Pegataurs
by Mark HowardBy coincidence, I've been looking at Pegataurs myself recently as part of a project on Thonia. This is by no means compete, but what I have:
Pegataurs
History
Pegataurs have populated the Peaks of Barnean since time immemorial. Legends of their creation at the hands of mad Alphatian mages, forgotten Immortals or from pacts with eldritch beings, whilst entertaining to children are not true.
Back in the days of old Thonia, before the Great Rain of Fire, several groups of elven colonists moved to Skothar in search of new lands and magic. One of these groups became fascinated with the flight of winged magical beasts and first sought them out to train and ride them, and when this was not enough, to emulate them. Many discussions were among the elves, and two schools of thought arose as to the best way to accomplish this. The first was for elves to physically grow wings themselves, and the second to merge their form with a magical beast.
Whilst the first group carried on their research in the Fae realm (and eventually became what is not the Ee’aar of the Arm of the Immortals), this second group retreated to the northern foothills of the Peaks of Barnean, where they experimented with the modifying shape-changing magics until they had perfected their perfect form, the merging of elf with pegasus, keeping their intelligence and magical abilities, whilst gaining the flight and stamina of the pegasus. What the elves did not count on, was that the stubbornness and rigidity of pegasi would become part of their make-up and lead to the strict, militaristic society that dominates pegataur culture to this day.
Today, the main centre of pegataur culture is still the Barnean Peaks, but there are smaller clans in the mountains of Skothar
Pegataur adventurers
Sometimes the more mercurial nature of the elves comes through in an individual pegataur, and they bridle against the strictures of society. These individuals are “encouraged” to leave their homelands and to seek out adventure, fame and fortune. Some return, acclaimed as heroes of the pegataurs and fit back into society, whilst others settle away from the homeland, and create new clans.
Immortals
Karn Skystrider (The Flying Lance, The Mercenary)
Game Statistics: Celestial, Sphere of Matter, 15th level Immortal; AC -5; hp 220; HD 29; MV 150’ (50’); #AT 3; D 4d6 (Punch), 3d8 +19 (+21) (lance), 4d6 +8 (sword), 3d10 +8 (short bow). AM 60%; Save IM15; AL N; Str 31, Int 27, Wis 11, Dex 18, Con 15, Cha 13. Powers: Fighter Options, Increased Damage, Swoop, Weapon Mastery (lance, normal sword, short bow). Weapon: Lance of Slowing +3, +5 vs giants; Sword of Holding +3.
Followers’ Alignment: Any. Clerics must be Neutral.
Special Clerical Powers: Clerics of Karn may use lances
History: Karn was a warrior of the pegataurs as the Great Rain of Fire hit Mystara. In the immediate aftermath, he gathered the survivors together and re-established their settlements in the mountains of Skothar.
In time, with his people now stable and in an increasingly prosperous position, Karn retired and began seeking ways to preserve the future of the pegataurs. After adventuring in the Shadeworn Mountains, where he was looking to destroy a corrupted Blackmoor artefact, the pegataur was seemingly destroyed by the energies it released. While his companions returned to their home in the Barnean Peaks, telling the tale of his bravery and demise, in truth, he had been reincarnated as a dwarf by the immortal Terra. Then a merman, and finally a centaur.
Personality: Karn is the exemplar of the pegataur species; militaristic, protective of the herd, but also prepared to act as a soldier for hire, whilst revelling in the freedom that movement and flight gives him. He will obey instructions from the hierarchy of the Sphere of Matter, but will also trade his military services to pretty much any other immortal, if suitably compensated with power. Once he has entered such a trade it is inviolable, unless he is betrayed.
Allies: Aside from obeying orders from the sphere’s hierarchy, Karn has no true allies. He will work with other immortals if it ensures the safety of the pegataurs, but other than that, his relations are purely transactional.
Enemies: The only true enemy of Karn is Alphaks, his followers have tried to recreate pegataurs by merging captured Shiye elves and pegasi, this has created twisted versions that only elicit disgust from pureborn pegataurs.
Appearance: Karn appears as the ideal pegataur. The torso of a muscular elf, with grass green hair and ice blue eyes, attached to the body of a pure white pegasus stallion. He is usually armoured in a leather breast-plate and carrying his lance.