Tortle
Biology
Anatomy & Physiology
Tortles are vertical bipedal octapods, with two sets of purely manipulatory forelimbs on the sides of the torso, a pair of midlimbs attached to shoulder girdles on the fore ribcage that are able to function as both manipulators and locomotors, and a pair of strong, stocky hindlimbs at the base of the torso used entirely for locomotion. Tortles have an internal skeleton composed of calcium carbonate and collagen, with support filaments of carbon fibre. Their vascular oxygen carriers are haemerythrin, an iron-based protein that turns violet when oxidized, and haemocyanin, a copper-based protein that turns bright blue when oxidized, giving their blood an overall indigo hue.Their skin is dry and leathery, sporting keratinous scales and a large, semi-flexible shell over the torso. The shell is anchored to the spine and sternum, and composed of bone plates connected by cartilage, muscle, and skin. Most tortles are able to withdraw completely inside their shell for defense.
Perception & Sensory Capabilities
Visual
Tortle sight is poor to moderate in acuity, facilitated by a single pair of focal binocular circular-pupil eyes, which are able to detect motion, definite shape, spatial orientation, and color ranging from infrared to near-ultraviolet.
Olfactory
The tortle olfactory sense is moderately sensitive, facilitated by a pair of spiracles that lead to a respiratory-derived chemosensory chamber in the snout.
Auditory
The tortle auditory sense is only moderately acute, due to their pair of internal ears set in the skull just behind the eyes. These ears are sensitive to frequencies from the near infrasound into the higher end of the standard hearing range.
Tactile
Tortles are not especially sensitive to tactile input overall, except for the hands, feet, and face. Their shell especially has very few tactile nerve endings, mainly just those for pressure.
Ecology
Geographic Origin & Distribution
Tortles, like their homeworld counterparts the grung, achieved spaceflight after first contact, and though they have adapted to alien technology well enough, their civilization has very little interstellar reach and most tortles prefer to live traditionally. Overall, they are fairly rare to see outside their home star system or one of their few colony systems.Habitat & Survival Factors
The optimal survival range in a variety of factors for an unequipped tortle is somewhat limited, as they require warmth to stay healthy. However, this limitation can be easily overcome with technology, thus a properly equipped tortle can live almost anywhere in the cosmos.Civilization & Culture
The Tloric people are peaceful and highly spiritual, revering the natural order and particularly fascinated with the passage of time. They are one of the only known true anarchist civilizations, having no formal government; rather, their communities are founded on a system of mutual aid. The closest thing Tloric culture has to leadership are their foremost spiritual guides, who help the others along their individual paths to enlightenment.Major Organizations
Major Language Groups & Dialects
Culture & Heritage
Common Traditions
Common Taboos
Tolerances
Interspecies Relations
Hyperlanes Info
Physical Traits
Extra Limbs
You may take two bonus actions during your turn rather than one, so long as they are different actions coming from different sources.Tortleshell
You cannot wear armor, but your tough shell protects you. This confers a base AC of 17. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor. You can withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, you gain a +4 bonus to AC, and you have advantage on STR and CON saving throws. While in your shell, you are prone, your speed is 0 and cannot increase, you have disadvantage on DEX saving throws, you can't take reactions, and the only action you can take is a bonus action to emerge from your shell.Semiaquatic
You can hold your breath for up to 1 hour. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet and gain advantage on swimming-related Athletics rolls.Natural Weapons
Your claws and beak act as natural weapons, adding 1d6 piercing and slashing damage to your unarmed attacks.Cultural Traits
Suggested culture: TloricWIS increases by 1
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