Minotaurs
The strong, determined, fair, just, and proud children of Tyr.
Minotaurs are the children of Tyr. Minotaurs are said to be one of the most fair, honest, and just races in Ümbria.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Minotaurs are a humanoid race. Minotaurs usually come in one of two different "types." These types are Taurrs and Taurians. Taurrs are a half-bread race between a Taurian and another humanoid race.
A Taurr's top "half" (usually just the head but can include the upper or full torso and arms) resembles a bull or ox with the lower "half" (usually the full torso, but could be only the lower torso, pelvis and legs) resembling a Human. Taurrs do not have tails. A Taurr's skin color is often that same or close to the same color as their hair.
A Taurian's full body resembles a mix between a bull/ox and a Human. Typically a Taurian will have hooves for feet and thick animal like hair across most of their body. Usually Taurians have tails.
Both Taurrs and Taurians have the heads of a bull/ox. Male Minotaurs usually have large horns while female Minotaurs may have small, rounded off horns or no horns at all. Minotaur hair colors tend to be brown (ligth and dark), white, black, and red. Minotaurs can have colored patterns in their body hair but this is uncommon.
Genetics and Reproduction
A female Minotaur will carry her unborn child for close to a year and a half before giving birth. Taurrs are a half-bread race between a Taurian and another humanoid race. The Taurian gene is dominate so when a Taurian mates with a non-Taurian race the offspring will always be a Taurr. If two Taurrs mate the offspring will be Taurr as well. If a Taurr mates with a non-Minotaur race the offspring will be Taurr.
Ecology and Habitats
Minotaurs make their homes usually withing rockfaces. Sometimes the Minotaur conclave will be fully conained inside the rackface while other conclaves extend and expand outwards building houses in the area around the main conclave site.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Like many of the other Ümbrian races, Minotaurs eat a mixture of meats, vegetables, and fruits.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Minotaurs are a highly religious race putting great importance on the worship and honoring of their father, Tyr. Minotaurs form smaller groups called a "Conclave." A conclave of Minotaurs is usually centered around a High-Warpriest who acts as the leader both religiously and militarily. These conclaves generally contain only a few families of Minotaurs (larger conclaves have been known to contain upwards of 1,000 members but this is rare) with the order of authority being the god Tyr > Main/High-Warpriest > Apprentice Warpriest(s) > Eldest famlies > Younger / Smaller families. The main calling of most Minotaur conclaves is to "dispense Tyr's justice." This calling has been interpreted several different ways over the millenia with the most common being the destruction of the unholy/unjust and to being a beacon of truth, justice, and fairness to the other races (often in the form of judges, consultants, and religious leaders). Along side more typical part of the religious nature of the Minotaur conclaves is the preparedness for and effectiveness in battle. Minotaurs train rigorously everyday in both martial ability and strategic comprehension. In smaller conclaves often times the High-Warpriest is the primary teacher for spiritual and combat learning. In larger groups the High-Warpriest may oversee as the other Warpriests teach the rest of the Minotaurs. Aside from training and religious activities, Minotaurs farm and hunt in their nearby area. Due to their divine calling many Minotaurs leave their conclave, once ready and often after approval from the High-Warpriest, and go out into Ümbria to help those in need of guidance or those in need of smiting. Many Minotaurs join mercenary or military groups (those of just heart and reverence for Tyr, of course) as well as joining non-Minotaur churches for both learning and teaching. Once a Minotaur serves his/her purpose out in the world they may choose to return to their home conclave and either rejoin to pass on their knowledge to the next generation or take his/her family and leave the conclave to form a new one elsewhere and becoming the new High-Warpriest.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Minotaurs see through their eyes, hear through their ears, smell through their noses, feel through their skin, and communicate through their mouth / throat. Some Minotaurs have an ability to speak to animals either in full sentances or in broken common, both are sufficient to get the Minotaurs point across in a way the animal will understand, while others are only able to communicate in the most basic of ways, usually through expressions, gestures, and sounds.
Civilization and Culture
History
During The gods War, the Divine Faction of Tyr were one of the largest, most powerful, and most successful factions of the entire war. Much of Thrunmorr, Myrgen, and Aar'karr were under Tyr control. Due to Tyr's domain of justice and his factions' almost overwhelming grip on Ümbria, Ao was greatly disappointed in his son Tyr. Tyr truly believed he was just in participating in this "holy war" against his siblings. Ao judged Tyr's actions worthy of the destruction of each mortal who fought in Tyr's name as well as every child of Tyr (Minotaurs). Tyr knew this was not a just punishment but he could not go against his father's command. Tyr offered his own life in place of his followers and children. Ao rejected this offer for Ao could not kill his own son and that he still needed him to help govern Ümbria. Tyr then offered both of his eyes and his hand as compensation. Ao was satisfied with this offer and spared Tyr's children and worshipers from eradication. Ao was pleased with his son's desire for justice even at the cost of his own well being. Ao then removed Tyr's eyes and right hand but allowed him to keep his sight. Due to Tyr's great resolve for justice, as well as passing Ao's test, Tyr would become the "Bilnd Judge" for the mortal souls now departed from Ümbria. Tyr would deside whether a mortal's soul upheld or abandon order and would guide them to their eternal destination, either Y'rn or Vällhym.
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