Minotaur

Physical Characteristics

A minotaur combines the features of human and bull, with the build and musculature of a hulking humanoid, but with cloven hooves, a bovine tail, and, most distinctive of all, a bull 's head. Fur covers a minotaur's upper body, coarse and thick on the head and neck, gradually thinning around the shoulders until it becomes humanlike hair over the arms and upper torso. The thick hair turns shaggy once more at the minotaur's waist and thickens around the loins and legs, with tufts at the end of the tail and around the powerful hooves. Minotaurs take pride in their horns, the sharpness, size, and color of which are related to an individual's place in minotaur society. Fur and skin coloring runs from albino white to coal black, though most minotaurs have red or brown fur and hair.
Labyrinthine patterns are important to minotaurs, and these decorations appear on their clothing, armor, and weapons, and sometimes even on their hides. Each pattern is particular to a clan, and the pattern's size and complexity help minotaurs iden­tify family allegiance and caste. The patterns evolve through the generations, growing more expansive based on clan members' deeds and a clan's history.
Minotaurs live as long as humans do.

Background and History

The origin of minotaurs is clouded by history - possibly originating in Sarlona or Xen'drik, the largest modern populations can be found in Droamm. As with many Droammish races, most people of the five nations imagine bestial worshippers of dark powers when they think of minotaurs. The reality is more complicated - the relationship between minotaurs and their dark worship isn't as binary as the gnolls. The savage call is less overwhelming but is also harder to completely break, leading many minotaurs to live their entire lives treading that line of order and chaos.

Minotaur Lands

A few clans of minotaurs live in the wilder regions of Khorvaire, Sarlona, and Xen'drik, but the greater part of Eberron's minotaurs inhabit Droaam. They are found within most of that region's major communities. The minotaur warlord Rhesh Turakbar also claims several territories in the region. Although Turakbar's minotaurs are violent demon-worshipers, many of Droaam's other minotaurs have personalities and beliefs more agreeable to other races. House Tharashk and the militias of Droaam respect minotaurs for their strength and their sense of honor and use them as mercenaries