Tortle

What many tortles consider a simple life, others might call a life of adventure. Tortles are born near sandy coastlines, but as soon as they're able to walk on two legs, they become nomad survivalists eager to explore the wilderness, experience its many wonders, put their skills to the test, and make new acquaintances.
Considered by many to be long-extinct or creatures of myth, tortles are an ancient and long-lived people whose small populations are scattered across the islands of The Siren Sea. Natives of the Dakra isles, born from the tears of Thassa herself, most tortles who journey far from their island homes begin to feel pangs of homesickness which can develop into depression. As such, tortles on the mainland are almost unheard of and few "civilised" species have ever seen them.

Life of a Tortle

A tortle hatches from a thick shelled egg and spends the first few weeks of its life crawling on all fours, Its parents, old and near death, spend what little time they have left telling stories to their offspring. Within a year, the young tortle becomes an orphan, though not before it learns to speak and survive on its own.
A young tortle and its siblings inherit whatever tools, weapons and gifts their parents left behind. Each young tortle is expected to fend for itself. It leaves the place of its birth and finds its own corner of the wilderness in which to hunt, catch fish and get by. With each passing year, a tortle hones its survival skills. It forms friendships with its neighbours while also respecting their privacy. At some point, a tortle feels an urge to see more of the world. It gathers up its gear and travels, returning months or years later with tales of its exploits.
When a tortle nears the end of its lifespan it seeks out a mate. Tortles lay their eggs (numbering as few as one or as many as a dozen) in a fortified compound. If no such compound exists, they build one. The parents spend the remainder of their lives guarding it, defending their offspring, and sharing their knowledge. When the children grow up, they pick up whatever weapons and tools their parents left behind and set out on their own.

Tortle Names

Tortles prefer non-gender-specific names that are usually no more than two syllables. Tortles don't have surnames or family names.
Tortle Names: Baka, Damu, Gar, Gura, Ini, Jappa, Kinlek, Krull, Lim, Lop, Nortle, Nulka, Olo, Pal, Ploqwat, Quee, Queg, Quott, Sunny, Tibor, Ubo, Uhok, Wabu, Xelbuk, Xopa, Yog

Tortle Traits

Ability Score Increase: STR +2 WIS+1
Age: Tortles reach adulthood by the age of 15 and live between 50 and 100 years.
Size: Medium - Tortle adults stand 5 to 6 feet tall and average 450 pounds. Their shells account for roughly one-third of their weight.
Speed: 30ft
Languages: Common and Aquan
Proficiencies: Survival
Claws: Your claws are natural weapons which deal 1d4+STR slashing damage.
Hold Breath: You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour at a time. Tortles aren't natural swimmers, but they can remain underwater for some time before needing to come up for air.
Natural Armor: Due to your shell and the shape of your body, you cannot wear armour. However, your shell gives you a base AC of 17 (your DEX modifier doesn't affect this number) and you may use shields.
Shell Defence: You can withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, you gain +4 AC, and advantage on STR and CON saving throws. While in your shell, you are prone, your speed is 0 and can't increase, you have disadvantage on DEX saving throws, you can't take reactions, and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell.