S CRUSHERS Shiv's Crushers are unusually named after a Rogue Doc - and the Goliath of this gang are utterly loyal to her. Almost all of them are Unborn of her own creation. Shiv has the highest success rate of making Unborn at almost 50%. Each member of her gang is absolutely huge even by Goliath standards, each grown on a steady diet of chemicals provided by Shiv herself. They are led by Brok the Stimmer, biggest of their number, who is an Unborn of legendary capability - and equally infamous temper. ### LESSER GANGS The number of Goliath gangs increases every grand cycle. Legends of the Road Dogs and their dominion over the Mynerva Cluster's maglev tracks have reached as far as Primus, whilst the Rust Town Reavers have won two Chrono Crystals from the Rust Town Run and have built a mass of wealth by playing the betting system. It is likely that there are yet more unknowns powerful enough to challenge the Over-tyrant lurking in the worst environs of the wastes - or future Unborns waiting to be created, their incredible potential not yet realised in flesh.
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### IRONTREE REAVERS ### SCOURGE OF THE SPIDER POINTS - Deep red iron plates. - Chalk white markings show the roads they dominate. ### KNUCKLE BOYS ### KINGS OF TRAZIOR - Blackened plates. - Blood red markings also used in the underhive to mark their territory. ### SHIV'S CRUSHERS ### REBORN DEDICATION - Painted orange plates that match Doc Shiv. - Crimson markings representing the blood shed during their transformation.
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## House Goliath - Model showcase - Bully with 'Krumper' rivet cannon - Bruiser with stub cannon - Forge Boss with power hammer & combi-weapon - Bruiser with brute cleaver & grenade launcher - Forge Boss with spud-jacker & brute cleaver - Bruiser with stub gun & spud-jacker
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## Model showcase - Forge Breaker with crucible hooks - Forge Gunner with 'Krumper' rivet cannon - Forge Hauler with heavy stubber - Forge Breaker with forge axe - Forge Patcher with bolt pistol & chem slugger - Forge Gunner with flamer
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## Model showcase - Forge Boss with stub gun & forge hammer - Forge Boss with heavy flamer - Forge Boss with brute cleaver
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## Model showcase - Forge Boss with ignition cannon - Sumpkroc - Forge Tyrant with bolt pistol & 'Renderizer' serrated axe
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## Model showcase - Forge-Born with storm welder - Forge-Born with heavy rock saw - Forge-Born with storm welder - Forge-Born with heavy rock saw - Stimmer with paired 'Pulverizers' - Stimmer with assault grenade launchers
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### ADDITIONAL GANG LISTS & EQUIPMENTNo two gangs operated by House Goliath look the same. Each one reflects the outlook and strengths of their Forge Tyrant; some leveraging the output of their furnaces, some growing their territory by making the environment untenable to any but the Goliaths and others simply relying on their brute power.
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### FURNACE BRUTES The life of a Furnace Brute is particularly brutal, even amongst Goliath gangs. These hulking workers must take on multiple roles at once that are usually held by separate members of the house. They are sent to forge-enclaves so remote and atmospherically poisonous that they must double as both workers and gangs in order to do their job - lest they be killed by mutants, sump creatures or even more terrible threats born from a hive's deepest chemical slurry. Furnace Brute gangs are also called upon should House Goliath decide to take control of another house's territory. These thickly armoured fighters will move in to claim a foundry or factoria and then immediately take over operations in order to turn the most profit for the house. Each Furnace Brute gang primarily relies upon the tools of their trade. They will spend lengthy periods of time between fights customising their personal weapons whilst working on fulfilling their shipments, adding extra blades and heavy chains. The toxic run-off from their smithing also attracts packs of sumpkrocs, and Furnace Brutes will often tame them by force and turn them against those that would harm the forge. This provides the creatures with a steady diet of gangers or mutants, depending on the forge-enclave's location. Every third shift, the Furnace Brutes will tend to their weapons - a forge works best, after all, when its workers have quality tools. Their specialist knowledge allows them to use whatever metal is to hand in order to improve their blades or hammer heads. Should the need arise, any good Furnace Brute can cobble