Post by engelbert on Dec 8, 2007 20:45:00 GMT
Description:
Centaurs are beings that appear to be half human and half horse. All centaur have a humanoid upper torso attached to a horse body at the front, generally where a horses neck would begin. Centaurs are powerfully built, with strong equine bodies designed to accomodate the extra weight up front.
The horse half of centaurs is coloured the same as the hair upon the human half of the centaurs head. Centaur colours range between blonde's and black. There have never been any ginger centaurs sighted, though dark chestnuts are quite common.
History:
The Centaurs have always lived upon Feral Island along with the small population of unicorns that reside there. The small island has always been large enough to accomodate each clan with enough territory to keep them well fed and distant enough from rival clans. For this reason there are rarely grievances between the centaur clans. This peaceful race is however very adept at hunting as it is considered foolhardy to destroy the natural bounty of the land through farming. For this reason, they are also great herbalists, able to live fully from the land from natural food reserves.
The centaurs consider knowledge to be power and so have always strive to learn about the world they live in. Astronomy has always been the main focus of this scientific drive. The secrets of the future are considered to be the greatest knowledge of all and these secrets are believed to be held in the stars.
Way of Life:
Though this race is centuries old, the way of life for them has barely changed over the years and it is assumed that the almost constant isolation is the cause of this. They live in small family clans lead by the eldest and therefore most experienced of their group. All marriages between clans are organised between the elders and it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to first properly meet only moments before the marriage is about to commence.
There is however a bi-annual event in which each centaur clan will congregate for a whole month at one particular shore. During this month the population is ruled in a state of meritocracy.
At each of these times of year a strip of land opens between their fair island and the mainland.
It is a long-standing tradition that all young male centaurs that have just come of age must go out into the world to learn about their weaknesses by themselves and learn to overcome them. Only if they can survive without fellow centaur support on the mainland for 6 months, can they be considered worthy of taking a wife.
The ceremony itself is named the 'Celebration of Worth'.
Centaurs are very strict on the rules of marriage. If the female centaur is to reject her elder's order to marry a particular centaur, then no matter what the reason, they are forced into exile.
Faith:
Centaurs are primarily agnostic. They're more interested in the science of their world around them; concentrating their studies upon the stars. Astrology holds the general population of the centaurs in a deep rapture and it is undertaken with the respect most other races would treat the act of going into priesthood. Predictions are often made about the future based upon the arrangements of constellations.
Places of Importance: Western Lands
Feral Woods
This island is the birthplace of all centaur. There are no towns, cities or villages as the centaur do not build homes. The land is divided into terratories that are agreed upon with neighbouring families.
Each family tends to stick to its own terratory apart from twice a year during the gathering for the Celebration of Worth.
Walk of Men
This is the name of the beach on the Southmost side of the island where the Gathering takes place. It is from this beach that the walkable strip of land forms twice a year.
Centaurs are beings that appear to be half human and half horse. All centaur have a humanoid upper torso attached to a horse body at the front, generally where a horses neck would begin. Centaurs are powerfully built, with strong equine bodies designed to accomodate the extra weight up front.
The horse half of centaurs is coloured the same as the hair upon the human half of the centaurs head. Centaur colours range between blonde's and black. There have never been any ginger centaurs sighted, though dark chestnuts are quite common.
History:
The Centaurs have always lived upon Feral Island along with the small population of unicorns that reside there. The small island has always been large enough to accomodate each clan with enough territory to keep them well fed and distant enough from rival clans. For this reason there are rarely grievances between the centaur clans. This peaceful race is however very adept at hunting as it is considered foolhardy to destroy the natural bounty of the land through farming. For this reason, they are also great herbalists, able to live fully from the land from natural food reserves.
The centaurs consider knowledge to be power and so have always strive to learn about the world they live in. Astronomy has always been the main focus of this scientific drive. The secrets of the future are considered to be the greatest knowledge of all and these secrets are believed to be held in the stars.
Way of Life:
Though this race is centuries old, the way of life for them has barely changed over the years and it is assumed that the almost constant isolation is the cause of this. They live in small family clans lead by the eldest and therefore most experienced of their group. All marriages between clans are organised between the elders and it is not uncommon for the bride and groom to first properly meet only moments before the marriage is about to commence.
There is however a bi-annual event in which each centaur clan will congregate for a whole month at one particular shore. During this month the population is ruled in a state of meritocracy.
At each of these times of year a strip of land opens between their fair island and the mainland.
It is a long-standing tradition that all young male centaurs that have just come of age must go out into the world to learn about their weaknesses by themselves and learn to overcome them. Only if they can survive without fellow centaur support on the mainland for 6 months, can they be considered worthy of taking a wife.
The ceremony itself is named the 'Celebration of Worth'.
Centaurs are very strict on the rules of marriage. If the female centaur is to reject her elder's order to marry a particular centaur, then no matter what the reason, they are forced into exile.
Faith:
Centaurs are primarily agnostic. They're more interested in the science of their world around them; concentrating their studies upon the stars. Astrology holds the general population of the centaurs in a deep rapture and it is undertaken with the respect most other races would treat the act of going into priesthood. Predictions are often made about the future based upon the arrangements of constellations.
Places of Importance: Western Lands
Feral Woods
This island is the birthplace of all centaur. There are no towns, cities or villages as the centaur do not build homes. The land is divided into terratories that are agreed upon with neighbouring families.
Each family tends to stick to its own terratory apart from twice a year during the gathering for the Celebration of Worth.
Walk of Men
This is the name of the beach on the Southmost side of the island where the Gathering takes place. It is from this beach that the walkable strip of land forms twice a year.
