Tudin (Two-din)
Wise beastmen that resemble turtles and tortises, the Tudin travel the oceans of Vatenrelm on giant island-turtles.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Tudin resemble large, upright turtles, possessing a hard shell and a beak-like face.
Genetics and Reproduction
Tudin are one of the few Beastman that lay eggs, with the mother laying generally 2-10 eggs on sandy groves on their inner reaches of their Womads. These eggs are extremely fragile, and about only half actually make it to hatching.
Growth Rate & Stages
Tudin young are known as hatchlers, and are incredibly susceptible to danger until their shells grow in. Tudin grow extremely slowly, and a hatchler shell remains soft until around 60 years of age, in which case it is no longer considered a hatchler. Now an adolescent, they spend the next 20 years apprenticing in pods underneath a wise mentor and learning the trade of their adult life.
Ecology and Habitats
Most surface Tudin prefer the warmer, northern currents of the Northern Vaten Sea and the Lawless Surf.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Tudin are omnivorous, mostly eating small plants cultivated on their Womads as well as minor sea life such as fish and sea vermin.
Biological Cycle
Due to their reptillian nature, the Tudin much more prefer the Summer to the Winter, often migrating north in the colder months.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Fully grown Tudin shells are extremely sturdy, and thus are sought after by certain groups to make shields or armor out of. Some Pengu consider very young hatchlers to be delicious delicacies, but those are relatively rare, as eating them is seen as an act of extreme cruelty by most.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Most Tudin live secluded lives on the backs of thie Womads, rarely venturing out into the larger sea. Such nomads are in constant movement, but tend to remain in the northern reaches of the world.
Average Intelligence
Due to their long lives, the Tudin develop a natural patience and ability to observe to world. They often don't seek higher education, instead preferring to listen and learn from the natural world.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Tudin have decent vision, able to see farther in lower-light conditions and underwater than humans.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
The Tudin live on the backs of massive turtle sea-beasts known as Womaks. Often compared to dragon turtles (with some smaller, more vicious communities even dwelling on dragon turtles) these Womaks are awe-inspiring to behold. Their massive shells make them nigh invulnerable to physicals attacks, and the colossal form can sink ships with relative ease if truly pushed. Luckily, the Womaks are relatively timid and peaceful creatures, and will usually flee in attacked.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
A Tudins last name almost always includes shell somewhere in it.
Major Organizations
The Tudin prefer to remain out of the politics of the realm. While often pressured by the Kingdom of the Waves to formally join, most of their floating Womak-Cities prefer to stay independent, only partaking in minor trade with them. The standard practice of the Tudin is to harbor any shipwrecked creatures they come across, regardless of their affiliation, which can often raise more conflicts with the Kingdom attempting to arrest those pirates. However, this policy often leads to the Womaks becoming neutral ground for parlaying between the Kingdom and the Pirate Coalition.
Beauty Ideals
The Tudin, in their long years and gleamed wisdom, often care little for personal apperance, instead being moved by acts of knowledge and inner kindness.
Gender Ideals
While there are no strict gender roles in Tudin societies, males tend to become teachers of the young, while females tend to become either shamans or leader in charge of the logistics of running the village.
Courtship Ideals
Courtship between the Tudin often starts with rythematic singing, then moving into nuzzling of necks together, although among some Tudin with more pronounced snapping mouths, playful biting is often involved. The Tudin do not remain together after mating, but may return to the same mate after several seasons, especially due to their very low birth rate.
Relationship Ideals
While very cordial, the Tudin are solitary creatures. Young Hatchlers are raised and taught communally, and once they become young adults, seek out their own mentors based on their personal interests. Due to their long lifespans and slow pace, they have trouble making friends, as few have the patience to wait for the Tudin to be ready on their own terms.
Average Technological Level
The Tudin are simple and slow to change, and thus have little in the way of technological advancement. They have mastered many ways to cultivate a grow crops in strange places, such as on the backs of their Womaks.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The Tudin speak Tudin and Vlatya Common. Due to their semi-aquatic nature, many make a priority to learn Aquan so that they can communicate with the creatures of the Deep Realm.
Common Etiquette Rules
It is considered extremely rude to attempt to rush a Tudin, either in its walking or in attempting to move it to action.
Common Dress Code
Due to their large shells, the Tudin often forgo large upper-ware such as shirts. They will often craft simply reed shorts that are comfortable and easy to wear.
Common Taboos
The Tudin are very protective of young of all races, as their own young are very fragile. Thus, harming or killing of a youth is something that can anger even normally unflappable wise teacher.
Common Myths and Legends
The Tudin worship Akū, The World Turtle. Said to be the first of the Womak, Akū is massivally huge. It is belived that in the age of creation, he was even larger, and that he held the world upon his back to keep it steady while the gods forged reality. After its creation and when the World Tree was rooted, Akū was shruken down and given his own people as a reward for his service.
Now, he slumbers near the Ito Coastline in the Northern Vaten Ocean, and the settlement built on his back is known as Akūzol.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Due to their attempts to remain neutral in the conflicts of the Realm, the Tudin are looked upon fondly by most races. They get along the best with the Alve Elves, as they both have extremely long lifespans. They also have an incredible respect for the Koral Gnomes, as they both respect and honor the natural world. They are often disappointed by the warlike ways of the Urmar, Vatamen, and and Fenri, as well as the greedy ways of the Cyko, Pengu, and Pinchlings. They are fascinated by the mysterious ways of the Jelloid, often trying to interoperate wisdom from their actions. The Selia are hated enemies of the Tudin, as they love to raid their Womaks and consume their Hatchlers.
