Minotaur

Covered in thick fur, walking on heavy hooves, and with the males sporting a pair of wicked horns atop their head; Minotaur are giant, anthropomorphic, bovines. Minotaur are much more intelligent than their bestial appearance suggests, being some of the only monsters who are curious enough about the world to have figured out basic metallurgy. They tend to live in small groups who are skilled at making similar things, and they work to improve their crafts together.
In the presence of a male Atlantean they are driven into a blood-frenzy that can only be sated when they have consumed whoever triggered it. While in this frenzy, the Minotaur is a frothing berserker; but not too far gone to grab one of its weapons if initially approached while unarmed. Atlantean woman, of any race, who can be captured are taken back to their tribe to bear a child. A childbirth that almost invariably kills non-Minotaur.
Minotaur are currently the only known race of monsters that can father children with Atlanteans; and priests, scientists, and wizards alike debate over what this could mean for the future.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Minotaur are incredibly bulky, with strong muscles, dense bones, and thick, leathery skin. Males begin growing horns only a year after birth, and these horns need to be continuously ground against rock or metal to keep them from being so large they are unmanageable. Many will use this as an opportunity to sharpen their horns to wicked points.
Minotaur bodies are so dense that they sink quickly in water like a stone. They are so dense, however, that they can simply walk along the bottom of narrow rivers to traverse them. Their skin and fur is so thick that it mimics the defensive traits of padded linens.

Genetics and Reproduction

Minotaur are mostly male; only one in twenty of their species are female and of them, about half are infertile. This forces Minotaur use women from other species to continue their race. While female monsters are capable of mothering Minotaur, they prefer to capture Atlantean women if possible. All Minotaur women, regardless of if they are fertile, begin lactating when they come of-age; and serve as nurse maids for any children born in the tribe since most of the mothers are to weak to survive childbirth.
Regardless of the normal gestation period for the mother's species, a Minotaur pregnancy takes about 9 months. Most non-Minotaur die at some point during this process, either from the act of fornication itself, destroyed organs from the size of the fetus, or not being cared for after the fact; and only one in four pregnancies will result in an actual childbirth. This doesn't count Centaurs, whose physiology is large and resilient enough to accommodate multiple Minotaur pregnancies, and Centaur women are the most favoured of mates for a Minotaur.

Growth Rate & Stages

Minotaur, like most monsters, grow fast. Their horns begin coming in after only a year, and after five they are larger than the average human. Minotaur who live that long start to get weak once they enter their fourth century, and they are usually picked off by a younger challenger as soon as this becomes apparent.

Ecology and Habitats

Minotaur almost never leave the mountains where they dwell in cave networks that protect them both from the elements and from the sight of Atlantis. These caves can sometimes delve deep into the mountains, and sometimes strike upon ore seams that the Minotaur are able to use.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Minotaur eat plenty of meat, like most monsters; but are also intelligent enough to farm where possible. Adventurers know not to tarry when they encounter a random field of wheat or potatoes in the mountains; as the Minotaur farmer is almost certainly nearby, and hopefully upwind.
Some tribes of Minotaur that live deeper under the mountains have cultivated edible fungi in lieu of normal agriculture.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Minotaur organize into tribes under a group of strong, accomplished leaders. These tribes are united by a shared craft or interest, with farming and other necessary work being shared among the youngest as they learn the secrets of trade that the older Minotaur know. When in groups with other kinds of monsters, Minotaur will attempt to shirk as much work as possible that isn't to do with crafting or raiding; trusting that their expertise and worked goods will earn their keep.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Centaurs despise Minotaur, and while raiding their settlements they will sometimes capture Minotaur women to serve as "cows" whose milk they will have made into cheese and butter. Cheeses made from Minotaur milk have a rich, distinct taste.

Facial characteristics

A Minotaur's head looks like a bull's that has been dropped onto a humanoid body plan, but with sharp teeth that grow back in a few years if lost. Even the face of a Minotaur is covered in fur.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Minotaur live in caves found in every mountain range in New Atlantis.

Average Intelligence

Minotaur have an intelligence roughly equivalent to a rural human. They lack a writing system, so information must be passed orally or be lost, but many basic advances in society such as metal, agriculture, and hygiene have become common practice.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their sight is not especially strong, and Minotaurs lack good depth perception due to their eyes being more evolved for monocular vision despite both their eyes facing forwards. Their senses of smell and hearing, however, are very strong; and it is the sense of smell that triggers a Minotaur's blood-frenzy.
The incredibly thick skin of a Minotaur is lacking in much sensation, and they are capable of ignoring almost any wound that isn't incapacitating even when they aren't in a blind rage.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Minotaur make up names for themselves when they consider themselves of-age. Many will name themselves after things or actions they have seen or undertaken that impressed them. So a Minotaur who raids frequently with his hammer might call himself "BreaksShellsWithHammer" if he frequently fights armoured adversaries.

Beauty Ideals

Minotaur are completely utilitarian in their relationships. They don't understand concepts like "beauty" or "grace."

Gender Ideals

Almost all roles except for nurse maid and basic tailoring are reserved for Minotaur men. Not that this matters too much, as a typical Minotaur tribe might have two or three females, maximum.

Average Technological Level

Different tribes can be wildly different. But in general they are all capable of using metal tools, as well as simple agriculture and animal husbandry.

Common Dress Code

Minotaur do not wear clothing, but sometimes can be seen wearing armor of either linen or metal when they are out raiding.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Centaur and Minotaur are involved in a two-way cycle of exploitation. Minotaur will go to great lengths to kidnap Centaur women to keep as a permanent mate; while Centaurs will spare Minotaur women, only to reduce them to the roll of "milk cow."

Scientific Name

Bos Sapiens Taurus

Lifespan

200 Years, Old Age Begins ~300

Average Height

Average Weight

700 lbs.

Average Physique

Minotaur are incredibly large and muscular. Exceptionally powerful Minotaur who lead many successful raids will sometimes have become obese from gorging on meat; though such specimens normally develop a reputation and a bounty before that can happen.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Any colouration one might find on a cow or bull, you can find on a Minotaur. Brown, and white with brown spots, are the two most common colour patterns.

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