So first off this is my first time ever doing anything like this, so sorry if I'm doing anything wrong. I usually never have an issue coming up with a backstory, but I decided it would be cool to make a Minotaur Barbarian when I saw the Minotaur on this site. I went to make his backstory, and I can't think of a single idea that's not just a basic backstory, and I really hate it when people make the my parents died and I'm cool character. Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it!
Perhaps your "monstrous" background could provide some inspiration. I've never played a monstrous race, but I've always wondered how players explain being the one bugbear/goblin/minotaur/etc. that is separate from all the other ones the party will likely fight and kill. So why is this minotaur pursuing a different path? Being a barbarian might just come naturally, but what was the catalyst that led him to be different from the others. Was he always this way? Did something happen?
Forgotten Realms wiki says most minotaurs worship Baphomet. So maybe he wanted to break free from that but it also means he's cut off from his people. Some good drama there.
Or if you're going a more tongue in cheek route...maybe he was the proverbial "minotaur in the maze" and he got sick of his job. After killing so many adventurers, he began to wonder where all these people come from? Why do they keep showing up in my maze? What is it they do out there? I'm going out there to see what all the fuss is about! And maybe the world is pretty new to him since he was raised in the maze to be a killing machine. Some good "fish out of water" stuff there perhaps.
So when I made him on dnd beyond, I didn't have a lot of choices for an actual backround, but I may change that using the actual PHB. I said solider backround for now, but I probably will change it. I intend to take the Berzerker Path. I made him true neuteral. He has a Great axe, 2 hand-axes, an explorers pack and 4 javelins.
Perhaps your "monstrous" background could provide some inspiration. I've never played a monstrous race, but I've always wondered how players explain being the one bugbear/goblin/minotaur/etc. that is separate from all the other ones the party will likely fight and kill. So why is this minotaur pursuing a different path? Being if you're going a more tongue in cheek route...maybe he was the proverbial "minotaur in the maze" and he got sick of his job. After killing so many adventurers, he began to wonder where all these people come from? Why do they keep showing up in my maze? What is it they do out there? I'm going out there to see what all the fuss is about! And maybe the world is pretty new to him since he was raised in the maze to be a killing machine. Some good "fish out of water" stuff there perhaps.
This is absolutely great! This idea seems like it would be so much fun to rp!
Also your questions pertaining to the idea of him being a monsterous race are helpful, I'll have to keep that in mind Thank you so much for your help!
The tired Minotaur office worker, always slaving away in his labyrinth decides he wishes to see the outside world because he is tired of chasing down sacrifices in his tunnels. I mean do you know the kind of cleanup you have to do to get the people stink out of your home? It's truly awful. But over and over they throw another person in there and you have to clean them back out. Drudge work at its worst. Maybe if he just walks out of his job the management will appreciate him more. It's time to take this minotaur on the road and see where all these people come from.
Acolyte could work ok, it would more of a cultist angle being indoctrinated into the ways of baphomet expected to kill the sacrifices thrown into the maze you inhabit. Maybe one of the people you were supposed to kill you instead made friends with, or adopted. Much to the consternation of the Baphomet worshipers above in the temple. Perhaps it was a bard telling you tales of the outside world (hoping to delay his inevitable and gory death) kinda like '101 nights'.
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"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
I play a gnome barbarian with a Folk Hero background. When he was younger, he wanted to become a tinker, so he undertook training with tinker's tools and became quite the artisan. However, his village was attacked by a group of harpy and he went to defend his fellow gnomes. He saved everyone, but lost a hand in the process. With a missing hand, his dream of becoming a great engineer was spoiled a bit, so instead he decided to learn how to fight so that he could better protect his people so that no other gnome from his village would loose their dream the way he did. He met with a lone goliath leaving in the nearby woods, who taught him how to use his anger as a weapon.
The idea is to find out why your Minotaur uses anger and rage, why it needs to break down door with an axe so swiftly, why it needs to kill its ennemies so violently.
Well he already has the bestial nature of his race, since Minotaurs are 'in league' with Baphomet. So its more like just giving in to his nature.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Coming back to the Baphomet side of the backstory, you could make him a former cult member of Baphomet. The whole time he was being tricked into thinking he was doing good, but he was inducted into the upper circle of the cult and turned into a Minotaur, he learned that he was being tricked. He lashed out and escaped the cult, pushing himself away from civilization. After escaping, his anger toward Baphomet and his followers pushed him to become a berserker, His rage is fueled by his hate for his former master.
This background could easily fit to the Hermit, Outlander, or Far Traveler backgrounds.
You asked for it, You got it. This is only the rough draft though.
The Little Minotaur
Part of Your World
If only i could make them understand
I just don’t see things the way they do
I don’t see how life outside my maze, could be bad
Look at this skull, isn’t it neat, wouldn’t you think my time here’s complete
Wouldn’t you think im the bull, the bull who has everything
Look at this maze, with all the bodys I’ve razed
How many wonders can one labyrinth hold
Looking around here you’d think
Man that guy will kill anythingggg
Ive got weapons and armor a plenty,
Ive got femurs all covered in gore.
