Bariaur


The Bariaur is a centaurlike being with a combination of man and ram or woman and ewe. Roughly human sized, it has the body of a large goat and the torso and arms of a human. The head is a mixture with of human and animal. Males have a pair of ram’s horns, but females lack them.

 

Species Name: Bariaur, Ram man

Type: Humanoid Ram

Physical Traits: All Bariaur possess infravision 60-foot. Males gain a + 1 bonus to their Strength and Constitution scores, but they suffer a - 1 penalty to Wisdom and Dexterity. From young adulthood males are never unarmed, for this is when their horns start to grow. A Bariaur male can always butt for D8 points of damage (plus Strength bonus), tripling this result by charging at least 30 feet in a straight line. However, if the hit is successful, the charging Bariaur character must successfully save vs. breath weapon or suffer the same damage as the target. The creature charged is knocked to the ground 50% of the time.

Females gain a +1 bonus to Intelligence and Wisdom scores, but they suffer a - 1 penalty to Strength and Dexterity. Lacking horns, they don’t have the special combat ability of males, but they do have keen senses and an intuitive resistance to magic. Their sharp senses of smell and hearing allow them a +2 bonus on surprise rolls, provided the opponent has a scent or makes noise, and they gain a +3 bonus to saving throws vs. spell.

Height: 6'0 - 6'8 feet

Weight: 600lbs

Abilities: All Bariaur are +1 resistant to all spells. Bariaur have uncanny senses of smell and hearing, and therefore receive a +2 bonus on surprise rolls.

Mobility: Legs

Sensory Organs: Visual

Communication: Vocal

Reproduction: Sexual

INT: 3D6, WIS: 3D6, STR: 3D6, DEX: 3D6, CON: 3D6, CHA: 3D6, MR: 4D6, HPs: CON +D10.

Orbit/Climate: See Earth

Feeding Habits: All Bariaur are herbivorous, and even the thought of eating meat is revolting to most of them. They feed on berries, nuts, leaves and other foods gathered in the forests.

Lifespan: 300 years

Technology: 2

Culture: Diversified mix of kind and evil people. 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 or with adventuring parties. Sedentary Bariaur favour a pastoral life of tending sheep herds, watching over meadows, and acting as guardians of the wilderness. This isn’t to say they won’t be found in cities, but they are usually visiting out of curiosity or on business. A flock of Bariaurs follows a single leader, stronger or more charismatic than other males in the flock. A leader’s rule is absolute, but younger males who think themselves ready for leadership may challenge him. Such challenges, though, are formal and ritualized, never reckless. The loss of a duel of challenge brings no disgrace nor dishonour. A flock holds 5 to 20 males, 10 to 30 females, and D12-1 young. Flocks are familial and under normal circumstances never split up. Bariaurs are tough, skilled combatants. The Bariaur warrior’s club is a personal icon, a family or flock heirloom handed down through generations. Each weapon’s history is etched on it in runes.

Bariaur are social and outgoing, friendly to strangers, but not foolishly trusting. They’re noted for being fierce fighters, and they particularly hate giants, often going out of their way to attack these creatures. An under-reported aspect of their life is their robust playfulness. They believe that that the two great goods are the advancing of their strong sense of honour and the need to have a good time. The Bariaur often meet in shows of friendly rivalry. At these festivals they stage singing contests, tell tales, and play an intricate game not unlike polo. Human observers often mistake the rivalry for pride or pettiness, and are often completely flabbergasted when, at the end of a festival, the Bariaur depart on the friendliest terms. 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.

