Monsters: Turtlemen

Monsters: Turtlemen

Red Steel is an obscure D&D setting that was discontinued. Dragon Magazine #315 talks about it and provides a conversion of the tortle race for D&D 3.5. And I'll convert it to GURPS. I wish they racial pantheon was expanded upon more - I will provide only some basics. In addition, I will convert several similar races from my Neritia mod for Dominions 5 to cover a wide range of turtles/tortoises. Turtlemen are amphibious beings (but prefer staying underwater). Hardshells are turtlemen with especially thick shells and slow reflexes. Snappers are carnivorous, barbaric turtlemen with sharp beaks. Zaratanlings are very young zaratans, humanoid and very strong. Blackshells are hatched from zaratan eggs corrupted by undead spirits. This does not make them malevolent, but makes them partially undead. Finally, dragonshells are turtlemen with dragon turtle blood.

Tortle [Dragon Magazine #315, page 72]

12 points
Attribute Modifiers: DX-1 [-20]; HT+1 [10].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: FP+2 [6]; Basic Speed -1.00 [-20].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Breath-Holding 1 [2]; DR 5 (Partial, Torso, -10%) [23]; Night Vision 5 [5].

Disadvantages: Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5].  
Perks: Retraction [1].
Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Typical Stats – Tortle Warrior

ST:	11	HP:	11	Speed:	4
DX:	9	Will:	10	Move:	4 ground, 4 water
IQ:	10	Per:	10
HT:	11	FP:	13	SM:	+0
Dodge:	7	Parry:	8	DR:	5 (torso)

    Trident one-handed (11): thrust 1d+2(0.5) impaling (KYOS: 1d+2(0.5) impaling), Reach 1*. Unbalanced Parry. Can strike to disarm (p. B401) without -2 to hit for using a non-fencing weapon. Target at -1 to Dodge, +1 to Block or Parry.
    Trident two-handed (11): thrust 2d-1(0.5) impaling (KYOS: 2d-1(0.5) impaling), Reach 1-2*. Can strike to disarm (p. B401) without -2 to hit for using a non-fencing weapon. Target at -1 to Dodge, +1 to Block or Parry.

    Traits: Amphibious; Breath-Holding 1; Cold-Blooded (50°); Exotic Weapon Training (Trident); Night Vision 5; Retraction.
    Skills: Spear-11.
    Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Turtleman

25 points
Attribute Modifiers: DX-1 [-20]; HT+1 [10].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: Basic Speed -1.00 [-20].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; DR 5 (Partial, Torso, -10%) [23]; Nictitating Membrane 1 [1]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Speak Underwater [5].

Disadvantages: Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5].  
Perks: Retraction [1].
Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Typical Stats – Turtleman Warrior

ST:	11	HP:	11	Speed:	4
DX:	9	Will:	10	Move:	4 ground, 4 water
IQ:	10	Per:	10
HT:	11	FP:	11	SM:	+0
Dodge:	7	Parry:	8	DR:	5 (torso)

    Spear (one-handed) (11): thrust 1d+1 impaling. Reach 1.
    Spear (two-handed) (11): thrust 1d+2 impaling. Reach 1-2*.

    Traits: Amphibious; Cold-Blooded (50°); Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Nictitating Membrane 1; Night Vision 5; Pressure Support 1; Retraction; Speak Underwater.
    Skills: Spear-11.
    Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Hardshell

18 points
Attribute Modifiers: DX-1 [-20]; HT+1 [10].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: Basic Speed -2.00 [-40].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; DR 8 (Partial, Torso, -10%) [36]; Nictitating Membrane 1 [1]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Speak Underwater [5].

Disadvantages: Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5].  
Perks: Retraction [1].
Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Typical Stats – Hardshell Warrior

ST:	11	HP:	11	Speed:	3
DX:	9	Will:	10	Move:	4 ground, 4 water
IQ:	10	Per:	10
HT:	11	FP:	11	SM:	+0
Dodge:	6	Parry:	8	DR:	8 (torso)

    Spear (one-handed) (11): thrust 1d+1 impaling. Reach 1.
    Spear (two-handed) (11): thrust 1d+2 impaling. Reach 1-2*.

