Shattered Kingdoms

This is the tribe that is the most distinguishable from other centaurs by appearance alone–Desapva have dark brown skin and jet black hair, pelt, and tail. However, a high rate of albinism in this tribe results in fully one third of all Desapva children being born with snow white skin, pelt, hair, and tail, and pink- or red- colored eyes. Many Desapva possess outrageously sharp intellects. To make matters still more complicated, Tribe Desapva has the misfortune of having its members be more prone to insanity than those of the other tribes. While there are many examples of loving, law-abiding, and sane Desapva centaurs, other centaurs are wary when making initial contact with another member of this tribe. Together with the Yazze, the Desapva have the largest proportional number of magic users and healers in their population.

The Hostia centaurs generally have sandy or blonde hair and golden pelts, but no other distinguishing features except for their slightly gracile builds. This tribe is very suspicious and and defensive in its dealings with other species, almost never allowing outsiders knowledge of where their camps are. The Hostia are by far the most skilled hunters in a race of hunter-warriors. Hostia children are taken on the hunt as young as is possible, sometimes within just a few weeks after their birth. During hard times, Tribe Hostia hunters make themselves available to other tribes as hunters and survival trainers, thus increasing the food supply and survival skills of the entire Centaur Federation.

Idatsa-teh centaurs are identifiable by their “paint” or spotted pelts and their blue, grey, green, or violet eyes. Tribe Idatsa-teh is classified as the ruling tribe of the Centaur Federation, though in centaur civilization’s loose hierarchy, leadership holds less prestige and responsibility than it does in other cultures. Famed for their diplomatic and mediation skills, Idatsa-teh are often invited to settle disputes not only between other tribes but between other races. They are the most frequently involved in the affairs of the non-centaur world, and therefore serve as conduits for information. Everyone, except perhaps some Hostia, maintain contact, if not blood relations, with members of Tribe Idatsa-teh in order to keep abreast of important events. Centaurs of this noble tribe do not have any prescribed profession. Instead, Idatsa-teh is a “Jack-of-all-trades” tribe, its members divided equally between the professions accepted by centaur society.

The members of this tribe are generally indistinguishable from members of other tribes except for their tendency towards red or auburn hair. Mel’nas have the sturdiest, most impressive physiques of all centaurs, combining brute strength with beauty. They also have a reputation of being gentle, reliable, and reasonable…unless they’ve lost their temper. No one with any sense at all wants to pick a fight with a Mel’nas centaur. The Mel’nas have earned the trust and respect of many bands of elves and sprites through their senses of humor, their love of song, and their trustworthiness. This tribe has few members who practice the arts of magic or healing.

The Yazze are easily distinguished from others of their species by their tendency to have olive skin, a chestnut pelt, and black hair and tail. They are generally of a slighter, more delicate build than most other centaurs, but much faster on their feet and with lightning-quick reflexes. This is the only tribe that can truthfully claim to have the full trust of Tribe Hostia. Centaur lore places this tribe as the oldest–the one that Nature created first. As such, even their young seem to have been gifted with the wisdom of age. Along with Tribe Desapva, they have the largest proportional number of mages and clerics in their population.