Minotaur culture

[Dioltach]

I recently started a new campaign for my 3E group, set in a Darksun-like world: mostly desert, with a sprinkling of cities connected by trade routes. However, in my campaign most races are on a downward curve of decadance, and the new power are the minotaurs. Each city is home to several merchant families, who together hold the power in that city. There are similarities to historical Byzantium and the Minotaur League on Taladas from Dragonlance.

What I want now is to flesh out the culture to reflect the minotaurs' nature. I've already decided that they have a rich tradition of choral music (or "mooo-sic" as my group has already dubbed it, haha) and that the cities are surrounded by lush grasslands, and the best grass is a highly-prized commodity. Now I'm looking for other ideas: not plot hooks, but simply flavour to add to a minotaur-centric culture.

 

[Guest 85555]

I recently started a new campaign for my 3E group, set in a Darksun-like world: mostly desert, with a sprinkling of cities connected by trade routes. However, in my campaign most races are on a downward curve of decadance, and the new power are the minotaurs. Each city is home to several merchant families, who together hold the power in that city. There are similarities to historical Byzantium and the Minotaur League on Taladas from Dragonlance.

What I want now is to flesh out the culture to reflect the minotaurs' nature. I've already decided that they have a rich tradition of choral music (or "mooo-sic" as my group has already dubbed it, haha) and that the cities are surrounded by lush grasslands, and the best grass is a highly-prized commodity. Now I'm looking for other ideas: not plot hooks, but simply flavour to add to a minotaur-centric culture.

This sounds great to me. I like the angle you are taking. It may help if you explained how they are different from historical Byzantium and from the Minotaur League. Not very familiar with Darksun but I would imagine this places their culture in a very different context so my approach would be to let the clash between your historical model (Byzantium) and the context of the Darksun setting produce many of the innovations.

If you wanted to take the cowherd thing further you could have branding be part a cultural thing to denote tribal affiliation or rank. If you are doing Byzantium as a source of inspiration perhaps make them fond of intricate bureaucracy, chariot races with a passion for different colored factions, some kind of imperial structure (maybe they are in the process of conquering neighboring city states), advanced science and medicine (for Darksun at least), etc.

 

[Nebten]

Perfect timing. The latest edition of Kobold Quarterly has a 5 page article titled: "Ecology of the Minotaur." While it is written for a 4th edition/Midgard setting it mind, there is plenty of information to use for any system. Kobold Quarterly #18 Now Available Kobold Quarterly

I will say that this is probably one of the best KQ issues out that I've read in the past 2 years.

I hope this helps.

 

[IronWolf]

Perfect timing. The latest edition of Kobold Quarterly has a 5 page article titled: "Ecology of the Minotaur." While it is written for a 4th edition/Midgard setting it mind, there is plenty of information to use for any system. Kobold Quarterly #18 Now Available Kobold Quarterly

Yep - this was the same article that jumped to my mind. Definitely worth picking up.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The last Minotaur culture I statted out for a campaign was based on the Plains Indians cultures of the USA. Instead of riding horses, however, they were charioteers.

If you're aiming more for of a European/Asian trading power feel, though, think a bit more about their cities and what kind of products they could offer. Perhaps one has become a sea power- especially if it is in an archipelago- and has Venetian style salt farms (something else they would value greatly). Or one in the foothills of the mountains may be famous for it's wines and olive oil.

 

[Cor Azer]

If you want to tie into mythology a bit, introduce a lit of labyrinthine elements; not necessarily mazes, but long, elaborate structures - both architectural and bureaucratic. IE, you'll get through them, but it'll take time.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Crop circles?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Here's another place the labyrinth could metaphorically manifest itself in minotaur culture: art.

In both Islamic cultures and that of the Celts, intricate patterns are a major part of their art forms.

islamic geometric art - Google Search

images celtic knots - Google Search

In commerce, the labyrinth could be sold as knots or puzzles.

And the metaphorical labyrinth could be found in their legal documents. Hmmm...minotaurs famous for being lawyers, diplomats & negotiators? (They ARE bull artists, right? )

 

[Pentius]

And the metaphorical labyrinth could be found in their legal documents. Hmmm...minotaurs famous for being lawyers, diplomats & negotiators? (They ARE bull artists, right? )

Oooh, I wanna take this a step further. Maybe debate is like a sport for them. not a small thing, like debate clubs in school, but a cultural pastime, on the level that football or basketball is to America. Top debaters could be minor legends among the people. Freestyle debates might crop up as a form of impromptu entertainment.

 

[On Puget Sound]

And one way to win a debate is to frustrate your opponent to the point where he loses his cool, releasing the beast within. This is why there are strong iron bars between the debate stage and the audience, as well as between the contestants.