Capital Parkland - Part 10 - Coliseum District - Part 02 - It’s Tuesday at the Coliseum

 

“If it’s not loud, it’s not real.”

Minotaur culture is not subtle, not quiet, and not primarily concerned with outside approval. It is, however, deeply ritualized. What outsiders see as chaos is, to a Minotaur, a set of practices refined over thousands of years, several timelines, and more than a few bad gigs.

Many scholars (and at least one very nervous city planner) have compared Minotaur society to a mash-up of warrior lodges, touring crews, and heavy metal myth cycles.

Minotaurs consider this accurate and flattering.

Minotaur Territory: Black and White Stone

Minotaurs see the world in black and white—not morally simple, but structurally inevitable. The Coliseum fits this worldview perfectly. Every corridor has only two real outcomes:

·       You find the stage

·       Or the stage finds you

There is no centralized Minotaur government here, but the district is unmistakably theirs. Bands drift in and out constantly, parking tour vans along the outer ruins, stringing cables through archways, converting concession halls into rehearsal dens and armouries. Graffiti here is less tagging and more album art, layered murals recording victories, losses, and legendary gigs.

Each central arena chamber is informally “held” by a Band, led by a Chief—most commonly a Metal Chief, though Doom, Speed, Glam, and Thrash Chiefs all hold turf depending on the season. Disputes are not settled with knife fights or shootouts unless someone is truly off-key. Instead, rival bands settle conflicts through:

·       Battle of the Bands (literal and metaphysical)

·       Duelling Solos (psychic damage encouraged)

·       Crowd Verdicts (fans decide the winner, sometimes violently)

1.     The Ritual of the Soundcheck

(Also Known As: “Making the Place Behave”)

Before any major gathering, battle, negotiation, or risky decision, Minotaurs insist on a soundcheck.

This is not optional.

The ritual involves:

·       Testing volume

·       Tuning instruments

·       Letting the space “answer back”

If the sound comes back wrong—flat, distorted, or delayed—plans are postponed or rerouted. Minotaurs believe locations have moods, and the soundcheck is how you ask politely whether today is a good day to do something dangerous.

Outsiders who mock this practice are often politely escorted out before something answers.

2.     The Pit as Sacred Space

The mosh pit is not mindless violence.
It is controlled communal aggression.

Rules everyone knows:

·       If someone falls, you pick them up

·       If someone can’t continue, you shield them

·       If someone fights outside the rhythm, they are removed

Minotaurs believe the pit teaches more about trust and social cohesion than any council chamber. Many Minotaur disputes are settled by “taking it to the pit” rather than escalating to weapons.

Ed-Town medics quietly admit that pit injuries are usually cleaner than those from street fights.

3.     The Horn Rite

(Coming of Age / Identity Ritual)

At a certain age—or after surviving a major event—a Minotaur undergoes the Horn Rite.

This may include:

·       Sharpening, blunting, or reshaping horn tips

·       Adding metal caps, chains, or inscriptions

·       Etching scars or brands into the horn base

The rite is performed publicly, often backstage or at the Pipeline. It marks a transition: new role, new Band, new responsibility.

Touching another Minotaur’s horns without permission is one of the few near-universal taboos.

4.     Battle of the Bands (Literal)

When two Bands clash over territory, resources, or pride, they do not immediately fight.

They play.

Battle of the Bands events combine:

·       Musical performance

·       Crowd response

·       Psychic and emotional resonance

The losing Band yields ground, gear, or reputation. Violence can follow—but if the music was good, it usually doesn’t.

This practice is one of the main reasons Minotaur conflicts rarely spills into surrounding neighbourhoods.

5.     Road Baptism

(Tour Initiation)

New members—Minotaur or otherwise—must survive a Road Baptism before being considered “real.”

Typical elements include:

·       Long-distance travel under bad conditions

·       A first live performance in hostile territory

·       Carrying gear that is objectively too heavy

·       Being stranded briefly (and safely) to “find the beat.”

Those who quit are not shamed. Those who endure are family.

6.     The Aftereffect Protocol

(Unofficial, But Taken Seriously)

When something is summoned into the world via the Coliseum, Minotaurs follow an unspoken protocol:

1.      Finish the song (unless stopping it is worse)

2.      Contain with rhythm

3.      Do not panic the crowd

4.      Assign a Band to watch it

5.      Decide whether it can be reasoned with

If the aftereffect starts keeping time, negotiations begin.
If it doesn’t, security gets involved.

