Centaurs

The wild, sturdy, cautious, but loyal children of Silvanus

Basic Information

Anatomy

Centaurs are half humanoid, half horse (Equus), seperating at the waist of the humanoid and at the base of the neck of the horse. Due to the Centaurs uniquely combined anatomy, the internal organs of a Centaur are a combination of both humanoid and equus anatomy. The large stomach and other digestive organs of a Centaur are located in its equus half, this allows for more room in the humanoid half for a larger heart and lungs. A Centaur also has a larger spine, esophagus, and trachea than that of most other humanoid races. Centaurs have larger eyes and noses than that of most other humanoid races. Centaurs also have pointed ears that are able to move/turn depending on which direction the Centaur wants to listen towards (similar to horses, deer, bison, etc.). The humanoid half of Centaurs can have any skin tone and/or hair color that Humans can. The equus half on Centaurs may have any coat colors and/or coat patterns that equus could. Some Centaurs can have thinker fur coats on their equus half looking closer to bisons. Centaur males grow horns/antlers out from the top of their heads. These horns range in shape and color depending on the family of Centaurs. The size of the horns/antlers depends on the age of the Centaur. The majority of female Centaurs do not grow horns/antlers but there are a few families of Centaurs where the reverse is the case (females grow horns/antlers and males do not).

Ecology and Habitats

Centaurs live on the plains, in forests, and around rivers.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Like many of the other Ümbrian races, Centaurs eat a mixture of meats, vegetables, and fruits.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Centaurs are highly devoted race to their divine father Silvanus and thus are highly religious in their own ways. Centaurs know the best way to honor their father is to tend to, protect, and care for the wilds of Ümbria. The majority of Centaurs roam the wilds of Ümbria hunting and gathering food along the way. Some Centaur tribes farm the land.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Centaurs see through their eyes, hear through their ears, smell through their noses, feel through their skin, and communicate through their mouth / throat. Due to their larger eyes, nose, and more horse like ear, Centaurs have very good sight, smelling, and hearing capabilities.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The larger a Centaur's horns/antlers are the older and wiser he (or she) is perceived to be. Great respect is given to the elder Centaurs. If a Centaur's horns/antlers are broken they will grow back but that Centaur will be shamed, honored, or pitied depending on the context and the tribe.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

"Jousting" is a common custom among Centaur tribes where 2 male Centaurs butt heads/lock antlers with each other to assert dominance and prove their strength. Jousting is also a way to for the Bucks to show off for the female Centaurs (Does) as possible mates. Usually younger Centaurs (called Bucks) joust as older Centaurs (Called Stags) don't (typically) need to prove their strength.

Common Taboos

Throughout most Centaur tribes if a Centaur were to have his (or her) horn(s)/antler(s) sawn off (either by their doing or by anothers) that Centaur would be shamed by their tribe. This is because removing or letting your horns/antlers be removed is seen by Centaurs as an insult to their divine father, Silvanus.

History

Silvanus is the god of the wilderness and of wild animals. During The gods War, Silvanus was more or less stuck between his sisters Chauntea and Umberlee as their divine domains and territories were quite intertwined with one another. With his siblings' Divine Factions on poised for war, Silvanus decided he would fight back. He would use the animals of the land, sea, and air, lead by his children the Centaurs, to battle in this war. Silvanus's Divine Faction was quite successful in both defence and offence during the war through the aid offered by the beasts of the wild. After the war, Ao would have to punish his son for taking part in the war as he did for the rest of his children. Ao found Silvanus to have acted mostly in response to the actual war and not joining the divine arms-race before any of the espionage or sabotage had begun. This pleased Ao. Ao would leave the Centaurs alone. Centaurs were very few in number after The gods War and would stay this way until around the begining of The Mortal Age (however they would still be considered an extremely rare sight even during this age [The Mortal Age]).

Average Height

5' 0" - 7' 0" (hoof to head)

Average Weight

800 - 2,000lbs

Average Length

~ 8' 0"

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The humanoid half of Centaurs can have any skin tone and/or hair color that Humans can. The horse half on Centaurs can have any coat colors and/or coat patterns that equus can.

Related Myths

• The gods War