Centaurs of Ykglenda
Centaurs are dotted throughout the landscape, segregated and ostracized by their bipedal counterparts. In times of old, centaur relations with elves and halflings were things of respect. When humans arrived in a blast of world-wide consequence, that respect became doubt and fear of retribution. Slowly and then all at once, centaurs were driven to the far ends of civilized land. In recent millennias, centaurs live in quasi-nomadic tribes which adhere to the rule of a multitude of Councils, made up of their eldest peers and Volqaars, male and female centaurs devoted to higher causes. Trading outside of tribes is not often done, but when it occurs, it's overseen by the High Councils.
Tribe wars are frequent and bloody. Disagreements within a tribe follow the same route. The centaurs are a wild breed, built to fight and make war, however... They were gifted with great mental capacity, one that innately allows them to view fragments of the Weave itself. Some say the war they fight internally gives credence to their wildness, their irrationality, and their bouts of transcendence. Personal affronts are often settled by the blade, but let it be known there are also duels of intelligence.
There are three High Councils, one upon each of the Three Known Lands. Although centaurs are aware of the other High Councils, there are few upon the very few who travel between them. When a human or an elf sees a wayward centaur, it is more than likely an Emissary of the High Council. They cycle through docks, marketplaces, palaces and governments, all foreign, and Helaaryna's, a trio of centaurian holy places as well as High Council consulates.
As you may have guessed, there are three Helaaryna's. One is hidden from most, nestled in the mountaintops of Orcosi. Another resides in an oasis upon Lorasea, infamous for their mage's prowess in the manipulation of sand. The third one rests in the Hills of Marbalea, a great wood and granite structure built between three large hills. Each Halaaryna is built to house all centaurs within their continent, as they are of the belief that it will be their final resting place in the world to come. Violence is forbidden upon entry and is enforced by requiring a show of faith; to be admitted requires you to handover any weapons upon your person or belongings. Weapons will be returned upon exit.
Perhaps in relation to their formidable flavor of war, centaurs are expert craftsmen, chiefly smiths and armorers. Weapon and armor forged by centaurs are highly sought after, jealously guarded, and oft rumored to be enchanted unbreakable. Though the later is false, there is a significant difference in centaurian made objects. However, only they know the secret behind the extra-durable blades and helmets.
Female centaurs run the household, handle trade between tribes, farm and harvest, and holds the decision on who she wishes to mate. Duels over courtship are common and more often than not, the female centaur will reject both males due to their confrontation. Centuarian's mate for life and the concept of choice and decision is held in high regard throughout their society.
Lifespan: Upwards of two hundred years
Common hair colors: Brown, autumn-colored, and shades of platinum blonde to silver
Common eye colors: Brown, green-and-brown, gold, and shades of silver.
Volqaars are said to be holy. Male and females who practice both art and war, glance upon the Weave without harm to their psyche, and harness great magical prowess. They travel between tribes, sticking close for a long while or only a few short days. It is said that Volqaars see time differently, that time flows in a thousand different ways, and has become rather irrelevant to their noticing. Almost all centuarian Mating's are officiated by a Volqaar Pronunciation || vole-kwahR
Helaaryna's are motherlands, places of worship, trade, and business. There are only three in the world. They have been in existence for nearly seven millenniums and thus, for all of modern history. They have surely been renovated and rebuilt throughout that time, but never have they moved their location. Due to the religious significance of Helaaryna's, Volqaars frequent the establishment so often that when something occurs of significance, they're oft sent out as Emissaries. Pronunciation || hel-lah-ree-nuh
Volqaars are said to be holy. Male and females who practice both art and war, glance upon the Weave without harm to their psyche, and harness great magical prowess. They travel between tribes, sticking close for a long while or only a few short days. It is said that Volqaars see time differently, that time flows in a thousand different ways, and has become rather irrelevant to their noticing. Almost all centuarian Mating's are officiated by a Volqaar Pronunciation || vole-kwahR
Helaaryna's are motherlands, places of worship, trade, and business. There are only three in the world. They have been in existence for nearly seven millenniums and thus, for all of modern history. They have surely been renovated and rebuilt throughout that time, but never have they moved their location. Due to the religious significance of Helaaryna's, Volqaars frequent the establishment so often that when something occurs of significance, they're oft sent out as Emissaries. Pronunciation || hel-lah-ree-nuh
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I've always liked centaurs, and I like this approach of making them something more human than we usually see. Typically, we get "wise astronomers" or hero trainers, thanks to Greek Myth, and this seems to be a wholly refreshing take on the race. I like it. Centaurs are a violent breed, it seems, and would likely see many of themselves killed in the frequent tribal warfare, which leaves some questions to answer. How numerous are they? What would a typical tribe look like? What are the demographics of a tribe? What's their gestation period in relation to a human? How many children (foals?) are typically born in a pregnancy? They mate for life, but are they monogamous/monoandrous? Is there a gender imbalance that triggers the common courtship rituals? If so, what is the cause for this gender imbalance?