Species Template: Centaurans

Greetings,

As a couple of you responded to my last post of the Centauran species, I have taken your comments into consideration and and since purchased the PG and I am ready for a do-over :D

Centaurans

Personality: Most Centaurans are peaceful and respectful people. Their innovativeness and thirst for knowledge help further support their scholarly ways. Though not outwardly violent, they will go to any means to protect their homes and the Federation they worked so hard to build.

Physical Description: While virtually identical to Humans, Centaurans tend to have better physique and poise. They average at 2 to 2.3 meters in height. Skin tones are limited from light mocha to pale pink. Hair varies between individuals, going from purple to green, but most have dark-colored hair. Eye color is also variable with no constant apparent. Clothing tends to lean towards a more conservative look with robes in earth-tone colors.

Homeworld: Centauri Prime, the second planet orbiting the Alpha star in the Centauri binary star system. This lush paradise, second only to Risa, is home to the Centauri Republic and the Federation's Diplomatic Corp.'s main training facility. In the past, it has utilized terraforming technology to form additional continents. Class-N, but will be a standard Class-M within 10 years.

Culture: A culture rich in academics and arts, the Centaurans are the cultural sophistication of the UFP. As a gerontocratic democracy, the governing body is the Coucil of Elders who work in conjunction with the Agora, a body composed of one member of every House. Houses are determined by social status, but all Houses are equal in the Agora. Older citizens are held in high status as "with age comes wisdom." Due to the strange radiation from the system's star, 1 in every 2.7 billion Centaurans are born with psionic abilities. When off-worlders first come to Centauri Prime, they are greeted like royalty, as guests are only second to elders in status. When first seen, the society appears to be a page from an ancient Greek city-state. While studies of the first Centauran texts continue to be analyzed, it is confirmed that Human and Centauran DNA are 99% similar.

Languages: Centauran, Federation Standard

Common Names: Centaurans place the given name before the family name.

(Please bare with me ;))

Family Names: Calv, Gorz, Zahn

Male Names: Archamede, Oddysio, Platone

Female Names: Athena, Nike, Serenity

Favored Professions: Scientists. Inquisitive minds lead to great things as Cetaurans prefer environmental, medical, and physical sciences. Artists at heart and thinkers by nature, Cetaurans prefer free-lance study, though many do join Starfleet.

Species Adjustments: +1 Presence, +1 Intellect, -1 Strength; Centaurans are presentable and scholarly but find more use for their brains than any other muscle.

Species Abilities

Bonus Edge: Likable
All Centaurans have a naturally friendly aura. (See PG)

Respectful
All Centaurans live under a gerontocratic democracy where elders are held in high respect. Roll 1d6+10. Add that number to your character's age. Your character gains a +2 Social Test bonus with all PC and NPC characters whose age is over this number.

Mathematicians
Most Centaurans work well with numbers. You gain a +2 test bonus when targeting your Physical Science (Mathematics).

Potential Psionic
Newborn Centaurans have a 1 in 2.7 billion chance of developing psionic abilities. Roll 2d6; if total equals 3, your character gains the Psionic edge and is +2 skill level to psionic skill at no additional cost. Otherwise, your character may not take the "Psionic Potential" personal development.

Constructive criticism welcomed!

LtCmdr Joseph Turner
Chief Medical Officer
USS Avalon NCC-79813-A

one question, one comment:

1. For Psionics is the results of the 2D6 roll a 3 or a 3 or less?

2. Centaurans who don't roll for Psionics should recieve an ability to make up for not being Psionics to keep things even.

Da Guru

Quote:

---

Originally posted by turneravalon
Physical Description: While virtually identical to Humans, Centaurans tend to have better physique and poise. They average at 2 to 2.3 meters in height..

---

Maybe you should keep them in the same size range as humans, to better explain why we never see a Centauran on screen, i.e. physical similarity to humans.

Quote:

---

Favored Professions: ... Artists at heart and thinkers by nature,....[/B]

---

If this is the case wih Centaurans why not reflect it a little more in their Species Abilities? Only giving them a bonus to mathematics IMHO falls short of showing that they are indeed "thinkers by nature".

Quote:

---

Respectful
All Centaurans live under a gerontocratic democracy where elders are held in high respect. Roll 1d6+10. Add that number to your character's age. Your character gains a +2 Social Test bonus with all PC and NPC characters whose age is over this number..[/B]

---

Let's see if I get you right: You add 1d6+10 to your age and then gain a social test bonus with everyone who is older than the 1d6+10 you rolled? :confused:
Shouldn't the bonus apply to people who are younger than the Centauran character, because you are older then them?
And while a social test modifier based on age makes perfect sense with your ideas for the Centaurans, why do they receive the bonus with all PCs and NPCs? Members of other races might not share the Centauran's idea of "with age comes wisdom". I think this needs to be modified to apply only to interactions with other Centaurans.

Quote:

---

Potential Psionic
Newborn Centaurans have a 1 in 2.7 billion chance of developing psionic abilities. Roll 2d6; if total equals 3, your character gains the Psionic edge and is +2 skill level to psionic skill at no additional cost. Otherwise, your character may not take the "Psionic Potential" personal development.[/B]

---

Don't you mean +2 skill modifier to psionic skills? Or mybe +2 skill level to one psionic skill? The way it is written now it can be understood as "you gain 2 levels in all psionic skills".