Axel Thunderpipes refers to this as “cleaning up your own feedback.”

6.     Dress as Declaration

Minotaur fashion is deliberate and communicative:

·       Chains = strength and reliability

·       Leather = road experience

·       Fur = survival

·       Spikes = warning

·       Wigs = commitment to the bit

Nothing is purely decorative. Even absurd outfits signal role, seniority, or mood. Minotaurs distrust anyone who dresses “neatly” for no reason.

7.     Death, Memory, and the Encore

Minotaurs do not fear death the way most species do. Their relationship with time is already broken.

When a Minotaur dies:

·       Their instrument is played one last time

·       Their name is shouted at a show

·       Their gear is inherited, not buried

If the crowd shouts loud enough, it is believed the fallen hear it—wherever they are now.

This is called The Encore.

9. Axel’s Rule (The Only Written One)

Major Clan Mottos

·       Thunderpipes Clan   - “If it’s loud enough, it’ll hold.” (Meaning: buildings, crowds, reality.)

·       Ironhorn - “Stand fast. - Break last.”

·       Black Hoof Syndicate - “We don’t rush the pit. We own it.”

·       Redstone Labyrinth - “Every wall remembers.”

·       The Chrome Bellow - “Shine hard. Hit harder.”

·       Stonehowl - “Let the stone hear you.”

·       Blood & Feedback - “Pain is a note. Play it clean.”

·       Riftwalker Herd   “Lost is a direction.”

·       The Broken Maze - “Nothing leaves the same.”

·       Ashhorn Collective - “From the burn, the beat.”

·       Roadbound Minos - “No home but the encore.”

·       The Low-End Kings - “If you feel it, it’s ours.”

Touring Bands & Sub-Clans

·       Steel Stampede - “Clear the floor.”

·       Feedback Minos - “Let it scream back.”

·       Pit Authority - “Controlled violence saves lives.”

·       Amp Hammer - “Break it in rhythm.”

·       The Last Labyrinth - “There is always one more turn.”

·       Chain & Chorus - “Sing together. Fall together.”

·       Doomhorn Revival - “The end still bangs.”

·       No Quiet Allowed - “Silence is hostile.”

Informal / Graffiti Mottos

(Often found spray-painted near ramps, tunnels, and backstage doors)

·       “Follow the riff.”

·       “The pit provides.”

·       “If you hear drums, you’re late.”

·       “Maps lie. Music doesn’t.”

·       “Encore or else.”

·       “Built by crowds.”

·       “We were never lost.”

Axel Thunderpipes’ Unofficial Motto

(Found stitched inside his jacket lining)

“Keep it loud. Keep it kind.”

No one admits who added the second part.

Usage Notes (GM / Author)

·       Mottos are not laws, but breaking them carries social consequences

·       They double as warnings, blessings, or threat assessments

·       Shouting the wrong motto in the wrong territory can start—or stop—a fight

Minotaur Names & Clan Names

“If it doesn’t sound good shouted, it’s not done yet.”

Male Minotaur Names (d20)

1.      Axel

2.      Dirk

3.      Raze

4.      Bronn

5.      Klaus

6.      Torque

7.      Magnus

8.      Vorn

9.      Slade

10.  Harken

11.  Jett

12.  Kragg

13.  Odinox

14.  Bale

15.  Rust

16.  Kord

17.  Vexler

18.  Ironhoof

19.  Flint

20.  Howl

Female Minotaur Names (d20)

1.      Amala

2.      Abigale

3.      Mirjam

4.      Nyx

5.      Riffa

6.      Kassandra

7.      Valkra

8.      Ember

9.      Maela

10.  Hexa

11.  Sable

12.  Lorna

13.  Steelrose

14.  Vega

15.  Briax

16.  Ashlyn

17.  Rune

18.  Calyx

19.  Storme

20.  Lyra

Cultural Note:
Minotaurs don’t care much about “male/female” name rules. If it fits the Band and sounds right on a mic, it works.

Clan / Band Names (Roll or Choose)

Classic Clan Names (d12)

These are the big, established families—good for politics and territory.

