Tortoi

A unique counterpoint to the Jakkaxi and their ferocious use of their natural gifts, the Tortoi are decidedly more...mellow.
These Herpetological specimens are most known for the outer shell, which encompasses their torso and head. Providing them with a mobile bunker for their safety.
Naturally calm and even keel, the Tortoi are often wondering priests, monks, or ambassadors. Their inherent introspective nature making them convincing speakers.

Basic Information

Anatomy

With heavily muscled legs and arms, their most striking feature is that of the absolutely colossal shell that encases their torso, upper back, shoulder area, and much of their head. Growing out of them, this survival tool grows at a slow but consistent rate.
In fact, one can learn a great deal about a particular Tortoi from the way it keeps it's shell. If the shell is trimmed away from the head, it could be a sign of a more spiritual personality. If the shell has grown to encase most of the head, they may be more of a warrior-poet sort.

Genetics and Reproduction

Three months after mating, female Tortoi will lay a single clutch of a eight or so eggs which, baring outside influence and intervention, will all hatch. 
Those eggs will gestate for about 6 months, before hatching into infantile Tortoi.

Growth Rate & Stages

Once hatched, infant Tortoi have a soft shell for 6 months. This shell will not reach it's full protective capacity until the Tortoi reach maturity, but will continually harden until that point. Once mature, their shell is hard enough to stop most blades, and even shots from crossbows, longbows, and slugthrowers.

Ecology and Habitats

Preferring a swampy and damp environment or even an oceanic environment, the Tortoi are far less limited and able to move quicker in the water than on land

Dietary Needs and Habits

A Tortoi's diet is based entirely around vegetation and fish, generally grazing throught the day and having one large meal at night.

Biological Cycle

In what could be called their 'senior' period, the already slow Tortoi slow down even farther. Alongside muscle deterioration, their shells also become heavier, oftentimes accruing calcified growths that must regularly be cleaned off to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Additional Information

Social Structure

As mentioned, the Tortoi are an introspective race, gathering around teachers, village elders, and others that have something to teach, be it practical or mental. This often results in the oldest individual in a Tortoi settlement being seen in the most authoritative position. Other deferring to them, even in matters where their area expertise does not apply in the slightest.

Facial characteristics

lacking lips in the traditional sense, the Tortoi have a semi-flexible beak with-which they cut vegetation and fish scales. It is still flexible enough to allow for normal speech, though it can still cause a vague slurring of the words.

Average Intelligence

An IQ of 102.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have no extrasensory methods and their shell can hinder their peripheral vision catastrophically.

A healthy Tortoi can live up to 700 years if it avoids physical harm and disease. Easy to do in this day and age. With disease, at any rate.

Scientific Name

Gradus Erectus Testudines

Origin/Ancestry

Mossback, Lillyback, Saltback

Lifespan

300 years

Average Height

Six and a half feet

Average Weight

325 pounds

Average Physique

Heavyset and barrelchested. In fact, they're fairly barrel-shaped throughout.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their skins take on a green shade, varying in tone from pale to dark. They can also develop bands of colors, usually autumn shades,  that travel up their throat and face