Appearance
Minotaur are large bovine humanoids, averaging 6-7 ft. tall. They are stocky, barrel chested, with large horns, and often flowing manes. Their skin tones come in a variety of hide colors, ranging from red, clay, and brown. Their hair color ranges from red, orange, brown, and black, greying as they grow old. The have hooves instead of feet, though their hands are Human-like. They have large manes of hair, often braided, and males can have facial hair.
Biology
Minotaur share a similar cycle to Humans, reaching full adulthood by the age of 25, and averaging a lifespan of 100 years. They reproduce in mammalian fashion, with a slightly shorter gestation of 7 months. Children are born without their horns, and gain them during adolescence.
History
Minotaur are among the rarer races of the world. Much like
Orcs, they once lived upon
Innish lands in scattered tribes. When the
Inniash Khaganate formed, they pushed Orc and Minotaur out of the Inniash Isthmus, and to the
Elven Kingdom. Whilst the Orcs tried to settle in Elven lands, the Minotaur continued their migration southwards. Most Minotaur settled in
Darneshi lands, in the lands of the Shasarek Desert and the Rash'ani Savannah.
There they managed to thrive for a time. They made fierce warriors and stout laborers, and as such were coveted by many Sorcerers in the
2nd Epoch, and various factions in the turmoil of the
4th Epoch. For centuries, the Minotaur were used, forced into service by larger powers under threat of annihilation. When the Shasarek Desert devolved to anarchy, many Minotaur communities fled there, and then united under Torglar the Conqueror in the nation of the
Shasarek Shogunate. Those Minotaur who don't serve the Shogunate often find work in the
Mercenaries Guild, or performing hard labor that others cannot withstand. Their natural strength is only truly rivalled by the
Goliath.
