Centaur (Krynn)

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The centaurs of Krynn are half-human and half-horse, living insecluded forests and pasture lands throughout the world.
The chest, arms, and head of the centaur are human. The body,legs, and tail are those of a horse. The centaur is typically seven feet tall from his hooves to the top of his head, but some rare species, such as the Wendle centaur, are as small as four feet. An adult centaur can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds.
The human features of centaurs are slightly larger than those of an actual human. Their chests are broad and barrel-shaped, and their arms ripple with solid muscle. They have huge shoulders and thick necks. They wear their hair in long, flowing curls; hair colors include black, brown, blonde, red-orange, and white. They have bright eyes, usually blue or brown, but sometimes violet, green, or black. Skin tones on the human half of a centaur range from pale pink to light brown to rich ebony.
From a human perspective, both male and female centaurs are strikingly attractive. The males are ruggedly handsome, with square jaws, aquiline noses, and full beards. Females are sleek and voluptuous, with full lips, soft cheeks, and sparkling eyes. Centaurs move with an easy grace, their steps assured and proud.
The horse portion of the centaur's body is covered with hair. This coat of hair grows throughout the year, becoming shaggy in the colder months, and shorter in the spring when the coat is shed. Centaur coats come in a variety of colors, including brown, blonde, black, white, and gray. Some coats are combinations of colors; white and black or brown and blonde are the most common. A shiny coat indicates a healthy centaur.
Centaurs have long, full tails. They can twitch their tails at will ,and usually do so to sweep away insects or to fan a companion.
Centaurs do not normally wear clothing. When associating with humans, however, female centaurs wear simple cloth blouses in deference to human custom. Most centaurs carry leather or cloth bags slung over their shoulders with long straps to hold food, treasure, and other possessions.
Centaurs speak their own language as well as common language. They speak in deep, sonorous voices. Humans find centaur speech somewhat formal and stilted; for instance, centaurs use "thou" and "thy" where humans use "you" and "your."
Compared to humans and demi-humans, centaurs are not particularly intelligent. Nor are they especially virtuous, devoted more to their own self-interests than the common good. Centaurs are sensualists first and foremost, preferring the taste of a good wine or the warmth of a sunny day to debating philosophy or exploring new places. Soaking in a woodland stream can easily occupy an entire day.
There are four general species of Krynn centaurs. Though all share the characteristics described earlier, as well as the social organization and combat techniques described following, each has a distinctive temperament and several distinguishing features. Each species is named for the region of its origin. The various species are by no means confined to these regions; each has been found in temperate wood lands and meadows in all corners of Krynn.
When a centaur encounter occurs, roll 1d20 and consult the following table for the type; mixed groups are never encountered.(The DM can modify the roll for specific regions as he sees fit; for instance, Crystalmirs are more likely to be encountered in southern regions, less likely in northern regions.)
 Centaur Species Encounter Table
D20 Roll	Species Encountered
1-13 	Abanasinian
14-15 	Crystalmir
16-19 	Endscape
20 	Wendle
==Abanasinian Centaur==
The Abanasinians comprise the vast majority of Krynn centaurs; in fact, few races have seen any centaurs other than Abanasinians. These centaurs developed on the plains of Abanasinia in southern Ansalon, migrated south to the forests of Qualinesti, then quickly spread north throughout the rest of the continent. Today, there are few major forests without a herd or two of these centaurs. 
The Abanasinians are the biggest and most handsome of the centaurs. All adults exceed 1,000 pounds and are at least six feet tall. They are usually a single color, such as chestnut brown, blonde, or black. Their broad backs and powerful legs enable them to gallop for long distances without tiring and also enable hem to carry heavy weights; a large Abanasinian could carry three human soldiers on his back with no noticeable strain. They are extremely robust, gaining a +2 bonus to all saving throws. 
Abanasinians are superb hunters and fighters. They are playful and spirited, but they can also be quite temperamental, refusing to cooperate with their allies for a variety of minor reasons. Abanasinians remain loyal to their friends for their entire lives and hold grudges against their enemies just as long. 
==Crystalmir Centaur== 
This variety of centaur was named for the Crystalmir Lake, located near the town of Solace in Abanasinia. Originally a subspecies of the Abanasinian centaurs, the Crystalmirs did not migrate as far as their more adventurous cousins, and today are largely confined to Ansalon's southern forests and plains. 
The Crystalmirs are strong and sturdy, though less so than the Abanasinians. They rarely exceed 1,000 pounds in weight or six feet in height. They have lean bodies, slim necks, and high-set tails. They are usually blonde or light brown in color, with black or chestnut highlights; a few herds are solid black or white. They are extremely quick, able to gallop at a movement rate of 30 for short bursts. 
The Crystalmirs are shy and reclusive, the most reluctant combatants of all the centaurs. Their usual reaction to strangers is to run away as fast as they can. They seldom cooperate with humans or other intelligent races, refusing even to speak with them until they are completely convinced the outsiders mean them no harm. 