    Traits: Amphibious; Cold-Blooded (50°); Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Nictitating Membrane 1; Night Vision 5; Pressure Support 1; Retraction; Speak Underwater.
    Skills: Spear-11.
    Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Snapper [AC9 - Creature Catalogue]

12 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+2 [20]; DX-1 [-20]; IQ-1 [-20]; HT+1 [10].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: Will+1 [5]; Per+1 [5]; Basic Speed -1.00 [-20].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Breath-Holding 3 [6]; DR 5 (Partial, Torso, -10%) [23]; Nictitating Membrane 1 [1]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Sharp Beak [1].
Disadvantages: Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; Restricted Diet (Carnivore) [-10].
Perks: Retraction [1].
Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Typical Stats

ST:	12	HP:	12	Speed:	4
DX:	9	Will:	10	Move:	4 ground, 4 water
IQ:	9	Per:	10
HT:	11	FP:	11	SM:	+0
Dodge:	7	Parry:	8	DR:	5 (torso)

    Sharp Beak (13): thrust 1d-1 large piercing (KYOS: 1d large piercing), Reach C.
    Spear (two-handed) (11): thrust 1d+2 impaling (KYOS: 1d+3 impaling), Reach 1-2*.
    Spear (one-handed) (11): thrust 1d+1 impaling (KYOS: 1d+2 impaling), Reach 1*.

    Traits: Amphibious; Breath-Holding 3; Cold-Blooded (50°); Nictitating Membrane 1; Night Vision 5; Restricted Diet (Carnivore); Retraction.
    Skills: Brawling-13; Spear-11.
    Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Zaratanling

79 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+2 [20]; DX-1 [-20]; HT+1 [10].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: Will+1 [5]; FP+2 [6]; Basic Speed -1.00 [-20].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; DR 5 (Partial, Torso, -10%) [23]; Extended Lifespan 5 [10]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Infravision [10]; Nictitating Membrane 1 [1]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Speak Underwater [5]; Temperature Tolerance 1 (Hot) [1].
Disadvantages: Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; Extra Sleep 4 [-8].

Perks: Retraction [1].
Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Typical Stats

ST:	12	HP:	12	Speed:	4
DX:	9	Will:	11	Move:	4 ground, 4 water
IQ:	10	Per:	10
HT:	11	FP:	13	SM:	+0
Dodge:	7	Parry:	9	DR:	5 (torso)

    Spear (two-handed) (13): thrust 1d+2 impaling (KYOS: 1d+3 impaling), Reach 1-2*.
    Spear (one-handed) (13): thrust 1d+1 impaling (KYOS: 1d+2 impaling), Reach 1*.

    Traits: Amphibious; Cold-Blooded (50°); Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Extended Lifespan 5; Extra Sleep 4; High Pain Threshold; Infravision; Nictitating Membrane 1; Night Vision 5; Pressure Support 1; Retraction; Speak Underwater; Temperature Tolerance 1 (Hot).
    Skills: Spear-13.
    Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Blackshell

69 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+2 [20]; DX-1 [-20]; HT-1 [-10].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: Will+1 [5]; Basic Speed -0.50 [-10].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; DR 5 (Partial, Torso, -10%) [23]; Extended Lifespan 5 [10]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Infravision [10]; Nictitating Membrane 1 [1]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Reduced Consumption 3 [6]; Resistant to Metabolic Hazards (+3) [10]; Speak Underwater [5]; Temperature Tolerance 1 (Hot) [1].
Disadvantages: Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; Slow Healing 1 [-10]; Extra Sleep 4 [-8].

Perks: Retraction [1].
Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Typical Stats

ST:	12	HP:	12	Speed:	4
DX:	9	Will:	11	Move:	4 ground, 4 water
IQ:	10	Per:	10
HT:	9	FP:	9	SM:	+0
Dodge:	7	Parry:	9	DR:	5 (torso)

    Spear (two-handed) (13): thrust 1d+2 impaling (KYOS: 1d+3 impaling), Reach 1-2*.
    Spear (one-handed) (13): thrust 1d+1 impaling (KYOS: 1d+2 impaling), Reach 1*.