Personaly I see no reason at all for this Species Ability. After all, the "Psionic Potential" development gives you the same benefit, i.e. the Psionic edge and a psionic skill at +2. Plus, it is in the book not only for people from psionic species, but although for the occasional "freak of nature" in an otherwise non-psionic species - and isn't that exactly what you are aiming for with this Ability?

The way you handle it it's all up to the dice and no longer the choice of the players. And that, IMO, is almost never a good way to go.

I like it, but I have to agree on the psionic issue. It is a little weird. Can I suggest just mentioning that psionics are more common in Centaurans than humans?

The gerontocracy idea is a nice one.

I really must get my own Centauran ideas online soon!

Here are my comments on your comments:

Quote:

---

Maybe you should keep them in the same size range as humans, to better explain why we never see a Centauran on screen, i.e. physical similarity to humans.

---

This I do agree with, I don't even know why I thought of it :D

Quote:

---

If this is the case wih Centaurans why not reflect it a little more in their Species Abilities? Only giving them a bonus to mathematics IMHO falls short of showing that they are indeed "thinkers by nature".

---

Again, I agree. My thinking, however, was that the Intellect +1 helped reflect the 'thinker by nature' and perhaps add a species skill of

Artistic Society: Artists at heart, almost every Centauran has some artistic ability. Your character gains a +1 skill modifier to and Craft or Entertain Skill in Social tests.

Quote:

---

Let's see if I get you right: You add 1d6+10 to your age and then gain a social test bonus with everyone who is older than the 1d6+10 you rolled?

---

Yes...

Quote:

---

Shouldn't the bonus apply to people who are younger than the Centauran character, because you are older then them?

---

This is where I am forced to disagree. Now, I do understand that perhaps my explanation was implied, I am sorry for that. The name of the Species Ability is "Respectful" which means that your Centauran character highly respects those older than himself. I would think that if you treated someone with high respect that you would be in better negotiating or social standings with the individual. :)

Quote:

---

And while a social test modifier based on age makes perfect sense with your ideas for the Centaurans, why do they receive the bonus with all PCs and NPCs? Members of other races might not share the Centauran's idea of "with age comes wisdom". I think this needs to be modified to apply only to interactions with other Centaurans.

---

Again, same as above. I think that if Centaurans respect those older than themselves, it should expand to all characters, regardless of species. Also, remember that it is the character who is being respectful, not the other PCs or NPCs.

Quote:

---

Don't you mean +2 skill modifier to psionic skills?

---

Yes, I am afraid that some terminology slips by me. :p

Quote:

---

Personaly I see no reason at all for this Species Ability. After all, the "Psionic Potential" development gives you the same benefit, i.e. the Psionic edge and a psionic skill at +2. Plus, it is in the book not only for people from psionic species, but although for the occasional "freak of nature" in an otherwise non-psionic species - and isn't that exactly what you are aiming for with this Ability?

The way you handle it it's all up to the dice and no longer the choice of the players. And that, IMO, is almost never a good way to go.

---

Again, I disagree with some of what you say. I personally feel that if a PC wants a psionically strong character, like genetics, must come to the roll of a dice. Isn't that what genetics is, anyway?

Quote:

---

The gerontocracy idea is a nice one.

---

Thanks :)

Thank you all for your comments and input!

Lieutenant Commander Joseph Turner
Chief Medical Officer
USS Avalon NCC-79813-A
www.ucip.org/avalon

Quote:

---

Originally posted by turneravalon
This is where I am forced to disagree. Now, I do understand that perhaps my explanation was implied, I am sorry for that. The name of the Species Ability is "Respectful" which means that your Centauran character highly respects those older than himself. I would think that if you treated someone with high respect that you would be in better negotiating or social standings with the individual. :)

---

No offense, but that's not necessarily true. If they were raised to reward such respect, then maybe, but not everyone...

Quote:

---

Again, same as above. I think that if Centaurans respect those older than themselves, it should expand to all characters, regardless of species. Also, remember that it is the character who is being respectful, not the other PCs or NPCs.

---

Exactly. And if you are being more respectful, you might not push as hard with them, or may be more forgiving of any social gaffes they do make. Thus, the bonus should apply to the person being respected, not necessarily to the person being respectful. If anything, especially with those who have different social standards, being respectful might be a hindrance.

"With all due respect, Mr. Ferengi Merchant, we cannot give any kind of discount, even to one of your advacned experience."
"Well! What would your mother think to hear such disrespectful nonsense? Hmm?!? And with my poor old bones so in need of your services..."

;)

Why does everybody labor under the impression that greeks where not Physical? Further the Greeks Idolized the body form so Physical strength at -1 makes absolutely no sense at all. They should have no enhanced abilities just like Bajorans.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Eric R.
Why does everybody labor under the impression that greeks where not Physical? Further the Greeks Idolized the body form so Physical strength at -1 makes absolutely no sense at all. They should have no enhanced abilities just like Bajorans.

