Npc Asterius (the “Starry One”) The Minotaur of Crete

Asterius (the “Starry One”) The Minotaur of Crete

Asterius — Prisoner of the Labyrinth

• Alias – “The Starry One”
• Gender – Male
• Race – Minotaur
• Occupation – Cannibalistic Guardian, Prisoner
• Religion – None
• Allies – None
• Enemies – Those who seek to intrude upon the labyrinth
• Abode/Base of operations – The labyrinth of Crete
• Nationality – Cretan
• Languages – Minotaur, Greek
• Alignment – Chaotic Evil
• Affiliation(s) – None
• Significant others – None

In Crete’s heroic age, Asterius is imprisoned beneath King Minos’s palace. The king sends Athenian captives into his maze, and Asterius kills those he catches. He is dangerous, but he has also been denied freedom or a fair hearing. Theseus eventually kills him and ends the tribute, as recorded in Crete’s Bronze Age history. This entry portrays Asterius before that encounter, when a party might fight him, bargain with him or try to release him.

Minos keeps Asterius beneath the palace and sends Athenian prisoners into the maze. Asterius knows its turns, listens for footsteps and drives frightened intruders into dead ends. He does not choose who enters; he does choose what happens when he catches them. A party hoping to rescue him must first survive meeting him.

Isolation has made him bitter, not harmless. He has killed captives, and strangers who enter with weapons may give him every reason to attack. But Asterius can speak and understand an offer. A credible plan to escape his guards may earn a hearing; empty promises or threats are unlikely to work.

Physically he is a formidable and imposing figure. Standing at an impressive height of nine feet, he possesses a muscular and robust build, with broad shoulders and a powerful physique. His lower body resembles that of a powerful bull, with strong, muscular legs and hooves that can crush stone beneath their weight. His upper body is human-like, with a broad chest and sinewy arms, covered in coarse, dark fur that contrasts sharply with his pale, rough skin. His head is adorned with a pair of large, curved horns, spiraling outward from his temples, giving him an even more menacing appearance.

His face bears the features of both man and beast, with a strong jawline and a snout-like nose, complete with a ring through one nostril. His deep-set, piercing eyes glow with an intense yellow light, reflecting a primal intelligence and a hint of the fierce rage that resides within him. As he moves, his muscles ripple beneath his fur, conveying a sense of raw power and untamed strength.

Drapped across his broad shoulders, he wears tattered remnants of clothing, remnants of his past imprisonment. These remnants hang loosely, barely clinging to his massive frame, serving as a reminder of the torment he endured in the labyrinth.

Overall, he exudes an aura of primal ferocity and untamed power, a living embodiment of the ancient fears and legends surrounding the Minotaur.

Asterius, the Minotaur of Crete, stands as a tragic figure, trapped between his primal nature and the longing for something greater. His story serves as a reminder of the depths of human emotion and the enduring power of hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Asterius, The Minotaur of Crete

Large monstrosity (minotaur), chaotic evil

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)

Hit Points 210 (20d10 + 100)

Speed 40 ft.

Saving Throws Str +11, Con +10

Skills Perception +7, Athletics +11, Intimidation +4

Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17

Languages Greek, Minotaur, Abyssal

Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)

Charge. If he moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 21 (6d6) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away and knocked prone.

Reckless. At the start of his turn, he can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls during that turn, but attack rolls against him have advantage until his next turn.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If he fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) slashing damage.

Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage.

Lair Actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), he can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

• The ground trembles violently, causing all creatures within 30 feet to make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
• The labyrinthine corridors shift, creating an illusory maze. All creatures within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 16 Intelligence saving throw or become disoriented, suffering disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks until the start of their next turn.
• He lets out a thunderous roar, forcing all creatures within 30 feet to make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. They can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on a success.

Actions

Multiattack. He makes two attacks: one with his axe and one with his gore.

Legendary Actions

Asterius can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. He regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

• Gore. He makes a gore attack.
• Roar (Costs 2 Actions). He lets out a thunderous roar. Each creature of his choice within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.
• Charge (Costs 3 Actions). He moves up to his speed toward a target and then uses his gore attack.

The Minotaur in Myth

In Greek mythology, the story of Asterius, revolves around the legendary creature known as the Minotaur of Crete. The tale begins with King Minos, the ruler of Crete, who angered the god Poseidon and was subsequently cursed with a monstrous offspring.

Asterius, the product of this curse, was born as a half-human, half-bull creature. Imprisoned within the depths of a labyrinth designed by the brilliant architect Daedalus, Asterius became known as the fearsome Minotaur, a creature of immense power and ferocity.

Every year, King Minos demanded a tribute of seven young men and seven maidens from Athens to be sacrificed to the Minotaur as a form of punishment. These unfortunate souls were sent into the labyrinth, where they would face certain death at his hands.

The hero Theseus, determined to end this gruesome tradition, volunteered to be one of the sacrifices and embarked on a perilous journey into the heart of the labyrinth. Guided by the princess Ariadne, who had fallen in love with him, Theseus devised a plan to slay the Minotaur and bring an end to the terror.

With a combination of bravery and cunning, Theseus successfully navigated the labyrinth and confronted the monster in a fierce battle. Utilizing his wits and strength, Theseus managed to overcome the formidable Minotaur and deliver the final blow.

Asterius, the once-feared creature, met his demise at the hands of the hero, ending the reign of terror that had plagued Crete for years. The story of the Minotaur serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of divine curses and the power of determination and heroism in the face of overwhelming odds.