Bestiary

Testudoriya (Tes-two-door-ea) - by S.A. Robles ©2014 v1.0.

Stats Description When seen underwater a Testudoriya might be described as a elephantine sea turtle, massive in proportion with powerful forearm flippers to help them navigate their domain. Growing to lengths of over sixteen feet with a weight of three or more tons, their weighty appearance belies the ability of these mystic creatures to move bipedally out of water. Bearing thickly knotted muscles in the pelvis and thighs Testsudoriya are capable of running as quickly as a trained sprinter while moving in a straight line, although their movements are slower and less graceful than they are underwater.

While their hind legs are meant for life on land, their forearms contrarily end in flipper-like muscular fingers that measure from a foot to two feet long each. Tetsudoriya shells are multisegmented, with the upper and lower plates growing into the skin around the head and tail, resulting in an armored carapace. The growth of the plates into the skin around the head gives the Tertsudoriyae a deceptively intimidating "helmeted" appearance.

Lore

Although rarely seen outside Xirorya or deep trenches beneath the sea, whispers of lost knowledge suggest the Testudoriyae may have originated from Vocoria alongside the Vocorians, or even be descended from the forgotten race that Ghozoth is the last of. Likely due to longevity and being dispersed throughout the planes, Testudoriyae rarely bother to record their racial history. Some scholars suggest that the Tetsudoriyae, due to their emphasis and martial arts and physical betterment, may have interacted with the Taijuni people. Perhaps half of the Testudoriya in existence understand Common, and one-tenth are capable of speaking it in a gravelly voice. Beyond that, they speak their own language composed of clacking their beaked jaws and manipulating their prehensile digits, and often Xalayi.

Deepsea fishers have occasionally been unfortunate enough to stir up a hungry Testudoriyae and were greeted by the hungry behemoth leaping out of the water and tearing open the fisher's nets to devour their catch. Due to Testudoriyae’s massive weight, travel through the sea is taxing and keeps them from accumulating fat; most of what they incur is pure muscle. Coupled with their carapace, which is comparable to Kaalcite upon reaching adulthood at age twenty-five, damaging one of these creatures is quite a task. Testudoriya have a 50% damage reduction bonus, in addition to a -100% bonus to overall armor rating.

Unsurprisingly when considering the size and strength of a Testudoriya, attempting to move an earthbound one is an exercise in futility for anything but a Hidulan giant or something with a similar amount of brute force. Once a Testudoriya is focused on a target, attempting to upheave it is nearly impossible using physical prowess alone. Moving or stunning Testudoriyae with non-magical means has a 99% chance of failure, checked after a possible success.

While seemingly undeveloped for combat, Testudoriyae are both muscular and possess a tremendous amount of Deadweight, with thick and lanky fingers that are capable of tensing and relaxing instantaneously. As opposed to the punching the average martial artists might use, a Testudoriya will throw its knotted muscles forward and then slap with titanic strength. This is roughly the equivalent of of being struck at a cannon at point blank range; capable of causing horrific injuries should the blow hit an enemy's center mass.. Adult Testudoriyae are a Master of any one Unarmed Combat, and by twice that age they are considered a Grandmaster. Every other quarter decade or so they gain Mastery of a new Unarmed Combat, with Grandmastery coming the other quarter decades. In addition, a Testudoriya’s Unarmed Combat has a +40% bonus to hit and may strike for full damage despite armor and enemy size.

Should a Testudoriya be faced with an enemy that outmatches it, the creature may opt to retract itself into the central plate of its Kaalcite-esque shell, but this is not purely a defensive mechanism. While Taijuni Monks might practice Flame-Dancing, the Testudoriya practice Water-Dancing. By manipulating surrounding water, even dismal amounts in the air, they may create a sort of whirlpool around around themselves. Spinning in this state, a Testudoriya is capable of limited flight and gliding akin to a flying saucer. Capable of doing this once per battle for one round, a Testudoriya may move in a straight line to deal damage to everything within a fifteen-foot radius at +40% to hit, while accruing an additional -50% to their overall armor rating. This is not an Unarmed Attack.

Testudoriyae rarely keep record of the history of their kind at large, focusing on self-improvement instead of concerning themselves with how kin act. When they do gather together, such meetings usually result in magnificent spars that can be heard for over a mile. Their fights are rarely lethal, as the creatures have a profound sense of restraint and know when enough is enough. On occasion, a Testudoriya will deign a humanoid worthy of a duel, and will treat them with respect despite their strength.

Due to the composition of Testudoriyae’s Kaalcite-esque shells and the deep sea pressure where they often sleep, oftentimes they accumulated precious stones on them. While no different than mundane jewels they can grow to eye-boggling size and, on more than one occasion, have resulted in poachers attempting to poach them; such is rarely a profitable venture for said golddiggers. However, in the rare event a Testudoriya is sighted devouring a trawler’s net or otherwise claiming another’s hard-earned work, the more benevolent amongst them will often leave behind a precious stone from their shell. In addition, the nutritious meat of a Testudoriya can feed a small tribe of Xalayi for a month and Zissah for perhaps a week… Assuming they have no qualms with eating a sentient being.