Homebrew
Minotaur (Dragonlance/Ansalon)
“We have been enslaved but have always thrown off our shackles. We have been driven back, but always returned to the fray stronger than before. We have risen to new heights when all other races have fallen into decay. We are the future of Krynn, the fated masters of the entire world. We are the children of destiny.”
-Land of the Minotaurs
Richard Knaak
Minotaurs are half-bull, half-human. They worship the minotaur-god Sargonnas, god of vengeance with a small minority worshiping the bison-headed god Kiri-Jolith. They are a mostly evil race usually associated with strong beliefs in honor and the sea due to their nation being located on the Blood Sea. They hailing from the twin islands of Mithas and Kothas in the Blood Sea. They are at home, both on land and at sea, living in an honor-based society where strength determines power.
Krynn minotaur’s are gargantuan brutes over seven feet in height. They grow foot long horns and carry weapon harness as much as decoration vs. utility. Their favored weapon is the double ax, but some have been known to wield a broadsword in each hand. They are descended from the original ogres. Suggesting to a minotaur that he is descended from a cow (a common mistake among humans) is the deadliest insult one can offer a minotaur.
The minotaur race has been oppressed through most of its history. The minotaur’s dwelt in scattered groups without a nation or identity until late in the Age of Twilight when they gathered in eastern regions of Istar. There they established the first minotaur kingdoms of Mithas and Kothas. They developed shipbuilding to a fine art and their navigational skills remain some of the finest in the world.
Minotaur’s firmly believe in the superiority of their race and in their ultimate place as the rulers of the world. It is their destiny to bring the rest of Krynn under their rule. They will go to any lengths to achieve domination over others. They are ruthless in battle and cold in their justice. They believe that the weak should perish and that might proves right. From youth, minotaur’s are trained for strength, cunning, and intelligence. The goal of this training is combat in the Circus, a rite of passage.
Families are the foundation of minotaur society; the honor of one’s family is held supreme above all other consideration and point. Minotaur clerics invariably worship only one god: Sargas. This god is known as Sargonnas to the Solamnics.
Blood and Honor
Minotaurs believe in a brutal code of honor centered on the idea that strength is an instrument of glory and respect. This blood code gives structure to minotaur society, allowing them to resist chaos and enslavement. It is through strength that a minotaur will rise through society to serve in the legions, strength by which a minotaur may lead his clan, strength by which a minotaur may captain a vessel, and strength by which an emperor may rule an empire.
Mariners and Shipwrights
Minotaurs are the most accomplished sailors and advanced shipbuilders on Ansalon, rivaled only perhaps by the Ergothian empire. Most minotaurs serve aboard a sailing vessel at some point in their lives. Minotaur vessels can take the pounding of the waves, yet move with speed and elegance.
An Empire Unchained
Throughout history, the minotaurs have been enslaved repeatedly. They have been slaves to dwarves, humans, and ogres. Minotaurs will fight ferociously against anyone who would attempt to enslave them.
The minotaurs have thrown off their shackles, rising up to become conquerors in their own right. Minotaurs look upon those who would conquer only Ansalon as shortsighted. The minotaur people believe, as the children of Sargas, they are destined to one day rule the world. All of Krynn is theirs for the taking, a manifest destiny set down by Sargas and the ancient emperors.
Minotaur Names
Clan names originate with a great hero. His or her descendants take on the name as their own, doing their best to live up to the ideals of their ancestor. Clan names are always preceded by the prefix “Es-” (if the minotaur is from the island of Mithas) or “de-” (if the minotaur is from Kothas) meaning “of”. Thus Kyris de-Entragath is Kyris of Clan Entragath. Those with the “Es-” prefix often consider themselves superior to those with the “de-,” since they see themselves as being closer to the throne.
