Centaurs: How do you roleplay them?
John Kubisz
I am the only "unusual" humanoid in the group. (there are 2 humans, a dwarf,
an elf, and 2 half-elves)
Besides the scketchy guidelines in the HH and MC, is there any other sources
on how to role-play centaurs? I'd hate to make it seem like he's just
an elf with a horses back. I like the idea of the centaur, I just want to
role play him correctly. Any sugestions?
--Johnny K-oss
James Robinson
It's been a long time, but there were some centaur characters in the
_Chronicles_of_Narnia_, by C.S. Lewis. Combining Lewis'
characterization with AD&D's: They're distant, fierce and hot-tempered
(and _dangerous_ when angered), very proud tending towards arrogant (or
"regal"), and they have to eat human food _and_ horse food to be truly
satisfied. In large quantities. Riding on the back of a centaur is a
huge once in a lifetime honor, certainly as far as the centaurs are
concerned, and they will of course refuse horseshoes, bridles, bits,
saddles and barding no matter what. Centaurs are wary of anything
humanoid that isn't a woodland sprite-type (eg satyr, dryad, nymph,
pixie but not necessarily elf). Centaurs love wine (in large
quantities), are as proud of their beards and manes as dwarves are, and
are fascinated with the workings of nature: Most centaurs are
astronomers and herbalists and rangers. Centaurs are fond of bows
(unlike horseback archers they would have no trouble using a longbow)
and spear-like weapons. They can use their vastly greater leverage and
balance to use large two-handed weapons and lances to lethal effect.
Centaurs generally do not wear much of anything -- heavy or bulky
clothing impedes their movement (armor for example would make it harder
for them to rear up and kick) and since they have horse hides they aren't
too troubled by (naturally) extreme temperatures anyway.
Hope this helps.
/**James Robinson***********************
"An important goal of almost every graphics program is to draw pictures on
the screen." -- Neider, Davis & Woo, _OpenGL_Programming_Guide_, Chapter 10
*************james-r...@uiowa.edu**/
Beleghir
prominence in the stories. Also, one of the major characters in the
Harper-series book, Red Magic, is a centaur.
"Life's a stage and we are only players"
William Shakespeare & Rush
Ruediger Landmann
: Besides the scketchy guidelines in the HH and MC, is there any other sources
: on how to role-play centaurs? I'd hate to make it seem like he's just
: an elf with a horses back. I like the idea of the centaur, I just want to
: role play him correctly. Any sugestions?
See the feature articles on Centaurs in DRAGON #58 and DRAGON #103.
Jennifer Brinn
There was also a few articles on Centaurs in Dragon several years ago.
If you have the index (available from MPGN I think and several www
pages.), you can find the issue. I don't have it in front of me, but I
think it had them as happy-go-lucky folks, very down-to-earth and
natury (forgive me if that isn't a word. it's late). The article salso
had good stuff on size, diet and other such details. If you can't get a
hold of the artciles, and are still interested, let me know what you need
to know and I'll look it up.
Looking into other sources that ppl have posted is a good idaea too, so
you can really personalize your Centaur. I've always loved them, and
have played them before. (Well, only once and she got blown up before I
could really give her a personality. Sigh...)
Goldi
Beleghir (bele...@aol.com) wrote:
: Also try the Greek myths as they had several Centaurs that had some
arr...@arrk.com
>Besides the scketchy guidelines in the HH and MC, is there any other sources
>on how to role-play centaurs?
In the comic book series "Stinz" there is a whole Centaur culture. In
the version in "Stinz", they hate the smell of blood, wear shirts and
hats on their human halves, males rebel against their fathers upon
reaching adulthood, can't climb well, males hide in pond depth water
when aroused, they allow a few humans to coexist in their community
for the purpose of shoeing them (since a half-horse, as they call
themselves, can't easily do it to another halfhorse), they hate having
their tails pulled execpt maybe by a mate. Read the comics. You'll
get some ideas you can use, and some you can't, and they are fun
reading. The main character's youth and decling years are both shown.