Tortles

The slow, stoic, noble tortle, known by many people for their methodical lifestyles. The tortles have long dwelled in the lowlands and marshes south of the Northern Chain. For centuries, they never concerned themselves with the wars of other races, choosing never to be involved during the Great Human-Elf War which crossed their lands at times. After that war however, the elves and humans withdrew from their lands, and the tortles began building themselves as a strong civilization.
Up from their rice paddies and water buffalo herds, the tortles built huge cities along the rivers and shorelines where they felt most at home. Some turned to inventing. Modern inventions such as gunpowder and steam power would not have been possible if it weren't for the turtle, so naturally gifted with shells and hard skins that they need not fear the explosive potential of their inventions. The dwarves and the tortles especially shared a common bond in these inventions and they helped each other on many other similar ventures.
Today, the tortles are a highly regarded race, despite their slow demeanors and quiet personas. Tortle homes and towns are always welcoming to the stranger and sojourner, and many people find it a unique pleasure to be housed with tortles, where the food is plenty and the company is fond.

Naming Traditions

Other names

Most of tortle society is modeled after Southeast Asia (China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia). Therefore, their names are very familiar to these language groups.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Aquan:

Culture and cultural heritage

Schools of Magic

The seemingly immutable nature of the tortles made little difference in their discovery and founding of the school of Transmutation, which is about changing the nature of materials. The world is not fixed in the eyes of transmuters, who delight in being agents of change. They wield the raw materials of nature and alter both their physical and mental qualities. This school of magic gives its casters the tools to become smiths on reality's forge.