Characteristics - +1 DEX, +2 CON +3 BODY - Cost 13
Knockback Resistance - 3 inches - Cost 6
Running - +9 inches - Cost 18
Language: choose one (native) - Cost 0
Disadvantage
Distinctive Features - horse-person, not concealable, noticed - Cost -15
Hunted - by racial enemies, as powerful, 8 or less - Cost -10
Physical Limitation - long body, 400 kg, all the time, greatly - Cost -20
Conversion Notes: The Characteristics, Powers and Skills here represent the minimum found in a centaur, but they are often much higher. This write-up uses Champions 5th edition rules.
The centaur is a creature of legend from Earth's ancient past, so perhaps these strange beings have visited the planet before. Beings who are half-man and half-horse. Their origin is lost to antiquity.
On the Palladium world the centaur is a fearsome plains warrior whose people gather in tribes of 40 to 60 members. They are a nomadic people who dislike staying in any one place longer than a season. Although they are good craftsmen, they rarely have access to a proper hearth or tools. The former centaur is a dying breed, succumbing to the superior numbers and weapons of both man and wolfen.
The centaurs of Rifts Earth have come from both the Palladium world and another, more advanced world of unknown origin. The former tend to be warriors, men of arms, and rangers/wilderness scouts. The latter are familiar with energy weapons, mega-damage armor, cybernetics and bionics. These civilized centaurs are also known as the Cyber-Horsemen or simple as "the Horsemen," and are viewed with great suspicion, especially by the Coalition.
The first cyber-horsemen were recorded about 30 years ago, around 73 P.A. At first they were believed to be strange bots or mutant animals, but now it is known that they are a race of technologically advanced centaurs. Their tech level appears to be several degrees less than the Coalition's, although they have mastered the sciences of cybernetics and mega-damage alloys. Rumor has it that the cyber-horsemen have built a city called Ixion (eye-zon) somewhere in the northern plains of Canada. Here, it is said, all centaurs, mutant animals and the persecuted as welcome. So far, no human has found any trace of such a city.
Most centaurs and cyber-horsemen have become suspicious of all other races. However, once befriended, they will remain loyal for life. Centaurs are also magnificent hunters, archers, and woodworkers.
Centaurs are somehow linked to nature and are free spirits, driven to adventure and wandering. They can not live in captivity. Even a few weeks in chains may kill them or drive them to make desperate attempts to escape. Nevertheless, many cruel and greedy individuals have attempted to enslave them both for labor and entertainment in the gladiatorial arena. Sadly, their animal visage has lead many to think of the centaur as an animal.
Centaurs can become almost any occupation that humans can, and can learn magic or gain psionic abilities without limitation.
To learn more about centaurs, I suggest purchasing and reading the Rifts Conversion Book by Kevin Siembieda.
Art by Larry Elmore.
Champions rules conversion by Mathew R. Ignash - mathewignash@comcast.net.
Last Updated - July, 2004
