Tauros
From Snowblossom
The Tauros (or "minotaurs") are a race of humanoids with large stocky bodies, bovine faces, hooves and horns. The word "minotaur" is an old word which refers to a specific tribe of tauros (now a lost tribe) - "tauros" refers to the people as a whole and "tauro" refers to an individual of the species. Some tauros consider "minotaur" to be rude.
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Personality
The tauros are often stereotyped as dim-witted, but that is because they are usually slower to respond to events than other humanoids. They tend to be deeply thoughtful and very considerate of their actions and words. When roused to anger, tauros fight until the last foe is downed. They are known to have problems disengaging from conflicts once they decide to get involved.
Tauros tend to slowly but surely adopt the mannerisms and attitudes of the groups they find themselves in. While the tauros remain individuals, they do often have a "herd" mentality once they form social bonds.
Physical Description
Tauros males range from 6' to 7' tall, with females ranging from 5'10" to 6'6". Even the smallest tauros weigh about 200 pounds, with larger males cresting 350. Tauro males grow beards and the females often decorate their horns.
Unlike the animals they resemble, the tauros are omnivores (though they tend to eat very little meat).
Relations
Tauros get along well with orcs and dwarves, but tend to be overwhelmed by the more impulsive races, like elves, halflings and humans. Still, a tauros can get along with almost anyone.
Alignment
As much as they hate to admit it, tauros are often influenced by their friends or their community. While many are Unaligned, they often tend to track towards the alignment of those close to them.
History
Tauros originated on a large island nation called Mot in the Great Sea. Strangely, they seem to have a racial distaste for water deeper than their waist, but they somehow spread to the Northern Shard and beyond. Scholars theorize they were originally brought to the Northern Shard thousands of years ago as slaves, but no one knows for certain. The nation of Mot still survives, although few other races visit it or live there, and even fewer tauros come and go from the island.
Tauros Lands
Other than the island nation of Mot, tauros have no nation. They can be found in small tribes throughout the Eye.
Religion
The tauros of Mot revere and worship the Pure Ones. Although many tauros in other places worship the gods, the worship of the Pure Ones is more common amongst tauros expatriates.
Language
The tauros of Mot speak a dialect of Giant. Tauros in other places speak Giant and Common.
Names
Male Names: Brotor, Dorv, Krom, Tomalt, Xarren
Female Names:
Family Names: The tauros use their tribal name as a surname, normally translated into the language they are speaking as a compound word or phrase. Bearhorn, Blackbeard, Hillstrider, Moonsdaughter, Swifthoof
Adventurers
Tauros often find themselves using their strength to work as mercenaries and bodyguards. This can lead to them becoming adventurers. Other tauros simply find themselves with a wanderlust that can be sated living with their tribe.
