Minotaur

> *“We are strong. Strong like the mountains. Strong like the tide. The other races know this, some even like our strength so they set us up guarding them or their special places. We find opponents there, mostly unworthy but still something. They call on us to make war for them and sometimes we do. But they also fear us and that is good. They should fear us.”* - Duna, Minotaur Taurus.
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Minotaurs are a massive, bull-headed race of Beast-Bloods that are known famously for their savage ferocity, brute strength and insatiable hunger. They resemble a cross between Human and bull, but can easily grow to be twice the size of a man and even greater in muscle bulk. As part of a Beast-Blood tribe, Minotaurs are heavy hitters and heavy lifters, guarding the most sacred places and handling the most heavy of labours. Some, however, wander the world as adventurers and mercenaries, looking for worthy battles and challenges.

## **Physical Description - Powerful Build**

Huge and bulky, Minotaurs are known as unmatched fighters, gladiators and bodyguards. They are much larger than many other races, the smallest of their ranks reaching about 7 feet and the tallest towering at 9 feet tall. They are also extremely dense and comprised mostly of pure muscle, meaning they often weigh hundreds of pounds more than even a Human at peak physical condition. Their ferocity and endurance also easily exceed most races.

The thick hides of Minotaurs often come in shades of white, brown, and black (like regular bovine) however oranges and reds are also known to occur. A Minotaur combines the features of a Human and a Bull, with the build of a humanoid, but with cloven hooves, a bovine tail, and, most distinctive of all, a bull-like head. Hair covers a Minotaur’s upper body, coarse and thick on the head and neck, gradually thinning around the shoulders, arms and upper body. The thick hair turns shaggy once more at the Minotaur’s waist and thickens around the loins and legs. Similar to a Dwarf’s beard, Minotaurs take pride in their horns and one’s horns is related to how a Minotaur is perceived by their peers. They come and many shapes and sizes, from long and straight to curved spirals, and many Minotaur’s engrave or pierce their horns for extra clout.

## **Mentality - Bestial Ancestry**

Minotaurs can live for up to 150 years on average, however most do not live this long. Minotaurs have quite a grim outlook on life. To grow old and frail is an insult to their kind and so many Minotaurs will seek a worthy death as they begin to grow old - placing no purpose or value on their continued existence. This macabre outlook on life provides their race with a fairly unique perspective on the ways of the world.

Minotaurs also embody the tension between civilisation and savagery, discipline and madness, for they stand in two worlds. Many Minotaurs are more susceptible to their bestial urges than even other Beast-Bloods and so are tugged towards violence; some even give in to their beast-side completely, becoming a creature of pure instinct. That said, most Minotaurs are bound by conscience and honour so numerous Minotaurs are driven to rise above these impulses. These individuals seek to find a balance between the monstrous and the refined. Minotaurs are known to be deeply religious individuals, with many worshipping the Bestial Avatars that most Beast-Bloods worship. They especially place emphasis on the avatars of larger beasts, those that represent strength and power, but also those that represent restraint and mitigation - clearly demonstrating the balance that many Minotaurs struggle to find.

Individual Minotaurs are loyal and reliable individuals. Bound by their own sense of honour, their word is their law; a Minotaur that pledges to a task will not stop until that task is completed. Minotaurs do not expect to be treated particularly well by others, for they are well aware of how some perceive the Beast-Bloods. However they at least expect respect to be placed on their abilities. To deny them a worthy battle is one of the worst insults that one can commit, and something that a Minotaur will not forgive quickly.

Minotaurs get along very well with other Beast-Blood races, who are very much aware of the sheer power that Minotaurs represent. They also get along passably well with some ‘outsider’ races, such as Humans and Dark Elves, who at least accept the Minotaurs as useful. However there is still the aura of prosecution and racism that many Beast-Bloods experience, something that prevents them from being completely accepted.

## **Society - Meat and Fire**

In the Beast-Bloods’ forest, many Minotaurs live a semi-nomadic existence, gathering in loose herds ruled over by the strongest of their number. They will travel from camp to camp, Herdstone to Herdstone, exchanging their services as fighters and labourers in exchange for food and fire. Interestingly, some Minotaurs live solitary lives deep in the forest, where they manage personal shrines or totems dedicated to Bestial Avatars. It is said that these Minotaurs are some of the strongest of their kind, but also some of the most unstable due to their long periods of isolation.

The Minotaurs that lead their semi-nomadic herds are known as Taurus. They are the strongest of their group, often having the biggest and most extravagant horns, but are also typically the smartest - a fact that too few appreciate. Indeed, it is not uncommon for some Taurus to lead herds of other Beast-Bloods, such as Fauns, as they hold the Taurus in high reverence. These herds will either lead the semi-nomadic existence most Minotaurs live or, in some cases, will mark territory and build their own permanent Herdstone.

Minotaurs in other lands usually lead a wandering, nomadic existence similar to the one their kind has in the Darkwoods. Though they are somewhat looked down upon, Minotaurs are respected for their strength and fighting ability. As a result, many are hired as bodyguards or even gladiators. Those that aren’t will typically wander the world as mercenaries or adventurers.

## **Minotaur Adventurers - A Worthy Challenge**

   Minotaurs that become adventurers are typically compelled to do so by a culturally-ingrained desire to find challenge. They seek the greatest fights and best hardships to overcome. To fail is an honour, to succeed even more so. They also might be searching for balance between their bestial and civilised sides, a balance they could not find in their homeland. Some of these adventurers might travel alone, at least for a time, but they are not opposed to forming groups with those that respect their commitment and ability.

## **Minotaur Names**

A Minotaur’s identity is based more on deeds than words. As a result the name of a Minotaur comes and goes like the tide, constantly changing based on their situation. When born into a herd of Beast-Bloods, they will likely be given a traditional Beast-Blood name, created around various traits or expectations. Beast-Blood names do not have family names, for each Beast-Blood belongs to the herd and the herd, in turn, to the Beast-Blood. That said, if a Minotaur leaves the forest and decides to travel the wider world, they might adopt a new name more in line with another country, typically an attempt to fit in.

**Example Male Names -** Ufasimba, Owethu, S’bu, Tandie, Lindani.

**Example Female Names -** Thulani, Ishumi, Ogogo, Amahle, Impisi.

## **Minotaur Traits**

Your Minotaur has an assortment of inborn abilities, derived from their large physique and bovine features.

* ***Ability Score Increase -*** your Strength and Constitution both increase by 1.
* ***Age -*** Minotaurs age and mature at about the same rate as Humans up to the age of 18. From then on they age slowly, living for about 150 years.
* ***Alignment -*** because of their bestial heritage, most Minotaurs are quite chaotic in nature. Although good-aligned Minotaurs do exist, the majority of their race choose a more neutral outlook on life.
* ***Size -*** Minotaurs are much larger than most other races, reaching heights between 7-9 feet tall by maturity and weigh well over 500 pounds. Your size is large.
* ***Speed -*** you have a base walking speed of 30 feet.
* ***Horns -*** you are never unarmed. Your horns are a melee weapon that deals 1d8 piercing damage.
* ***Hammering Horns -*** when you take the Attack action on your turn to make a melee attack, you can attempt to shove a creature of your size or smaller with your horns as a bonus action. You cannot use this shove attempt to knock a creature prone.
* ***Goring Rush -*** when you take the Dash action on your turn, you can use your bonus action to make one melee attack with your horns.
* ***Labyrinthine Recall -*** you can perfectly recall any path you have already travelled.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak, read, and write Common and Beast-Speak. Minotaur speak is typically quite guttural and harsh. They often unintentionally interweave grunts and other bovine-like sounds into their sentences.