Tortle

Tortles were a race of intelligent tortoise-like humanoids indigenous to the islands west of Anakara.

Description

Tortles were reptilian-looking humanoids with large shells on their backs that were capable of containing their entire bodies. They had leathery skins that varied between olive-green to blue-green hues. The dorsal portion of their shells was usually darker than their skins, while the ventral portion was lighter, usually with yellowish tones.
Tortles rarely wore any clothing, favoring instead belts and harnesses to carry their belongings. They had little tolerance for cold, and usually migrated away from temperate areas when winter approached.
Although generally poor swimmers, tortles were capable of floating on water and could hold their breath for over an hour. Their high buoyancy granted them the ability to cross swamps, mud, and quicksand with little difficulty.
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. Tortles liked to form strong friendships.

An elderly tortle observing nature

Society

Tortles only reproduced near the end of their natural lifespans. When their young hatched from their eggs, they spent the remainder of their lives sharing all their life experiences and teaching survival skills. Young tortles would become orphans after about one year, by which time they were expected to be able to fend for themselves.
Usually keeping to themselves, they tended to live alone, but kept in closed contact with their community. Tortle villages were typically welcoming to all who came across them, especially any Human, Halfling, or Elf visitors.
Since the creation of Hui Kūokoa, tortle society largely became more settled in the region. Contrary to what might be expected, tortles fell into a leadership role within the country. They used their natural friendliness as a way to unite the various nations in peace.

Combat

Besides being able to wield weapons and shields, tortles had claws and beaks that were effective as natural weapons. In addition, they could retreat into their shells for additional protection if necessary. When withdrawn in this way, they were unable to move and see, but could still hear and smell the outside world. The shape of their bodies made it impossible for tortles to wear armor, however.

Religion

Tortles were known worship the entire Hui Kūokoa Pantheon. They are particularly reverential of Mokupuni as the mother of the pantheon, and looked to her as a symbol of peace. Tortles who travelled outside of Hui Kūokoa were very flexible about the gods they worshipped and would frequently adopt multiple gods from various pantheons and treated them as part of a greater whole.

Player Race Features

• Ability Scores. Choose any +2; choose any other +1.
• Size. Medium.
• Speed. 30 feet.
• Claws. You have claws that you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
• Hold Breath. You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour.
• Natural Armor. Your shell provides you a base AC of 17 (your Dexterity modifier doesn't affect this number). You can't wear light, medium, or heavy armor, but if you are using a shield, you can apply the shield's bonus as normal.
• Nature's Intuition. Thanks to your mystical connection to nature, you gain proficiency with one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Stealth, or Survival.
• Shell Defense. You can withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, you gain a +4 bonus to your AC, and you have advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While in your shell, you are prone, your speed is 0 and can't increase, you have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws, you can't take reactions, and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell.
• Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Kūokoan.