Centaur
Hoofed Seers; Fey Nomads; Smoke Diviners
Centaurs gallop throughout the multiverse and trace their origins to many different realms. The centaurs presented here hail from the Feywild and mystically resonate with the natural world. From the waist up, they resemble elves, displaying all the elf varieties of skin tone. From the waist down, they have the bodies of horses.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Centaurs are unique hybrid creatures with an upper body resembling elves and the lower body of a horse. The upper torso has humanoid features, including pointed ears, slender builds, and graceful movements, while the lower half includes a powerful equine body with four legs and a flowing tail. This combination grants them immense speed and strength but limits their agility in confined or vertical spaces.
Genetics and Reproduction
Centaurs reproduce like most mammals, giving live birth to one or two foals at a time. Their genetics blend traits of fey ancestry with physical equine features. Feywild centaur traits, such as elongated ears or subtle magical auras, sometimes manifest strongly depending on lineage.
Ecology and Habitats
Centaurs thrive in lush, unspoiled environments such as forests, valleys, and meadows. In the Feywild, they adapted to constantly shifting landscapes, and on the Material Plane, they seek environments that allow them to connect deeply with nature. They often cultivate these spaces through spiritual practices, creating a harmonious balance between themselves and the land.
Behaviour
Centaurs are deeply spiritual, valuing intuition and wisdom. They are inquisitive and thoughtful, often driven by a desire to understand the mysteries of the universe. Despite their nomadic past, they are fiercely loyal to their communities and embrace cooperation over conflict.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
Above average, with a strong affinity for natural and spiritual knowledge.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Centaurs possess heightened senses attuned to the natural world, including sharp vision and acute hearing. Their fey heritage grants them a subtle extrasensory connection to the spiritual realm, often manifesting as prophetic dreams or the ability to sense magical disturbances.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Centaurs' names are melodic and often nature-inspired. Examples include Kaelith Moondancer, Vashti Ashmane, or Rhoran Leafstride. Titles like Seer, Swift, or Valekeeper are common, denoting roles or accomplishments.
Beauty Ideals
Centaurs admire symmetry and grace, with flowing hair and glossy, well-kept coats being seen as marks of beauty. Spiritual adornments, such as charms, woven beads, or painted symbols, enhance their allure by reflecting their inner harmony and wisdom.
Gender Ideals
Centaurs value the balance of strengths in their community. While they have distinct gender roles, these are complementary rather than hierarchical. Leadership roles often fall to those with the strongest spiritual connection, regardless of gender.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship among centaurs involves shared rituals and the gifting of sacred herbs or crafted tokens. Dance-like displays of agility and grace are also part of their romantic expression, symbolizing a potential partner’s strength and harmony with nature.
Relationship Ideals
Centaurs value unity and mutual respect in their relationships. Partnerships are seen as sacred unions that contribute to the spiritual and communal well-being. Decisions are made collaboratively, and raising foals is a shared responsibility within the community.
Common Etiquette Rules
Always greet with a bow and acknowledgment of the other's connection to nature.
Respect personal space, especially in spiritual or sacred areas.
Interrupting a divination ritual is considered deeply disrespectful.
Common Dress Code
Centaurs favor light, functional clothing for their humanoid halves, such as sashes, vests, or cloaks adorned with natural motifs. They also wear jewelry crafted from organic materials like wood, bone, or gemstones, symbolizing their ties to the earth.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Their culture revolves around divination, nature reverence, and the pursuit of harmony. Sacred rituals involving the burning of herbs and the reading of smoke are central to their identity. They also value oral traditions, passing down legends and teachings through song and storytelling.
- Smoke Circles: Communal rituals where herbs are burned to divine the future and seek guidance.
- Run of Seasons: An annual race symbolizing their Feywild origins, held to honor the changing cycles of nature.
- Vale Blessing: Ceremonies to bless the land and its bounty.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Verdance is a vibrant and joyous holiday celebrated by the Centaurs of Thornsmoke Vale, marking the arrival of spring and the renewal of life. It is a day when the Centaurs honor their connection to nature, the Feywild, and the bountiful world they now inhabit on the island of Linlea.
