Homebrew Bariaur Species Details

"Better to wrestle with a giant than to lock horns with a bariaur."
— Ysgardian proverb

Bariaur are creatures born with the urge to wander and search. A nomadic people comfortable in the wilderness and with grand hospitality for strangers, bariaur are friendly and carefree, walking through the world with an open attitude. Some mistake this for frivolity, but the bariaur are known to be fierce combatants who shirk from no threat upon them or their friends. Many bariaur wander the planes in nomadic tribes, and many people from those tribes become adventurers, at least for a time, as it is a great way to see the worlds.

Built for Travel
Few people would mistake a bariaur for a human, though some may mistake one for a centaur. Their bodies are that of mountain sheep or goats, wool and hooves and four legs and all. From where the head of the animal would occur, instead they have a human torso. In the case of males, the head is topped with a set of horns (majestic and curling, or short and spikey largely depending on the tribe). The four-legged, hooved form serves the bariaur well as they track across the planes, giving them great endurance and the ability to carry heavy loads on their backs for long distances. A bariaur's natural gait is swift and direct, and their surefooted stride carries them through rough terrain with ease.

Bariaur tend to be fussy about their appearances. Their skin tone ranges through human shades, but their hair is distinct - the thick, curly wool that occurs on their torsos may or may not be reflected in the hair their human half has. Bariaur tend to pay a lot of attention to their wool, cutting it, cropping it, even dying it in patterns and colors. Their hair often gets brought into the mix as well. Amongst the bariaur, being good with a pair of shears and shampoo is a prized skill. Their large eyes tend toward shades of green and brown, and many of the males grow facial hair (a short goatee is especially common).

Paradise is Everywhere
The bariaur culture is strong on laughter and enjoyment. Bariaur delight in physical contests like races and wrestling, hunting games, and butting heads. They also practice contests of magic and bariaur fashion shows are quite the magnificent sight. All this play helps them understand what it's like to win and lose graciously, how to root for your rivals, and how to welcome new people into the game. Few bariaur grow up alone or isolated, as they make an active effort to find the skills that any member of their race has, and bring them to the fore. This keeps them confident and jovial, rarely doubting themselves, and always sure that they have something to offer.

This open, friendly attitude often serves them well as they wander the planes. Even the most sedentary of bariaur range over a wide area in their lives, and the bariaur find the thrill of discovery when entering a new place exhilarating. This can be true even if the place is unpleasant or harsh - a bariaur who wandered through a portal into the Abyss (and managed to survive) would still be pretty energized by the experience. Bariaur enjoy travel for travel's sake, for the sake of challenging themselves, and for the sake of meeting interesting new characters on their journeys.

Bariaur Names
A bariaur’s name is given to him or her by the parents. It is usually a simple, one- or two-syllable name (the easier to be shouted across the hills). Within the flock, a bariaur denotes parentage by adding “buck of” his father’s name (if male) or “doe of” her mother’s name (if female); outside the flock, a bariaur relies instead on a flock name to indicate the extended family to which he belongs. Flock names typically describe the environments favored by the flock, and can change over time.

Male Names: Bex, Cious, Darun, Grazik, Hul, Jalen, Jek, Lijel, Menok, Mihel, Ril, Wyk, Zatar

Female Names: Daeth, Defilia, Entida, Floria, Glien, Hysh, Jillia, Kilil, Saph, Tyth, Vash, Welida

Flock Names: Cloverfield, Dalewatcher, Farmountain, Greenpastures, Hillwalker, Meadows, Openplain, Widewanderers, Windingriver, Woodstrider

Bariaur Traits

Your similarity to both goats and centaurs gives you a very particular selection of traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.

Age

Bariaur lifespans are comparable with a half-elf's. Given a boring and healthy life, a bariaur elder may live well into their second century.

Alignment

Bariaurs value their own freedoms as well as those of others, giving them a leaning towards the Chaotic Good alignment. More sedentary bariaurs lean towards a neutral outlook in their approach to good, while a few stray from pure good toward neutrality. Evil bariaurs are extremely rare, tend to be shunned, and may or may not have black pelts. If they have black pelts, they are not automatically evil, even if they start purchasing alchemical bleaching solutions from the apothecary.

Size

Usually standing about a half-foot taller than a human, and weighing nearly 300 pounds (with ewes about 40 pounds lighter). Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 40 feet.

Darkvision

You have darkvision out to 60 feet.

Hard-headed

You have proficiency in Wisdom or Charisma saving throws. If you have profiency from another source such as a class or feat this counts as double-proficiency.

Horns

The idea of being unarmed has never entered your thoughts. You are proficient with your horns, which deal 1d4 plus your Strength modifier bludgeoning damage.

Powerful Charge

When you use the Dash action during your turn, you may make a melee attack with your horns as a bonus action, dealing an additional 1d4 points of bludgeoning damage. This equates to 2d4 + Strength modifier.

Ram

With your horns, you may attempt to knock a creature prone with this ability as per Shoving rules (PHB pg 195) after successfully attacking with your horns.

Sharp Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Sure-Footed

You have advantage on Strength and Dexterity saving throws made against effects that would knock you prone. You also have no problems navigating ladders.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write in Common and one additional language of your choosing.