Tortles

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 affluent sailors, and travelers. Though many spend their entire lives around the Vaivela Sea, some travel outward
Ability Score Increase: Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom 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 15 and live an average of 150 to 200 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.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
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.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial (Aquan).

Naming Traditions

Unisex names

Tortles create a new name for each child, with careful thought of its meaning. Names might be revealed in dreams or visions, and they could be named after relatives but with slight variations. Additionally, names must be relative of social station. For example, lower class workers have names that relate to more mundane aspects of nature, where names that have aspects that mean "king, mountain, ocean," or other grand scale ideas in nature are reserved for higher ranking members of society.

Culture

Culture and cultural heritage

Tortles seem to have a "relaxed" culture from an outside perspective as they greatly value taking time to rest, heal, and accept help from others. However, many tortles are very hard workers and affluent sailors and travelers who simply know their own limits. Despite being less technologically advanced than other nations, and having lower "qualities of living," they are a healthy and happy society that cares deeply for sense of community and peace. 
Additionally, many Tortles believe that both sea turtles and themselves are the children of the Aspidochelone. Aspidochelone was believed to be one of many great earth elementals that took the form of large turtles that huddled together to make the land of the world. The Leviathan wrapped and twisted around the family to keep them together, but every now and then some would break apart, to make new lands. One such creature is said to have made Pua'a. Since Tortles believe themselves to be of the same origin of all Testudines (tortles, turtles, tortoises, and terrapin), they often consider themselves shepherds of such creatures, taking good care of those that they find on their land. In fact, some Tortoises have become popular mounts or guardians of their various lands. Because of this, many of their rights and rituals revolve around their connection to other Testudines.

Common Etiquette rules

Tortles respect elders and the wisdom of the tribe, and are quick to help others. They often put their culture before their own needs, going out of their way to sacrifice for the aid of others, especially the young. They care deeply for the sick and less fortunate. Even high ranking members of society consider their status a responsibility to help those in their care.

Common Dress code

Tortles wear skirts or wraps typically made of grasses or other natural fibers. Both men and women will wear wraps around their bottom half with women sometimes donning scarfs or cross body sashes. Higher ranking members may find ways to incorporate belts or jewelry. Body paint is fairly common for self expression among Tortles, with people often decorating themselves with paint for festivals or to show pride for a ship or nation.

Art & Architecture

Tortles most commonly live in Pua'a which is known for tall tent like straw buildings that protect from rain, and no walls. They have an extremely mild climate and are protected from harsh storms, therefore have a very predictable weather pattern of afternoon rains, and temperate weather all year round. Therefore many do not have to worry about substantial wind or storms, making many houses and buildings straw or wood built with "curtain" like walls that can be pulled up or down. Additionally, they are known for their special oil lanterns that are made using a specific fruit grown in Pua'a. This oil burns a faint light blue color. This is used frequently for festivals and protecting from dangerous bugs.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Tortles have a diety that is primarily made of various seaweeds, kelp, and other ocean plant life, fish, and island fruits and sugars. Fish is their primary source of protein and fat, with sugary drinks and fruits being frequent snacks. A common meal might be raw fish and a meaty fruit warped in seaweed and served with a pineapple and coconut liquor. Most Tortles have little to no tolerance for wheat and grains.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

When a female tortle lays a cluch of eggs, she will typically do so in a sandy "vault" within her home, or a sacred place (such as a temple). From the time of their laying, to the time they hatch, the mother will carry water from the sea (typically just a bowl or pitcher), and carry it to the eggs to sprinkle over, giving it a blessing of good health and growth. Fathers commonly stay, fasting from sun up to sun down, with the eggs until they hatch. When they do hatch, the children are expected to crawl out of the sand on their own. When they make it out, they will typically crawl to their parents who carry them to the sea to wash the sand off and recite a blessing to them. After this, they spend a large portion of their life near the sea, often learning to swim before they can walk.

Coming of Age Rites

When a Tortle reaches around 15, they have typically begun releasing pheromones which the culture calls (mana or stamina). Before they release pheromones, they are considered "children" which do not have a gender in and of themself. Its also nearly impossible for even tortles to tell males from females before pheromones are released as they enter adulthood. Depending on the self expression of the tortle, and the pheromones released, the individual who is coming of age will typically declare their gender and go out on a quest of some sort. This typically involves climbing Kilauea Volcano or Kohala Volcano and picking an ash flower that grows there to present to their family. This might also be given as an engagement rite as choosing to marry is considered another coming of age time.

Funerary and Memorial customs

When a tortle dies, they are typically mummified using a specific process involving sea salt, oils, and seaweed wraps. When the body shrivels and shrinks, it is pulled out of the shell and buried. The remaining shells split and carved on the interior with stories of the tortles life. the shells are then hung around the temples where people may walk through the "hanging gardens" or the "hanging stories" of shells. They can see the outer adornment of carvings that were done in life, and the interior stories that were made by their loved ones. When the wind blows, they often tap together making an eerie noise to the tortles. When nature begins to retake them, via growing moss, algae, or vines, this is seen as a natural reclaiming of them. Temple priests often let this happen, rotating their gardens as nature takes over more and more shells, often creating circles and winding paths of gardens.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Stripes and markings of a tortle can be read as signs of their figure. This is so far that some might even engage in Shell Carving, to enhance their own appearance and "improve their future" as they believe.

Gender Ideals

Tortles recognize three genders. Na'a (as in Na'a'Nine and Na'a'tana), Nine, and Tana. Nine (pronounced Ni-neh) is a female, Tana is male, and Na'a means "born of" meaning born of man, or born of women. This is applied to individuals who do not fit culturally as what they were born as or "born of." Additionally, tortles view gender expression as a balance of Mana and Stamina. Mana is mental and spiritual capacity. The energy that one has to be patient, understanding, level headed, and make good decisions. Women or Nine are considered to be particularly stronger in Mana, making them spiritual leaders, decision makers, and good mothers. Stamina is the physical energy of a tortle that allows them to work hard, endure pain and sickness, and continue working throughout the day. This is considered stronger in men, making them hunters, builders, and physical workers. The Na'a are those that are said to have more of a balance or an abundance outside of the norm. A tortle that was born female, but is particularly strong, and engages in male culture would be considered a Na'atana. This does not make them the same, however, as they are held to different standards and expectations because of this change in "balance." Additionally, Na'a cannot be considered gay unless they are with a na'a of the same name.

Courtship Ideals

For tortles, they do not have typical courtships or marriage ceremonies, aside from the Water Union. If two couples wish to become married, they typically go out into the ocean, and come together under the water, holding their breath for an hour or longer if they can. The longer they can remain underwater in their union is supposed to be symbolic of the length of their "marriage." This is a private affair, with little pressure to over exert oneself.

Relationship Ideals

In a relationship, the two individuals are considered equal in power, but with their own set of duties to complete for the family. Children are expected to quickly help in the chores and commonly start helping out around the age of 3. However, children only work until lunch time. After that, they are allowed to play freely aside from preparing for meals.