==Endscape Centaur== 
The Endscapes are the most savage of the centaurs. Originally from the forests of the Endscape Peninsula north of Kern, this species is now largely confined to the northern regions of Ansalon. But since they have no permanent settlements, Endscape herds can be found just about anywhere. 
Endscapes average five to six feet tall, though their leaders are a full foot taller. Endscapes have shaggy coats and tails. The hair on their heads often grows to their waists. They are black or gray in color, occasionally brown or blonde. By human standards, Endscapes are the least attractive of the centaurs. The males have short, scraggly beards and pock-marked faces; the females have beady eyes and flabby bellies. 
What the Endscapes lack in physical beauty, they make up for in combat prowess; Endscapes get a +1 damage bonus when using melee weapons and a +2 damage bonus when kicking with their powerful hind legs. 
Endscapes are lawless creatures that attack for the sheer thrill of it, mercilessly preying on the weak and helpless. They are fond of strong wine and are frequently inebriated. Endscapes enjoy making drunken raids on human villages, burning buildings, stealing food and weapons, and generally terrorizing the populace. Male Endscapes are fascinated by human women, and have been known to kidnap them. 
==Wendle Centaur== 
The Wendle centaurs arose in the Wendle Woods of Goodlund in eastern Ansalon. Incessant annoyance from nearby kender communities eventually drove most of the Wendles from the area, and they now populate the various forests and plains in the eastern regions of the continent. 
The Wendles average four to five feet in height. They resemble smaller versions of the Abanasinians and are sometimes mistaken for Abanasinian young. However, the Wendles are distinguished by their golden eyes and stubby tails. Instead of rib cages, Wendles have plates of solid bone, giving them an AC of 4. 
The Wendles are the smartest of all centaurs; all have a +1 modifier to their base Intelligence (meaning their Intelligence scores average 9-11). They are more interested in philosophy, history, and other intellectual pursuits than other centaurs, and they are always better sources of information. However, Wendles can be argumentative and stubborn. They are wary of strangers and seldom cooperate with them.
==Combat==
Except for the Endscapes, Krynn centaurs have no love of fighting, but life in the wilderness requires all centaurs to keep their combat skills sharp. Centaurs typically patrol in groups of Id4 +2. When an enemy is engaged, half of the patrol remains in the rear to conduct missile attacks while the rest charges ahead; if the number of enemies substantially exceeds the number of centaurs, the entire patrol charges.
Centaurs move constantly, attempting to attack their opponents from all sides. In melee, centaurs can strike twice per round—once with their weapons and once with their front hooves. They can attack enemies in back of them with their hind hooves.
Centaurs are master archers; when using bows of any kind, they gain a +1 bonus to their attack rolls. They also favor spears, clubs, javelins, long swords, short swords, and daggers.
Abanasinian and Endscape centaurs wield huge scythes, whose razor-sharp blades inflict 2d4 points of damage. Most centaurs carry at least two different weapons.
Centaurs never wear armor, but centaur leaders carry shields, giving them an effective AC of 4. Wendle leaders who carry shields have an effective AC of 3.
==Habitat/Society==
Centaurs live in pastures and pleasant woodlands far from human and demihuman civilizations. They have no formal lairs, thus it is easy for them to relocate; when outsiders move in or when food becomes scarce, they simply migrate to a more suitable location.
An average herd has 2d4 males. There are twice as many females as males, and a number of young equal to the total number of adults. Female centaurs are called mares, males are called stallions, young centaurs from age one to four are called colts, and those below the age of one are called foals. Mares have 3 HD, colts have Id3 HD, and foals have 2d4 hit points. Neither the mares, the colts, nor the foals can use weapons, though the mares can attack with their hooves.
The strongest stallions serve as the leaders, organized into a council to make all decisions for the herd. A council must have an odd number of stallion leaders, so votes can be taken when the council cannot reach a consensus. Most councils have three members, but larger herds have five.
Since centaurs are typically easy-going and docile, few herds have a need for a strict set of laws. Most infractions, such as minor theft, are punishable by extra hunting or guard duty. Serious crimes, such as violence against another herd member, are punishable by expulsion from the herd.
Centaurs love treasure. Each herd has a community treasure cache, usually in a cave or beneath a pile of rocks, to which herd members are expected to contribute. Centaurs keep their personal treasure with them in leather bags or hide it in hollow trees.
==Ecology==
Centaurs avoid contact with most other races, although they are on good terms with fellow woodland creatures, especially unicorns. They will help humans and other good races if it is in their best interests to do so. Ogres and sligs sometimes slaughter centaurs to feed their pet wolves.
Centaurs eat all day long. They enjoy all types of grasses, grains, fruits, nuts, and saplings. Centaurs rarely engage in trade, but occasionally they exchange fruits and nuts for wine and other alcoholic beverages.
Category:Creatures
Category:Dragonlance Appendix Creatures