Appearance
Centaurs are a species that feature often in myths and legends, known for having the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse.
There appears to be two different species of centaur, though how exacttly they are related is so far unknown. Greater (or savage) centaurs are much larger, with faces that vary from average human to twisted fey, and skin that similarly varies between human shades and colourful stripes, patterns, or spirals. Their lower halves are almost always those of horses, with a rare few claiming the body of a powerful elk instead.
Lesser (or noble) centaurs stand much closer to humans in height, and almost always have a very human upper half as well. Finally, their lower halves are often those of a gazelle or light furred fawn, though some do have the more traditional equine build as well.
Description
Migratory Herds
One of the most notable similarities between both species is their remarkable ability to keep track of time and direction - an ability usually used during their great migrations, or to ensure they do not become forever lost from their herd when separated.
Each herd also seems to have their own route, with some taking a circular trip around the Denosian Steppe once a year, ending roughly in the same place they began, while others disappear from the Varolian for a decade at a time, apparently travelling to the farthest corners of the world and yet still finding their way back after so long away.
Life of the Party
Perhaps owing to their Arkadian origns, centaurs are second only to
Satyrs when it comes to enjoying music, beauty, and drink. In truth, one of the best ways to avoid being skewered by a herd of passing savage centaurs is to offer them all the wine you have - a fact that has kept many merchants safe when their caravans intersect with migration routes.
Differences, Great and Small
Despite several similarities, the distinction between Savage and Noble centaurs is much more than appearance and size alone. Greater individuals tend towards barbarism and violence, attacking whoever is nearby with little provocation and respecting leaders based on strength more than wisdom. They keep themselves closed off from civilisation, often outright refusing to learn the languages of local humans, and prefer to raid and plunder rather than deal in trade.
Lesser centaurs, on the other hand, trend towards civilisation. Unless raised fully within a savage herd, they learn and become part the culture of wherever they grow up, just like anyone else. They are also less likely to form herds and migrate great distances due to their smaller numbers, preferring to make friends with whomever they like.
And yet, for all of these differences, evidence suggests the personalities largely a product of culture rather than biology. Unlike
Greater Minotaurs, even the most violent savage is more than capable of speech and reasoning, and in theory
could learn to converse with civilised folk if they
wanted to. In fact, several legends mention mighty centaurs as leaders or teachers, showing the people once had loftier goals and minds.
Religion & Politics
Spirits and Ancestors
Each herd has their own culture, and as such centaurs as a whole have no uniform religion. But many will hold respect for spirits, nymphs, and dryads, or will keep their ancestral dead in the highest regard, hosting celebrations to honour them at set points during their travels.
Republic of Ósa
The Republic has no love for violent brutes, while Greater centaurs go out of their way to avoid cities and civilisation. As a result the two rarely interact on a large scale, with the odd incident where a mage has to intervene to protect a new settlement from a migrating herd.
Lesser centaurs, meanwhile, are as welcome as then can be, and often take up positions as caravan guards adventurers, or travelling musicians and storytellers.
Kingdom of Praelos
A culture that promises violence, and rewards of hedonism for violence done well, is a good match for Savage kin. While it is not common, Greater individuals have been known to leave their herds for the Warrior Lands, with some never returning home.
Mechanics - Lesser/Noble Centaur
Ability Scores: Str +2, Wis +1
Size: Centaurs stand between 6 and 7 feet tall, with their cervine bodies reaching about 4 feet at the withers. Your size is Medium.
Speed: 40ft.
Fey: Your creature type is fey, rather than humanoid.
Languages: You can speak Common and Sylvan
Charge: If you move at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hit it with a melee weapon attack on the same turn, you can immediately follow that attack with a bonus action, making one attack against the target with your hooves.
Hooves: Your hooves are natural melee weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Equine Build: You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push or drag.
In addition, any climb that requires hands and feet is especially difficult for you because of your equine legs. When you make such a climb, each foot of movement costs you 4 extra feet, instead of the normal 1 extra foot.
Survivor: You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, or Survival.
Direction Sense: You always know which way is North.
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