Havage, bestial creatures of rage and violence—minotaurs are terrifying enemies. Often solitary beasts haunting labyrinthine dungeons, or similar locales, they delight in hunting and terrorising their prey. Minotaurs are innately cunning—surprising given their bloodthirsty, atavistic tendencies—but employ straightforward, simple tactics in battle. Legends tell of their origins—of how the gods created them; most minotaurs, however, believe their roots to be more demonic.

Use these four lists, to add depth and flavour to a minotaur’s den.

What’s Going On?

The minotaur…

1. Is sleeping—and snoring loudly! (Or perhaps it has heard the PCs’ approach and is sham sleeping).

2. Is working out its homicidal rage on the corpse of a recent victim. Gore and body parts lie scattered about its lair.

3. Is elsewhere but returns as the PCs search its lair.

4. Is gorging itself on the remains of its last victim. Blood and gore coat its face, neck and chest.

Notable Lair Features

1. A small field of red spotted mushrooms and fungus 1 fills a yawning side-cavern. The minotaur fertilises his “garden” with his victims’ broken remains.

2. An iron-shafted spear driven deeply into the rock pins the mouldering corpse of a once-powerfully built human male upright against the wall.

3. A tapestry—depicting a fiendishly complex maze—decorates one wall. A sinkhole pierces the lair’s floor.

4. Two hundred feet deep, the sinkhole intersects with an otherwise inaccessible rubble- and trash-strewn cave.

Minotaur’s Appearance

The minotaur…

1. Has red-rimmed glowing black eyes, giving it an infernal air.

2. Has a large spiral pattern burnt into its chest hair. The pattern—probably done long ago— encompasses most of the creature’s chest and could not have been self-inflicted.

3. Has scars crisscrossing its chest and right arm.

4. Has a ragged mane of black fur; it misses several clumps (as if something powerful had ripped them out).

Treasure

1. Hanging from a slender silver chain, the clasp of this matching silver locket is stiff. It holds a painting of two smiling children dressed as young nobles. Incautious opening breaks the locket’s fastener.

2. This broad, shallow pewter bowl is battered and dented from use.

3. Beautifully varnished, this long, slender flute resides in a custom-made black velvet pouch.

4. This small cast iron cauldron contains the dried-on smear of the last meal cooked within. The cauldron’s looped handle is bent and twisted.

Want More?

This article is an extract from the Complete Monstrous Lair Collection which is available here for immediate download. Alternatively, check out the 4d4 Archive for more handy, flavoursome and time-saving 4d4 articles ready for immediate use in your campaign.