centaur
A centaur is a humanoid creature with the lower body of a horse, but where the head and neck would be one finds a humanoid torso, with the arms and head of an elf. They value their freedom and dislike indoor or underground areas, as well as dense urban areas. They may act as a mount to a deeply trusted rider, but under no circumstances will they accept a saddle or bridle.
Basic Information
Anatomy
A centaur is a six-limbed, sapient creature with an equine lower body and lower limbs for locomotion and two upper limbs as manipulators. The upright torso, whose hips start at the lower portion's whithers, possesses a thinner coating of hair than the lower body and otherwise generally resembles the torso of one of the demihuman races, though the face is broader, with a flattened nose and dark, almond-shaped eyes, as well as mobile ears positioned high on the skull like those of a horse. A centaur's teeth reflect a more omnivorous diet than its equine traits would otherwise suggest, with small, pointed eyeteeth in addition to the sharp, flat front teeth and the large, powerful molars.
A centaur's size, skin color, and markings can vary widely based on their homelands, from the short but merry ha'pony to the huge and barbaric rockdray, but their lower half typically reflects one of the known equine species.
Ecology and Habitats
Centaurs are nomadic hunter-gatherers by nature, traveling either alone or in tribes numbering up to 100 individuals. Because of their natural wanderlust and the amount of food an individual centaur requires, they do not stay in one spot for long, thus avoiding overhunting or overgrazing their surroundings. Most centaurs keep to forests or grasslands, hunting small game and gathering edible and medicinal plants for the tribe's use, and typically eschewing all but the most basic of shelters in case of inclement weather. In most cases it would be difficult to find the signs of a tribe's passage more than a few days after their departure.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Centaurs are omnivorous, grazing and hunting in equal measures, as well as cooking and otherwise preparing hearty meals that can carry even an athletic centaur all day. Any leftover food is dried or otherwise preserved so that it may be carried during the next migration and to avoid attracting scavengers.
Centaurs are especially well-known for their heady mead, which has been known to catch even the stoutest of dwarves off-balance. Each tribe has its own preferred recipes and brewing methods, meaning that no two types of centaur mead are alike.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Centaurs possess keen hearing and eyesight, and their sense of smell surpasses that of most demihumans.
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Centaurs primarily speak Elven and Sylvan, with some rare tribes occasionally speaking Common.
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