Minotaur

Originally created by a vile demon lord Byukhyn, the minotaur of Genaeth are a race fraught with misunderstanding and fear. Although many tribes have left their demonic pasts behind, most common folk still see these bestial behemoths as simple-minded villains that only seek to sow chaos and destroy civilized lands. Despite this, minotaur have shown to be reliable allies and steadfast muscle, making many a humanoid civilization rethink their misconceptions.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Minotaur resemble their real-world namesake, with humanoid bodies accented by bovine features. They usually have large hooves below digitigrade legs, with some even growing cow-like tails. Their heads are perched atop massive shoulders, a pronounced hump on males, and a slab of a neck on all genders. Horns are common, and can be of any variety seen on normal cows.

Genetics and Reproduction

Minotaur breed like most humanoids, though their pregnancies last slightly longer than humans at ten months.

Growth Rate & Stages

Upon birth, minotaur calves are about three feet tall. They reach maturity by the end of their first decade, and usually stand well over ten feet tall by that point.

Ecology and Habitats

While they can live in a variety of climates, most minotaur tribes prefer temperate grasslands, foothills, or forests.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Despite being "related" to herbaceous animals, minotaur are omnivores. Those of the more demonic type are known for often eating fresh, raw meat.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Minotaur have cow-like faces, with wide noses and large, fluffy ears. Their eyes can be a variety of colors, ranging from normal shades to pale blue or even blood red. In addition, all minotaur grow large, curled horns that can be used to great effect in combat.

Average Intelligence

With primitive tribes and only having occasional access to proper education, most minotaur are at the lower end of the average spectrum. They can be intelligent, but this is less common than the alternative.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As part of their creation, minotaur were gifted with increased olfactory and auditory senses, as well as the ability to see in the dark. As for magic usage, most minotaur prefer divine magic to arcane, as they rarely get the chance to learn arcane forms.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Each tribe has a different manner of naming their young, with some mimicking the patterns of other races. One commonality is the usage of tribe as a surname, but this rarely comes up outside of clerical duties.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

While many have left their evil ways behind, practically all minotaur tribes still use the Abyssal tongue as their language of choice. They can speak and listen to it well enough, but reading and writing is an ability not shared by all varieties.

Common Dress Code

Due to their large amount of body hair, most minotaur forgo wearing excessive amounts of clothing. They will usually wear enough to be compliant with local customs, but this is not a hard and fast rule. Among their own tribes, they often go without any clothes beyond traditional garb worn by elders or shamans.

Scientific Name

Monstro Taurus

Lifespan

30 - 40 years

Average Height

10'0 - 11'0

Average Weight

700 - 900 lbs

Average Physique

Most minotaur are incredibly fit, with strong limbs and musculatures meant for giant muscles and frequent work.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Minotaur are often covered in a shaggy coat that can be most any color seen on mundane cows, though those in warmer climates have much shorter hair.