The Centauros
The semi-nomadic horse-folk of the Southern Plains - the Songstriders - whose magic flows from the Song Lines and who are governed by consensus through the Circle of Elders.
The Centauros range the vast Southern Plains, semi-nomadic horse-folk whose magic flows from the Song Lines - leyline remnants of the forests destroyed in the ancient elven civil wars. Some sixty percent remain fully nomadic, following the Songs across their territory; the rest have begun settling at gathering nodes like Conjunction. Their Circle of Elders governs by consensus, with a Great Vote of Confidence empowering the people to recall any elder who oversteps. Three hundred years ago, this mechanism prevented the warlord Ghr'oon the Usurper from leading them into aggressive expansion - he and his followers were banished, never heard from again. The current Speaker is a'Hrook the Totemic, approaching the end of a century of life. Recent tensions involve the criminal Green Fist's incursions into their lands and pressure from Tania to do something about it.
Government
- Government: Circle of Elders (12 members), Great Vote of Confidence check (2/3 needed per elder)
- Speaker: a'Hrook The Totemic (~98, approaching end, succession pressure)
Circle Members
| Member | Age | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nghriah Seasoul | 77 | Southern | Progressive, trade-positive |
| Drai-akch The Relentless | 89 | Northern | Hardened ranger, political insight |
| Dev'yark The Sandsinger | 53 | Western | Songline singer in training, can hear hum 50km away |
Territory & Magic
- Territory: Southern Plains (west to Southern Eastwatch Bay, east to Greenskins, north to Central Mountains/Gliath River, south to Ibexi coast)
- Magic: Song Lines (leylines from destroyed elven forests, movement-based casting, must be near lines for power)
- Lifespan: 90-110 years (age slowly until 85-90, then rapid decline)
- Character: Semi-nomadic (~60% nomadic, ~30% semi-settled, ~10% settled), traditionalist vs settler tension
Settlements
| Settlement | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conjunction | 8k+ | Main node |
| Bayside | 4k | |
| Rivermeet | 3k | |
| Dustsong | 2.5k | |
| Wanderer's Rest | 2k |
History & Crisis
- Crisis: Green Fist expansion through territory (past 10 years), Tania pressure (blame for border raids)
- Historical: Ghr'oon the Usurper (300 years ago, failed aggressive expansion, banished via Great Vote)
- Key Event: Van Gillzeek execution (10 years ago, pirate decapitated for bad publicity - not common knowledge)
Relations
- Docile agreement with Greenskin Confederation
- Trade with free cities (overlook piracy)
- Good relations with Chronomere (3% population surge dry season)