Bariaur

Bariaur are creatures born with the urge to wander and search. A nomadic people comfortable in the wilderness and with grand hospitality for strangers, bariaur are friendly and carefree, walking through the world with an open attitude. Some mistake this for frivolity, but the bariaur are known to be fierce combatants who shirk from no threat upon them or their friends. Many bariaur wander the planes in nomadic tribes, and many people from those tribes become adventurers, at least for a time, as it is a great way to see the worlds.

## **Built for Travel**

Few people would mistake a bariaur for a human, though some may mistake one for a centaur. Their bodies are that of mountain sheep or goats, wool and hooves and four legs and all. From where the head of the animal would occur, instead they have a human torso. In the case of males, the head is topped with a set of horns (majestic and curling, or short and spikey largely depending on the tribe). The four-legged, hooved form serves the bariaur well as they track across the planes, giving them great endurance and the ability to carry heavy loads on their backs for long distances. A bariaur's natural gait is swift and direct, and their surefooted stride carries them through rough terrain with ease.

Bariaur tend to be fussy about their appearances. Their skin tone ranges through human shades, but their hair is distinct - the thick, curly wool that occurs on their torsos may or may not be reflected in the hair their human half has. Bariaur tend to pay a lot of attention to their wool, cutting it, cropping it, even dying it in patterns and colors. Their hair often gets brought into the mix as well. Amongst the bariaur, being good with a pair of shears and shampoo is a prized skill. Their large eyes tend toward shades of green and brown, and many of the males grow facial hair (a short goatee is especially common).

## **Paradise is Everywhere**

The bariaur culture is strong on laughter and enjoyment. Bariaur delight in physical contests like races and wrestling, hunting games, and butting heads. They also practice contests of magic and bariaur fashion shows are quite the magnificent sight. All this play helps them understand what it's like to win and lose graciously, how to root for your rivals, and how to welcome new people into the game. Few bariaur grow up alone or isolated, as they make an active effort to find the skills that any member of their race has, and bring them to the fore. This keeps them confident and jovial, rarely doubting themselves, and always sure that they have something to offer.

This open, friendly attitude often serves them well as they wander the planes. Even the most sedentary of bariaur range over a wide area in their lives, and the bariaur find the thrill of discovery when entering a new place exhilarating. This can be true even if the place is unpleasant or harsh - a bariaur who wandered through a portal into the Abyss (and managed to survive) would still be pretty energized by the experience. Bariaur enjoy travel for travel's sake, for the sake of challenging themselves, and for the sake of meeting interesting new characters on their journeys.

## **Bariaur Names**

A bariaur’s name is given to him or her by the parents. It is usually a simple, one- or two-syllable name (the easier to be shouted across the hills). Within the flock, a bariaur denotes parentage by adding “buck of” his father’s name (if male) or “doe of” her mother’s name (if female); outside the flock, a bariaur relies instead on a flock name to indicate the extended family to which he belongs. Flock names typically describe the environments favored by the flock, and can change over time.

Male Names: Bex, Cious, Darun, Grazik, Hul, Jalen, Jek, Lijel, Menok, Mihel, Ril, Wyk, Zatar

Female Names: Daeth, Defilia, Entida, Floria, Glien, Hysh, Jillia, Kilil, Saph, Tyth, Vash, Welida

Flock Names: Cloverfield, Dalewatcher, Farmountain, Greenpastures, Hillwalker, Meadows, Openplain, Widewanderers, Windingriver, Woodstrider

## **Bariaur Traits**

Your similarity to both goats and centaurs gives you a very particular selection of traits.

**Ability Score Increase.** Your Constitution score increases by 2.

**Age.** Bariaur age similarly to humans, but their old age tends to last significantly longer. They may live to be as old as 170 years.

**Alignment.** Bariaur delight in personal freedom and value the lives of others, so they tend toward chaotic good or chaotic neutral alignment. This tendency isn't strict - any given tribe likely has the entire range of alignments, with only a plurality tending toward chaotic good.

**Size.** Bariaur are a little shorter than humans, but their equine form makes them considerably heavier and bulkier. It also means they have some difficulty with things like ladders and poles. Your size is Medium.

**Speed.** Your base walking speed is 40 feet.

**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 hooves. When you make such a climb, each foot of movement costs you four extra feet instead of the normal 1 extra foot.

Finally, a Small or smaller creature can ride on your equine back if you allow it. In such a situation, you continue to act independently, not as a controlled mount.

**Languages**. You can speak, read, and write Common and Celestial.

**Subrace.** Bariaur culture is divided into specific roles: defenders and flockherds. Choose one of these subraces.

## **Defender**

Defenders are raised to be hearty warriors, trained to fight and protect the tribe. In most cases, defenders are male bariaur who grow their horns fit to bludgeon their enemies with, and often tip them with metal studs. The few females who break away from the traditional gender roles often wear great horned helms to the same effect.

Defenders are trained for war and have an expert presence on the battlefield. Their equine form gives them great mobility and they can close distances quickly to set their foes off footing.

**Ability Score Increase.** Your Strength score increases by 1.

**Charge.** If you move at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hit it with a melee weapon attack (including your ram horns) on the same turn, roll the weapon's damage dice twice and add them together. Once you use this charge attack, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

**Ram Horns.** You can make a melee attack with your horns as a weapon. They deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage, and you are considered proficient in them. You use Strength as your ability modifier.

**Survivor.** You choose to gain proficiency in either the Perception or Survival skill.

## **Flockherd**

Flockherds are tasked with sustaining the tribe and keeping its lore. They nurture the tribe with their food, keep their brothers and sisters healthy with salves and potions, and bolster the spirits with tales of ancient heroes. Traditionally, flockherds are female, although there are a small selection of males who forgo the tending of their majestic horns to follow the path of knowledge.

Flockherds are immersed in the ways of the tribes' ancient shamans, learning much of medicine, history, and magic. Those who seek adventure tend to find callings as clerics, druids, or rangers.

**Ability Score Increase.** Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

**Celestial-touched.** You choose to gain proficiency in either Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom saving throws.

**Tribal Lore.** You choose to gain proficiency in either the Arcana, History, or Medicine skill.