Bariaur

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Revision as of 13:55, 14 August 2015 by 207.244.77.1 (talk) (Sexual dimorphism isn't sexism.)
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Bariaurs are a playable race from Planescape, first introduced to the D&D scene back in 2nd edition. They were one of the three playable races introduced in A Player's Guide to the Planes, the player's handbook of Planescape, alongside the Githzerai and the Tieflings.

Bariaurs are a planar race hailing from Ysgard, an Upper Plane that lies on the border between the Neutral Good and Chaotic Good planes. They resemble centaurs, though smaller, with the body of a large mountain goat or a bighorn sheep - the books cannot seem to keep which it is straight, because they insist on referring to males as "rams" and females as "ewes", even though they are outright stated as resembling a "goat". Males of the race, and a tiny minority of females, have long curling ram horns growing from their foreheads, which give them a natural weapon attack. They are best known for being very vain, always fussing over their appearance, and for their strong racial wanderlust.

Bariaurs exhibit sexual dimorphism in their stats, with different ability scores and racial abilities for both genders. Males get +1 Strength and Constitution, -1 Wisdom and Dexterity, the ability to headbutt for 1D8 + Str bonus damage, a charge attack, and the ability to be fighters, rangers, paladins or priests. Females get +1 Wisdom and Intelligence, -1 Strength and Dexterity, +2 bonus to surprise rolls against ambushers that "make noise or have smells", +3 to saving throws vs. spells, and the ability to be fighters, priests or wizards.

Bariaurs have never been very popular amongst the fans. They were forgotten about for most of 3.x edition, and never made the transition to 4th edition at all.