You want daggers? Ive got 20
But who cares, no big deal
I want more
I want to be where the people are
I want to see, wanna see them dancing
Sailing on ships, as part of a what do you call that? Oh. Fleet.
Swinging my axe, Humans stay right where they are
Im tired of only just grunting
Killing
Soon Ill be running down the, what’s that word again? Street
Out where they walk.
Where no one runs.
Out of my maze spending days in the sun.
Wandering free, wish I could be,
part of that world.....
What would I give
If I could live
Away from these slaughters
What would I pay, to spend a day, listening to a band
Betcha out in that land, they don’t demand i look like a Zotter*
But im still killin, sick of killing, ready to goooo
Ready to know what the people know
Ask them some questions, and get some answers.
What is diplomacy, and how does it, whats the word,wooooorrrkk
I mean what is its perk
Wouldn’t I love, love to explore the world out with that dove
Out of this maze,
Spending my days,
out in that world
*an occupational name for someone who kept sheep or was employed in the wool trade, or alternatively a nickname for someone who habitually wore a sheepskin or who had unkempt hair.
Yes, I figured it would be going "full beast mode" If I end up using the idea of the Minotaur sick of killing his victim's path, it could be like going back into his old ways. I don't know for sure yet, but I'm just trying to work ideas in. Every bit of help is so awesome, so thanks
What sort of campaign is it going to be? What kind of tone do you, your party, and your DM want to set? Would a goofy tongue-in-cheek backstory fit right in? Or are characters expected to be grounded in the lore?
Ask your DM about the world you'll be dropping your character into and it may provide some jumping off points.
Alright, I'll certainly do that, though it probably will be a bit more serious, though tounge and cheek backround have fit in before in his worlds
Having a bit of humor in the backstory can make for some great character development. You come into a new place and you are just in AWE at everything, that person stopping at every stall and smelling what is being baked. Terrifying the townsfolk getting the constabulary called on you and being very polite and nice to them and maybe making new friends. Maybe a team mate can learn some spells to make you blend in with the general populace if it becomes difficult. On the same note you can make a name for yourself for not being like the rest of your kindred Drizzt style, perhaps becoming a bit of a folk hero as you go. I picture the character coming upon a playground and all the kids scatter hustled away by concerned parents. Maybe a few bold ones come up to you and 30 minutes later six children are using you as a jungle gym.
But this is your character, find what fits and play it to the maximum PLUS ULTRA style!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
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So first off this is my first time ever doing anything like this, so sorry if I'm doing anything wrong. I usually never have an issue coming up with a backstory, but I decided it would be cool to make a Minotaur Barbarian when I saw the Minotaur on this site. I went to make his backstory, and I can't think of a single idea that's not just a basic backstory, and I really hate it when people make the my parents died and I'm cool character. Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it!
What kind of details can you give? What Barbarian Path do you intend to take? What is his equipment, demeanor, etc?
That could all influence his backstory.
Perhaps your "monstrous" background could provide some inspiration. I've never played a monstrous race, but I've always wondered how players explain being the one bugbear/goblin/minotaur/etc. that is separate from all the other ones the party will likely fight and kill. So why is this minotaur pursuing a different path? Being a barbarian might just come naturally, but what was the catalyst that led him to be different from the others. Was he always this way? Did something happen?
Forgotten Realms wiki says most minotaurs worship Baphomet. So maybe he wanted to break free from that but it also means he's cut off from his people. Some good drama there.
Or if you're going a more tongue in cheek route...maybe he was the proverbial "minotaur in the maze" and he got sick of his job. After killing so many adventurers, he began to wonder where all these people come from? Why do they keep showing up in my maze? What is it they do out there? I'm going out there to see what all the fuss is about! And maybe the world is pretty new to him since he was raised in the maze to be a killing machine. Some good "fish out of water" stuff there perhaps.
So when I made him on dnd beyond, I didn't have a lot of choices for an actual backround, but I may change that using the actual PHB. I said solider backround for now, but I probably will change it. I intend to take the Berzerker Path. I made him true neuteral. He has a Great axe, 2 hand-axes, an explorers pack and 4 javelins.
This is absolutely great! This idea seems like it would be so much fun to rp!
Also your questions pertaining to the idea of him being a monsterous race are helpful, I'll have to keep that in mind Thank you so much for your help!
The tired Minotaur office worker, always slaving away in his labyrinth decides he wishes to see the outside world because he is tired of chasing down sacrifices in his tunnels. I mean do you know the kind of cleanup you have to do to get the people stink out of your home? It's truly awful. But over and over they throw another person in there and you have to clean them back out. Drudge work at its worst. Maybe if he just walks out of his job the management will appreciate him more. It's time to take this minotaur on the road and see where all these people come from.
