Rorax
Small Monsterous Humanoid
Hit Dice: 2d10+2 (11 hp)Initiative: 0
Speed: 25 feet
AC: 14 (+1 Size, +3 Natural)
Attacks: Rorax Bastard Sword +5/+2 melee, Gore +4 melee
Damage: Rorax Bastard Sword 1d10+2, Gore 1d6+1
Face/Reach: 5ft by 5ft/5ft
Special Attacks: Charge 2d6+3
Special Qualities: Scent, Injestion
Saves: Fort: 9, Ref: 2, Will: 7
Abilities: Str: 13, Dex: 10, Con: 18, Int: 6, Wis: 8, Cha: 6
Skills: Climb +4 (Rocky terrain only), Diplomacy -1, Intimidate +1, Jump +2, Move Silently -1, Swim -2
Feats: Great Fortitude, Iron Will
Organization: Solitary, Gang (2 - 4), or Clan (5 - 25)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Advancement: By character class
DESCRIPTION
The Rorax full title is Rorax-Dini, or "Little Cousin" in the Minotaur language. They are a small people who stand only 3 and a half to 4 feet tall. They have long hair on their forearms, calves, head, and chin and the rest of their body is covered in a short coarse hair. The hair can come in any color from black to red and often is spotted with many different colors of the same range. All of the hair is coarse and wiry, and the chin hair is often braided.
In appearance they are much like their minotaur cousins, but their height, and attitude separate them from the larger humanoid. The minotuar looks down upon their little cousins with a certain sense of pride, for their little cousins are battle hardened warriors if there ever were any. In single combat a minotaur would most likely kill even the bravest of Rorax, but the Rorax are such tenacious fighters that the minotaur would pay a high cost for that defeat, and this is what gives the minotaurs pride in their little cousins and a fellowship that is not entirely shared by the Rorax. The Rorax looks at their bigger cousins with a sense of distrust (very much like they look at every sentient being), but as other humanoids go the Rorax trust the minotaurs more than most.
Most other races look at the Rorax as a mean spirited, hard-headed bunch and usually try to avoid them if at all possible. The Rorax is hard-headed and narrow minded enough to make a dwarf balk! They don't talk much and are easily offended, often settling the offense with their bastard sword.
COMBAT
The Rorax are hardy and visious fighters. Once a battle has stared a Rorax will seldom leave the battle until the opponent is dead, or the Rorax is. Even the largest of creatures that are familiar with the personality of a Rorax will avoid them in combat if at all possible. They have very little stealth or finesse when it comes to combat. If combat occurs they will instantly rush in with their trusty bastard swords swinging and not quite until there is nothing left to swing at.
EXTRAORDINARY
Charge (EX): A Rorax typically begins combat by charging at an opponent screaming it's battle cry as loud as it can. The Rorax will lower it's head and bring it's horns to the forefront. In addition to the normal benefits and hazards of a charge this allows the Rorax to make a single gore attack that deals 1d6+1 points of damage.
Injestion (EX): A Rorax is able to eat and sustain itself on almost anything without having so much as a mild case of heartburn. Though inorganic items don't nourish the Rorax most can easily pass through the Rorax's system without harming the creature. In places where any other creature would starve a Rorax can eat almost anything organic and sustain itself. This includes grasses, bark, bugs, etc.. The Rorax will still not lower itself to eating carrion.
SOCIETY
The Rorax lives in caves and small settlments in the form of clans. The mightiest Rorax will be the clan leader with approximately 24 other Rorax under his command. The entire clan will live in a single dwelling and when the dwelling is overcrowded a leader is selected along with approximately 30 percent of the clan to go out and begin a new clan. Ownership of items is not a custom except for the weapon of the Rorax choice, usually the Rorax bastard sword. This lack of ownership includes mates and children. There is no marriage and no single pairing of mates. Children are cared for by the females while the males are given the responsibility of the young ones training.
Clan wars are also common among the Rorax. They are easily offended, even among one another, and this often leads to clans holding grudges against other clans. There is very little cohesion between the clans, unless a greater threat arrises, then the clans will bind together as brothers and protect their own.
HISTORY
Hailing from the island of Minitarn the Rorax dwell near the central regions of the island. At one time they were spread over most of the island, but a confrontation was initiated with the minotaur race and a great war broke out on the island. They fought hard but they could not defeat the minotaurs. The war lasted for 20 years and finally the Rorax admitted defeat before they were forced to extinction. For another 10 years the minotaurs tried to use the Rorax as slave labor, but the Rorax made terrible slaves. The minotaurs finally abolished slavery on the island and set the Rorax free. The Rorax then moved to the center of the island to lick their wounds and stay away from the hated minotaurs.
The rent between the minotaurs and the Rorax wasn't fixed until the isle of minitarn came under attack from the kingdom of Reptillia. The minotaur nation was outnumbered badly and sought the aid of the Rorax. After days of debate the Rorax decided to join the minotaur's cause. The Rorax proved invaluable in the war. Their bravery in the line of battle was extraordinary, earning the heart-felt respect of the entire minotaur nation. Finally the force from Reptillia was defeated. The minotaurs then sat down with the Rorax and developed a treaty that would establish rich lands in the center of the isle of Minitarn.
Though there are still hard feelings between the Rorax and the minotars (mainly from the Rorax), the rent between the two races is almost a thing of the past. The Rorax are still cautious of the minotaurs, but the minotaurs treat the Rorax with respect and honor whenever one is encountered.
