Centaur

Centaurs are among the most ancient of peoples in Estaklyos, striding across the wide-open plains of the mainland with the strength of warhorses and minds of philosophers. Their great herds roam the plains and desert fringes of Estaklyos, with the two split groups having developed extremely different outlooks. To the Estaklian humans of the poleis, they are both fearsome and respected—foreign, yet familiar; wild, yet often wise. Whether hired as mercenies, sought for guidance, or simply observes as they pass like storms across the land, the centaurs are considered impossible to ignore.

Appearance and Physiology

Estaklian centaurs possess the upper body of a well-proportioned human—usually lithe and powerful—joined seamlessly at the waist to the body of a full-sized horse. They stand nearly seven feet tall from hoof to crown when upright, with bodies that can easily reach 1,500 pounds in mass. Their equine halves exhibit the same diversity of coloration and build seen in horses—dappled coats, dark manes, lean racers and heavy chargers alike. Their human torsos often mirror this, with skin tones, eye colors, and hair textures ranging across the spectrum found in Estaklyos.   Though sexual dimorphism is minimal, some herds favor cultural distinctions between sexes. Stallions may braid their tails with bell charms or war-knots, while mares might shave patterns into their flanks to mark rites of passage or personal oaths. Scars are worn with pride, and hair is sometimes dyed or braided with colored cords to show achievements, herd affiliations, or spiritual roles.   Their powerful lower bodies give them unmatched speed and stamina, especially when combined with their martial upper torsos. Their metabolism is closer to horses than to humans, requiring large amounts of food and water, but it also gives them resilience to long marches, extreme weather, and the fatigue of battle. Though they are not truly immortal, some centaur philosophers claim that the oldest among them age only when they choose to stop moving.

Habitat and Settlements

Centaurs of Estaklyos are primarily nomadic, forming large, mobile herds that traverse the plains, grasslands, and desert edges of the southern mainland. These herds rarely remain in one place for more than a few weeks, following the seasons, the stars, and the movements of water and forage. Each herd maintains a loose territory marked by ancient stone cairns or painted totems, but they often overlap with one another or cross the lands of human poleis, creating both opportunities for trade and tensions of encroachment.   Rather than permanent structures, centaurs use collapsible shelters of hide and woven reeds, often carried with them in leather bundles or on ceremonial wagons. However, some sacred sites are visited annually by many herds, including stone circles used for divination, river fords marked by ancestor statues, or groves dedicated to deities. These “gathering places” are neutral ground for the herds and may host councils, rituals, or seasonal competitions.   A rare few centaurs dwell within or on the outskirts of Estaklian city-states, especially those who have taken service as guards, scholars, or mercenary captains. Though they are often given guest status rather than full citizenship, such individuals may carve out respected roles as advisors, foreign liaisons, or martial instructors—though they rarely give up their identity as part of a greater herd.

Culture and Society

Centaur culture values independence, movement, and strength—not merely in battle, but of will and vision. Their society is clan-based, with each herd comprising several extended families bound by shared lineage, oaths, or prophecy. Leadership is not fixed by inheritance, but rather by esteem; those who demonstrate bravery, wisdom, or clarity of purpose may rise as guides, often called Pathkeepers. However, spiritual guidance is typically the role of the Star-Readers—respected elders or visionaries who read the constellations, recite ancestral tales, and commune with the divine.   Despite their martial reputation, centaurs are not brutish or simple. Many are drawn to philosophy, poetry, and prophecy, embracing paradoxes as readily as spears. A centaur may quote ancient aphorisms in battle or compose a riddle before agreeing to trade. To them, movement is not just physical—it is the motion of stars, of thought, of fate itself. This has given rise to their famed wanderer-philosophers, who travel from polis to polis teaching through parable and combat alike.   Centaurs place great importance on personal oaths, whether to kin, gods, or purpose. Breaking one’s word is a grave offense. This, combined with their sense of honor, has led some human poleis to idealize them as romanticized figures of lost virtue—though real centaurs view such notions with amused disdain. Conflict between herds is not uncommon, but it is usually ritualized and resolved through contests of strength, endurance, or cunning, with minimal bloodshed. One of the greatest oaths is that of the family, with the bond between man and woman being considered wholly sacred. This extends even beyond centaurs alone, for if a centaur marries a non-centaur, it is not uncommon they would even allow their non-equine partner to ride upon their backs—something otherwise all but unheard of.   Children are raised communally within the herd, with roles and mentorship chosen based on aptitude rather than birth. Both stallions and mares take part in rearing the young, teaching everything from spear combat to stargazing. Star-Readers begin identifying potential apprentices early, believing certain births are marked by signs or celestial alignments.

