Centaur Lore

150 Years

Centaurs are a race of half-human and half-horse creatures. This race is thought to typically take the form of any land-based ungulate, and is typically considered strong and fast; their bodies being able to withstand large amounts of pressure, though not always. Centaurs, like any other race, have their weaknesses and personal problems- that being said, Centaurs are known to have fragile backs, and will usually develop spinal issues later on in their lives.

Appearances will often vary from Centaur to Centaur, as the race is just as diverse as people are. Some Centaurs may have darker skin, and some may have incredibly pale skin. Skin colour usually relates to the colour of their fur, though not always. It is much more likely for a Centaur with a chocolate brown fur to have darkened skin than it is for them to have lightened skin- though it is not impossible. Centaurs may also have antlers, horns or ears to match the species of which the Centaur is derived from.

Centaurs cannot cast magic, and thus turn to other races in order to hide their lower halves when visiting the human world. That being said, Centaurs are amazing herbalists, and know how to brew medicine and potions- from this, Centaurs developed a good trade, and very often are looked up to by the other races for their craft.

The species is known to live for many years- and myths say they have lived for thousands. They mature roughly at twenty years of age, though. It is believed that the Centaur came from an affair between a shifter and a human, however that has never been proved. Centaurs themselves may believe they came from Gah’lluh, the Goddess of the Forest. Their purpose was to heal and reclaim, along with protect, the land they live on and care for.

In modern times, now that Centaurs struggle to live nomadically, due to human deforestation, they have taken refuge in Sivozel. Centaurs are heavily guided, and drawn, to knowledge-based careers, such as: scholars, alchemists, teachers and doctors- this is due to their amazing memory and capability to swiftly adapt without much notice. However, on the flip side: many young Centaurs now disregard their tradition, and act rebellious, naming themselves the “Party Horses” in defiance of their old ways.

Werewolves and Shifters are those who keep in strongest contact with Centaurs; these races have the strongest alliances, and usually drop everything to protect each other when given the chance. These races usually live outside of the bustling cities and towns in small communities, constantly moving locations depending on the time of year. However, some Centaur families or groups may live in small cottages in the countryside, as they can become quite large when fully-grown.

**Fauns and Satyrs:**

Fauns and Satyrs (Male/Neutral; Satyr, Female; Faun) are a subrace of Centaur that carry the same characteristics, but instead of a full, ungulate body, they are bipedal, and typically don’t suffer from the same kind of disabilities as Centaurs would; there is much less demand on their upper body due to their weight, and they can still be part of any unglate that is land-based.

In the same vein as Centaurs, Fauns and Satyrs typically have vastly varying appearances; some may have their lower body and tail, horns or extra fur, and some may simply just have the lower body without any extra tells. Fauns and Satyrs do not have any correlation between skin tone and fur colour, unlike their close cousins, the Centaur.

Fauns and Satyrs lack any sort of magical ability, though as Centaurs do, they are very skilled with potions and alchemy. This is where the two groups form a strong alliance, and the very reason as to why these two races consider themselves cousins- family even.

Politically, Fauns and Satyrs do not have much power in the world around them. They do not have a primary council seat, as they believe that they fit much better under the Centaurs’ leadership- being so similar, after all. Fauns and Satyrs are also easily uncomfortable around fire-based creatures, or anything that may be related to, or able to control, fire. There is not a known explanation for this yet.