together a decent weapon out of resources other gangs would consider waste material, with not a single gram of ore being discarded. The leader of a Furnace Brute gang is referred to as a Forge Despot. They rule a gang with absolute power, for each carries a ledger with production quotas that must be met on pain of death. In addition to the pure strength bred into Goliath workers, a Forge Despot will lean heavily on intimidation, their underlings too afraid of being pushed into molten slag or fed to the sumpkrocs if they fail to satisfy their Despot's quota. Forge Despots favour the biggest and heaviest weapons. They like to go in close for the kill, relying on their furnace plate to protect them whilst they overwhelm with brute force. A Forge Boss always accompanies their Despot. These brutes are often powerful enough to have been recruited into regular gangs, but for whatever reason have elected to remain at the forge. Each is a skilled fighter but often just as skilled a smith. Forge Despots will take the time to train their Bosses in the ways of command should the day of their death ever come; the power dynamic between the two is more practical than most gangs, for the sheer danger they face in their own territories means a Despot must always have a replacement ready. Furnace Brutes boast unusually high numbers of specialists - often due to necessity, given the technical requirements - and each one will focus on a particular area in order to keep their forge-enclave running. At least one patcher is always on hand to lop off burnt limbs and build replacement bionics. Forge Haulers spend their days lugging raw materials into the forge and refined metals out for shipment, often craving their next fight in order to escape their monotonous existences. Forge Breakers build their muscles to the limit of physical perfection by smashing hardened slag and expanding the forge further into the bedrock. Forge Breakers that have trained in Furnace Brute gangs are coveted by Goliath city gangs for their unrelenting stamina in battle, for flesh is an easy target after a lifetime of breaking apart some of the hardest minerals on Necromunda. Finally, no Furnace Brute gang is complete without stimmers and 'zerkers. These behemoths take the brunt of enemy attacks, allowing their siblings to continue to work for as long as possible. If every mutie swarm affected the work schedule, the Furnace Brutes might quickly be handed down punishment from the Over-tyrant. Occasionally, stimmers or 'zerkers will aid Forge Breakers in smashing apart bedrock where natural strength, even when genhanced, is simply not enough.
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### UNBORN GANGS Grit is a necessity in the dark hell of the underhive. There are killers around every dark corner - and monsters around all the others. However, there are some Necromundans that take tenacity to a whole other level. These are the Unborn, who for whatever reason have decided to undergo a range of excruciating and deadly procedures to become a Goliath by artificial means. Though much less common than the mass-produced Vatborn that toil in the foundries, Unborn are gaining increasing prominence in the underhive, purposefully muscling in on the territory of neighbouring rivals in an all-or-nothing gambit to make a name for themselves. Unborn often rise up from the very dregs of society, such as settlement beggars, societal outcasts or simply victims of other gang takeovers. Rarely are these hulking warriors accepted for the process from other Clan Houses, for the amount of trust needed to welcome a fighter as a full-blooded House Goliath member is immense. A turncoat has already by their nature proven their unworthiness in the eyes of the Goliaths. Yet, no status is too low to be considered for the deserving - their willingness to undergo the transformation is proof of their resolve. It is unfortunate that precious few manage to survive, particularly given the costs involved. A prospective Unborn candidate is pumped full of the same growth stimulants used within Vatborn gestation tanks. Using such concoctions on a full-grown adult body is immensely dangerous - muscles can swell and explode in a miasma of gore; torsos can break down into proteyn and plasma; minds cannot handle the speed of the change and become damaged or vegetative. If such a harrowing process does not render the candidate dead upon the operating table, they will then receive further muscle grafts to finish off the signature hulking Goliath frame. Finally, the truly devoted will even ask for the cranial data-slug that is used to impart the collective knowledge of the Clan House to their gestating young. This has a high chance of simply leaving a person brain-dead as it tries to stuff in lifetimes of information alongside a life already lived.
