Tortle

Tortles are a race of extremely intelligent tortoise-like humanoids indigenous to southern Xedaris. They were likely amphibious creatures for many years, and appeared on the shores of the continent in the early first age.
Tortles were reptilian-looking humanoids with large shells on their backs that were capable of containing their entire bodies. The creatures have leathery, reptilian skin and shells that cover their backs and bellies. An adult Tortle stands just under 6 feet tall and weighs more than 750 pounds. Tortles have no hair; their skin is mostly olive or blue-green. Their back shells are usually shinier and darker than their skin, while their front shells tend to be lighter, with a yellowish cast. A Tortle's mouth is beak-like and toothless and can deliver a vicious bite.
Tortles are stocky, but most of their weight comes from their shells, so they tend to remain at the same weight throughout their adult lives, never growing fat or thin. Their arms and hands are shaped like those of humans, but thicker. Tortles can wield most weapons as easily as humans, though they usually do not wear clothing, only sometimes wearing cloaks, belts, or harnesses for carrying tools and supplies.
Tortles are incredibly intelligent, wise and calm beings. They are naturally slow and thoughtful, and often very kind, though one can mistake their deep thought for judgement. Most tortles had the notion of having their houses on their backs, which meant that they rarely felt homesick or the need to lay roots in any single place. They were eager to learn new customs and found beauty in the most ordinary things. Despite spending much of their lives isolated, tortles liked to form strong friendships.
They were incredibly strong, but did not use this to harm or injure others. They were often found on dockyards and quarries assisting with work - for free, of course, tortles had no use for silly things like money. They often travelled the world in search of new and strange experiences, and as such had a wealth of information and stories if they could be convinced to tell them.
Despite their typically pacifist nature, they were deadly if they were pushed to defend themselves or the ones they cared about. Surprisingly, many tortles were monks, using staffs and makeshift weapons against their foes. Many were wizards, though preferred transmutation and divination magic. They rarely delved into superstitions and deities, and thus cleric or druid tortles were rare. Instead, they loved to read, think and write, which made them excellent mages.
Tortles are peaceful and reclusive and tend to get along well with races with similar habits and personalities. They tend to move and speak in a slower, more mild fashion, compared to the other dwellers of the material plane. They live in hunter/gatherer style tribes and are ignorant of modern technology, normally living in mud and straw huts. They live under the servitude of the Chief of the Tribe, who rules like a monarch, with their descendants taking the mantle once they pass. Tortle tribes are friendly to most if not all races but are especially friendly toward peaceful Lizardfolk. Few races are able to look past the reptilian aspects of both their species, because of this, they get along. Other than using the slash and burn farming method (which leeches nutrients from the soil), tortles generally live in harmony with nature.
Tortles crawl for the first few weeks of their life. After they learn how to walk on two legs, tortles are expected to fend for themselves. Tortles mature by the age of 40, and live for about 1500 years. Tortles refrain from mating until they are approaching the final years of their lives, and will die within a year of mating. All females ready to produce eggs gather in a specially prepared compound, which the males guard against attack. Tortle eggs are considered delicacies, so the location of the egg-laying grounds is always defended. Each female lays 4-24 eggs, which hatch about six months later. Because of this, tribes are often massive, spanning miles upon miles of land. However, it is not uncommon for tortles to practice a nomadic lifestyle. This is because tortles consider their homes to be the shells on their back.

General Information

Size

Medium

Type

Humanoid (Minor Race)

Average Lifespan

Up to 1500 years

Homeland

Jungles of Auxis

Languages

Common, Aquan

Appearance

Average Height

5-6ft

Average Weight

450-500lbs

by Andy Bui