The tortles (alternatively spelled "tortls") of the humid planet Chult are a durable and longevitous species of reptilian octapods, unique among the sophonts of known space for their partially flexible plated shell built of tough leathery skin and sections of bone. Their keratinous beak conceals a toothed tongue, used to produce the clicks and rasping tones commonly heard in their languages.

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

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