Centaur (monster class) - Revision history

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 ==Encyclopedia entry==
-{{encyclopedia|<poem>
+{{encyclopedia|
-Of all the monsters put together by the Greek imagination
+Of all the monsters put together by the Greek imagination the Centaurs (Kentauroi) constituted a class in themselves. Despite a strong streak of sensuality, in their make-up, their normal behaviour was moral, and they took a kindly thought of man's welfare.  The attempted outrage of Nessos on Deianeira, and that of the whole tribe of Centaurs on the Lapith women, are more than offset by the hospitality of Pholos and by the wisdom of Cheiron, physician, prophet, lyrist, and the instructor of Achilles.  Further, the Centaurs were peculiar in that their nature, which united the body of a horse with the trunk and head of a man, involved an unthinkable duplication of vital organs and important members.  So grotesque a combination seems almost un-Greek. These strange creatures were said to live in the caves and clefts of the mountains, myths associating them especially with the hills of Thessaly and the range of Erymanthos.
-the Centaurs (Kentauroi) constituted a class in themselves.
+|[ Mythology of all races, Vol. 1, pp. 270-271 ]}}
 ==References==

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 {{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|8d2407f}}, pets can gain intrinsics from eating corpses. Per {{commit|f54485b9131fa945ac363e6531edabaa72ddb097}} and {{commit|f679a537d4a91b09da8c242106d8bd64479c77a6}}, they will not eat corpses that make them polymorph, unless they are starving or on the verge of becoming untame&mdash;this is further refined via {{commit|64f6ae6d1965eb3543ae00a10bda5f3bb48127d0}} and {{commit|b363b702d755a3c84e003d2dd66d0be9c9598d91}} to include the corpses of [[genetic engineer]]s.
-Per {{commit|84fabf764a6923a2c929d764c2d27569510c54cf}} and {{commit|11aaa7020982fe635dc9f9a8371bc8abe3b0a0aa}}, large humanoids and other similar monsters can wear [[mummy wrapping]]s, which also grant MC1; the [[amulet of guarding]] added via {{commit|4d52332dda48f1a9da637256fd2459fb45730e13}} also boosts MC by 2, though you may prefer a different amulet for a centaur steed.
+As mentioned previously, centaurs can can wear [[mummy wrapping]]s, which also grant MC1; the [[amulet of guarding]] added via {{commit|4d52332dda48f1a9da637256fd2459fb45730e13}} also boosts MC by 2, though you may prefer a different amulet for a centaur steed.
 Riding while wearing an [[amulet of flying]] (added in the same commit as the amulet of guarding) will cause the steed to fly as well—riding a mountain centaur that has an amulet or shield of reflection paired with an artifact weapon can make them a somewhat viable competitor to the [[ki-rin]]. However, be sure to keep a [[wand of undead turning]] handy in case they die.}}

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 ==Common traits==
-Centaurs are [[strong]] and [[Intelligent monster|intelligent]] [[humanoid]] [[monster]]s that are [[omnivorous]] and can be seen via [[infravision]]. A centaur is a cross between a [[Human (monster)|human]] and a [[Horse#Body parts|horse]]: they possess the body and legs of the latter, with the upper body of the former situated where a horse's head would be. Centaurs can wield [[weapon]]s and use [[magical item]]s, and will seek out weapons, armor and [[gold]] to pick up - they are too large to wear any sort of torso armor, though they can still wear [[amulet]]s and equip [[helm]]s, [[gloves]] and [[shield]]s.
+Centaurs are [[strong]] and [[Intelligent monster|intelligent]] [[humanoid]] [[monster]]s that are [[omnivorous]] and can be seen via [[infravision]]. A centaur is a cross between a [[Human (monster)|human]] and a [[Horse#Body parts|horse]]: they possess the body and legs of the latter, with the upper body of the former situated where a horse's head would be. Centaurs can wield [[weapon]]s and use [[magical item]]s, and will seek out weapons, armor, [[food]], and [[gold]] to pick up&mdash;they are too large to wear any sort of torso-fitted armor, though they can still wear [[amulet]]s and equip [[helm]]s, [[gloves]] and [[shield]]s.
-Centaurs generally have high [[speed]], moving fast enough enough to outpace an unburdened [[player]] character with intrinsic speed, and attack using weapons and [[kick]]s.
+Centaurs generally have high [[speed]], moving fast enough enough to outpace an unburdened [[hero]] with intrinsic speed, and attack using weapons and [[kick]]s.
-A peaceful or tame centaur "discusses hunting" if you #[[chat]] to them.
+A peaceful or tame centaur will discuss hunting if the hero [[chat]]s to one.{{refsrc|src/sounds.c|806|nethack=3.6.7}}
 ===Generation===
-Randomly generated centaurs may be peaceful towards characters of the same alignment as them.
+Randomly generated centaurs may be peaceful towards heroes of the same alignment as them.
 Various centaurs may appear among the hostile monsters that generate in [[throne room]]s, as well the monsters randomly generated by [[looting]] a [[throne]] while [[confused]] and carrying gold (provided there is no [[chest]] on the level).{{refsrc|src/mkroom.c|746|version=NetHack 3.6.7|comment=centaurs and throne rooms}}
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 The centaur is the first [[quest]] monster class for [[Ranger]]s, and makes up {{frac|24|175}} of the monsters that are randomly generated on the [[Ranger quest]]. Random centaurs are also generated on the quest branch below the home floor at level creation: one each is generated on the upper and lower filler levels, and two are generated on the goal level. The centaur is also the second quest monster class for [[Tourist]]s, and makes up {{frac|6|175}} of the monsters that are randomly generated on the [[Tourist quest]]. Random centaurs are also generated on some levels of the quest branch, with one each generated on the home level and the upper and lower filler levels.
-Centaurs have a {{frac|2}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a [[launcher]] and [[missile]]s: the forest centaur will generate with a [[bow]] and 3–14 [[arrow]]s, while other centaurs will generate with a [[crossbow]] and 3–14 [[crossbow bolt|bolt]]s.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|461|nethack=3.6.7}} They also generate with some gold pieces.
+Centaurs have a {{frac|2}} chance of [[Monster starting inventory|being generated with]] a [[launcher]] and [[missile]]s: the forest centaur will generate with a [[bow]] and 3–14 [[arrow]]s, while other centaurs will generate with a [[crossbow]] and 3–14 [[crossbow bolt|bolt]]s.{{refsrc|src/makemon.c|461|nethack=3.6.7}} As [[gold lover]]s, they also generate with some gold pieces.
 ==Strategy==

