Crustai

The small theocracy of Crustai, lead by a single elder tortle, is a simple nation rather segregated from the normal political happenings of Sedden. Bordering Coraar to the west, the small nation focuses on themselves. Building their small independent communities within their territory, and not interacting much with those outside of it. Those that do venture into Crustai often do so to trade, as the tortle of Crustai cultivate a number of special herbs and flowers that are used in various religious ceremonies.

History

Of the southern Iquanial races, the Tortle would be one of the few to begin on the surface. They would build their villages and towns low down and close to the ground. They would build these sturdy settlements, bury them, and hide their entrances creating networks of underground homes just beneath the clay and sand. When eventually the elapidae came to trade, the tortle, though untrusting, obliged. With their newly bought knowledge of the sky, the tortle began to ask questions. Their shamans would use telescopes received from the elves to learn that, like them, the world they lived in was within a shell.
To the primitive tortle, this was a revelation. They were, as far as they knew, the only race they'd ever seen with shells. They had already put such cultural importance on their shells in day to day life, that in time, the shell would become the very center of their belief system. They worshiped the stone beneath them, and believed that each one of them was in their own way, their own world. Their more traditional and slow going way of life lead to a path of less progress. They discovered less than their neighbors, at least, about the world objectively. Of the many races of Iquonial the Tortle were the first to truly understand clerical magic, and with those that showed both patience and understanding of the importance of the tortle’s way of life, they would share this gift.

"The self is most important."

Type

Geopolitical, Clan

Location

Sedden

Neighboring Nations

• Coraar

Housing Mechanics

Demand: Low
Land Quality: Poor - Modest
Possible Docks: Air, Planar, Water
Special Rules: Structures with worship chambers within them dedicated to Kik or Ako have a passive effect of enlightenment. Creatures with Reasonable alignments may add an additional +5 to their Wisdom saving throws while within the structure.