Minotaurs of the Stormlands

The Stormlands are one of 2 Countrys where Minotaurs can be commonly found. Compared to Gracia though, the Minotaurs of the Stormlands are the dominent force in the their country.

Their society mostly rest on 3 pillars:

1. Religion/Believe: the Sky and the Earth (The Horde in the Sky and The Living Hills)
2. Instinct (Representing animalistic behavior, traditions and staying true to what it means to be a beast)
3. Civilization (Representing progress, adaptation and humanoid civility)

Form of Government

The Minotaurs of the Stormlands are divided into many different clans. The form of government changes between the following:

1. Monarchy, usually with a pair of siblings at the Top. The Monarchs are not part of a Clan, rather they are considered beyond clan boundary's.
2. Battles for the crown between the Clans, usually after the rule of Monarchs come to an end, since there is no agreed upon rule for inhabiting positions of power.

Important NPC's

Mina - Dead, beheaded and her skull was turned into the item Crown of Mina (Stormlands Artifacts/Magic Items).

Lebos - Proclaimed missing (Dead). Got mad after Mina died, killed Mahabi, Bloodmother and was then killed by his Reckoner Bodyguards.

Ghom, First Son of Lebos - Died in threeway battle against Dominos and Vallah for the crown. Reanimated by Baphomet and now serves Demons of Baphomet.

Dominos, Second Son of Lebos - King of the Stormlands. Killed his Brother Ghom and defeated his sister Vallah to get the position.

Vallah, Daughter of Lebos - Fled fight with her brothers after loosing. Is now the head of the Ironpelt clan.

Gandrim - Son of Ghom, First Son of Lebos. Follows his father and the Demons of Baphomet to appeal to his father. Tragic character.

Volter Woodfoot - Captain of the pirate Ship "Volter" and is the leader of the Woodfoot clan.

Granny Gravelfoot - Mother to Ghom (not the other siblings). Grandmother to Gandrim. Was follower of Mina, knows most about what happened. Leader of the Earthbound and whitnessed it's downfall when Lebos drove the Minotaur society crazy after Mina's death. Now in hiding.

Gorgus

External Politics

The Minotaurs of the stormlands have ebough trouble getting their own kind under control due to the clan system, so they usually don't get into altercations with other factions as long they don't have to. The Freefolk of the Stormlands usually pay an adequate amount of tribute to appease the clans and be done with it.

Invaders must be careful though, for a united front of Minotaurs is an extremely dangerous foe to face.

Enemy's

The Big Problem of the Minotaurs of the Stormlands is, that they mostly don't really know who their enemy's are.

Blood Witch Coven

The Minotaurs also have a personal vendeta against the Blood Witch Coven, even though the coven seems to just be a rumor to them due to the excellent work of the Blood Witch Coven. If they knew, that the coven is responsible for the death of Mina and Lebos they would immediately try to eradicate the coven. To convince them of the fact is very difficult though for the coven has cleared most of the existing tracks and is very manipulative to ensure their secretive status.

Magi's Academy

When it comes to the Magi's Academy it is similar to the Blood Whitch Coven. The Minotaurs do know that Magi exist, but they don't really understand what they are. For them they are just Wizards with a fancy title. Their mood would change drastically though if they would know that a Magi of the name of Agranak was responsible for the death and beheading of their former queen Mina, making an item out of her skull with the help of the Blood Witch Coven turning her brother Lebos mad in the long run and bringing down the time of prosperity for the Kingdom of the Minotaurs in the Stormlands, they would be out of their mind to find revenge.

Demons of Baphomet

Baphomet created the Minotaurs. The existing Minotaurs of the Stormlands are changed versions, created by the Elves of Aravaile, now known as the Ruby Knights. Basically they hate Baphomet for he tries to use them as pawns, but the elves of Aravaile have used them as slaves as well, before being granted the Kingdom of the Stormlands by the king Dundril, King of the Ruby Knights. Generally it can be said that Baphomet is the greatest enemy of all to the Minotaurs of the Stormlands but it can't be underestimated that he represents their instinct the most, for he is their creator. Minotaurs may fall into his rule more easily than expected, especially those Clans who don't see themselves represented or mighty enough to compete with the more powerful clans.