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 ===As pets===
-Tame centaurs make superb [[steed]]s: while not quite as fast as a [[unicorn]] or a [[warhorse]], their ability to equip weapons and wear limited armor can make them more durable, even in [[Gehennom]]; they can use [[unicorn horn]]s to stave off status problems; and they can also be given [[wraith]] corpses and potions of {{! of|gain level}} to compensate for their normally-low [[HP]] caps. A [[potion of speed]] or [[wand of speed monster]] will boost their speed to a stellar 24 (or 27 for mountain centaurs), amulets and shields allow them to obtain [[reflection]], and a "spare" co-aligned or unaligned [[artifact weapon]] is ideal to hand off to a centaur steed and drive up their damage output. Their diet also makes them much easier to keep fed, allowing non-[[Knight]]s to offset the [[tameness]] decrease from each attempt to climb onto their steed.
+Tame centaurs make superb [[steed]]s: while not quite as fast as a [[unicorn]] or a [[warhorse]], their ability to equip weapons and wear limited armor can make them more durable, even in [[Gehennom]]; they can use [[unicorn horn]]s to stave off status problems; and they can also be given [[wraith]] corpses and potions of {{! of|gain level}} to compensate for their normally-low [[HP]] caps. A [[potion of speed]] or [[wand of speed monster]] will boost their speed to a stellar 24 (or 27 for mountain centaurs), while [[Amulet of reflection|amulets]] and [[Shield of reflection|shields]] allow them to obtain [[reflection]], and a "spare" [[artifact weapon]] that is co-aligned or unaligned is ideal to hand off to a centaur steed and drive up their damage output. Their diet also makes them much easier to keep fed, allowing non-[[Knight]]s to offset the [[tameness]] decrease from each attempt to climb onto their steed.
-Unfortunately, centaurs are quite vulnerable to [[polymorph trap]]s and the like: they can only obtain [[magic resistance]] from [[Magicbane]], and otherwise can only be protected by your own magic resistance if you ride them over the trap. Their armor limitations also prevent them from obtaining [[MC]] through any means other than a [[cornuthaum]]. Since centaurs can eat meat, they must be kept away from [[shapeshifter]] corpses if at all possible. Finally, as with all other non-[[flying]] steeds, move carefully around [[water]] and [[ice]] lest you or your steed drown.
+Unfortunately, centaurs are quite vulnerable to [[polymorph trap]]s and the like: they can only obtain [[magic resistance]] from [[Magicbane]], and otherwise can only be protected by your own magic resistance should you ride them over the trap. Their armor limitations also prevent them from obtaining [[MC]] through any means other than a [[cornuthaum]]. Since centaurs can eat meat, they must be kept away from [[shapeshifter]] corpses if at all possible. Finally, as with all other non-[[flying]] steeds, move carefully around [[water]] and [[ice]] lest you or your steed [[drown]].
-{{upcoming|3.7.0|Pets will no longer eat corpses that make them polymorph, unless they are starving or on the verge of becoming untame. Per {{commit|8d2407f}}, they can also gain intrinsics from eating other corpses as well. Large humanoids such as giants and other similar monsters can now wear [[mummy wrapping]]s, which also grant MC1; the [[amulet of guarding]] also boosts MC by 2, though you may prefer a different amulet for a centaur steed.
+{{upcoming|NetHack 3.7.0|Per {{commit|8d2407f}}, pets can gain intrinsics from eating corpses. Per {{commit|f54485b9131fa945ac363e6531edabaa72ddb097}} and {{commit|f679a537d4a91b09da8c242106d8bd64479c77a6}}, they will not eat corpses that make them polymorph, unless they are starving or on the verge of becoming untame&mdash;this is further refined via {{commit|64f6ae6d1965eb3543ae00a10bda5f3bb48127d0}} and {{commit|b363b702d755a3c84e003d2dd66d0be9c9598d91}} to include the corpses of [[genetic engineer]]s.
-Riding while wearing an [[amulet of flying]] will cause the steed to fly as well—riding a mountain centaur with an amulet or shield of reflection paired with an artifact weapon can make them a somewhat viable competitor to the [[ki-rin]]. However, be sure to keep a [[wand of undead turning]] handy in case they die.}}
+Per {{commit|84fabf764a6923a2c929d764c2d27569510c54cf}} and {{commit|11aaa7020982fe635dc9f9a8371bc8abe3b0a0aa}}, large humanoids and other similar monsters can wear [[mummy wrapping]]s, which also grant MC1; the [[amulet of guarding]] added via {{commit|4d52332dda48f1a9da637256fd2459fb45730e13}} also boosts MC by 2, though you may prefer a different amulet for a centaur steed.
 ==History==

