Gemstone Terrapin

Originating from the Elemental Plane of Earth, these majestic creatures can now be seen across the Material Plane

Biology

Anatomy

The general anatomy of these creatures is analogous to a normal tortoise with the exception of their spiked shells and increased size

Size

Though the average size of a Gemstone Terrapin is similar to an average tortoise, they continue to grow in size as they age. Although most cap out at about the size of a horse, no upper limit to their size is known. Legends even speak of one growing to a collosal size and being mistaken for a moving island

Crystalline Form

The body of The Terrapin is crystalline in structure, granting them a high level of durability and an increased level of strength correlating with the material properties of the type of crystal their body consists of.

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Notable Abilities

Increased Strength

The strength of a Gemstone Terrapins grows in proportion to their size, granting them theoretically unlimited strength.

Burrowing

Due to their strength and durability Terrapins can dig through dirt and stone extremely quickly. Often this appears to onlookers as though they are swimming through the ground.

Retractable Spikes

Terrapins posses the ability to retract and extend the spikes that protude from their shells. They can retract their spikes to hide from attackers, as well as to allow for more efficient travel while burrowing; and can extend their spikes to defend from threats.

Prismatic Spikes

Due to the crystalline structure of their spikes, Terrapins posses a natural defense against energy based attacks such as magic, with the attacks being deflected and possibly reflected by the prismlike structure of the spikes. Older Terrapins have even been observed to have an understanding of this ability to the point where they can manipulate their spikes to aim where the attack will be reflected.

Energy Storage

Although it has not been observed in the wild, domesticated Terrapins have shown the ability to store energy by rederecting it into their internal crystalline structures.

Energy Projection

By combining their Energy Storage and Reflection abilities, trained Terrapins have been able to release stored energies as a form of attack.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Due to their origin in the Elemental Plane of Earth, Terrapins are most common in Trombekia and the Irucan Desert between Illis and Ashek. Terrapins have also been observed to migrate in an attempt to find locations more capable of maintaining their specfic crystals

Dietary Needs and Habits

The diet of the Terrapins consists of rocks and minerals used to maintain their crystalline anatomy. Due to the use of minerals to maintain their crystals, the habitat of a Terrapin is often the determining factor in what material the spikes consist of.

Additional Information

Domestication

Gemstone Terrapins have began to be domesticated in Trombekia, and have began to be spread across Calas. Because the domesticated variety are generally smaller and more amicable than their wild counterpart, they are popular pets in royal courts as status symbols and, due to their energy manipulation abilities, as familiars in The Great Sanctum
A subspecies bred to be adapted to aquatic life is popular in Salvas and Alure.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The crystals produced by thess creatures are commonly used in staffs by new mages still unable to consistently control their abilities.
The Crystals produced by these creatures are used in jewelry, with rarer varieties often used to show status or holding some symbolic value.

• King Nevac of Trombekia wears a ring of quartz from his own Terrapin, and often gives out similar ones to allies as a sign of unity.

Genetic Descendants

• Pearl Terrapin

Lifespan

100 years, However no upper limit is known

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The skin of all Gemstone Terrapins is similar to grey marble, so it is mostly their crystal protrusions that set them apart from one another.

• Although the crystals vary in appearance and material properties from individual to individual, they are always equivalent to a naturally occuring gemstone