Post by Gaea on Jul 26, 2013 23:29:53 GMT -8
Tarvos are a strange fusion of man and monster, impressively-sized centaurs possessed of lethal cunning and eerily human intelligence. They are, in fact, the only species of monster capable of human speech - while sparing with their words and generally not exactly friendly, they are proud creatures with a sense of honor that might seem completely out of place were their impressively muscular top halves not so close to human. There are more than a few tales of Tarvos repaying debts to other races, given credence by their documented reticence to allow themselves to owe anything to anyone else. Nomadic tribes of Tarvos range across the great plains of Elibe, hunting down prey with colossal axes and immense bows that few mortal men could even hope to draw. They are omnivorous, and eat everything from rabbits to buffalo. They do not eat humans or Taguel, though they have no compunctions about cutting either race down, and are the only monster species who actually actively and consistently hunt down other monsters - Tarvos often provide unannounced and unexpected help against Cyclops, Baels, and other mutually-dangerous creatures.
Racial relationships are difficult to place at the best of times - while Tarvos are generally no more actively malevolent than human nomads, they hold no compunctions about cutting down or trampling anyone who dares stand in their way. Nonetheless, there is a sort of uneasy peace that pervades the plains, with humans generally making a point of avoiding Tarvos hunting parties, and the monstrous centaurs avoiding them in return. Tarvos and Taguel actually hold a curious sort of camaraderie, which has led to some speculation as to whether the races hold similar origins; Tarvos and Taguel never interfere with each other, with both sides uncharacteristically going out of their way to avoid strife, though there is perhaps even less actual communication than there is between Tarvos and humans. Communication is a constant issue with them; while they are capable of human speech and use it often, perfectly capable of holding a lucid conversation with adventurers, they simply do not discuss their origins or those of other monsters, or even what their purpose is.
Those who interact with Tarvos often notice that they show great respect for "Father Sky" and "Mother Earth," though it is unclear whether it is religious reverence or a more spiritual connection to the land they live on and the endless sky beneath which they hunt. To the surprise of absolutely no one who has ever tried to get answers out of a Tarvos, they aren't telling, and most quickly grow wroth if one presses the subject.
In combat, Tarvos wield their colossal axes and immense bows with trivial ease, rippling musculature and razor focus the only hint of how much effort it actually takes to pull off their impressive feats. If they deigned to work with humans, they would be the continent's premiere cavalry without peer.
Racial relationships are difficult to place at the best of times - while Tarvos are generally no more actively malevolent than human nomads, they hold no compunctions about cutting down or trampling anyone who dares stand in their way. Nonetheless, there is a sort of uneasy peace that pervades the plains, with humans generally making a point of avoiding Tarvos hunting parties, and the monstrous centaurs avoiding them in return. Tarvos and Taguel actually hold a curious sort of camaraderie, which has led to some speculation as to whether the races hold similar origins; Tarvos and Taguel never interfere with each other, with both sides uncharacteristically going out of their way to avoid strife, though there is perhaps even less actual communication than there is between Tarvos and humans. Communication is a constant issue with them; while they are capable of human speech and use it often, perfectly capable of holding a lucid conversation with adventurers, they simply do not discuss their origins or those of other monsters, or even what their purpose is.
Those who interact with Tarvos often notice that they show great respect for "Father Sky" and "Mother Earth," though it is unclear whether it is religious reverence or a more spiritual connection to the land they live on and the endless sky beneath which they hunt. To the surprise of absolutely no one who has ever tried to get answers out of a Tarvos, they aren't telling, and most quickly grow wroth if one presses the subject.
In combat, Tarvos wield their colossal axes and immense bows with trivial ease, rippling musculature and razor focus the only hint of how much effort it actually takes to pull off their impressive feats. If they deigned to work with humans, they would be the continent's premiere cavalry without peer.