Government: Tribal

Population: 2,512,430


 

Creating a Bariaur character

Step 1: Age
Determine your character's age. If older than 100 you need to determine which years you have been present in.
01-20 100 xD10 years
21-40 100 x2D10 years
41-60 100 x4D10 years
61-75 100 x6D10 years
76-90 100 x8D10 years
91-00 100 x10D10 years
Next decide what you have been doing. Were you involved in any famous historical incidents? In the present day where does your character live or is he a wanderer, moving around continuously?
Step 2: Attributes
Roll attributes as normal but MR is 4D6. Mana = INT + WIS x3. Mana is recovered at a rate of 10 per hour if remain active (but not using magic) and 20 per hour if asleep. Mana can however be permanently traded for HPs at a rate of 1 for 1. Hit points = CON +10, +10 per level.
Step 3: Skills

Choose skills in the normal manner according to the character's class. Then for every 100 years alive select 1 additional skill.

Step 4: Abilities

All Bariaur gain all the following free;

Exceptional Senses - Bariaur have uncanny senses of smell and hearing, and therefore receive a +2 bonus on surprise rolls.

Resistance - The character can can resist all magic with a +1 save per 5 WIS.

Additionally Bariaur start with 35 Points to spend on any of the following abilities. As they earns more experience they may buy or rebuy more abilities.
Ability Cost Notes
Animal Empathy 5 Bariaur can establish telepathic communication with any normal or giant hooved animal within line of sight if he does nothing else in the round. The animal must have a minimum INT of 1. This has the following benefits:
He can communicate to the creature that he desires its friendship. If the offer is sincere (and the animal will be able to sense if it isn't), the creature can be calmed and will not attack or flee unless it is attacked. It will answer any of his questions.

Further he can then recruit this animal as an ally. Once he does so he permanently psionically links with the animal turning it into a familiar. At any point he may see through the familiar's eyes, smell through its nose, hear with its ears, taste with its mouth or link with any of its other senses (including supernatural ones). The two are always in constant telepathic contact.

Increased Sight 5 Double normal range for sight. This doubles each time rebought.
Increased Thac0 10 +1 Thac0 with ranged weapons at levels 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19.
Natural Mana 10 +10 Mana at levels 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20.
Natural Chameleon 5 Using this ability the Bariaur can blend into and render himself nearly invisible in wooded areas, or any mountainous areas. When hiding he can conceal himself from attackers and eavesdrop on his enemies. He can hide near a well travelled road and secretly observe passersby, or conceal himself near an enemy campsite waiting for an opportune moment to steal their supplies. 

He may also move with a minimum of sound, almost as if he's walking on air. Even creatures with the sharpest ears are no more likely to detect his presence than they are to hear a feather drop. The ability works equally well in icy mountains, heavily wooded forests, or any other type of wilderness terrain. This goes well beyond the stealth skill raising it to a supernatural level and preventing any non magical detection.

Nature Heal 10 A Bariaur may select a particular type of terrain as his specialty area for healing. Whenever in this terrain he can heal at phenomenal rates. He must concentrate for 1 minute uninterrupted to perform the following healing; restore 1 HP per INT, +1 per level per 10 minutes; reduce the damage and duration of drugs, toxins and poisons by 4% per INT, +1% per level and gives +1 to save per 4 INT; negate all pain for 1 minute per INT, +1 minute per level; or stabilize his condition (stops bleeding, binds wounds, etc.) for 15 minutes per level.

He may choose an additional terrain at level 5. Terrain types include; Jungle, Desert, Tundra, Mountain, Forest or Ocean. Each time this ability is rebought the Centaur may choose a new terrain.
Nature Survival 5 Due to a Bariaur's extensive experience and training in forests he gains +1 to any physical, combat and survival rolls made while within that environment. He may choose an additional terrain at level 5. Terrain types include; Jungle, Desert, Tundra, Mountain, Forest or Ocean. Each time this ability is rebought he may either take an additional +1 with their terrain OR choose a new terrain.
Sense Hidden 10 The character gains +1 per 5 INT to detect a hidden object, door, person, etc.
Willpower Bonus 5 +1 Willpower save at levels 1, 4, 8, 12, 14, 16 and 20.
Witch Sight 10 The Bariaur can see the true image of any person or object regardless of any form of concealment, disguise, illusion or invisibility. This also includes the ability to detect whether it is magical, and whether it is harmful or helpful.
Step 5: Classes

Any.

 

 

Races