1.      Thunderpipes

2.      Ironhorn

3.      Black Hoof Syndicate

4.      Redstone Labyrinth

5.      The Chrome Bellow

6.      Stonehowl

7.      Blood & Feedback

8.      Riftwalker Herd

9.      The Broken Maze

10.  Ashhorn Collective

11.  Roadbound Minos

12.  The Low-End Kings

Touring Band / Sub-Clan Names (d20)

1.      The Thunderpipes

2.      Horns of Ruin

3.      Feedback Minos

4.      Steel Stampede

5.      The Last Labyrinth

6.      Riff & Gore

7.      Pit Authority

8.      Amp Hammer

9.      The Broken Encore

10.  Hoof on Fire

11.  Concrete Howl

12.  The Long Road Back

13.  Skullstage Union

14.  Chrome Maze

15.  Doomhorn Revival

16.  Chain & Chorus

17.  The Mosh Wardens

18.  Blood on the Fretboard

19.  Echoes of Minos

20.  No Quiet Allowed

Nicknames & Stage Handles (Optional Add-On)

Roll once or assign freely:

·       “Iron Lung”

·       “Crowdbreaker”

·       “Feedback Prophet”

·       “The Pitfather / Pitmother”

·       “Road Saint”

·       “Last Encore”

·       “Amp Ghost”

·       “Hornscar”

Example:

Axel “Road Saint” Thunderpipes
Valkra of the Steel Stampede
Rust Ironhorn, Pit Warden

Quick Generator (Fast Play)

Roll:

·       1d20 for given name

·       1d20 for Band name

·       Optional nickname if they’ve survived a famous show

Boom. Instant Minotaur NPC.

Minotaur Hair / Hide Coloration Table

d% / d20	Coloration	Roll for Pattern?
01	Albino (Ghost White, pink eyes)	No
02	Jet Black (Angus Stock)	No
03	Cream (Prairie Blonde)	No
04	Black & Brown (Burnt Umber Fade)	Yes
05	Black & Red (Rust Angus)	Yes
06	Black & White (Classic Holstein)	Yes
07	Blue-Grey (Stormhide)	No
08	Brown & Red (Prairie Brindle)	Yes
09	Dark Brown (Earthhorn)	No
10	Dark Red (Hellsteer Red)	No
11	Pure White (Snowdrift)	No
12	Red & White (Stampede Paint)	Yes
13	Smoky Black (Oilfield Soot)	No
14	Charcoal & Grey (Ashfall)	Yes
15	Rusted Gold (Harvest Ox)	No
16	Black with Silver Sheen (Chrome Hide)	No
17	Iron Grey (Weathered Steel)	No
18	Deep Mahogany (Bloodwood Red)	No
19	Black with White Frosting (Snow-Burned Tips)	Yes
20	Oil-Slick Iridescent (Rainbow Soot, only visible in certain light)	No

 

Design & Worldbuilding Notes

·       Results 17–20 skew more metal than agricultural, useful for:

o   Rockers

o   Eruptors

o   Gauntlet-touched Minotaurs

·       Result 20 is rare, unsettling, and loud in art — perfect for legends or focal NPCs

·       None of these imply status, purity, or hierarchy; they’re aesthetic lineage, not caste

Minotaurs often refer to these casually, like guitar finishes:

“Chrome hide, ashfall pattern, seen some things.”

Minotaur Pattern Table

(Roll if your coloration allows patterns)

Roll d8.

d8	Pattern
1	Belted – Thick band of contrasting color around the torso
2	Holstein – Large irregular black-and-white plates
3	Roan – Intermixed light and dark hairs, smoky at distance
4	Shaggy – Heavy mane and shoulder growth, winter-leaning
5	Spotted – Smaller irregular patches, often asymmetrical
6	Brindle – Tiger-striped grain beneath base color
7	Frost-Kissed – White tips on horns, tail, and mane
8	Changeling Hide – Roll twice more on Coloration and Pattern (reroll 8). The Minotaur’s appearance shifts over time, with seasons, stress, or major life events.

Changeling hides are considered badass, not cursed.

Minotaur Horn Style Table

(Purely Cultural, Deeply Personal)

Roll d10.

d10	Horn Style
1	Forward-Curved (Pit Fighter)
2	Wide & Level (Road Warden)
3	High Sweep (Showboat)
4	Broken & Filed (Survivor)
5	Capped in Metal (Tour Issue)
6	Etched with Glyphs (Minos Echo)
7	Wrapped in Chain or Leather
8	Asymmetrical (Gauntlet Scar)
9	Polished to Mirror Finish
10	Bare & Untouched (Statement)

 

Minotaur Quirk Table

Roll d12.