The Gathering of Greens
At dawn, the Centaurs of Thornsmoke Vale gather in the lush meadows surrounding their settlement. They embark on a ritual known as the Gathering of Greens, where they collect fresh herbs, flowers, and plants from the forest. Each herb has a unique significance, chosen for its properties in divination, healing, or protection. This act symbolizes their gratitude for nature’s gifts and their ancestral ties to the Feywild.
The Feast of Renewal
By midday, the Centaurs prepare a grand communal feast known as the Feast of Renewal. The collected herbs and plants are used to create dishes that reflect the bounty of the land. Traditional meals are cooked in large cauldrons, and the scent of fresh herbs fills the air. The Centaurs dine together, sharing stories of their journeys and the wisdom they’ve gained. This part of the celebration emphasizes unity and the sharing of knowledge within the community.
The Ritual of Verdant Smoke
In the afternoon, the Centaurs gather in a sacred grove within Thornsmoke Vale to perform the Ritual of Verdant Smoke. They burn the herbs and flowers they gathered earlier in the day, creating plumes of vibrant green smoke. Each Centaur takes a turn standing in the midst of the smoke, entering a meditative state to seek visions and guidance from the natural world. The smoke is believed to carry the essence of life, providing glimpses into the future and strengthening their bond with the land.
The Dance of Blossoms
As evening falls, the celebration concludes with the Dance of Blossoms. Adorned in garlands of flowers and leaves, the Centaurs perform a series of traditional dances around a towering bonfire. The dance represents the cycle of growth, decay, and rebirth, celebrating the resilience and adaptability of life. Music made from natural instruments like drums, flutes, and rattles fills the air, creating a festive atmosphere.
Reflection and Gratitude
The day ends with a moment of quiet reflection. The Centaurs gather around the dying embers of the bonfire to give thanks for the gifts of the past year and to express hope for the future. Elders share ancient tales of the Feywild and their journey to the Material Plane, passing down wisdom to the younger generation.
Verdance is a day of renewal and celebration, a time for the Centaurs to honor their heritage and embrace the life they have cultivated in Thornsmoke Vale. It is a celebration of unity with nature, the strength of community, and the beauty of the ever-changing world around them.
Common Taboos
- Cutting down ancient trees without permission from the elders.
- Using herbs for harmful purposes or without spiritual intent.
History
Centaurs are very nomadic by nature as being from the feywild there was not a lot of places to settle in the seasonal courts. They would spend their days moving around delving into divining through plants and herbs, which they would burn and see the things they were viewing through to smoke. When feywild leaked into the material plane the centuars took it as their opportunity to explore new planes and build a proper settlement that they can build and develop/ their own culture away from the influenceof the feywild.
Today The centaur mostly keep to themselves and the fairies of Linlea but have begun putting together an official application to be apart of the Astrium council by applying for an official named settlement to recieve benefits from the Astrium Alliance - Thornsmoke Vale.
This name reflects their connection to nature and the art of divination through plants and herbs. In Thornsmoke Vale, the Centaurs have established a haven where they can develop their culture independently from the influence of the Feywild. Here, they continue their tradition of burning sacred herbs to divine visions in the curling smoke, blending their nomadic roots with a newfound sense of permanence. The Vale is a place where the mystical and the material intersect, offering the Centaurs a unique space to explore and grow.
Common Myths and Legends
- The Hoofed Oracle: A legendary centaur who could see across time, guiding their people to safety during the Feywild exodus.
- The Thorn’s Pact: A tale of how the centaurs made a pact with the earth spirits to claim Thornsmoke Vale as their haven.
- The Ashmane Prophecy: A prophecy from High Seer Vashti Ashmane that foretells the centaurs’ rise as spiritual leaders in Astrium.
Scientific Name
Equis Homo Sylvanis
Lifespan
90-120 years
Average Height
7’0” to 8’0” from hoof to crown.
Average Weight
1200 - 1800 pounds
Average Physique
Strong and robust, with powerful lower bodies and lean, dexterous upper torsos.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Centaurs' equine bodies can vary from solid colors like black, brown, or white to patterns like dappled or painted coats. Their humanoid upper halves often reflect the skin tones of elves, ranging from pale to deeply tanned or even faintly luminescent hues. Tribal markings, tattoos, or painted symbols are common, signifying their clan or personal achievements.
Geographic Distribution
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