Bariaur, Male

[Stix]

The bariaur is a centaurlike being of the Upper Planes, but it's hardly a centaur; in appearance, the male is a combination of man and ram. Roughly human sized, it has the body of a large goat and the torso and arms of a human. The head is a mixture of human and animal. Males develop a pair of curling ram's horns in young adulthood.

Bariaur tend to be fussy about their appearance. They usually wear shirts, jackets, blouses, vests, and leather girdles, but this is a matter of personal taste rather than decorum. They also dye, cut, and shave their pelts to make themselves look more attractive, at least to each other. The look is often finished with jewelry hung from horns or woven into their wooly hair.

Bariaur are a carefree lot. To some they appear irresponsible, but it's only a powerful wanderlust that makes them seem unsettled. There are no known bariaur towns, and few bariaur make anything like a permanent home. They do congregate in herds of their own kind, but the more dauntless range far and wide on their own.

Sedentary bariaur commonly favor a pastoral life of tending sheep or goat herds, which they raise for milk and wool or for bartering stock. All bariaur are herbivorous, and even the thought of eating meat is revolting to most of them; a bariaur who does eat meat is in for a severe bout of indigestion, and will be scorned by her fellows. Those bariaur who prefer not to herd can often be found watching over meadows and acting as guardians of the wilderness. This isn't to say they won't be found in cities, but those sods are usually visiting out of curiosity or on business.

Most bariaur are found on the plains of Ysgard, with smaller populations on the planes of the Beastlands, Elysium, and Arborea and occasional herds found on Bytopia, Mount Celestia, or the Outlands. The bulk of the race is chaotic good, but bariaur of any nonevil alignment are a sizable minority. Bariaur are social and outgoing, friendly to strangers, but not foolishly trusting.

An understated aspect of bariaur life is their robust playfulness. They believe that the two great goods are the advancing of their strong sense of honor and the need to have a good time. The bariaur often meet in shows of friendly rivalry on the grassy plains of Ysgard. At these festivals they stage singing contests, tell tall tales, and play an intricate game not unlike polo. Observers of other races often mistake the rivalry for pride or pettiness, and are taken by surprise when, at the end of a festival, the bariaur depart on the friendliest of terms.

Even a bariaur on a grim errand may arrange simple contests to remind them of the joy of life. It is a magical moment when a severe and determined bariaur happens on one of his fellows and puts aside his honor-driven quest for a few minutes of race and sport. Such events often do them as much good as a night's sleep.

Nothing saddens a bariaur like learning that a companion is sad. These brave ones fear neither death nor the most monstrous manifestation of the powers of darkness; yet they have been known to journey across the most dangerous planar barriers to visit the sickbed of a valued friend.

Herd society is very polarized along the lines of gender. Males are noted for being fierce fighters, and they particularly hate giants, often going out of their way to attack these creatures. Along with defending the herd, they are also the primary food-gatherers and craftsmen. Herds are led by the most capable male, and dominance struggles are settled through highly ritualized, nonlethal combat (losing a duel of challenge brings no disgrace or dishonor).

All bariaur warriors who come of age carry a great club, whether or not they use it in combat; the weapon is a personal icon or family heirloom, the latter of which are handed down through generations. Each weapon's history is etched on it, whether in the bariaur runic language or personally meaningful pictograms. Losing this weapon means such humiliation and shame that a bariaur leaves his flock to wander the planes, returning home only once he has redeemed his honor.

Male bariaur tend toward action-oriented classes. Rangers, Scouts, and Fighters are most popular, as well as Barbarians and Pugilists. Those with religious inclinations often become Paladins rather than Priests, pursuing the agendas of their gods with zeal. Rogues, Spellthieves, Swashbucklers, and other classes based on agility are almost unheard of, due to the clumsiness of the bariaur shape. Male wizards are frowned upon.

Strength: 13 to 20
Dexterity: 7 to 16
Constitution: 13 to 20
Intelligence: 9 to 18
Wisdom: 7 to 16
Charisma: 9 to 18

Size: Medium
Base Speed: 40
Quadruped (bariaur can carry 50% more weight before being encumbered)
Darkvision, 60'
Natural Weapon: Horns (2d6 damage)
-2 Racial penalty to Hide, Move Silently
-6 Racial penalty to Climb
Favored Class: Fighter
Templates: Celestial Being

Height range: 6'5" - 7'8"
Weight range: 700 - 850 lbs
Starting age range: 20 - 42
Lifespan: 100 years