Diet and Cuisine

Centaurs have prodigious appetites, requiring large quantities of food and water to sustain their size and stamina. Their diet is heavily plant-based, with grasses, grains, fruits, and wild herbs forming the staple. However, they are also skilled hunters and often supplement their meals with game such as deer, boar, or desert lizards.   Food is often cooked in communal settings, with herds gathering around fire pits to roast skewers, bake flatbreads in sand-heated ovens, or brew herbal stews. Fermented drinks are rare, but some herds prepare potent mead from flowers or fermented fruit mash. Spices and seasonings are common, and each herd prides itself on its unique flavor blends passed down through generations.   Hospitality is a sacred custom; centaurs share food freely with travelers or guests under their protection. To offer someone a place near the fire and a portion of meat is to acknowledge their worth. Refusing such an offer is seen as grave insult or ill omen, especially among the more traditional herds. It is believed that the Estaklians learned this sacred custom from the centaurs when they were yet babes in this land.

Technology and Magic

Centaurs eschew complex technology in favor of rugged practicality. Their tools are expertly made for portability and endurance—recurve bows, iron-tipped spears, bone-handled knives, and saddle-packs woven from desert reeds or horsehair. They craft durable leather harnesses and battle harnesses suited for long rides and quick strikes. Blacksmithing is limited to trade or select individuals, often trained in the poleis.   Magic among the centaurs tends to be intuitive and reverent. Druidic traditions thrive among the herds, focusing on divination, animal kinship, and natural harmony. Star-Readers in particular wield a form of astrological magic, drawing power from the positions of the moon and constellations. It is said that some can delay death, predict battles, or shape the path of fate with only a whispered verse.   Those centaurs who pursue deeper magical knowledge may travel to distant mountain caves to study under cyclopes—ancient, one-eyed mystics who preserve forgotten lore and speak in riddles said to be older than the stars. Such apprenticeships are rare and dangerous, but those who return often become the most revered prophets of the herd.

Behavior and Diplomacy

Centaurs are proud and direct, disliking deception and manipulation. While not quick to anger, they are fierce when provoked, and rarely tolerate betrayal or cowardice. Their social behavior blends martial camaraderie with philosophical detachment, making them seem both alien and admirable to outsiders. Among their own kind, they are loyal and communal, fiercely protective of their herd and kin.   Diplomatically, they are seen as honorable but unpredictable. Estaklian poleis often rely on centaur mercenaries for border patrols, desert raids, or ceremonial tournaments. However, centaurs rarely join standing armies or swear permanent allegiance to city-states. They prefer to keep their independence, accepting service only when it aligns with their own sense of justice or prophecy.   Despite their foreign ways, most poleis extend cautious hospitality to centaurs, recognizing their value as warriors and oracles. Certain cities have treaties with prominent herds, allowing passage, grazing rights, or star-reading services in exchange for tribute or seasonal defense.

Language and Communication

Centaurs speak their own tongue—a musical, flowing language that combines claps, breathy exhalations, and poetic cadence. Their tongue is well-suited to shouts across the plains and deep, powerful chants. Many also learn Estaklian to facilitate trade and diplomacy, especially those who serve in or near the poleis.   Though literacy is rare among most centaurs, Star-Readers are the exception. They are taught to read the stars and, more practically, the written records of divine movements, omen scrolls, and celestial charts. These literate few often serve as messengers, diplomats, and memory-keepers for their people.

Religion

Religion suffuses centaur life as surely as breath or motion. The role of clergy is largely filled by the Star-Readers, who act as priest, diviner, and chronicler. Their rituals are performed under open sky, guided by the positions of stars and the breathing rhythm of the herd. Divinations are made by firelight, through cast stones, or in dreams. It is not uncommon for a Star-Reader to proclaim a divine vision that sets an entire herd in motion for weeks or months.   Sacrifices are rare but deeply symbolic—often involving the burning of herbs, the offering of crafted fetishes, or the ritual pouring of water onto sacred stones. Music plays a strong role in religious rites, with songs composed to honor divine deeds or recite celestial warnings. Some herds believe that specific melodies can draw the attention of gods directly, and that to sing beneath the wrong stars is to invite disaster.   Divine favor is seen as a living presence. A centaur blessed by a god may feel a tailwind behind every step or dream vividly of bronze-hooved beasts and silver skies. Star-Readers are trained from youth to interpret these signs and ensure their people do not stray from paths written in the firmament.