Minotavur

### Distinctions

Incredibly powerful warriors. Deeply loyal friends and companions. Incredible memories. Not very agile or fast.

### Average Height

• Male: 7-8 ft. (2.1-2.4 m).• Female: 7 ft. (2.1 m).

### Average Weight

• Male: 280-340 lbs. (127-154 kg).• Female: 280-340 lbs. (127-154 kg).

## General Information

### Languages

• Minotaur Sign Language.• A few words of Borbati.

### Religions

• Most are believers of the Minotavur gods and goddesses, but they have assimilated a few Gods from the Borbati pantheon.• A very small minority have converted to the Cult of Gaia.

### Major Realms

Most live in the Kingdom of Ivov, but there are several independent tribes around and across Eastern and Southern Helm.

## Misc. Information

### Based On

Minotaurs of Greek Mythology.

**Minotavurs**, also known as **Minotaurs**, are a strong and combative race of humanoids that resemble bull-human hybrids. They have giant muscular frames with fur-covered bodies and bull-like heads.

## History

### The Forgotten Era

The early history of the Minotavurs is shrouded in mystery, it is believed that they hail from northern Helmos where they had small hunter-gatherer tribes away from most ancient peoples.

### The Ancient Era

The first known recorded encounter with Minotaurs happened in 6 post maelstrom. Minotavurs began migrating en-masse for some unknown reason down south to **Cortarion Mountains** of southern Helmos, where they encountered a trans-humance people known as the **Yatuski**, ancestors of the **Borbati**, the **Rosund**, the **Serkos** and the **Artar**. The Yatuski were humans with a war-like culture known for raiding the ancient Kingdom of Lykos and the Empire of Martoria.

The Yatuski and the Minotavurs fought bitterly over resources and the privilege to raid the trading caravans passing through the land. By year 8 PM, most of the Yatuski were driven out of the Cortarion Mountains after a series of brutal campaigns carried out by the Minotavurs. The only exception of this were the inhabitants of the stronghold of Borba, who mounted a stalwart defense against the hordes of Minotavur warriors. After having defeated most of the humans around the mountains, the Minotavurs tribes put their attention of the Kingdom of Lykos, raiding several villages and a few great towns throughout the following years.

In the year 12 PM, a prominent Minotavur warlord known as **Vasev the Black** led a large host of Minotavurs against the other tribes in a bloody and brutal campaign, uniting most of the tribes under his banner in a very short time. He then led his armies against the tribal fortress of Borba, but the humans proved too resilient to the attacks of the Minotavur warbands. After several months, Vesev was now impressed by the resilience and strength of the Yatuski and visited the walls of the fort to ask if he could meet the Chief of the Yatuski. Through hand gestures and clear body movements, Vasev had vassalized the Yatuski of Borba. This was the start of the **Kingdom of Vaseralov**.

By the year 21 PM, the Minotavurs were becoming a prospering civilization and not just by raiding the Empire of Martoria. Through clever land sowing techniques, creation of artificial rivers and production of crops to feed both the population and the myriad of farm animals they've had gathered, they had become a much more cultured society, further developing their arts and creating an official sign language as well as learning a few words of other languages. The Yatuski of Borba had fully assimilated to the Kingdom and became the **Borbati**, this process of assimilation was made easier due to the fact that they had a similar faith to that of the Minotavurs.

However, things changed in the year 54 PM, the Martorian Empire started to expand their influence beyond Martoria, the two realms began fighting each other bitterly until **King Vesev IV** was killed in combat by the Martorian Legions led by Cassius Superbus, this shattered most of the Kingdom as he had no heir and sent hundreds of Minotaurs into an exodus into the Kingdom of Lykos. Many of these Minotavurs would become mercenaries for Lykos, fighting in the wars against the Martorian Empire and the Shahdom of Volossam.

## Culture

Most Minotaurs live in tribes or in the Kingdom of Ivov. The tribes compete with one another, these conflicts often turn violent, with the losing tribe either being forced to flee the area or with its survivors being absorbed into the winning tribe. Their natural good memory means they never get lost, this particular trait is known as "Maze Memory" and as a result, they prefer to settle in mazes whether natural or artificial as this terrain gives them an advantage over the any hostile forces. They will work to alter their domains so they better suit their needs.

Due to their history and the fact that some tribes they still raid, various realms outside the Cortarion Mountains believe that the Minotavurs, and by extent, the Borbati, are a wild and savage race of tribal people. This stereotype is specially harsh across Martoria, where they are enslaved and made to serve as pack animals. However, these stereotypes are far from the truth, the Minotaurs have a rich culture full of art, traditions and good food.

### Religion

Most revere the Minotavur pantheon, also known as the Romoova faith. The pantheon is led by **Mother Vihra**, the goddess of womanhood, fertility, strength and wealth, wife of **Yosif**, the God of manhood, crafting, resilience and prosperity. There's various other Gods such as **Delyu**, **Rovagug**, etc. Another prominent god is **Veselev**, the God of power and supremacy.

Due to their close relationship with Borbati, a few their Gods have been absorbed such as **Zyumbyul**, the God of farming and herding. His cult is surprisingly popular and because of him, Minotavurs consider touching Humans a good omen. A few tribes outside of the region have been turning to worship of the human Goddess Gaia, but this a rare thing.

Among their religious customs, cows and other beasts of burden are sacred to them, considered to be the "innocent children" of their Gods. They pity those that domesticated by other races and consider them to be slaves. In raids they try to free them where they can or kill them if freeing them proves impossible.

### Music

Since Minotavurs are unable to speak complex languages to sing, they prefer using instruments and their own bodies to perform music. One of their most popular creations is the Gadulka, a stringed bowed instrument. They are known to stomp the ground to the rhythm of the song to create percussion, they also use throat singing during their celebrations, albeit rarely. When performing music with the Borbati, they let the humans to perform the singing.

### Cuisine

While Minotavur diet is based on vegetables, peppers and fruits, they are actually omnivores and can eat meat albeit in rare events such family or clan events or in great festivals. Milk, cheese and yogurt are beloved ingredients and this is represented in their cuisine. Such as the **Banitsa**, which is a type of bread made with cheese in it, it also includes spinach or mushrooms. This is usually eaten with **Sarmi**, a side dish made with minced meat and rice stuffed in leaves, with yogurt poured over them. Other meals include **Shopska**, a salad topped with cheese. One of the most popular dishes outside Minotavur lands is the **Tarator**, a cold cucumber yogurt soup with garlic and spices, it is said that the combination of spices and ingredients cools the body, similar to that of a Potion of Heat Protection.