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 ==History==
-The centaur first appears as [[centaur (monster)|an individual monster]] in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]. In Hack 1.21, the centaur uses the {{white|c}} glyph, and uses its modern glyph in Hack for PDP-11 and Hack 1.0. [[NetHack 3.0.0]] introduces the centaur monster class and phases out the centaur monster in favor of the three modern subtypes.
+The centaur first appears as [[Centaur (monster)|an individual monster]] in Hack 1.21 and Hack for PDP-11, which are based on [[Jay Fenlason's Hack]], and is included in the initial bestiary for [[Hack 1.0]]. In Hack 1.21, the centaur uses the {{white|c}} glyph, and it first uses its modern glyph in Hack for PDP-11 and Hack 1.0, which continues to [[NetHack 2.3e]]. [[NetHack 3.0.0]] introduces the centaur monster class and phases out the centaur monster in favor of the three modern subtypes.
 ==Origin==

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 ===notdNetHack===
-[[notdNetHack]] retains the monsters added in dNetHack and adds two more to the monster class:
+[[notdNetHack]] and [[notnotdNetHack]] retain the monsters added in dNetHack and adds two more to the monster class:
 * {{red|C}} [[Berith]]

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 A centaur (Ancient Greek ''κένταυρος'' romanized "kéntauros", Latin ''centaurus''), is a creature from Greek mythology with the upper body of a human and the lower body and legs of a horse that was said to live in the mountains of Thessaly. In one version of the myth, the centaurs were named after Centaurus, and were relatives of the legendary tribe of the Lapiths through his brother Lapithes. They are also occasionally referred to as "hippocentaurs" or as "Ixionidae" (Ancient Greek ''Ἰξιονίδαι'' romanized ''Ixionídai'', lit. "sons of Ixion"). Female centaurs are called "centaurides", and occur more often in later antiquity. Centaurs are thought of in many Greek myths as being as wild as untamed horses, and were said to have inhabited the region of Magnesia and Mount Pelion in Thessaly, the Foloi oak forest in Elis, and the Malean peninsula in southern Laconia.
-The most common theory holds that the idea came from the first reaction of a non-riding culture (such as the Minoan and Aegeans) to nomads mounted on horses who would appear as half-man, half-animal to the uninitiated; the Aztecs are said to have had a similar misapprehension about Spanish cavalrymen. The Lapith tribe of Thessaly, who were the kinsmen of the Centaurs in myth, were described as the inventors of horse-riding by Greek writers, and the Thessalian tribes also claimed their horse breeds were descended from the centaurs. The most well known Greek centaurs are [[Wikipedia:Pholus (mythology)|Pholus]] and [[Wikipedia:Chiron|Chiron]], who are notably much more civilized than most centaurs.
+The most common theory holds that the idea came from the first reaction of a non-riding culture (such as the Minoans and Aegeans) to nomads mounted on horses who would appear as half-man, half-animal to the uninitiated; the Aztecs were believed to have held a similar misapprehension about Spanish cavalrymen. The Lapith tribe of Thessaly, who were the kinsmen of the Centaurs in myth, were described as the inventors of horse-riding by Greek writers, and the Thessalian tribes also claimed their horse breeds were descended from the centaurs. The most well known Greek centaurs are [[Wikipedia:Pholus (mythology)|Pholus]] and [[Wikipedia:Chiron|Chiron]], who are notably much more civilized than most centaurs.
-Centaurs feature in Roman mythology and were familiar figures in medieval art, bestiaries and heraldry; the work of Georges Dumézil argues for tracing centaurs back to the Indian ''[[wikipedia:Gandharva|gandharva]]'', and centaur-like beings also appear in Indian and Russian folklore. The centaur eventually became a staple of modern fantasy literature and other similar media, naturally including ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''. The centaur of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' is part of the original 1974 set, and also appears in the 1st Edition Monster Manual. The "sylvan" centaur is the most common, and lives in temperate forests either alone or in small tribes, while the "nomadic" centaur was more likely to be encountered in plains and steppes, where they roamed in clans.
