Minotaurs are large, bipedal creatures sharing aspects of a humanoid and a bull.
Description[]
Appearance[]
Minotaurs have a roughly humanoid form, but with the head of a bull, hooved feet,[16] and thick tufts of fur.[17] At least one minotaur or part-minotaur, Braius Doomseed, had a more human-like face, although he still had bovine horns, and his face was covered in pale grey peach fuzz.[18]
On Exandria, some societies think of minotaurs as monstrous, and some of them are actual monstrosities,[19][4] particularly when tied to the demonic prince Baphomet.[20] But others are humanoids, and these minotaurs tend to be slightly shorter and more integrated in society, and they have a language of their own rather than using Abyssal.[1]
Personality[]
Minotaurs as a collective tend to value the traditions of their ancestors, which causes them to frequent labyrinthine areas and value martial prowess.[21]
Abilities[]
As a playable race, minotaurs have the following abilities:
- Ability Score Bonus: Minotaurs usually get +2 Strength and +1 Constitution.[5]
- Horns: Minotaurs can attack using their horns, dealing piercing damage.[3]
- Goring Rush: After dashing, minotaurs can use their horns to attack as a bonus action.[3]
- Hammering Horns: As a bonus action, after a melee attack, minotaurs can use their horns to shove their enemy up to 10 feet away, as long as it isn't too big.[3]
Moreover, certain minotaurs manifest one of the following abilities, but not both:
- Imposing Presence: The minotaur is proficient in Intimidation or Persuasion.[5]
- Labyrinthine Recall: The minotaur has a remarkable sense of direction, perfect for orienting and tracking.[3]
As non-playable characters, both humanoid and monstrous minotaurs gain access to Labyrinthine Recall too.[22] Moreover, the monstrosity variant can do charges and reckless attacks, and has access to the gore action.[4]
Spells that only affect certain creature types presumably affect minotaurs differently depending on whether they are monstrosities or humanoids.
History[]
In the Age of Arcanum, minotaurs were created as protectors of labyrinths containing treasure and secrets as well as to serve as living siege weapons. After the Divergence, minotaurs mostly retreated to places like intricate cave systems where their innate sense of maze-like places serves them well.[21] In Wildemount, like many other races considered monstrous, minotaurs were welcomed by the Kryn Dynasty,[23] and sometimes interbreed with elves, producing horned half-elves.[24] Still, as of 836 PD there are blood-thirsty minotaurs outside the Dynasty in Xhorhas who have lately posed a threat to the Many Hosts of Igrathad.[25]
Campaign Two: The Mighty Nein[]
The Mighty Nein regularly encountered Marion Lavorre's minotaur bodyguard, Bluud, when visiting Nicodranas.
"Harvest Close" (2x17)[]
During the Harvest Close Festival in Zadash, the Last Line fought but were quickly overpowered and defeated by two minotaurs, resulting in the group being knocked out of the Victory Pit tournament.[26]
"Feral Business" (2x52)[]
Fan art of Sunbreaker Olomon, by BlackSalander.[art 2]
In Asarius, the Mighty Nein encountered Sunbreaker Olomon, a high-ranking member of the Kryn Dynasty.
Campaign Three: Bells Hells[]
Rockmond first appeared, unnamed, at the masquerade ball in Jrusar attended by Bells Hells. He was one of four bodyguards surrounding General Ratanish of Paragon's Call,[27] was told by Ratanish to keep an eye on Orym when Ratanish became suspicious of him,[28] and was the spokesperson sent by Ratanish to Ashton Greymoore after their fistfight.[29]
Later, when Bells Hells arrived at Paragon's Call's headquarters the Seat of Disdain in Bassuras, Rockmond was designated by Ratanish to show the party around the building and give them a basic orientation.[30]
Many weeks later, after the apogee solstice of 843 PD, Bells Hells accepted the minotaur Braius Doomseed as an ally to fight Ludinus Da'leth and his plans.[31]
Known minotaurs[]
Official art of Braius Doomseed, by Hannah Friederichs.[art 3]
- Bluud: Bodyguard of Marion Lavorre in Nicodranas.
