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Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/minotaur

Name:
	Minotaur  (Magical Creature)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 1-8
	Climate/Terrain: Temperate and subtropical labyrinths
	Frequency      : Rare
	Organization   : Clan
	Activity Cycle : Night
	Diet           : Carnivore

Description:
	Minotaurs are either cursed humans or the offspring of minotaurs and
	humans. They usually dwell in underground labyrinths, for they are not
	confused in these places, which gives them an advantage over their
	prey.

	Minotarus are huge, well over 7 feet tall, and quite broad and mus-
	cular. They have the head of a bull but the body of a human male. Their
	fur is brown to black while their body coloring varies as would a nor-
	mal human's. Clothing is minimal, usually a loin cloth or skirt.

Combat:
	Minotarus are very strong. Against man-sized opponents they may butt,
	against smaller opponents, they bite. If a minotaur is 30 feet or more
	from its opponent, it can lower its head and charge against any crea-
	ture that is at least 6 feet tall. If successful, the charge causes
	double head-butt damage. In addition to these attacks, most minotaurs
	also carry weapons - a huge axe or flail, with which it inflicts normal
	damage +2.

	Minotaurs are not particularly intelligent, but are extremely cunning
	and have excellent senses. The cannot be easily surprised, have infra-
	vision, and can track prey by scent like a ranger, with 50% accuracy.
	They always pursue an unfamiliar scent. Minotaurs are immune to maze
	spells. They attack any intruder without fear, and will retreat only
	if the creature is obviously beyond their ability to defeat.

Habitat/Society:
	Minotaurs live in communities of up to eight members. If the community
	contains more than six minotaurs, one will be an elder minotaur with
	greater strength and hit points. The minotaur elder is the clan leader;
	he remains while others hunt. He is always encountered in the center of
	a labyrinth.

	A minotaur's labyrinth is rarely natural. Often an evil wizard or a
	tyrant will construct a labyrinth and place the minotaur family here,
	feeding its prisoners and slaves on a regular basis.

	Occasionally this tyrant will be killed and the minotaurs forced to
	fend for themselves, since creatures rarely enter a labyrinth on their
	own accord, these minotaurs will usually be ravenously hungry.

	Minotaurs speak their own primitive language and are 25% likely to
	speak a halting form of common. They have little culture; their lives
	resemble animals more than humans. Their culture venerates physical
	strength above all else and particularly strong human fighters have
	been known to earn their respect. They worship crude gods and have weak
	clerics (maximum 3rd level shaman). Rumours persist of more intelligent
	minotaurs with developed societies.

Ecology:
	The curse which creates minotaurs is unknown, but sages suspect it in-
	volves 'crimes against the natural order'. Minotaurs are always male.
	It is also said that the first minotaur was originally a great and ill-
	tempered human fighter; he wanted to be as strong as a bull and his
	wish was granted in the most hideous manner possible. Minotaurs breed
	with human females to produce offspring, which are male minotaurs.
	Minotaurs have a lifespan of 200 years. They can live without food for
	years at a time, but are always hungry unless they are fed regularly.
	They are meat-eaters, but their curse causes them to prefer a diet of
	human flesh. Those transformed into minotaurs by curses may be restored
	to human form by a wish, but those who were born as minotaurs cannot be 	made human. Gnolls are their natural enemies; they kill each other on
	sight.

	Minotaur components are sometimes used in spells and potions, and might
	be used in magical items involving strength, location, and misdirec-
	tion.