+Centaurs feature in Roman mythology and are familiar figures in medieval art, bestiaries and heraldry: the work of Georges Dumézil argues for tracing centaurs back to the Indian ''[[wikipedia:Gandharva|gandharva]]'', and centaur-like beings also appear in Indian and Russian folklore. The centaur eventually became a staple of modern fantasy literature and other similar media, naturally including ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''. The centaur of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' is part of the original 1974 set, and also appears in the 1st Edition Monster Manual. The "sylvan" centaur is the most common, and lives in temperate forests either alone or in small tribes, while the "nomadic" centaur is more likely to be encountered in plains and steppes, where they roam in clans.
-Centaurs are generally strong and proud, with nomadic centaurs being more aloof and introverted - they typically strive to find peace and balance with nature, but could act with violence when the need arose. Centaurs must eat a lot to fuel their large bodies and are known to overindulge, especially with wine and ale: a drunken centaur was much more prone to aggressive and violent behavior. Centaurs that feel a sense of wanderlust make excellent companions and occasionally even offer a ride to allies, but treat the suggestion of being used as a pack animal with derision. Sylvan centaurs are likelier to be friendly towards outsiders: as fellow forest-dwewllers, they have good relations with elves, tolerate gnomes and halflings, and generally despise humans and dwarves, though they are not actively hostile to the latter two. Conversely, nomadic centaurs much prefer the company of their own kind. Sylvan centaurs typically fight using weapons and their front hooves, while nomadic centaurs favor distance attacks and very rarely use their hooves (if ever).
+The centaurs of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' settings are generally strong and proud, with nomadic centaurs being more aloof and introverted - they typically strive to find peace and balance with nature, but can act with violence when the need arises. Centaurs must eat a lot to fuel their large bodies and are known to overindulge, especially with wine and ale: a drunken centaur is much more prone to aggressive and violent behavior. Centaurs that feel a sense of wanderlust make excellent companions and occasionally even offer a ride to allies, but treat the suggestion of being used as a pack animal with derision. Sylvan centaurs are more likely to be friendly towards outsiders, and as fellow forest-dwewllers they have good relations with elves, tolerate gnomes and halflings, and generally despise humans and dwarves, though they are not actively hostile to the latter two; nomadic centaurs much prefer the company of their own kind. Sylvan centaurs typically fight using weapons and their front hooves, while nomadic centaurs favor distance attacks and very rarely use their hooves (if ever).
 ==Variants==

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 * {{blue|C}} [[mendicant drider]]
-===dNetHack===
+===notdNetHack===
 [[notdNetHack]] retains the monsters added in dNetHack and adds two more to the monster class:

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 ==Variants==
 ===UnNetHack===
-In [[UnNetHack]], several centaurs appear in the third [[drawbridge]]-populated map of [[Fort Ludios]]. Five centaurs guard the trapped hallway in the [[Castle (UnNetHack)|second island-based map]] of the [[Castle]].
+In [[UnNetHack]], several centaurs appear in the third [[drawbridge]]-populated map of [[Fort Ludios]].
 ===EvilHack===
 {{main|Centaur (starting race)}}
+[[EvilHack]] adds centaurs as a playable [[race]] with a corresponding [[Centaur (EvilHack)|centaur monster]], and all centaurs are capable of wearing any armor except [[boots]].
 Several centaurs appear in the third drawbridge-populated map of Fort Ludios, and five centaurs guard the trapped hallway in the second island-based map of the Castle, both of which are adapted from UnNetHack.
 Centaurs have a {{frac|4}} chance of generating with an [[elven helm]].
 ==Encyclopedia entry==