Centaur

Powerful and curious, quick to act and knowledgeable of the wider world, centaurs seek to experience life's boundless bounty. The centaurs of Etheria are a race of ungulate-bodied fey peoples with humanoid torsos whose population is scattered across the continent into a number of tribal groups, two of the most populous being the the far-traveling Andrippos band indigenous to Elaeus and the proud raiders of the Sagittarum band native to Napria. These bands particularly—though this could be said of almost all of the centaur bands of Etheria—occupy territories situated between major cities and hubs of civilization, making them common sights to those who travel the interposing wide open spaces and unsettled lands. Not ones to settle in permanent homes, though, centaurs might be found wherever there are wonders to be witnessed and adventures to be had.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Though centaurs share the same basic physiology, the centaur bands are commonly associated with their own distinct traits. Andrippos band centaurs tend to be sleek and muscular, with powerful legs built for endurance rather than speed. They usually have coats of a single color, often with a shine that can look metallic in bright light. Sagittarum band centaurs typically have long, nimble legs and lean bodies, and are often marked with natural color patterns on their hide. Sagittarum centaurs sometimes paint or tattoo their upper bodies to match the patterns on their lower half. Other centaur bands exist which possess the lower bodies of deer, elk, caribou, zebra, gazelle, and/or antelope depending upon the historical geographic distribution of the band. Though they are small in number and often rare to come across, some centaur bands with the lower bodies of other ungulates do exist.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Centaurs are largely a tribal people with each particular band being structured different from the next. For example, the social structure of the Andrippos and Sagittarum bands will be explored here:
Andrippos centaurs travel in small merchant family bands called guri. These groups frequently trade woodwork, produce of the plains, and woven goods with the Elaeusian poleis of Meleta and Dasikos, which provide the biggest market for their wares, but they also do business with smaller communities within Perikratos' lands and beyond Elaeus. The eldest member of each guros typically leads their family. In times of discord, the heads of the guri gather to make decisions together. Other members of the guros work as traders, gatherers, packers, and scouts. A guros has several specialized roles required for success in travel and trade: a barterer, an omener, a courser, and preferably a koletra. A barterer negotiates deals between the guros and other traders. Barterers must know the customs of other cultures and speak several different languages. An omener is an oracle who reads messages from the gods in the natural world and reveals how the immortals would have the guros travel. A courser explores new trade territory for their guros. They are expert trackers and navigators, able to venture deep into unexplored territory and unerringly return to their families. Finally, every guros tries to travel with at least one koletra, one of the mighty, well-trained warriors of the Andrippos who are said to have the blood of the first, legendary centaur heroes. Koletras are said to bring good luck to a band, but are also usually fated to die in defense of their family. Not every guros has a koletra of its own, and guri share their best warriors among each other as a sign of goodwill and a way to forge bonds.
The Sagittarum roam the wild lands between the cities of Napria in small raiding herds. These herds are voluntary associations, in contrast to the family groups of the Andrippos. When necessary, several small bands join together in a larger herd to target particularly dangerous but resource-rich targets, be they humanoid traders or roving, greedy monsters. Bands also join together to defeat common threats or to hunt for game. The Sagittarum value physical strength, speed, and prowess in both hunting and combat. Often a band is led by the strongest and most dominant warrior, called the sagitta. However, some bands elevate a tactician or strategist to this venerated position. The Sagittarum can be brutal and greedy, but they are clever as well, and understand the value of strategic leadership. Other centaurs in Sagittarum herds work as scouts, archers, warriors, and foragers. In addition, most Sagittarum herds contain a caller and a fulgura. Sagittarum callers are typically druids who can draw animal assistance to their herd. Callers often have one or more animal allies at their side, and can speak to animals to learn about the surrounding lands. Fulgura are the most powerful and feared warriors of the herd. Centaur legends say that when The Etherian Pantheon first brought the pre-Etherians to the Etherian continent, Sagittarum fulgura taught them how to corner and kill prey. The story tells that, to repay this debt, non-fey humanoids owe the centaurs a portion of what they catch. While non-fey humanoids don't recall this arrangement, the Sagittarum often cite it as justification for their raids. Sagittarum band members survive by working and fighting together, but still some centaurs choose to strike out on their own. These renegades often feel like outsiders in their own band. They might be pacifists, wishing to learn about other people rather than fighting them. Or they might feel a restlessness in their soul that nothing else can soothe. Though renegades build their own life away from the band, most retain some connection with their past. Some stories tell of renegades returning to help their band in times of need before disappearing once more.