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Due to the complexities of the Unborn transformation, it is little surprise that most of their gangs are led by skilled rogue docs and other medicae. There is no Unborn more impressive than one that has performed the changes upon their own bodies - and they can also create and maintain more of their own kind. Not all Unborn form their own gangs and follow an Unborn Doc, but those that do so have found increased success due to the advanced knowledge and chems readily available to them. Many rogue docs are driven into the hands of the Goliath by 'disagreements' with local gangs or Enforcers; House Goliath has little concern for the moralities of dubious experimentation or the occasional death during the process. Not all choose to transform themselves into Unborn - being willing to perform the procedure on others is enough to earn the house's protection - but those that do revel in the immense status and power it brings. Tales of Unborn rising from the dregs to claim a place amongst the Goliath are popular, but the reality of surviving the process is much more murky. It is not as simple as either dying or surviving. Some Unborn are partially successful, only half complete, or have survived at a terrible cost. Nicknamed Malformed Unborns, they are still given a place in the Clan House so long as they are useful and strong as all Goliath should be. They are often found around Unborn rogue docs who can maintain their bodies when their weaknesses become apparent, or who can keep a secret mutation in check, or even stitch them back up should their genhanced bodies begin to fall apart. Some suffer from less obvious problems, such as brains damaged by the data-slug, whilst others struggle to support thick layers of muscle on damaged legs, or need chem relief for knotted layers of scars. As long as they continue to earn their keep, an Unborn doc will keep them alive. Finally, some Unborn will join gangs in order to get out to the front lines and take revenge on those from their past lives. These bold fighters draw courage from their enhanced biology, sporting impressive pain thresholds or enmeshed stimm-enhancers under their skin. Some may simply have the resolve and confidence born from a life of hardship, making them many times more tenacious than some of their peers. These are the Twice Born, who have even the most deadly foes thinking twice before risking their lives.
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### GOLIATH GENE-SMITHINGGoliaths are unique among the denizens of Necromunda as they were grown for a purpose rather than having evolved through chance, and the legacy of their creation continues to shape them. The Goliaths' gene-smithed past means there remains substantial genetic variance within each clan enclave and gang, each drawing their lineage from a different bio-lab or Alpha. Some represent the best of their kind, toughest of the tough, and are blessed with the most valuable genetic gifts. Others carry biological missteps, their strength and toughness won at a price to their minds or their longevity.
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### GOLIATH GANG TACTICSEach of the Clan Houses of Necromunda have their own unique methods of fighting and have developed a diverse range of tactics to enable them to come out on top in the heat of battle. House Goliath focuses on raw strength and hardiness, relying upon their physical attributes to allow them to overcome any threat, or just outlast it.
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### MUSCLE SKILLSHouse Goliath wages its wars differently to other clans, and places great importance on bodily perfection and physical dominance of the foe. The greatest among the clan strive for this ideal, and train above and beyond other fighters, learning skills and gaining genetic advantages that make them seem superhuman by the standards of most hivers.
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### GOLIATH TERRITORIESThe House of Chains hold territories of all kinds throughout the underhive. However, there are ones they have a stronger affinity for, such as the badzone smelter where the air is so toxic that only Goliaths can operate them and the slug house that grants new generations of Goliaths the knowledge of their forebears.### SLUG HOUSE"Grim places, those slug houses. They just line Goliath up and stick the slugs in through the ears. Do you know how much grey matter is stuck to those floors?"### FLESH-MAKERS THEATRE"Goliath know how to treat their docs right. Set 'em up with fancy labs, and if the doc makes enough Unborn, they're allowed to do whatever experiments they like on the side."
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### FIGHT ARENA"You ever been to a Goliath arena? Real good racket - bets, booze and fried starch. Just make sure you don't meet the eyes of the fighters in case they think you're volunteerin'."### FEASTING HALL"A happy Goliath is even scarier than an angry one. You know how little self-preservation they have when they're six tankards deep? You really don't want to find out!"### AMNEO-VATS"The Goliaths protect their vats with their very lives. Little wonder - it's downright miraculous the way they can grow entire people out of slop."### BADZONE SMELTER"How House Goliath works those smelters I will never know. They're in some of the hottest, most toxic places I've ever seen. And those brutes call 'em home!"
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### GOLIATH SIDE JOBSThe fighters of House Goliath value strength and resilience above all else, with positions of authority in their gangs being earned by proving personal prowess. All of their leaders must be constantly ready to defend their position in battle and continuously demonstrate their superiority. These principles are reflected in the Side Jobs that a Goliath gang will try to complete during their battles.