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           V  

Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/centaur

Name:
	Centaur  (Demihuman)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 1-8
	Climate/Terrain: Temperate forest
	Frequency      : Rare
	Organization   : Tribal
	Activity Cycle : Day
	Diet           : Omnivore

Description:
	Centaurs are woodland beings who shun the company of men. They dwell
	in remote, secluded glades and pastures. The appearance of a centaur
	is unmistakable: they have the upper torso, arms and head of a human
	being, and the lower body of a large, powerful horse. Centaurs speak
	their own language and some among them can converse in the tongue of
	elves.

Combat:
	A band of centaurs is always armed, and the leaders carry shields. Half
	of the centaurs will be wielding oaken clubs (the equivalent of morning
	stars), one quarter will carry composite bows and have 10-30 arrows
	(either flight or sheaf, depending on the current state of affairs in
	the area). The remainder of the band will be leaders using medium
	shields and medium horse lances. Centaurs make 3 attacks each round in
	melee: once with their weapons and twice with their hooves.

Habitat/Society:
	Centaurs are sociable creatures, taking great pleasure in the society
	of others of their kind. Their overall organization is tribal, with a
	tribe divided into family groups living together in harmony. The size
	of the tribe varies, it ranges from 3-4 families to upwards of 20 fa-
	milies. Since males have the dangerous roles of hunter and protector,
	females outnumber males by two to one. The centaur mates for life, and
	the entire tribe participates in the education of the young.

	The lair is located deep within a forest, and consists of a large, hid-
	den glade and pasture with a good supply of running water. Depending
	upon the climate, the lair may contain huts or leantos to shelter the
	individual families. Centaurs are skilled in horticulture, and have
	been known to cultivate useful plants in the vicinity of their lair. In
	dangerous, monster infested areas, centaurs will sometimes plant a
	thick barrier of tough thorn bushes around their lair and even set
	traps and snares. In the open area, away from the trees, are hearths
	for cooking and warmth. If encountered in their lair, there will be 1-6
	additional males, females equal to twice the number of males, and 5-30
	young. The females and the young will fight only with their hooves, and 	only in a life or death situation. Each tribe will have a priest who is
	treated as a leader but has the spell abilities of a 3rd-level druid.

	Centaurs survive through a mixture of hunting, foraging, fishing, agri-
	culture, and trade. Though they shun dealings with humans, centaurs
	have been known to trade with elves, especially for food and wine. The
	elves are paid from the group treasury, which comes from the booty of
	slain monsters.

	The territory of a centaur tribe varies with its size and the nature
	of the area it inhabits. Centaurs are also not above sharing a territo-
	ry with elves. The attitude of a centaur toward a stranger in its ter-
	ritory will vary with the visitor. Humans and dwarves will usually be
	asked to leave in a polite manner, while halflings or gnomes will be
	tolerated, and elves will be welcomed. Monsters will be dealt with in
	a manner according to the threat they represent to the welfare and sur-
	vival of the tribe. Were a giant or dragon to enter the territory, the
	centaurs would pull up stakes and relocate, while trolls and orcs and
	their like will be killed.

	Centaurs will take the treasure of their fallen foes, and are fully
	aware of its value. Most male centaurs have a small coin supply, while
	the tribe has a treasury which may well include some magical items.
	Leaders will have twice the normal individual treasure. This treasure
	is used to buy food for the group, or to ransom (90% likely) captured
	or threatened members of the tribe.

	While basically neutral or chaotic good, centaurs have been known to
	become rowdy, boorish, and aggressive when under the influence of al-
	cohol. They are also extremely protective of their females and young.
	Centaurs are basically pastoral, but will react with violence if their
	lifestyle and survival is threatened.

Ecology:
	The centaur lives in close harmony with nature and spends its lifetime
	carefully conserving the natural resources around its lair. The race
	seems to have an innate knowledge of how to achieve this precious ba-
	lance. If forced to chop down a tree, a centaur will plant another to
	replace it. Centaurs never over hunt or over fish an area as a human
	group might do, but choose their game with care, limiting the amount
	they eat.