"It was many years into my journey before I met with a Tortle on the seas south of Atheles. He was a curious fellow; he spoke in a very heavy drawl unlike any Tekorans I had met before and he had strange adornments on his shell that displayed several images that seemed to tell a story of triumph over a Sea Serpent. He called himself Bram, although his peers called him Captain. He told me much about the greatness of the Tortles and their seafaring homes. There were a few more of his kind in his crew--they traveled in groups of three or four, it seemed--and they were all eager to tell me of their party's many triumphs. It was the most pleasant pirate raid I've ever been a victim of." - An excerpt from "The Travels of Hafrick Moriarty"
Tortles were created by Kebis shortly after Loxodons. They are the fifth of the bestial races he created to inhabit Tekoril, although they did not remain there long. They prefer oceanside settlements and villages close to water, but mainly they prefer the sea. They are known for being eccentric and for following strange rituals that seem to vary from Tortle to Tortle.
The Determined Tortoise
Tortles are of about the same height as Humans, but are slightly heavier and average around 180 pounds. They resemble tortoises, down to the leathery skin and large shell on their backs. Some have scaled armor plating along their legs and arms, and they often have a pentagonal head like that of a snapping turtle. Tortles decorate their shells in a variety of ways, whether with paint, carvings, or clothing.
Home on the Sea
Long ago, Tortles began building grand homes on boats and rafts that would drift wherever the current took them. This tradition has passed down for generations, and today nearly half of all Tortles are born on the sea. These homes are typically made of wood and resemble large barges. Any time they come across land, they repair and expand the barge to accommodate new arrivals or fix damage from storms.
A Life Away From People
Tortles enjoy the isolation of the ocean, and seem to have a strong aversion to large cities. At most, a Tortle may live in oceanside towns, but they prefer small groups either out in the wilderness or on the water. Tortles are fiercely loyal to those they care about and will often travel along when a friend or family member wishes to see the world. Because of this, Tortles tend to be found in threes or fours wherever in Mytkora they decide to be.
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