---

Why do you labor under the impression that the Centaurans are just Greeks in space?

Valid Question :)

Those of us who subscribe to the preserver theroy of things as advocated in FASA believe taht is what they were and evolved from. There is some who do not which is find but even they incorporation some of the same stuff City States, artisitc ability etc etc

I tend to follow the FASA Preserver theory myself, especially since TNG more or less made it canon. It's a valid reason (really the only one I can think of off the top of my head) to have so many species all over the galaxy who look a lot alike and can interbreed with little to no intervention.

I fail now, however, and really always have, to see how this makes the notion of Centaurans as Greeks in space a valid one. I'm not trying to dissuade you from this course; I'm just trying to figure out why it seems so prevalent.

Have we ever actually seen/encountered a Centauran on any of the series or films?

But thats the beuty of it, for that is the rason we see so many Human's aboard Starfleet vessels there not humans there a mix of Terrans and Centaurie. A Culture facing very little outside influence will little change over a large amont of time for example large swaths of Chinnese History as while as Eygptian. So it is quite reasonable to asume that Centaurie are modernized Ancient Greeks. What has been missing from most RPG Greek inspired discirptions has been the strong Yeomenry trend of Greek military history, the strong Seagoing tradition and the ideal of the well rounded individual in all areas of study. Instead the sterotype of the artisitic thinker has dominated, when in fact the Greek culture would have rebelled at such a notion.

Nothing you've said so far has shown me any reason whatsoever to think that the Centaurans are Greeks in space, or descended from Greeks. The notion is, to me, rather silly.

Let be break track here for a moment to see if I can put this another way.

Starfleet has often been given as the USN transplanted into space but in reality it is more like the Royal navy than the USN. Why, think of 1660-1760 period as the Enterprise era of single ships off exploring often alone. This is followed by the period of big wars the 1760-1860 period which matches with the TOS era quite well just think of the French as the Klingons ( but don;t go too far with that its just an example) but yet science and exploration continue HMS Discovery for example. Next comes the Technological fleet of the 1860-1960 fleet where propulsuin changes and the very nature of ships does so too in Trek.

Now you see it is easy to use cultures and transplant them into space, its an easy way to get a quick culture and at the same time have your players easily grab on. If American Woodland culture continued little changed on another world it was transplanted to why would Greek culture not do the same, the only difference being that Greeks continued to come up with new things those new things would eventually lead to a modernized ancient culture much like China & Eygpt is today, essentually its ancient self but only with machines running around. At the same time the barbarian invasions has so changed Italian culture that it has very little real connection with its Roman past.

We based most of the Centauran species abilities in out campaign on the brief history from /The Price of Freedom/. That mentions their battle to recover from the Plague Years, their skill as terraformers, and their policies of cautious consideration and peaceful cooperation. Species adjustments were +1 Presence, +1 Intellect, and -1 Strength. Species abilties were as follows:

BONUS EDGE: METICULOUS: +1 cumulative bonus per round in extended tests;

ECOLOGY MINDED: +2 to Life Science (Ecology) and Planetary Science (Terraforming) tests;

PEACEFUL: +4 to Negotiate (Mediate) tests;

ROBUST IMMUNE SYSTEM: +4 to Stamina reaction tests versus disease and poison.

We wanted them to stand out a bit more, rather than just being a Bajoran/Betazoid patchwork. I think we accomplished this nicely.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by moi
ECOLOGY MINDED: +2 to Life Science (Ecology) and Planetary Science (Terraforming) tests;

---

We've since amended this to allow Centaurans to use these specific skill-and-specialty combinations untrained.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Eric R.

Now you see it is easy to use cultures and transplant them into space, its an easy way to get a quick culture and at the same time have your players easily grab on. If American Woodland culture continued little changed on another world it was transplanted to why would Greek culture not do the same, the only difference being that Greeks continued to come up with new things those new things would eventually lead to a modernized ancient culture much like China & Eygpt is today, essentually its ancient self but only with machines running around. At the same time the barbarian invasions has so changed Italian culture that it has very little real connection with its Roman past.

---

I also don't agree that the Centaurans are, as PG put it, Greeks in Space (tm)...partially because that would be too easy, and short the Centaurans of a unique culture. Of course, there is no real canon information to support anything (the only real info is "Zephram Cochrane of Alpha Centauri," and that's been modified by STFC...I don't think there's been any treatment of the race anywhere else).

I patterned the Cent's after the book Crisis on Centaurus, which is the only real difinitive work that I've seen on the planet. They made it a very modern, established culture that was fully ingrained in Federation "culture." This means that, like much of Earth, local culture in the big cities has been supplanted by the much larger Federation pseudo-culture (due to a probably massive Starfleet and Federation government presence there). Modern Centaurans may have minor connections to their ancient cultures (like Scotty does to his Highland ancestry...or, say a Japanese native would to his family's 800-year old katana and the samurai heritage it represented, etc.), but, for the most part, they are part of the Federation super-culture.

That's how I see them, at least. As far as developing the character stats, I actually went with the version of the race that was converted primarily from the Icon TNG core book.