Homebrew Dragon Tortle Species Details

Ageless Wonder

A mystery amongst themselves. Dragon Tortles do not know where they came from, or how they came to be; the current Dragon Tortle families are ancient lines unbroken since their hatchings, but no new lines have been established in many millenia. It is thought that they are descended from those Dragon Turtles who laid their clutches on frozen shores, but if that is the case then why did they stop.

Young Dragon Tortles are born near frozen coastlines, but almost 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. They reach 'adulthood' when they feel they reach it, for Dragon Turtles this concept is usually intertwined with the knowledge they've gathered; most will not consider themselves an adult until they're well past 400 years old. As Dragon Tortles feels their life coming to an end due to aging they make a final journey back to their isolated communities in order to spend their final years teaching and inspiring young Dragon Tortles.  

Creating A Dragon Tortle

Most Dragon Tortles catch an adventuring spirit early from their village elders. Inspired by stories of the beauty of the wild parts of the worlds, and the civilizations and cultures of the other peoples of the world. It is on their 10th shell day that young Dragon Tortles reach the age of adventure where they are deemed ready to leave the frozen shores they call home and head for the warmer ones of the populated world. Dragon Tortles mate once every 100 years in a process that lines up with when the elderly return so they may teach the newest generation before they pass on.

Dragon-Tortle Names

Dragon-tortles prefer simple, non-gender-specific names that are usually no more than two syllables, but enjoy applying a title to those names. If a dragon-tortle doesn’t like its name for whatever reason, it can change it. A dragon-tortle might change its name half a dozen times in its life.

Dragon-tortles don't have surnames or family names.

Male and Female Names: Akra, Arjhan, Baka, Bharash, Biri, Daar, Damu, Donaar, Fari, Gar, Ghesh, Gura, Harann, Havi, Heskan, Ini, Jappa, Jheri, Kava, Kinlek, Korinn, Kriv, Krull, Lim, Lop, Medrash, Mehen, Mishann, Nadarr, Nala, Nortle, Nulka, Olo, Pandjed, Patrin, Ploqwat, Perra, Quee, Queg, Quott, Raiann, Rhogar, Shamash, Shedinn, Sora, Sunny, Suri, Tarhun, Tibor, Thava, Torinn, Ua, Ubo, Uhok, Wabu, Xelbuk, Xopa, Yog 

Example Titles: Fishmaster, "Lady/Lord" Old Man/Woman, Sailor, the Big, the Brave, the Fun, the Grand, the Green, the Party, the Quick, the Strong, the Sturdy

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common, Draconic and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. 

Life Span

Young Dragon Tortles crawl for a few weeks after birth before learning to walk on two legs. They reach the age of adventure by the age of 10 and live an average of 800 years, with it not being unheard of for some to make it to 1000

Height and Weight

Dragon-tortles look very much like dragons standing in humanoid form, though they bear a turtle shell on their backs instead of wings, and their tails are like those of tortoises. Their small, fine scales are usually copper-green in color, sometimes ranging to scarlet, rust, gold, or brass or bronze. They are tall and strongly built, often standing close to 8 feet tall and weighing 700 pounds or more. Their hands and feet are strong, talonlike claws with three fingers and a thumb on each hand.

 

Dragon Tortle Traits

As a Dragon Tortle, you have the following racial traits.

Breath Weapon

Inside of your shell is a boiling steam engine. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one of your attacks with an exhalation of searing hot steam in a 10-foot cone, Each creature in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus) On a failed save, the creatures takes 1d10 fire damage. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage. This damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and 16th level (4d10).

You can use your Breath Weapon a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus., and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Additionally, when used underwater you may continue to hold your breath and the fire damage is not reduced from being underwater.

Hot Under the Collar

The steam engine inside of your shell can be used to warm and protect you from the cold of your frigid homeland and chills of the night, granting resistance to cold damage.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.

Speed

Your walking speed is 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 while active or up to 4 hours while resting.

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.

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.