Tortle

Tortles resemble turtle based people with small scales in a large variety of patterns and a large shell on their back. They are generally 5-6 feet tall and between 300 and 400 pounds, roughly a third of which is their shell. Tortles are native to the eastern coast of Hansola but are naturally wanderers. Some wander up and down the coast with the seasons as part of a larger community but most leave their homes after 5-10 years to discover the world. They wander all over often stopping home every decade or two until they become old and ready to mate, then they naturally gravitate home. Tortles have very few permanent settlements but as they age they often return to them to have children or teach the youth. They think of it as a duty of wisdom, those with the capacity to teach should. Totles are big believers in the oral tradition and have a strong storytelling culture, they aren't prone to exaggeration either, often humble in the face of great deeds.
There has never been a Tortle census but they are one of the rare races of the world and yet almost every culture has heard of them, due to their nomadic nature. It is estimated that the total Tortle population is less than 5,000.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Tortles reproduce sexually, laying 3-8 eggs 3 months after mating, which hatch after a year. Tortles sexually mature at 200 and only mate once. About two years after mating both parents die in their sleep.

Growth Rate & Stages

Tortles begin as eggs and after laying hatch in 1 year. They crawl around for a few weeks, walk at two months, and are functionally teenagers when their parents pass at 1 year old. The community then raises them until they are 2, which is also when they physically mature and are considered adults. Tortles become sexually mature around 200 but can live to be over 400 if they don't mate.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Omnivores but generally pescatarian.

Behaviour

Tortles are patient above all else. They speak slowly, considering every word. They are natural wanderers, they often have rest stops they'll visit every few years or decades but often live out of their shells, carrying nothing that won't fit in their pack. They also don't generally become attached to material things and are naturally inclined towards becoming monks, clerics, or servants of the community.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Tortle names are short, usually one or two syllables. Having a long name is inconvenient when everyone talks slow. They only use first names and don't have family names or signifiers. Tortles are natural wanderers and often name their children after someone they met on their journies. They also lack gender based naming conventions and it is totally normal for a male to be named Jenna or a female John.

Beauty Ideals

Tortles come in all forms of colors and patterns, many also paint their shells or adorn it with colorful fabric. But all this is not for sexual beauty just to be a pleasure to look at.

Gender Ideals

Tortles have no gender norms or ideals except that it is expected of you to help a pregnant woman.

Courtship Ideals

Tortles only mate once and have trouble differentiating romantic relationships with close friendships. Often tortles will be close friends for years, sometimes centuries before they even consider mating. When Tortles are looking for mates there are a few things that are considered to be attractive. First is age, age comes with wisdom and more experience with life, experience that can be passed on to children. Second is stories, Tortles spend what little time they have with their children telling them stories and good stories make you more attractive as a mate.

History

Tortles have been making their way up and down the east Hansolan coast for as long as anyone can remember but they don't bother anyone so have been left largely alone.

Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
Size. You are Medium.
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 ld6 + 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.
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.
Nature's Intuition. Thanks to your mystical connection to nature, you gain proficiency with one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Stealth, or Survival.
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 O 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.