The Centaur HomelandThe Centaur homeland is a valley which lies in the Freshet Mountains, south of Ardur, and north of both esch and Shaori lands. The centaurs are one of the firstborn races created by the four elemental gods at the beginning of the world; as a consequence, they and their homeland are perfectly adapted to each other. A lush growing environment and a warm climate make the homeland ideal for agriculture and the development of a rich and vibrant culture. Art, music and storytelling flourish, as well as practical arts such as architecture and cartography. Teaching stories are passed down through generations, and children are encouraged to artistic expression. Centaurs are deeply spiritual, and profound worship of the gods is a deeply held cultural value. As a result, children of many families go into the priesthood, which is considered a prestigious and highly honored profession. It is also common to enter a monastic order, where deep study of the elements of earth, water, fire and air is taught. Devotion to the gods is considered one of the primary values instilled in colts and fillies. The centaurs are known as the “sure-footed people”, and this pertains to their physical and emotional balance. They tend to be wise and sensible, and extremely flexible in designing solutions to practical problems. They are also natural engineers, and have an instinctive understanding of physical and spatial relationships. Their society is communal, and they have a deep need to maintain connection both physical and mental with others of their kind. When that is not possible, it is not unheard of for a mare or stallion to form a deep bond with a member of another race, taking them as a surrogate for a member of their herd. Centaurs are deeply loyal, and even when rejoining their herd, they will continue to maintain the new connection. Deep thinkers as well as practically oriented, centaurs have a love of and an understanding of the movement of the stars which includes astrology; in addition, they also make fine mathematicians and philosophers. Their love of discourse is well known, and they delight in intense discussion of abstruse and obscure points of converse. (It is said that an argument with a centaur may last days before one discovers that both were in agreement all the time.) Of the firstborn races in the world, the centaurs are one of the most steadfast, and to be counted as a centaur’s friend is to have a supportive and lifelong bond. |
High Centaurs and the FalmyrosAt the beginning of the world, the gods created for each of the firstborn races a high race, which was set over their peoples to rule, guide, and defend. These races were given gifts of intelligence, discernment, and power in order for them to carry out their purpose. The high race of each were also given great abilities characteristic of their own people; they exemplify the best of their race. As leaders and rulers, there are seldom many of each high race living at any time.
The high centaurs are part of a single family whose numbers breed true as long as they are in a position of governance; the blood fades in more distant lines, though in times of turmoil it may wake to power in a cadet line. Though not perfectly uniform in appearance, they tend toward large, long-limbed bodies, thick hair, and bold features. The dominant colors of the high race are reddish-brown coat and hair with large brown eyes. They are extremely strong, supremely intelligent, and mentally solid. It is almost unheard of for a member of the high centaurs to succumb to madness. The leader of the high centaurs is known as the Herd Lord. Usually this is a stallion, but the position has occasionally been filled by a mare; centaurs tend toward egalitarian relationships between the sexes. The Herd Lord is chosen by the gods, and given the falmyros: an unshakeable bond with the land that enables the Herd Lord to magically sense and influence everything within the centaur homeland. The falmyros may be expressed in subtly different ways with each new ruler, but the basics remain the same. Every Herd Lord, as holder of the falmyros, has a responsibility before the gods to be a good and honorable lord to the centaur people. Should the power of the falmyros be abused in a significant way, it is theoretically possible for the gods to take it from the reigning Herd Lord and give it to another. This has never actually happened; it is only theorized based on similar occurrences among other sentient peoples. |
All pages Copyright© 2012-2022 by Beth Hudson Wheeler and Eleanor C. Ray