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Message no. 1
From: Hobbes Patrol Headquarters <TYGER@****.WINONA.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: New race (minotaur)
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1993 18:35:28 -0500
I know this is old, I'm sorry. I've been playing 'catchup' omn mail.
(Once again, sorry about the editing)

>Minotaur
> Homo sapiens bovidae

Sounds neat.

> Identification: Minotaurs measure approximately 2.4 meters and weigh 225
>kilograms. They have short fur covering their massive muscles. Fur color
>ranges from red-brown to almost black and remains unchanged after
>ingentisization. Minotaurs have faces reminiscent of bulls. They have
>short horns growing from the edges of their foreheads to a length of 15 to
>30 cm for females and 30 to 60 for the males. Minotaur females have two
>mammae and all minotaurs have 34 teeth, including four enlarged canines.
>Minotaurs are very heavily built. They have long legs, making them good
>runners, but their massive size slows them down.

Hmm, 'sokay. But, riddle me this. I always thought that there were no
female minotaurs. Didn't the theory go that the Minotaur kinda did nasty
things to the females? (Rape, pillage, and so forth) and all the kids were
male? I coul dbe wrong, my mithology is rusty.

> Habitat: In urban areas, minotaurs tend to live in standard human houses.

What would count as a non-standard house? Xanadu? :P

>Racial Maximum Table (Minotaur) Racial Modifiers
>body 10 +4 body
>quickness 5 -1 quickness
>strength 10 +5 strength
>charisma 5 -2 charisma
>intelligence 6 -1 willpower
>willpower 6 +2 reaction
>essence 6 thermographic vision
>magic 6 direction sense (1-4/d6)
>reaction 6 horn damage (str)M

I can't help but wonder if it's time to repost Shadowfurry? (snicker)
Seriously, I like the idea. But, where did it come from? The other races
in the wolrd are (vaguely) humanoid in nature, with (basically) humanoid
faces and what not. I know how the minotaur is based in mythos (like the
elves and trolls) but the idea of someone giving birth to something with
horns... (I don't think the morphine will help, doctor...)

I'm not slamming this one, it just needs salt.

-Tyger
(Another who is guilty in the 'meddling with nature' category...)

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Message no. 2
From: Michael Crowley <mcrowley@******.LWC.EDU>
Subject: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1993 19:46:52 EST
Don't have any way of quoting your message, but, I have a
couple of responses about your minotaur post....

First, Tyger, minotaurs CAN be female... the females just aren't
seen very often. They, according to every book I have read, live
a very macho-male-honor-based society.

Second, was there any mention of Minotaurs appearing? I realize
that it is real easy to create something, but I had just never
seen or read anywhere that they ever were awakened. Never seen
'em listed under Critters, so I figured they just didn't exist.
'Course, it's real easy to create them, as I just said.
Message no. 3
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1993 19:01:26 -0500
On Mon, 12 Jul 1993, Michael Crowley wrote:

> First, Tyger, minotaurs CAN be female... the females just aren't
> seen very often. They, according to every book I have read, live
> a very macho-male-honor-based society.

Oh god, Klingons with horns.

{[> Robert A. Hayden ____ hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \ /__ aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu <]}
{[> \/ / <]}
{[> \/ #include <std_disclaimer.h> <]}
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Random Thought:

Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very"; your
editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.
-- Mark Twain
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Message no. 4
From: Manny Suarez <aa2498@*******.LORAIN.OBERLIN.EDU>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1993 02:09:07 -0400
> Second, was there any mention of Minotaurs appearing? I realize
> that it is real easy to create something, but I had just never
> seen or read anywhere that they ever were awakened. Never seen
> 'em listed under Critters, so I figured they just didn't exist.
> 'Course, it's real easy to create them, as I just said.
>
well? there's always late bloomers. figure this. somewhere, somebody
had one of these thingees. a whole new race emerges. the possibilities for
role-playing or even gm'ing an adventure are endless. you can make them
what you want. good, bad, characters, arch-nemesis (who knows. beef 'em up
more)
also. as i was told a few times already, they are somewhere. tell 'em boys...