d12	Quirk
1	You believe it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak—especially in the pit.
2	You live frugally on the road. Waste is dangerous, loud excess is not.
3	You rant passionately when stressed. People assume you’re angry; you’re actually working things out.
4	Might makes right—but only against monsters, tyrants, and things that started it.
5	You love telling clan stories and will absolutely embellish for dramatic effect.
6	You play an instrument whether you’re a Rocker or not. Bagpipes, power fiddles, and improvised drums all count.
7	You snort loudly when intimidating or dismissing someone—and it works disturbingly well.
8	You don’t just “see red.” You live in it, decorate with it, and name your gear after it.
9	You treat your vehicle like a sacred beast and talk to it when no one’s listening.
10	You refuse to start a fight unless there’s good music playing—or you plan to fix that.
11	You collect jackets, patches, or bandanas from every place you’ve survived.
12	You believe silence is suspicious and tend to hum, tap, or rev engines to fill it.

 

Optional: Heavy Metal Naming Tie-In

After rolling coloration and quirk, many Minotaurs add a descriptive handle:

·       “Ashfall Raze”

·       “Chromehide Valkra”

·       “Stormhorn Axel”

·       “Redstampede Nyx”

If it sounds good shouted, it’s valid.

Minotaur Jacket & Patch Table

“You don’t earn it clean.”

Most Minotaurs wear some form of Road Jacket—leather, denim, chain-mesh, or patchwork hide. What matters isn’t the jacket itself, but what’s been added to it over time.

Roll once on each table, or mix freely.

Jacket Base (d8)

d8	Jacket Style
1	Heavy black leather biker jacket, scarred and polished
2	Patchwork hide coat stitched from multiple beasts
3	Sleeveless battle vest with reinforced shoulders
4	Long road duster, lined with fur or insulation
5	Denim jacket hardened with resin and rivets
6	Armored stage jacket with metal studs and plates
7	Oil-stained mechanic’s coat with burn holes
8	Custom-cut jacket sized for horns and heavy neck

 

Major Back Patch (Pick or Roll d12)

d12	Back Patch
1	Band Logo – Stylized horns, lightning, or skulls
2	Clan Emblem – Thunderpipes, Ironhorn, etc.
3	Coliseum Silhouette with the words “Survived It”
4	Labyrinth Maze with no exit marked
5	Burning Amp labeled “TURN IT UP”
6	Tour Dates crossed out, some circled ominously
7	Broken Crown with “Refused” stitched beneath
8	Pit Diagram labeled “Pick Them Up”
9	Minos Sigil partially torn or scorched
10	Vehicle Icon (bike, van, rig) with a name
11	Skull with Headphones
12	Blank Patch (intentionally left empty)

Blank patches are louder than they look.

Shoulder / Arm Patches (Roll d6)

d6	Patch
1	Alberta bull skull or prairie brand mark
2	Lightning bolt with a bite taken out
3	“ROAD CREW” / “SECURITY” / “DO NOT PUSH”
4	Gauntlet rune symbol (unexplained)
5	Greasehold, Westlock, or Castledowns marker
6	Old-world flag, faded and repurposed

 

Chest / Small Patches (Roll d8)

d8	Patch
1	“NO QUIET”
2	“PIT WARDEN”
3	Stylized hoofprint
4	Numbered patch (no explanation given)
5	“AFTEREFFECT RESPONSE”
6	Broken mic symbol
7	“ASK FIRST”
8	A name scratched out and restitched

 

Earned Patch (Roll d10)

These are never bought.

d10	Earned Patch
1	“FIRST ENCORE”
2	“GAUNTLET RUNNER”
3	“STILL PLAYING”
4	“PIT MEDIC”
5	“ROAD BAPTIZED”
6	“CONTAINED IT”
7	“DOOR CLOSED BEHIND ME”
8	“ASK AXEL”
9	“NEVER AGAIN”
10	“CAME BACK”

 

Jacket Wear & Damage (Optional, Roll d6)

d6	Condition
1	Burned along one edge
2	Repaired with mismatched thread
3	Bloodstains that won’t wash out
4	Scorched patch outlines
5	Torn and deliberately left that way
6	Looks pristine (deeply suspicious)

Cultural Notes

·       Patches are conversation starters, not decorations

·       Asking about a patch is polite

·       Touching one without permission is not

·       Removing a patch is a statement

·       Adding one for someone else is an honor

Axel Thunderpipes owns a jacket with only one patch on it.

It just says:

“KEEP IT LOUD.”

No one remembers when it was added.

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