- Braius Doomseed: Herald of Asmodeus.[32]
- Olomon: Follower of Leylas Kryn through several lifetimes. Reigning champion and chief of Urzin from 795 PD until at least 836 PD, during which time he was a minotaur.
- Rockmond: Works for Paragon's Call.
- Ironhand Sem: Circa 836 PD, the commander of the Hands of Ord, also overseeing all military operations of Ank'Harel.[33]
- Unnamed Myriad member guarding the Mockingbird (a ship docked in Stilben) in 809 PD, presumably killed by Grog Strongjaw.[34]
Trivia[]
- Their natural connection with mazes is a reference to our world's Minotaur (born with the name "Asterius"), a monster in Greek mythology who, despite being trapped inside a labyrinth in the island of Crete, was able to hunt and kill any sacrifice that entered his prison with ease.
- Some minotaur clans, despite their focus on physical might, are led by spirit-whisperers similar to warlocks.[21]
- Bertrand Bell spoke the Minotaur language.[35]
- According to Sam Riegel's mother, Lenore, when he was a child he said he wanted to be a minotaur when he grew up, something she pointed out shortly after he began playing a minotaur character in Campaign Three, Braius Doomseed.[36]
Footnotes[]
- ↑ This may not be canon in Exandria.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 6.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 122. See also p. 141. By using bold text for "minotaurs", these pages refer to the Monster Manual statblock of that creature, which classifies them as monstrosities.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 See D&D: Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, 5th ed., p. 27.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 See D&D: Monster Manual (2014), 5th ed., p. 223.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 See D&D: Mythic Odysseys of Theros, 5th ed., p. 22.
- ↑ See "The Search For Bob" (Sx45) at 2:07:19.
- ↑ Ironhand Sem uses this statblock, but presumably is not limited to the Abyssal language given his senior position in Ank'Harel. See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 84.
- ↑ Minotaurs were reportedly created during the Age of Arcanum for mortal purposes. See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 123. Presumably, those who speak only Abyssal are those contacted by Baphomet.
- ↑ See "Between the Lines" (2x78) at 2:46:56.
- ↑ See "The Nox Engine" (3x98) at 0:57:30.
- ↑ Olomon is maybe a bit taller than Caduceus Clay, who is 7 feet tall. See "Feral Business" (2x52) at 1:06:56.
- ↑ See "Feral Business" (2x52) at 0:51:29.
- ↑ Bluud is depicted with brown fur in The Mighty Nein Origins: Jester Lavorre.
- ↑ See "The Nox Engine" (3x98) at 0:57:30.
- ↑ See D&D: Xanathar's Guide to Everything, 5th ed..
- ↑ See "Feral Business" (2x52) at 51:27.
- ↑ See "Dockside Diplomacy" (2x35) from 1:09:10 through 1:11:30.
- ↑ See "The Nox Engine" (3x98) at 0:57:30.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 122. See also p. 141.
- ↑ See "Between the Lines" (2x78) at 2:46:56.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 123.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast, The Book of Many Things, p. 126 and 127.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 6.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 176.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 141.
- ↑ See "Harvest Close" (2x17) from 3:22:25 through 3:24:47.
- ↑ See "A Dance of Deception" (3x13) at 2:21:38.
- ↑ See "A Dance of Deception" (3x13) at 3:11:16.
- ↑ See "In Too Deep" (3x14) at 0:58:06.
- ↑ See "A Stage Set" (3x32) at 2:53:22.
- ↑ See "The Nox Engine" (3x98).
- ↑ See "The Nox Engine" (3x98) at 0:57:13.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 84.
- ↑ See Vox Machina Origins Series I, Issue #6.
- ↑ See "The Search For Bob" (Sx45) at 2:07:19.
- ↑ See "A Question From Momlan" at 0:00:00.
Art:
- ↑ Depiction of a minotaur, by Brynn Metheney from D&D: Monster Manual, 5th ed., page 223. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
- ↑ Fan art of Sunbreaker Olomon, by BlackSalander (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Official art of Braius Doomseed, by Hannah Friederichs (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||