--
I hate my girlfriend. She She She |this message sent from:
Lies on the beach like a barrier reef. |LCFN:aa2498 or CFN:cd833
Soaking up the stupid sun. -deAd milkMen |manny suarez.
While the radio is blaring "Fun Fun Fun." |aka. sir maynard, & deAd
Message no. 5
From: Curtis W Patrick <cpatri@**.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1993 19:25:52 CDT
Quoting Manny Suarez (aa2498) on the Minitar stuff:

>>>>
> Second, was there any mention of Minotaurs appearing? I realize
> that it is real easy to create something, but I had just never
> seen or read anywhere that they ever were awakened. Never seen
> 'em listed under Critters, so I figured they just didn't exist.
> 'Course, it's real easy to create them, as I just said.
>
well? there's always late bloomers. figure this. somewhere, somebody
had one of these thingees. a whole new race emerges. the possibilities for
role-playing or even gm'ing an adventure are endless. you can make them
what you want. good, bad, characters, arch-nemesis (who knows. beef 'em up
more)
also. as i was told a few times already, they are somewhere. tell 'em boys...
<<<<<

You could look at it in a chronological sense. Minotaurs (forgive my initial
spelling) were around before elves, before dwarves, etc...They were around
with the Greeks. Their quite possably been MORE magic in the world at
that time. As the magic diminished, they were the first to disappear. Since
magic has only recently returned, it has taken some time for the magic to
reach such a level to accomodate minataurs!

Like everyone else, nice idea, just unbalanced.

Kurt
Message no. 6
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1993 19:34:50 -0500
I like the Minitaur (fuck the spelling, you know what I mean :-). The
problem is that it is too unabalncing.

I think, stat-wise, it would be similiar to a Troll, perhaps a tad weaker
to gain higher wisdom or int. Drop dermal armour and add the horns
(keeping the reach) and you have a Minitaur (why can't I spell it right,
and who cares :-)

TROLL MINOTAUR
Body 11 +5 10 +4
Quickness 5 -1 6 --
Strength 10 +4 9 +3
Charisma 4 -2 4 -2
Intelligence 4 -2 5 -1
Willpower 5 -1 5 -1
Essence 6 -- 6 --
Magic 6 -- 6 --
Reaction 4 -- 5 --

Total Bonus +3 +3

Eyes Thermo Low-Light
Special #1 +1 Reach +1 Reach
Special #2 +1 Body (armor) Horns

---

Not quite as strong as a troll, but a little smarter and quicker. No dermal
armor but mean looking horns.

I put low-light down instead of thermo because didn't the Minotaur live in
an underground labyrinth or something (my mythology is 7 years old at
least). Seems to make more sense. Also, the Ork has low-light eyes, and
seem to be a little closer related to Mins.

--

Comments?

This is not the slam the race, I like it and wish there were more races in
Shadowrun, but it does need to be balanced.

{[> Robert A. Hayden ____ hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \ /__ hayden@****.cs.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \/ / aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu <]}
{[> #include <std_disclaimer.h> \/ <]}
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Random Thought:

"Last night I watched the news and the end of the broadcast showed numerous
changes favorable for the people (e.g., Rumania, Berlin Wall, etc.). My
fiancee and I turned to each other and said ``No images from the US.''"
-- Mike Shaff (shaff@********.rpal.com)
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Message no. 7
From: Christina Johnson <johnson1@**.UWP.EDU>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1993 20:09:53 -0500
On Tue, 13 Jul 1993, Robert A. Hayden wrote:

>
> I put low-light down instead of thermo because didn't the Minotaur live in
> an underground labyrinth or something (my mythology is 7 years old at
> least). Seems to make more sense. Also, the Ork has low-light eyes, and
> seem to be a little closer related to Mins.

The Min. (Hah... SKIP the spelling! *grin*) did indeed live in the
labyrinth. And I don't think it was that he could see... He sensed the
presense of anyone IN his labyrinth. I think he just had the maze itself
memorized or something... After all, he was put in there at birth, so he
wouldn't have low light, he'd be blind, if anything. (animals that live in
caves go blind... after generations) He could psychically sense the
humans, I think. On that point, I'm not so sure. But I know he wasn't
born in the cave. he was put there cuz he was a beast, a monster.
Unsightly and all that.

A small point, and not one I'd bother including in my write up of a new
race. After all, the min. of old was a hybrid, and likely sterile. The
'race' of min's might just be something that looks a lot like the original
Min, or actually might be the thing that spawned the story of the
'original' Min. Just like Manatee's are supposed to be mermaids. Strange
but true. Funny what a lonely sailor will think he sees. But I digress...

