Centaur

Traditionally a human torso atop the body of a horse, Centaur are an often insular, nomadic species that has coexisted with humans since ancient times. Thought to be distantly related to Fauns, they tend to live apart from humankind in their own herds or, more rarely, as lone travelers in the wilderness.

## Centaur

### **Appearance**

With the four-legged body of a horse and the torso, arms, and head of a humanoid, Centaur are notable for having 4 limbs or, among the pterripi varieties, 6 counting wings! While most Centaur are equine with a horse physiology, many varieties of other ungulates are possible, such as elk, zebra, pterripi (winged horses), antelope, and even camels and cows!

While the torso is usually humanoid, that is not to say they are exactly a human in the face. Many have longer ears, antlers or horns, short fur with all kinds of color patterns, and somewhat elongated faces. Those that have spent time in Alfheim might also have unnatural fur colors and patterns, including but not limited to green, blue, and purple hues and hooves that are wooden or flecked with stardust!

### **Food**

Centaurs are mostly omnivores that usually live on a hunter/gatherer diet, though some herds also bake breads, pasta, and rice. Some are pure vegetarians, though very few are purely carnivorous.

### **Centaur Society**

Centaur tend to be rather insular to their families, living as herds in the wilderness whether on open plains or in deep forests. They usually adapt their lifestyle to fit the region much like rural human cultures, be it nomads following herds on the planes or deserts, or hunting smaller areas of forest and farming in remote valleys.

Many centaur are wary of humans, if not aggressive and standoffish towards them. Individual centaur may be friendly and speak with travelers or befriend other woodland peoples, but as a whole, they do not let outsiders into their herds without a great deal of caution. Centaur are a proud species that care about their herds.

### **Interactions with Magical Society**

In conflicts over resources, herds have often clashed with humankind. The species is far less numerous than humans, however, so many magical societies have made efforts to negotiate with the Centaur and prevent conflicts. The success varies from region to region and is dependent upon how well the humans in the area have behaved towards preserving wild lands and space for the centaur to live in peace.

Few Centaur willingly enter human settlements; those that do are often a source of great curiosity, drawing immediate attention that they usually do not prefer, making them uncomfortable.

There are occasions where a centaur or entire herd has integrated with a magical village and lived amicably alongside the other mages, so while rare, it is not impossible.

### **Abilities**

Most centaur do not have magic, but it is not unknown to them. Many herds have at least one healer or a soothsayer, if not more, who train in their own forms of magic. It is only due to limited access to lore that such mage-centaur do not learn a greater variety of spells, but the ones passed down among them are usually enough to suit their needs. Common magics include spirit arts, healing, combat and archery spells, defensive spells, and plant and animal magics. Some herds also excel at enchantments and illusions.

#### **Suggested Combat Spells**

* Minor Haste (2), Hastened Freedom (4), Greater Haste (5)
* Ranged combat: Long Shot (2), Huntress' Arrow (3)
* Melee combat: Flanking Strike (3), Sneak Attack (5), Riposte (5)
* Lunar or Solar radiant spells: Moonbeam/Sunbeam (1), Moonblade/Spellsword (2), Shooting Stars (3), Telekinetic Starblade (4)
* Foxfire(3), Eclipse (5)
* Clear-Sight (3)
* Healing spells and Cure Poison (3)
* Conjure Bindings (4)
* Minor Deflection (2), Deflection (5)