Homebrew Gallataur Species Details

Gallataurs live in tribal communities of over 500 people all of whom follow a single chieftain. They decide when the tribe should move, they settle disputes among their people and oversee the tribe. Chieftains remain until they are challenged and beaten by a challenger. If a chieftain is never overthrown and dies of old age or in battle, their oldest child takes over as the new chieftain, but only if they have successfully completed the Trial of the Horn. A child of a chieftain who dies in combat, cannot take on the role as chieftain until they complete the Trail of the Horn. In the years spent waiting for the first born to come of age, a council of the chieftain’s advisers runs the tribe. Trail of the Horn is what all gallatuar must do to achieve adulthood. The Trial of the Horn is a test of strength, endurance, and spiritual resilience. Upon the completion of the trail, the young gallataur is considered an adult and can challenge the chieftain for the leadership of the tribe. The only other way a gallataur can challenge a chieftain is as an adult when the chieftain honor is called into question. The two commence in a battle that only ends when one person concedes or, however unlikely, in the death of either competitor. The winner is bathed in sacred herbs and oils in front of the entire tribe and crowned the new chieftain. The chieftain then appoints religious leaders and otherwise and old members of the community as his or her advisers. Gallataur is highly spiritual and can be very superstitious, they do not believe in gods, but in the belief that their ancestors can manipulate the material world from the ethereal plane controlling the weather, sending omens of what is to come and bestowing both good and bad fortune. Often when a chieftain has a tough decision to make they contact their ancestors for aid. This is achieved by commencing a sacred ceremony that very few know how to complete.

Because of their mostly nomadic lifestyle, metal items are very rarely possessed by gallataurs. Metal armor is almost unheard of. A few ways a gallataur can have metal items are through trading with merchants, collecting the metal from fallen enemies, or even making the items themselves. A tribe that has stayed in one place for a long time could establish a rudimentary mining, smelting and smithing system. Though, the weapons that come from these pursuits are often crude imitations of what other races have achieved. The weapons, shields, and armor are prone to cracking and breaking and are unattractive by many standards. When gallataur wear armor that is not metal it is hidden and leather, this is because gallataur dislike wasting anything from a kill and will use all of the skin in any way they can. Gallataur is omnivorous but if they eat too much meat too often they can become quite ill. Gallataurs who have a diet consisting mostly of meat can become “flesh-raged”, a flesh-raged gallataur is a maddened, blood-lusting creature that will hunt for sport and begin devouring their prey before killing them. This is seen as a great sin and a task that brings dishonor to the animal and to the gallataur. Gallataur believes that every creature deserves an honorable, respectful death, eating them before they have passed to the afterlife is disrespectful to the animal. Any flesh-raged gallataur will be banished from a tribe and killed if necessary. Many tribes of gallataur will herd livestock with the tribe, mostly creatures like sheep that can provide wool for the cold seasons. These herds are often the first victims of a flesh-raged gallataur.

A gallataur takes a life partner once they reach adulthood. Gallataur does not have a distinction between heterosexual couples and homosexual couples, both are able to be bonded in the paring ceremony. In fact, homosexual couples have a special place in gallataur communities; As caregivers for young gallataur who have lost their parents as well as carers of elderly gallataur. Both tasks are a great honor. Young gallataur are raised primarily by their grandparents. This is until they complete the Trail of the Horn. The trail can only be taken when a gallataur reaches the age of 10. If a gallataur fails the Trail of the Horn, they are given a second chance to complete it. They are given as many attempts as they are willing to do. Though failing more than twice is extremely humiliating and after a second or third failed attempt many gallataur runs from the tribe in shame. Honor is a very important thing in gallataur society. They adhere to a strict code when engaging in most activities. A different set of codes is used when encountering different races. This is because gallataur understands that not everyone will understand their ways immediately. This honor code derives from their belief that their ancestors are always watching, therefore taking part in any acts that bring dishonor or honor on themselves also brings dishonor or honor on their ancestors.

Gallataur Traits

A mixture of minotaur and centaur, but only in appearance

Ability Score Increase

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 3, Your Constitution score increases 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 2.

Age

Age. Gallataurs mature at around the age of 10 and can live to anywhere from 60 to 100 years old.

Alignment

Alignment. Prone to the following tradition and respecting the chain of command, most gallataurs tend to be lawful in alignment.

Size

Size. You are between 6 and 8 feet tall and your horse body is 8 feet long. Your size is Large.

Speed

Speed. Your base walking speed is 40 feet.

Spiritual Traditions

Spiritual Traditions. You are proficient with the herbalism kit.

Tribal Training

Tribal Training. You are proficient in the javelin, longbow, and spear.

Tauroid Build

Tauroid Build. Even though your size is Large, your humanoid torso is still of similar scale to that of other humanoid races. You use equipment and wield weapons as if you were a Medium-sized creature. You have twice the carrying capacity of a Medium creature, and you require four times as much food and water as a Medium creature would.

Hooves

Hooves. You are proficient in making unarmed strikes with your hooves, which deal 1d8 bludgeoning damage on a hit.

Gore

Gore. You are also proficient in making unarmed strikes with your horns, which deal 1d8 piercing damage on a hit.

Ungainly

Ungainly. You cannot make use of mounts and have trouble with things your humanoid counterparts may not such as climbing stairs, ladders, and rope.

Languages.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Sylvan. Since many gallataurs do not interact with other races, it is very rare for a gallataur to know an extra language, especially one spoken by another race. However, you can speak some Common, though sometimes you struggle.