The stats looked fine, Hayden. They are (point wise) the same as trolls.
THought that was kinda keen.


Christina M. Johnson, johnson1@**.uwp.edu
-----------------------------------------
And I'll dream these dreams alone.
-----------------------------------------
Message no. 8
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1993 20:40:13 -0500
On Tue, 13 Jul 1993, Christina Johnson wrote:

> The Min. (Hah... SKIP the spelling! *grin*) did indeed live in the
> labyrinth. And I don't think it was that he could see... He sensed the
> presense of anyone IN his labyrinth. I think he just had the maze itself
> memorized or something... After all, he was put in there at birth, so he
> wouldn't have low light, he'd be blind, if anything. (animals that live in
> caves go blind... after generations) He could psychically sense the
> humans, I think. On that point, I'm not so sure. But I know he wasn't
> born in the cave. he was put there cuz he was a beast, a monster.
> Unsightly and all that.

As I thought. I think, in this context, low-light eyeballs would be
better than thermo

> A small point, and not one I'd bother including in my write up of a new
> race. After all, the min. of old was a hybrid, and likely sterile. The
> 'race' of min's might just be something that looks a lot like the original
> Min, or actually might be the thing that spawned the story of the
> 'original' Min. Just like Manatee's are supposed to be mermaids. Strange
> but true. Funny what a lonely sailor will think he sees. But I digress...

We all digress at times, but I agree, it's unimportant.

Just try to imagine a Minotaur Eagle Shaman. You had problems with a
Troll one?

> The stats looked fine, Hayden. They are (point wise) the same as trolls.
> THought that was kinda keen.

I don't think ANY critters should have stats higher than +3 overall. But
anything lower than that would work great I'd think.

----

What other famous critters could become races?

Goblin == sorta a cross between a dwark and an ork
Pixie == A really short elf, in essence. Weak and fragile, but can fly.
Gargoyle == Strong Burly Dude With Wings.

(just thinkin....)


{[> Robert A. Hayden ____ hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \ /__ hayden@****.cs.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \/ / aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu <]}
{[> #include <std_disclaimer.h> \/ <]}
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Random Thought:

What we do not understand we do not possess.
- Goethe
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Message no. 9
From: Christina Johnson <johnson1@**.UWP.EDU>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1993 20:46:15 -0500
On Tue, 13 Jul 1993, Robert A. Hayden wrote:

> Goblin == sorta a cross between a dwark and an ork
^^^^^
dwark? heh... sounds like something my eight year old brother would call
me....

In fact... I think I'll beat him to it. Hey, can this go along with the
Thwap (tm)?

THWAP, you dwark!!!


Christina M. Johnson, johnson1@**.uwp.edu
-----------------------------------------
And I'll dream these dreams alone.
-----------------------------------------
Message no. 10
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1993 20:50:42 -0500
On Tue, 13 Jul 1993, Christina Johnson wrote:

> On Tue, 13 Jul 1993, Robert A. Hayden wrote:
>
> > Goblin == sorta a cross between a dwark and an ork
> ^^^^^
> dwark? heh... sounds like something my eight year old brother would call
> me....
>
> In fact... I think I'll beat him to it. Hey, can this go along with the
> Thwap (tm)?
>
> THWAP, you dwark!!!

Oh hush! By now you shoudl ahve all learned that I never post without at
least one typo.


{[> Robert A. Hayden ____ hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \ /__ hayden@****.cs.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \/ / aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu <]}
{[> #include <std_disclaimer.h> \/ <]}
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Random Thought:

"No problem is so big that you can't run away from it."
-- Snoopy
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Message no. 11
From: "Earl R. Forsythe II" <73162.3521@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: New race (minotaur)
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1993 13:27:18 EDT
>I put low-light down instead of thermo because didn't the Minotaur live in
>an underground labyrinth or something (my mythology is 7 years old at
>least). Seems to make more sense. Also, the Ork has low-light eyes, and
>seem to be a little closer related to Mins.

Actually, thermo vision would make more sense for something that lives in
an underground labyrinth since there will probably not be much light for
low-lite to function.


CyberHawk

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