Religion: The Sky and the Earth

The Minotaurs refer to both parts of their "Religion" as "Believes" for it lacks the systematic and universally agreed on values. Both parts of the believe do have at least a few attributes that most believers pick from when formulating their own interpretation. The general idea seems to be balance between change and repetition or stagnation. Both parts of the believe seem to be 2 very different ideas of neutrality with potential in any direction.

Neutral Quotes:

"Earth without rain is dry and dead. Rain without earth is a waste. Grass covered in morning dew is grave to the dead, sustenance for the living and base for the future."

The Horde in the Sky

Change, Potential.

The souls of strong Minotaurs who deemed themselves worthy fly up into the sky after their death and join the Horde in the Sky, also called the cloud horde, sky horde or Soul Storm. It is said the bellowing sound of thunder is the sound of ancestors trampling through the sky, watching the living. Lightning is punishment and truth, Thunder is judgement, wind is guidance and rain is a gift for believers and hindrance for non believers.

For many Minotaurs a Lightning Storm can be a sign for violence, rain a sign for peace and quite, a thunder storm a message and the changing of winds a lead.

The Believe is netral for rain, wind, thunder and even lightning hit us all without the living knowing why. The Horde decides without anyone understanding but it is just the weakness of the living to see the purpose.

Quotes of the Sky:

"Seed falls lazy near the roots. Lighting may strike the mother down and drought will punish. Wind will take the child to soil far beyond and rain will raise the spoiled one. The clouds bring death, the clouds bring live, the clouds will judge!".

"The Thunder stops the dances, the foe does fear the call, while tree breaks under branches and no one hears it fall."

Perfect Storm

A Legendary Storm mentioned in fables and story's of the Minotaurs. It speaks of a Storm that has everything: Lightning hammering down on foes lighten up the sky, numbing thunder forcing the weak minded enemy's to flee, heavy rain disabling non believers and strong winds backing the righteous ones into battle.

The Living Hills

Repetition, Stability.

The earth does not judge, it provides for everyone over and over again. When you die your body will be used by the earth to create new life, no matter who you are. The circle of life, a repeating process that creates stability. This means that in every inch of earth there is life, the higher the pile, the more can be found - Meaning the higher the hill, the more fertile it is. This believe is also called "The Crawling Hills".

The Support of every living thing to live on, a cradle for the dead not finding a way somewhere else.

Quotes of the earth:

"Lightning strikes the core, fire burn the stamp, the leafs and all the rest. The earth will take the ashes. Poison, torche and axe. Though all will ramp, higher than before."

"A forest may burn down, will die and turn to ash, but earth itself, you'll see, the moment that you're done, will reclaim all for tree, plant, flower once thought gone"

Clans

Name English	Name German	Class	Description
Reckoner	Abrechner	Mages, Fighter (Eldritch Knight)	Heavily Armored Wizards and Eldritch knights. Famous for Intelligence and Smithing. Civilized Behaviour. Small Clan (100 Members). Live in the Weather Top Temple in Horntal.
Storm Caller	Sturmrufer	Cleric (Tempest)	Well armored Clerics (Tempest) and Paladins. Famous for for Believe in the Horde in the Sky. Medium Clan (500 members). Region Focus: Horde in the Sky. Live at Cloud Horde Peak.
Earthbound	Erdgebundene	Druid (Land)	Lightly Armored. Known for Leather Working. Very small Clan (20 Members). Religion: The Living Hills. Generally friendly but very protective of Nature. Hide at Curse Twig Wood.
Stompers	Stampfer	Barabrians (Berserker)	Lightly or not armored. Famous for Strengh and durability. Very Large Clan (5000 Members) Instinctual Behaviour. Has the most Primal Minotaurs. Very aggressive and dominant. Nomadic.
Ironpelt	Eisenpelz	Monks (Elemental)	Not armored. Famous for Monks. Large Clan (2000 Members). Allows other races to join. Religion: The Living Hills. Civilized behavior. Hide in the Iron Temple.
Woodfoot	Holzfuß	Fighter (Champion)	Lightly Armored. Pirates. Known for Woodworking and Water Vehicles. Small Clan (50 Member, One Ship). Nomadic on the Aschemeer.