Monster Manual

CENTAUR32CENTAURLarge Monstrous HumanoidHit Dice: 4d8+8 (26 hp)Initiative: +2Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares)Armor Class: 14 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 11,flat-footed 12Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+12Attack: Longsword +7 melee (2d6+6/19–20) or composite longbow(+4 Str bonus) +5 ranged (2d6+4/×3)Full Attack: Longsword +7 melee (2d6+6/19–20) and 2 hooves+3 melee (1d6+2); or composite longbow (+4 Str bonus) +5ranged (2d6+4/×3)Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.Special Attacks: —Special Qualities: Darkvision60 ft.Saves: Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +5Abilities: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 15,Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 11Skills: Listen +3, Move Silently+4, Spot +3, Survival +2Feats: Dodge, Weapon Focus(hoof )Environment: Temperate forestsOrganization: Solitary, company(5–8), troop (8–18 plus 1 leaderof 2nd–5th level), or tribe(20–150 plus 30% noncombatantsplus 10 3rd-level sergeants,5 5th-level lieutenants, and 1leader of 5th–9th level)Challenge Rating: 3Treasure: StandardAlignment: Usually neutral goodAdvancement: By character classLevel Adjustment: +2The creature gallops out of thetrees, its thundering hooves echoingthroughout the forest. It has the uppertorso, arms, and head of a humanoid,and the lower body of a largehorse. It carries a longbow, drawnand nocked, ready to loose an arrowat the first hint of danger.CentaurCentaurs are woodland beings who shun the company of strangers.They are deadly archers and even more fearsome in melee.A centaur is as big as a heavy horse, but much taller andslightly heavier. A centaur is about 7 feet tall and weighs about2,100 pounds.Centaurs speak Sylvan and Elven.COMBATAlthough generally mild-tempered, centaurs are always armed.Their favorite melee weapon is the longsword. When scouting orhunting, they carry composite longbows. A centaur employing alance deals double damage when it charges, just as a rider on amount does.Centaurs usually don’t provoke a fight. Their normal responseto aggression is swift retreat, perhaps after launching a fewarrows to discourage pursuit. Against creatures powerful enoughto pose danger to the tribe, they appear to use this same tactic,except that about half of the “retreating” centaurs will circlearound to lie in ambush or attack the foe from the rear.CENTAUR SOCIETYAmong their own kind, centaurs are sociable creatures, but theyhave been known to become rowdy, boorish, and aggressive whenunder the influence of alcohol.Solitary centaurs are usually out hunting or scouting. Companiesand troops are usually hunting or scouting in force. Most ofthe members of a centaur tribe remain near their lair. Most of thecentaurs in the tribal lair are female; while the males are out huntingand scouting, the females lead and administer the tribe. Athird of a tribe’s population is young.The typical centaur lair is located deep within a forest. It consistsof a large hidden glade and pastures, with a good supply ofrunning water. Depending on the climate, the lair may containhuts or lean-tos to shelter individual families.Hearths for cooking and warmthare in an open area, away from thetrees.Centaurs are skilled in horticultureand may cultivate useful plantsnear their lair. In dangerous, monster-infestedareas they plant thickbarriers of thorn bushes aroundtheir lair, dig pits, and set snares.Centaurs survive through a mixtureof hunting, foraging, fishing,agriculture, and trade. Though theyshun dealings with humans, centaursdo trade with elves, especiallyfor food and wine. The elvesare paid from the tribe’s treasury,which consists of the booty ofslain monsters.The size of a centaur tribe’s territoryvaries with its population andthe nature of the area it inhabits.Centaurs do not object to sharingterritory with elves. The attitude of acentaur toward a stranger in its territorydepends on the visitor. Humansand dwarves are politely asked toleave, halflings or gnomes are tolerated,and elves are welcomed.Centaurs deal with monstersaccording to how much of a threatthey are to the welfare and survivalof the tribe: If a giant ordragon were to enter a tribe’s territory,the centaurs would relocate, but they would attempt to killtrolls, orcs, and the like.Most centaurs revere a deity named Skerrit, who is a god ofnature and community.CENTAURS AS CHARACTERSCentaurs sometimes become bards, rangers, or druids. Centaurrangers often choose magical beasts or some variety of humanoidas their favored enemy. A centaur druid is usually a tribe’s designatedleader and speaker. Centaur clerics (who are rare) worshipSkerrit and can choose any two of the following domains: Animal,Good, or Plant.Centaur characters possess the following racial traits.— +8 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, –2 Intelligence,+2 Wisdom.—Large size. –1 penalty to Armor Class, –1 penalty on attackrolls, –4 penalty on Hide checks, +4 bonus on grapple checks, liftingand carrying limits double those of Medium characters.—Space/Reach: 10 feet/5 feet.—A centaur’s base land speed is 50 feet.