Acolyte could work ok, it would more of a cultist angle being indoctrinated into the ways of baphomet expected to kill the sacrifices thrown into the maze you inhabit. Maybe one of the people you were supposed to kill you instead made friends with, or adopted. Much to the consternation of the Baphomet worshipers above in the temple. Perhaps it was a bard telling you tales of the outside world (hoping to delay his inevitable and gory death) kinda like '101 nights'.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Glad to help. Just promise me you'll do your best to work in a minotaur version of "Part of Your World".
"Out where they walk. Where no one runs. Out of my maze spending days in the sun. Wandering free, wish I could be, part of that world....."
I play a gnome barbarian with a Folk Hero background. When he was younger, he wanted to become a tinker, so he undertook training with tinker's tools and became quite the artisan. However, his village was attacked by a group of harpy and he went to defend his fellow gnomes. He saved everyone, but lost a hand in the process. With a missing hand, his dream of becoming a great engineer was spoiled a bit, so instead he decided to learn how to fight so that he could better protect his people so that no other gnome from his village would loose their dream the way he did. He met with a lone goliath leaving in the nearby woods, who taught him how to use his anger as a weapon.
The idea is to find out why your Minotaur uses anger and rage, why it needs to break down door with an axe so swiftly, why it needs to kill its ennemies so violently.
Well he already has the bestial nature of his race, since Minotaurs are 'in league' with Baphomet. So its more like just giving in to his nature.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Coming back to the Baphomet side of the backstory, you could make him a former cult member of Baphomet. The whole time he was being tricked into thinking he was doing good, but he was inducted into the upper circle of the cult and turned into a Minotaur, he learned that he was being tricked. He lashed out and escaped the cult, pushing himself away from civilization. After escaping, his anger toward Baphomet and his followers pushed him to become a berserker, His rage is fueled by his hate for his former master.
This background could easily fit to the Hermit, Outlander, or Far Traveler backgrounds.
You asked for it, You got it. This is only the rough draft though.
The Little Minotaur
Part of Your World
If only i could make them understand
I just don’t see things the way they do
I don’t see how life outside my maze, could be bad
Look at this skull, isn’t it neat, wouldn’t you think my time here’s complete
Wouldn’t you think im the bull, the bull who has everything
Look at this maze, with all the bodys I’ve razed
How many wonders can one labyrinth hold
Looking around here you’d think
Man that guy will kill anythingggg
Ive got weapons and armor a plenty,
Ive got femurs all covered in gore.
You want daggers? Ive got 20
But who cares, no big deal
I want more
I want to be where the people are
I want to see, wanna see them dancing
Sailing on ships, as part of a what do you call that? Oh. Fleet.
Swinging my axe, Humans stay right where they are
Im tired of only just grunting
Killing
Soon Ill be running down the, what’s that word again? Street
Out where they walk.
Where no one runs.
Out of my maze spending days in the sun.
Wandering free, wish I could be,
part of that world.....
What would I give
If I could live
Away from these slaughters
What would I pay, to spend a day, listening to a band
Betcha out in that land, they don’t demand i look like a Zotter*
But im still killin, sick of killing, ready to goooo
Ready to know what the people know
Ask them some questions, and get some answers.
What is diplomacy, and how does it, whats the word, wooooorrrkk
I mean what is its perk
Wouldn’t I love, love to explore the world out with that dove
Out of this maze,
Spending my days,
out in that world
*an occupational name for someone who kept sheep or was employed in the wool trade, or alternatively a nickname for someone who habitually wore a sheepskin or who had unkempt hair.
-Maxwell
Yes, I figured it would be going "full beast mode" If I end up using the idea of the Minotaur sick of killing his victim's path, it could be like going back into his old ways. I don't know for sure yet, but I'm just trying to work ideas in. Every bit of help is so awesome, so thanks
What sort of campaign is it going to be? What kind of tone do you, your party, and your DM want to set? Would a goofy tongue-in-cheek backstory fit right in? Or are characters expected to be grounded in the lore?
Ask your DM about the world you'll be dropping your character into and it may provide some jumping off points.
Alright, I'll certainly do that, though it probably will be a bit more serious, though tounge and cheek backround have fit in before in his worlds
Having a bit of humor in the backstory can make for some great character development. You come into a new place and you are just in AWE at everything, that person stopping at every stall and smelling what is being baked. Terrifying the townsfolk getting the constabulary called on you and being very polite and nice to them and maybe making new friends. Maybe a team mate can learn some spells to make you blend in with the general populace if it becomes difficult. On the same note you can make a name for yourself for not being like the rest of your kindred Drizzt style, perhaps becoming a bit of a folk hero as you go. I picture the character coming upon a playground and all the kids scatter hustled away by concerned parents. Maybe a few bold ones come up to you and 30 minutes later six children are using you as a jungle gym.
But this is your character, find what fits and play it to the maximum PLUS ULTRA style!
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."