Centaurs
Centaurs are not originally native to Arlsyn, but have been a part of the culture for so long that they are now viewed as such. There are four Cardinal Points in the Arlsynian Centaur nation, each being psychically inclined. Each tribe resides in a corresponding cardinal point. Governing consists of each nation being represented by two elders, in turn, each tribe is then represented by their chiefs.
There is a fifth nation, the Starwalker Nation, but does not reside in Arlsyn but in a place called the Final Forest and it is from this Nation that it is believed the other four Nations derive from. The Starwalkers have only one elder, as the other died in a battle long ago, and are currently waiting the appointing of a second elder
Adolescent centaurs are referred to as Cenlings.
Note: The Starwalker Nation is mentioned here purely for reference purposes and is not available for writing outside of the creator.
Centaurs - General Information
Physique: Centaurs are creatures with the head and torso of a human, and the body of a horse. Average centaur height is about 7 – 7.5 feet for males and 6.5 – 7 feet for females.
Government
Nation VS Capitol - Capitol VS Tribe - Elder VS Elite
Each Nation has a lead tribal city (capitol). Elders reside only in that location and all other tribes (to their respective nation) is lead by Elite Wise Centaurs. Whenever there’s a problem in the remote locations, those elite are to solve it. That which cannot be solved would be presented to the elders in their capitol. The Elite also handle local affairs within the capitol unless, again, it must go to the Elders. Anything that reaches the Elders is to be considered serious business.
The Elite are those who have shown a remarkable sense of wisdom, courage and leadership. They serve in order to one day become an Elder.
High Elders make the final decisions and at times, the hardest sacrifices.
Capitol Cities are equipped with a House of Elders and Elite, homes, markets open for business and trade, taverns, inns, a cook pit (Sosars only) for those who are hungry and enjoy eating barbeque outdoors (run by some of the finest fire cooks around), temples, and crop farms (meat is either hunted or bought).
Most frequently asked question:
Q. Why are there tribes within a nation of a single race?
A. Centaurs, first off, are not native to the Land of Arlsyn and much like their equine “cousins”, some like to move around. Also, like their human “cousins”, they will also settle in a single place. So simply, multiple tribes in one nation occurred long ago when they first came. They just settled in different regions of the same area.
Society
Marriage: The desire of a union between any two centaurs begins with a hand fasting (please see wikipedia for definition Handfasting). The desire to marry is always a celebratory event but it is also taken very seriously. Marriage, to the centaurs, is complete and utter devotion to another. During the marriage ritual, the spiritual hearts are fused by their love in ceremony. The spirit hearts, from that moment on, will always beat with the same rhythm. The magick and love that causes that kind of fusion has detrimental effects when reversed for a divorce. Centaurs, assuming either nothing too detrimental happened after a divorce or no death resulted, can choose to remarry. But after all that, could you really find the one that’s worth it? It is the ultimate commitment so choose your mate wisely.
Nowadays, the younger generations don’t always take the last step, but might prefer to hand fast with different individuals throughout their life. All that’s required to break a handfast is a handparting (the divorce ceremony to a handfasting). No harm done. Final marriage ceremonies are rare but not uncommon.
Handfasting or marriage is not required for reproduction. Casual dating is also quite frequent for those who don’t know what they want yet.
That just leaves widowing. Since marriage is a fusion between spirit hearts, the death of a centaur’s one and only does not mean sudden death for the deceased’s counterpart. It is a spiritual fusion.
The spiritual fusion does not break after the physical departure of a loved one. Think of it as a precious token that is then stored within itself to always be there when you need it. The heart that once shared its beat with yours will always share that beat with yours even after death.
Re-marrying is always possible, but often times it is a difficult decision. Some centaurs have been known to never emotionally recover from their loved one’s death and even die themselves. Can re-marriage happen? Yes. But again, after all that, could you really find the one that’s worth it?
Family Life: Centaurs tend to have small, close knit immediate families usually bearing one or two offspring. Twins are uncommon but can still happen. Bearing twins can be dangerous since the birth of one already has its difficulties. Twins almost always result in a death except on very rare occasions. Never to fear, there are a plenty cenlings running around and causing minor havoc (as is normal child behavior) to the capitols and smaller tribes.