Cairne is a minotaur hailing from the plane of Theros, though on the smaller side, by comparison.
Cairne's height measures in at just under 9 feet high when stretching himself, but given the structure of his legs and neck he generally comes off having more of a reasonable vertical size. He's still considerably larger than an average human.
` ` ` Therosian minotaurs are generally barbaric, man-eating beasts and Cairne was no exception to that stereotype. Whereas a runt might normally meet a quick, cannibalistic end, this one was saved by an oracle whom intervened on the calf's behalf. Having been born into a tribal setting, Cairne was raised to burn and pillage, a certain emphasis placed on his education in the shamanistic ways due to his relatively small stature. A certain proclivity towards channeling the destructive magics of his people kept him from falling victim to the occasional bout of infighting after a failed raid. It was quickly discovered that unlike most of his kind, Cairne was growing a second, lesser set of horns below the first pair, and the superstitious people knew it to be a sign. In time his magical aptitude earned him the gaze of the god Mogis, patron deity of the minotaur clans.
` ` ` The notice of a god on Theros can sometimes mean fame and fortune, but for many it brings a short life. Such would have been Cairne's fate, as Mogis decided to test the young minotaur for worthiness as the god's champion. It would so happen that Cairne was succeeded in earning the destructive god's faith, but the favor of one of the pantheon brought the ire of other Therosian aspects. Kruphix, in a magnanimous gesture, warned the other deities of Mogis' champion-to-be and the destiny he would follow if it weren't cut short. Mogis' brother, Iroas, aimed to sever this threat before it could manifest and found an accord with other deities in nipping this problem in the bud.
` ` ` A champion in the service of Iroas was tasked with hunting and felling the minotaur. Aid from other gods came in the form of a spear forged by Purphoros himself and a pelt from one of Nissa's blessed beasts . Equipped with these boons, the champion could not fail. The hoplite was more than a match for Cairne with his martial prowess, and his spear struck true while the fiery swipes Cairne retaliated with were shunted aside by the magical beast's hide. Their battle was over before it had begun and it was only a matter of time until the man's spear found its mark. With Mogis' champion-to-be defeated, the other gods soon fell back to their own affairs and petty squabbling, none bothering to wonder why a corpse was never recovered.
-WIP-