Taladan Minotaurs
The minotaurs of Taladas are descendants of minotaur raiders and sailors from Ansalon, yet the first minotaurs are actually creatures of Taladas. When the Graygem first made its appearance on Taladas, it changed a large contingent of ogres into the first minotaurs. True Ogres, already seeing the signs of their eventual deterioration into what we would consider modern ogres, viciously and aggressively began to purge the “abominations” from their midst. Fleeing from their cousins, the remnants of the new minotaur race fled across the steppes of the Tamire, the minotaurs eventually found themselves on the coast of Northern Hosk. Commandeering many small coastal trading ships the minotaurs fled south along the coast, until they were blown out to sea near the spine of Taladas. From here the minotaurs received a crash course in navigation and seamanship from Zeboim herself as she threw devastating storm after storm at the beleaguered Minotaurs. Calling on Sargas (Sargonnas), the ogre god of vengeance and strength, the minotaurs impressed Sargonnas as they didn’t ask for help, only the strength to endure so that they may confront their enemies. After the Cataclysm the minotaurs took to the sea and founded a great sea going kingdom, it is from this kingdom that one Eragas the Mighty, an exile from his home of Kothas, discovered the vulnerable communities on the sea coast of Southern Hosk. In a series of lightning raids, Eragas and his crew conquered the poorly defended encampments of humans, and declared himself Emperor. The minotaurs have held sway, conquering and forcing into submission nearly all their neighbors, the minotaurs have created an empire to rival anything on the face of Krynn.
Personality: Taladan minotaurs are much like their Ansalonian counterparts; however, they are more sophisticated, and in most cases, better educated, than any minotaur of Ansalon. Taladan minotaurs are still a warrior culture and as such are the same as the minotaurs detailed on page 42-43 of the Dragonlance Campaign Setting (DLCS).
Appearance: Taladan minotaurs are much like their Ansalonian counterparts in appearance. However the shades of minotaur fur do tend to be lighter, with less of the “dairy cow” patterns. But otherwise remain the same as the description found on page 43 of the DLCS.
Relations: The Minotaurs of the League are more cosmopolitan than Ansalonian minotaurs; all races that accept league protection are considered equal, under the law, with minotaurs being slightly more equal than non-minotaurs. But due to the expansionistic mindset, the Minotaurs of the League inevitably come into conflict with their neighbors. But stereotypically, many minotaurs of common descent still hold to the outlook detailed on page 43 of the DLCS.
Alignment: The Minotaurs of the League are a very lawfully aligned people; however, the minotaurs are morally more neutral than evil, but the tendencies of evil still affect them today. Few minotaurs are truly good, but there are rare exceptions.
Minotaur lands: Minotaurs are the undisputed masters of the league. The League covers most of the area of Southern Hosk and Thenol, and portions of Northern Hosk as well.
Religion: As per the entry on page 43 of the DLCS with the following exceptions. Jolith the Warrior (Kiri-Jolith) is openly worshipped with very little complaint from the priests of Sargas, as are the gods Zeboim and Habbakuk the Sea Lord. Unlike the Minotaurs of Ansalon, Shinare (seen in the guise of a male minotaur) is also popular among the merchant classes and some noble families.
Language: The Minotaurs of the League speak a mixture of Kothian and Auric. As minotaurs travel extensively throughout the league either in service to the military or on trading concerns, the minotaurs frequently learn the languages of their neighbors, their reasoning, who knows they may be citizens in a week or two.
Names: Minotaur naming conventions are still the same as those listed on page 43 of the DLCS. Adventures: As listed on page 43 of the DLCS.
Minotaur Racial Traits As per the entry on page 43 of the DLCS with the following exceptions:
Automatic languages: Minotaurs are familiar only with Kothian and League common at first level. Favored class: Fighter, mariner or noble.
