Centaurs

AD&D (1e/2e) Rules

by OldSchoolDL

Ability Score Adjustments: +1 Constitution and Wisdom (maximum 19 each), -2 Dexterity (maximum 16). Wendle centaurs also get a +1 bonus to Intelligence (maximum 19).

Player Classes: Centaurs can be fighters, rangers, barbarians, sorcerers, Wizards of High Sorcery, clerics, druids, mystics, and bards.

Hit Dice: Centaurs receive Hit Dice by class. In addition, they receive 4 bonus hit points at first level.

Alignment: Most centaur subspecies tend to be neutral or chaotic good. Endscape centaurs tend to be neutral or chaotic evil. Centaur PCs can be any alignment but are often neutral or chaotic good.

Natural Armor Class: AC 5 (Wendle centaurs have a natural AC of 4.

Monstrous Traits: Appearance.

Superstitions: Centaurs have a fear of dragons and giants due to their destructive tendencies to the wild. They see omens and portents in nature.

Racially Preferred Weaponry: Basic centaur weaponry usually consists of composite long bows, medium horse lances, great clubs, long and broad swords and horsemen-style weaponry (maces, flails, picks, sabres). Different subraces of favor particular weapons: Abanasinia and Endscape centaurs favor huge scythes with razor-sharp blades that inflict 2d4 points of damage.

Centaurs do not normally armor themselves in their own environment but adventuring centaur warriors or centaurs at war may don specially designed centaur chain mail armor that covers both their humanoid and equine body portions.

Racially Preferred Nonweapon Knowledges: Agriculture, animal lore, animal noises, armorer, artistic ability, bowyer/fletcher, brewing, drinking, eating, fishing, hunting, leatherworking, natural fighting, running, setting snares, survival (forest), tracking, weaving, winemaking.

Centaurs can make at least three melee attacks in a round: one with their weapons (or more depending on class, level and weapon specialty) and twice with their front hooves. Hooves cause 1d6 points of damage each. Centaurs armed with lances can charge for double damage, but cannot attack with their hooves in that same round. In addition:

• Abanasinian centaurs gain a +2 bonus to all saving throws.
• Crystalmir centaurs can move extremely fast, able to gallop at a movement rate of 30 for short bursts.
• Endscape centaurs gain +1 damage with melee weapons and +2 damage with each of their hooves.

Centaurs take damage as large creatures. They have difficulty negotiating underground settings. Endscape centaurs have a strong tendency to always to drink wine or beer to excess if the opportunity presents itself.

The background of the centaur race is separated into the different subspecies as follows:

Abanasinia Centaur: The Abanasinians comprise the vast majority of Krynnish centaurs; in fact, few races have seen any other subraces. These centaurs developed on the plains of Abanasinia in southern Ansalon, migrated south to the forests of Qualinesti, then quickly spread north throughout the rest of the continent. Today, there are few major forests without a herd or two of these centaurs.

The Abanasinians are the biggest and most handsome of the centaurs. Adults exceed 1,000 pounds and are at least six feet tall. They are usually a single color, such as chestnut brown, blonde or black. Their broad backs and powerful legs enable them to gallop for long distances without tiring and also enable them to carry heavy weight; a large Abanasinian could carry three human soldiers on his back with no noticeable strain. They are extremely robust creatures and superb hunters and fighters. They are playful and spirited, but they can also be quite temperamental, refusing to cooperate with their allies for variety of minor reasons. Abanasinians remain loyal to their friends for their entire lives and hold grudges against their enemies for just as long.

Crystalmir Centaur: This variety of centaur was named for the Crystalmir lake, located near the town of Solace in Abanasinia. Originally a subspecies of the Abanasinian centaurs, the Crystalmirs did not migrate as far as their more adventurous cousins, and today are largely confined to Ansalon's southern forests and plains.

The Crystalmir are strong and sturdy, though less so than the Abanasinians. They rarely exceed 1,000 pounds in weight or six feet in height. They have lean bodies, slim necks, and high-set tails. They are usually blonde or light brown in color, with black or chestnut highlights; a few herds are solid black or white. Crystalmirs are shy and reclusive, the most reluctant combatants of all the centaurs. Their usual reaction to strangers is to run away as fast as they can. They seldom cooperate with humans or other intelligent races, refusing even to speak with them until they are completely convinced the outsiders mean them no harm.

Endscape Centaur: The Endscape are the most savage of the centaurs. Originally from the forests of the Endscape Peninsula north of Kern, this species is now largely confined to the northern regions of Ansalon. But since they have no permanent settlements, Endscape herds can be found just about anywhere.

Endscapes average five to six feet tall, though their leaders are a foot taller. Endscapes have shaggy coats and tails. The hair on their heads often grows to their waists. They are black or gray in color, occasionally brown or blonde. By human standards, Endscapes are the least attractive of centaurs. The males have short, scraggly beards and pock marked faces; the females have beady eyes and flabby bellies. Endscapes are lawless creatures that attack for the sheer thrill of it, mercilessly preying on the weak and the helpless. They are fond of strong wine and are frequently inebriated. Endscapes enjoy making drunken raids on human villages, burning buildings, stealing food and weapons, and generally terrorizing the populace. Male Endscapes are fascinated by human women, and have been known to kidnap them.

Wendle Centaur: The Wendle centaurs arose in the Wendle Woods of Goodlund in eastern Ansalon. Incessant annoyance from nearby kender communities eventually drove most of the Wendles from the area, and now they populate the various forests and plains in the eastern regions of the continent.

The Wendles average four to five feet in height. They resemble smaller versions of the Abanasinians and are sometimes mistaken for Abanasinian young. However, the Wendles are distinguished by their golden eyes and stubby tails. Instead of ribcages, Wendles have plates of solid bone. The Wendles are the smartest of all centaurs. They are more interested in philosophy, history, and other intellectual pursuits than other centaurs, and they are always better sources of information. However, Wendles can be argumentative and stubborn. They are wary of strangers and seldom cooperate with them.

Languages: Centaurs speak their own dialect, plus Common and whatever local dialect the herd is surrounded by.

Role Playing Suggestions: Centaur player characters are either young stallions and mares who have not yet found their life mates, or widows and widowers who have lost their mates and have taken up a life of adventure in order to ease their pain. They are a strong, proud race, easily offended and impulsive. Centaurs live in balance, they must eat a lot to power their great bodies, and have been known to over-indulge when it comes to wine and ale. Under the influence of alcohol, centaurs display rowdy, boorish, and aggressive behavior.

Those centaurs deciding to explore the world as adventurers usually do it to satisfy an innate curiosity and wanderlust that sometimes becomes a compulsion. They make excellent companions, good fighters, and hardy travelers. While they might sometimes offer a two-legged companion a ride, centaurs do not consider themselves pack animals or sources of transportation. In fact, they often become insulted if the role is suggested. They also do not tolerate horse jokes, though otherwise they have good sense of humor.

Regardless of subspecies, centaurs worship the gods of nature first and foremost. The other gods do have clerical representation in some centaur herds but the most diversity in religious belief is shown by those centaur PCs who have adventured and seen more of the other gods. After the Chaos War, centaur mystics and sorcerers started to appear in the various herds. They still pay homage to the lost gods of divine and arcane powers, but the practical nature of the centaurs made due. Once the gods returned the majority of the centaurs rejoiced, especially those of Crystalmir and Abanasinian subspecies who have a kinship with the Forestmaster in the Darken Woods.

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