Racial Table - Tudin: Hit Dice: D10; Class Skills: Knowledge (History), Perception, Sense Motive, Swim; Skill Ranks Per Level: 4 + Intelligence modifier; Weapon Proficiency: Simple; Armor Proficiency: Light
| Level | BAB | Fort | Reflex | Will | Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Animal Minded, Natural Armor, Protective Shell |
| 2nd | +2 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Shell Retreat |
| 3rd | +3 | +1 | +3 | +3 | Natural Armor Increase, Know Direction |
| 4th | +4 | +1 | +4 | +4 | +1 Constitution, +1 Wisdom |
| 5th | +5 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Natural Armor Increase, Ancient Body |
Random Starting Ages
| Adulthood | Intuitive1 | Self-Taught2 | Trained3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 years | +2d12 years (82 - 104) | +3d12 years (83 - 106) | +4d12 years (85 - 110) |
Random Height and Weight
| Gender | Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4 ft. 3 in. | +1d8 in. (4 ft. 4 in. - 4 ft. 11 in.) | 200 lbs. | +(1d8x5 lbs.) (205- 240 lbs.) |
| Female | 4 ft. | +1d8 in. (4 ft. 1 in. - 4 ft. 8 in.) | 180 lbs. | +(1d8x5 lbs.) (185 - 220 lbs.) |
Tudin Aging Table
| Middle Age (-1 to Str, Dex and Con, +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha) | Old (-2 to Str, Dex, and Con, +2 to Int, Wis, and Cha) | Venerable (-3 to Str, Dex, and Con, +3 to Int, Wis and Cha) | Maximum Age (GM secretly decides maximum age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 165 years | 247 years | 330 years | 330 + 3d30 years (333 - 420 years) |
Random Tudin Homelands
| % Rolled | Homeland | Trait Gained |
|---|---|---|
| 01-50 | Traveling Tudin Island | Wisdom in the Flesh |
| 51-60 | Costland | Beechcomber |
| 61-70 | Underwater City | Deep-Sea Native |
| 71-80 | Ship City | Natural-Born Sailor |
| 81-90 | Tundra | Resilient |
| 91-00 | Unusual | (Roll on Unusual Homeland Table) |
Random Tudin Families
| % Rolled | Parental Status |
|---|---|
| 01-25 | Both of your parents are alive |
| 26-49 | Only Father is alive |
| 50-75 | Only Mother is alive |
| 76-00 | Both of your parents are dead |
| % Rolled | # Siblings |
|---|---|
| 01-80 | No siblings |
| 81-95 | 1d2 adopted siblings |
| 96-00 | 1d3-1 siblings |
Lifespan
160 - 420 years
Average Height
4'-4'11
Average Weight
180 - 240 lbs
Average Physique
Due to their shells, the Tudin are naturally sturdy, able to work for long hours if the need arises.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Most Tudin are greenish, black, or grey in coloration, but sometimes have colored stripes running across their bodies or colored patterns on their shell.
Geographic Distribution
Tudin
Type
Monstrous Humanoid
Ability Score Modifier
+2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom, -2 Dexterity; The Tudin are hardy and learn much over their years, but are slow to act.
Size
small
Speed
A Tudin has a base speed of 10 feet and a swim speed of 20 feet. They gain a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks that having a swim speed grants, and they are never slowed by armor and encumbrance
Language
The Tudin begin play speaking Common (Vlata) and Tudin. A Tudin with a high Intelligence score can select from any of the following languages: Aklo, Aquan, Elven, Enthos, Gnomish, Ishkanan and Luxan.
- Materil: A Tudin are intrinsically tied to the Water Materil, and must become Waveshifters.
- Darkvision: A Tudin can see perfectly in the dark up to 60 feet.
- Low-light Vision: A Tudin can see twice as far as a human in dim lighting.
- Animal-Minded: A Tudin gains a +2 racial bonus on Handle Animal and Wild Empathy checks against turtle-like creatures. This bonus increases by 1 for every two hit dice beyond the first the Tudin possesses.
- Natural Armor: A Tudin gains a +3 natural armor bonus to its armor class. This bonus increases by 1 at 3rd and 5th racial level.
- Hold Breath: A Tudin can hold its breath for a number of minutes equal to four times their Constititution score.
- Protective Shell: A Tudins hard shell can protect it from otherwise grevious wounds. At 1st racial level, a Tudin has a 25% chance to negate a critical hit or sneak attack, as if it were wearing a set of Light Fortification armor. At 3rd, this chance increases to 50%, and again to 75% at 5th racial level. This protection doesn't stack with other chances to negate critical hitsm such as Fortification armor.
- Shell Retreat: Starting at 2nd racial level, a Tudin learns how to hide within its shell to protect it from damage. When fighting defensivily, it gains an additional amount of AC equal to its racial level.
- Know Direction: Starting at 3rd racial level, a Tudin masters its sense of direction. It acts as if under a constant Know Direction spell.
- Ancient Body: At 5th racial level, a Tudin becomes used to the effects of age. It reduces any aging penalties it currently has or gains in the future by 1/2, including those introduced by magical aging, such as the Sands of Time spell or the Aging Touch ability of a Bythos Aeon. A Tudin with this trait will always live to its maximum age unless violence, disease, or some other outside force interferes.
Alternate Racial Traits
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