Homebrew Minotaur Species Details

Originally brought to the mortal realms by demonic rites and enslaved to the Cult of the Horned King, some minotaurs have escaped from their masters into the wilds. These newly-independent minotaurs formed into tribes where they live free from their chains and refine their savage natures.

Brute Force, But Not Brutes

Without question, the most common characteristic of minotaurs is their raw strength. Few minotaurs are under 7 feet tall and even those that are pack dense muscle onto their already large frames. As a legacy of their demonic influence, mintoaurs also tend to lose themselves in battle.

That said, freed minotaurs are not as mindless as their ancestors. Most tribes have developed functional weapon- and armorsmithing capabilities which, combined with their inherited rage, have led to skilled warriors and hunters.

Rebellious by Nature

Those who chose to submit to demonic rites and become minotaurs tend not to be too concerned with rules - of either law or tradition. Their descendants may not have inherited a full measure of demonic influence but their unruly nature lives on.

A loose tribe is all the organization that most free minotaurs will tolerate. More than that tends to chafe against their independent natures. Tribes are acutely aware of their ancestors' transgressions, however, and will resist any appearance of infernal control. Because of this, Druids, Clerics and (to a lesser extent) Paladins of the major deities are welcomed among minotaur tribes - so long as they respect the minotaurs' independence.

Hungry for More

Minotaur tribes claim large territories that they defend vigorously. Thankfully for most civilized peoples, these territories tend to be far from cities or even villages. Being remote doesn't often stop adventuring parties, though, and this occasionally brings other peoples into contact with minotaur tribes. Younger, wilder or curious minotaurs can become enamored of the adventuring life. Sometimes a less-than-scrupulous magic user will decide to claim an isolated minotaur as a slave. Or sometimes the austerity of minotaur society simply doesn't satisfy a minotaur's desires and they decide to leave.

Minotaur Traits

Minotaurs are mighty with excellent senses

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength increases by +2 and your Wisdom increases by +1.

Age

Minotaurs come of age quickly - they are considered adults around age 10 - and can live to be well over a century.

Alignment

Minotaurs tend not to tolerate authority well. Most are chaotic by nature.

Size

Minotaurs born free from enslavement to the Cult of the Horned King smaller than their monstrous ancestors but are still rarely under 7 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30.

Languages

Minotaurs can speak Common and if their role in their tribe required it, they can read and write it as well.

Darkvision

The rites that created the Minotaurs' ancestors were performed in the night and were designed to stalk prey in darkened labyrinths. Their descendants have inherited their superior vision: You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Natural Awareness

Due to spending so much of their lives in the wild areas of the world, Minotaurs are naturally perceptive. You are proficient in the Perception skill.

Sharpened Horns

Minotaurs' horns are sturdy and pointed which make them dangerous even when disarmed. You can attack with them as a 1d8 piercing weapon.