New naming traditions have risen in the last several decades of colonization, allowing for new prefixes to develop, such as the “ne-” prefix used for the colony of Mitos. Some colonists still use the “Es-” and “de-” prefixes if their lineages can be traced back to Mithas or Kothas. If a minotaur can’t trace his lineage, his clan name remains without a prefix. Such minotaurs are looked down upon for their lack of strong bloodline. Minotaurs who cannot trace their paternal lineage at all, such as an illegitimate child, have the “–Ohn” suffix to their first name, which means “bastard child.” Bas- Ohn Koraf would be an illegitimate child who cannot trace his lineage to either Mithas or Kothas.
Male Names: Asteron, Beliminorgath, Bjorkus, Cinmac, Codrus, Dastrun, Edder, Foostus, Gadar, Ganthirogani, Goeban, Hecariverani, Jak, Karathos, Kyris, Minron, Noostoron, Podrus, Terios, Tosher, Zurgas.
Female Names: Ayasha, Calina, Duula, Esteru, Fliara, Helati, Hester, Keeli, Kuonu, Kyri, Loodra, Mogara, Oestra, Raastred, Seestra, Sekra, Tariki, Telia, Uovana, Weoren.
Clan Names: Athak, Bregan, Entragath, Kalin, Kaziganthi, Lagrangli, Mascun, Orilg, Sumarr, Teskos, Zhakan.
Minotaur Traits
Your minotaur character has a number of traits in common with all other minotaurs.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Minotaurs mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live longer than humans, however, often exceeding 120 years.
Alignment. Minotaurs are lawful, raised to believe in a strict code of honor. They are loyal to the death to family and friends and implacable adversaries to their enemies. Minotaurs tend toward evil, due to their worship of Sargas.
Size. Minotaurs are taller and heavier than humans, standing well over 6 feet tall and averaging almost 300 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Menacing. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Bull of the Sea. Whenever you make a Strength (Athletics) check related to sailing, you are considered proficient in the Athletics skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Gore. A minotaur may use his horns as natural weapons to make a gore attack. Make a Strength Attack with proficiency. If you hit, the target takes 1d8 + STR modifier piercing damage.
Charge. If you move at least 10 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 1d8 piercing damage. If the target is a creature it must succeed on a DC 14 strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away and knocked prone. The extra damage increases to 2d8 at 6th level.
Tough Hide. You have an exceptionally tough hide, granting you a +1 bonus to Armor Class.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Kothian. A clipped, abrupt language, Kothian is much like the minotaurs themselves – controlled, precise, and harsh.
All credit for this race build goes to Dragonhelm as detailed below.
About Dragonhelm
Trampas “Dragonhelm” Whiteman is best known for co-creating and administering the Dragonlance Nexus fan site. He is co-author of three Dragonlance books – Holy Orders of the Stars, Knightly Orders of Ansalon, and Races of Ansalon. When not evangelizing Dragonlance and other settings, Trampas is a husband, father, podcaster, and web designer. Trampas also enjoys reading comics, reading fantasy and scifi novels, and playing D&D.
Minotaur (Dragonlance/Ansalon) Traits
Minotaur Racial Traits.
Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age
Minotaurs mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live longer than humans, however, often exceeding 120 years.
Alignment
Minotaurs are lawful, raised to believe in a strict code of honor. They are loyal to the death to family and friends and implacable adversaries to their enemies. Minotaurs tend toward evil, due to their worship of Sargas.
Size
Minotaurs are taller and heavier than humans, sometimes standing well over 7 feet tall and averaging almost 350 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Keen Senses
You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on scent.
Menacing
You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Bull of the Sea
Whenever you make a Strength (Athletics) check related to sailing, you are considered proficient in the Athletics skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Gore
A minotaur may use his horns as natural weapons to make a gore attack. Make a Strength Attack with proficiency. If you hit, the target takes 1d8 + STR modifier piercing damage.
Charge
If you move at least 10 feet straight toward a target and then hit it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 1d8 piercing damage. If the target is a creature it must succeed on a DC 14 strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away and knocked prone. The extra damage increases to 2d8 at 6th level.
Tough Hide
You have an exceptionally tough hide, granting you a +1 bonus to Armor Class.
Language
You can speak, read, and write Common and Kothian (Minotaur). A clipped, abrupt language, Kothian is much like the minotaurs themselves – controlled, precise, and harsh.
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