This installment of the My First Monster Manual blog series is the Minotaur.
Environment: Maze/Labyrinth, Underground Caverns
Monster Type: Monstrous Humanoid
Color: Fawn Pelt, Black Eyes, White Horns
Features: Head of a Bull, Human Body
Abilities: Strength, Sense of Direction, Charging
Recommended Equipment: None
Introduction:
The minotaur is a humanoid monster that is large in size and impressive in strength. It has the head of a bull, including horns, and the body of a human. Often found in labyrinths and caves, the minotaur has an innate sense of direction. Being born with this ability, even a young minotaur can easily navigate any maze. Minotaurs are a proud group of monsters who excel at crafting and fighting. A minotaur’s charge into combat is deadly and terrifying.
Investigation:
We had made it. The rough natural stone of the cave walls that once surrounded us became well crafted walls of brick and mortar. We had found the Mad Wizard’s labyrinth. Unlike the caves, which rarely gave us many options in which path to follow, the labyrinth was the complete opposite. Every fork, every junction, and every turn offered multiple tunnels or stairs we could venture. To prevent ourselves from getting lost, we marked the walls with magic chalk that shone in the light of our lanterns. We never back tracked and never got turned around to find one of our previous marks.We always moved ever deeper into the labyrinth unsure if we would ever make it out. Finally, while traveling down a long narrow passage, we encountered the first sign of life since entering the labyrinth. A huge bull was charging right towards us!
Observations:
We pressed ourselves against the tunnel walls hoping the charging bull wouldn’t crush us as it passed. Just as it reached us, the bull slid to a stop and snorted out a greeting. Now we noticed the sandaled feet, the loose white cloth draped around the torso and the large mallet carried in its hands. He was a minotaur. He introduced himself as Manny. Manny was so tall his horns scrapped the tunnel’s ceiling. We were so relieved; there’s no better navigator in the world than a minotaur. Manny spoke excellent common, asking us “Have you seen the giant in gold? He’s been tramping around my tunnels saying he’s the best fighter in the world! I’m the greatest fighter there is!” We agreed to a bargain, if he helped us get out of the labyrinth, we’d tell him where we saw the giant.
Conclusion:
We shared with Manny where we had last seen the gold giant. Although Manny didn’t have the time to personally lead us out, he would however not break his word to help us escape the labyrinth. We followed him down several passages until we reached a store room with chests and shelves lining the walls. Funny, in all our wandering through these halls, we had never encountered any rooms like this, actually, no rooms at all! After a quick search, Manny presented us with two items. The first was an ornate looking compass with several needles all tracking different directions. “Follow the path the gold needle points to and never go in the direction of the crimson one.” The second item was a simple music box, a sweet melody played when you opened the lid. Manny explained, “If you run into Rey, Kit, and Robin, open this up and put it on the ground. Then, sneak by as quiet as possible.” My assistant and I were overwhelmed with curiosity, but before we could inquire about any of it, Manny charged away.
About:
The Minotaur is part of our “My First Monster Manual” blog series where we will feature each of the monsters we are considering for inclusion in our new children’s book. Click here to learn more info on My First Monster Manual.
Artist: Joshua Johnson – joshing.com
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