Homebrew Tortle Variant Species Details

Slow to speak, yet surprisingly quick under threat, Tortles dot the mountains and rivers of Orvost and are one of only a few indigenous peoples. Tortles avoid cities, preferring the slower pace found in the countryside. But don't mistake these gentle giants for simpler folk, Tortles are incredibly wise and form a tightly knit community that has persisted throughout the ages. With their home on their backs, many Tortles spend their long lives wandering the world with friends, sharing experiences, only returning home in old age to imbue the next generation with their wisdom.

 

Tortles have existed in Orvost since a time when the spirits frequently visited the physical world. In fact, many Tortles today can remember stories passed down from their grandparents or great-grandparents who lived during this time. Their long lives grant Tortles the perspective to see the ills in short-lived conflict, and many find fulfillment cultivating a relationship with the spirits. Some Tortle even possess the ability to commune with the spirits of their ancestors; these spiritually attuned Tortles reach incredible depths of wisdom through historical knowledge, although you wouldn't know it speaking to them, as they'd be just as happy to sit around a campfire and share tales from the road. Many of the spiritual shrines and monasteries around Orvost were founded by Tortles who settled down for a few years to share their knowledge with others.

 

Although frustratingly slow in common, Tortles communicate with each other in the water-like speech known as Aquan. To the ear, Aquan has the quality of a flowing stream with many long meandering sentences punctuated by short rapids and occasional waterfalls. Those who speak Aquan are few and far between, so Tortles typically become fluent in one or two other languages.

 

The crater city of Intaba, deep in the mountains of Oma, is the home to one of the most well-known Tortle societies in Orvost. Not only home to Tortles, many peoples from all over Orvost travel to Intaba to study at one of the Daigaku, or School of Ki. Tortles are naturally gifted in the physical and spiritual control over an energy known as Ki, which exists in every living being. But to unlock its potential, Ki must be permitted to flow in one's body like a stream. Humans, elves, dwarves and younger Tortles coexist in Intaba where they study from the old masters.

 

Tides have been rising in recent years, as the Tortle way of life is threatened by the inevitable flood of progress. The spiritual ties to the land are weakening as much of the natural world is cleared away in the rise and fall of empires. In these times, who better than the Tortles to claim their place in society as guardians of history and of much that would be forgotten.

 

Tortle Variant Traits

Tortles have a unique set of skills characterized by their leathery skin and large shell.

Ability Score Increase

Your Wisdom or Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

 Young Tortles crawl for a few weeks after birth before learning to walk on two legs. They reach adulthood by the age of 50 and live an average of 365 years.

Size

Tortle adults stand 5 to 6 feet tall and average 450 pounds. Their shells account for roughly one-third of their weight. Your size is Medium.

Claws

Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

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 are ill-suited to wearing armor. Your shell provides ample protection, however; it gives you a base AC of 17 (your Dexterity modifier doesn't affect this number). You gain no benefit from wearing 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 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.

Survival Instinct

You gain proficiency in the Survival skill. Tortles have finely honed survival instincts.

Feat

Tortles have access to one feat.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Aquan.