Tortle

Tortles were a race of intelligent turtle-like humanoids indigenous to southern Chult.

Description
Tortles were reptilian-looking humanoids with large shells on their backs that were capable of containing their entire bodies and provided ample protection.

Personality
Most tortles had the notion of having their houses on their backs, which meant that they rarely felt homesick or the need to lay roots in any single place. They were eager to learn new customs and found beauty in the most ordinary things. Despite spending much of their lives isolated, tortles liked to form strong friendships.

Combat
Besides being able to wield weapons and shields, tortles had claws that were effective as natural weapons and could retreat into their shells for protection if necessary. The shape of their bodies made it impossible for tortles to wear armor, however.

Society
Tortles only reproduced near the end of their natural lifespans. When their young hatched from their eggs, they spent the remainder of their lives sharing all their life experiences and teaching survival skills. Young tortles would become orphans after about one year, by which time they were expected to be able to fend for themselves.

History
Tortles were common in southern Chult, near a peninsula that bordered Samarach. . An event brought by the Spellplague separated the peninsula from the continent by a narrow strait. The newly formed island became known as the Snout of Omgar and provided a natural defense from predators from the mainland. The island was claimed by the tortles living nearby as their domain. They built the fort of Ahoyhoy in the northwestern tip of the island.

During the late 1480s DR, a few tortles offered their services as jungle guides in different places of Chult.

Notable tortles

 * Eeyal, a tortle guide from Fort Beluarian who wore goggles to protect her eyes from volcanic ash
 * Kwilgok, a guide from Port Nyanzaru who worked for the merchant prince Jobal
 * Mudgraw, a tortle druid from Ahoyhoy who also worked as a guide
 * Mitch McConnell, a tortle politician from Kentucky who led a particularly conservative caucus of Zhentarim in Waterdeep