One of the more populous sentient species across Lasair, centaurs are prominent in many areas without
Human or
Orc settlement. They are a surprisingly diverse and adaptable people, at home both in wide open spaces and in the narrow passages of forests, adept at both hunting and diplomacy.
Threats and Leaders
One result of the centaurs' diverse range is that there are multiple cultural groups within the species. One such group is largely nomadic, ranging across the
Wild Steppes, occasionally raiding the
Fertile Lands and drawing the ire of
Halflings and
Humans alike.
Another major group of centaurs, however, settled within the
Korth'an Forest. First raising shelters which later grew into grand halls within the forest, centaur leaders became the driving force behind the formation of the
Korth'an Conclave, a unified society of several species based around the southeastern coast of Lasair.
These two groups almost never interact, and indeed their separation dates to the
Dragonscourge. They were once fairly unified, ranging along the western border of the
ancient jhuman empire before the war. The effects of that war, especially the creation of
The Glow, permanently sundered the connection between the two.
Nomads and Builders
In the centuries since, the two major groups of centaurs developed along these lines. The centaurs of the
Wild Steppes move in large tribal groups. They subsist both by hunting herds and by raiding farms in the
Fertile Lands Units of
Mercenary Guild soldiers are stationed in the area to fend off these raids, but it is difficult to defend such a vast area against these mobile creatures. They will also occasionally send parties into the mountains where
Goblins and others might be found.
While the steppe centaurs are generally always moving, they do have a city to call their own. An ancient walled city,
Kor Centraek, was built long ago, nestled into the southern end of the
Bloodpeak Mountains. Periodically, the tribes will send representatives to the city for a grand tribal council, where decisions affecting the whole of the people can be made.
In the southeast, the forest centaurs remained more settled in place. They had always had a tendency towards building, and when their range was limited by the
Dragonscourge they found it more important to create permanent structures. These centaur will build grand wooden shelters, with long and wide halls underneath roofs supported by intricately carved pillars. They find great pleasure in designing and carving finely detailed woodworkings - tables and spears alike are frequent objects displaying such work.
This building extended not just to structures but to coalitions. The southern centaurs chose a diplomatic approach to their society, reaching out to many of the sentient species surrounding the
Korth'an Forest. The agreement to form a loosely unified
Conclave centered on the forest includes such diverse peoples as
Lizardfolk,
Goblins, even some
Humans. It's even rumored that a small number of
Wurmborn have made their way here. The southern centaur society is very open and welcoming, as long as those living near them are peaceful and supportive.
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