    Traits: Amphibious; Cold-Blooded (50°); Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Extended Lifespan 5; Extra Sleep 4; High Pain Threshold; Infravision; Nictitating Membrane 1; Night Vision 5; Pressure Support 1; Reduced Consumption 3; Resistant to Metabolic Hazards (+3); Retraction; Slow Healing 1; Speak Underwater; Temperature Tolerance 1 (Hot).
    Skills: Spear-13.
    Creature Type: Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Dragonshell

277 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+8 (Size Modifier, -10%) [72]; DX-1 [-20]; IQ+1 [20]; HT+1 [10].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM+1; Will+1 [5]; Per+1 [5]; FP+2 [6]; Basic Speed -1.00 [-20].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; DR 8 (Partial, Torso, -10%) [36]; Discriminatory Smell [15]; Extended Lifespan 5 [10]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Infravision [10]; Nictitating Membrane 1 [1]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Pressure Support 2 [10]; Sharp Teeth [1]; Speak Underwater [5]; Temperature Tolerance 2 (Hot) [2].
    Fire Resistance [60]: DR 20 (Includes Eyes, +10%; Includes Internal, +20%; Limited, Fire, -40%; Tough Skin, -40%) [50] + Immunity to Noxious Fire Effects [10].
    Breathe Steam: Natural Weapon (Burning; Cannot Parry, -40%; Cone 1, +60%; Costs Fatigue, 2 FP, -10%; Hidden, +20%; Increased 1/2D, 2x, +5%; Increased Range, 10x (Accessibility, Underwater only, ‑50%), +15%; Intangible, +50%; Magical, -10%; No Incendiary, -10%; Ranged, +100%; Reduced Range, 1/5, -20%; Single, -20%; Underwater, +20%) [13].
Perks: Retraction [1].
Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

Knowing Your Own Strength [285] ST+8 (Size Modifier, -20%) [72] with ST+8 [80]

Typical Stats

ST:	18	HP:	18	Speed:	4
DX:	9	Will:	12	Move:	4 ground, 4 water
IQ:	11	Per:	12
HT:	11	FP:	13	SM:	+1
Dodge:	7	Parry:	8 (unarmed)	DR:	8 (torso)

    Sharp Teeth (11): thrust 1d+2 cutting (KYOS: 3d-1 cutting), Reach C.
    Breathe Steam (11): The dragonshell breathes out a blast of extremely hot steam, dealing thrust 1d+2 non-incendiary burning damage (KYOS: 2d+2) as large-area injury. This is a cone attack that uses rules from Area and Spreading Attacks (pp. B413-414). The cone is 1-yard wide and has a length of 3 yards (ST/5). Each use costs 2 FP. It is possible to make the cone wider by using the rules from Cones of Power (GURPS Dungeon Fantasy Monsters 4: Dragons, p. 10). This attack works identically in air and underwater.

    Traits: Amphibious; Discriminatory Smell; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Extended Lifespan 5; Extra Sleep 4; High Pain Threshold; Infravision; Nictitating Membrane 1; Night Vision 5; Pressure Support 2; Retraction; Speak Underwater; Temperature Tolerance 2 (Hot).
    Skills: Brawling-11; Innate Attack (Breath)-11.
    Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid (Reptilian, Turtleman).

TORTLE PANTHEON

 
Calitha
 
Lesser deity
Alignment: Neutral Good
Symbol: two water streams encircling a turtle shell
Home plane: Elysium
Portfolio: tortles, oceans
Domain (-20%): healing spells, protection spells, water spells
Worshipers: tortles
 
Calitha, most commonly referred to as Mother Ocean, is the protector deity of the tortles. She and Father Earth are considered creators of the tortle race. Calitha teaches harmony, solidarity, and strength of the community.
 
Ka
 
Lesser deity
Alignment: True Neutral
Symbol: a rocky turtle shell
Home plane: Outlands
Portfolio: tortles, animals, earth
Domain (-30%): animal spells, earth spells
Worshipers: tortles
 
Ka, most commonly referred to as Father Earth, is venerated as the bringer of life by the tortles. He and Mother Ocean are considered creators of the tortle race. Like Calitha, Ka teaches the followers to live in harmony with nature and find beauty in small things.
 
Mâtin
 
Lesser deity
Alignment: True Neutral
Symbol: a turtle shell surrounded by pearls
Home plane: Outlands
Portfolio: tortles, destruction, war, fire
Domain (-30%): fire spells, protection and warning spells
Worshipers: tortles
 
Mâtin, most commonly referred to as Brother Shell, is venerated as the protector of families and patron of warriors. He and Sister Grain are considered the children of Mother Ocean and Father Earth.
 
Ralon
 
Lesser deity
Alignment: True Neutral
Symbol: a turtle shell overgrown by plants
Home plane: Outlands
Portfolio: tortles, food, farming
Domain (-30%): food spells, plant spells
Worshipers: tortles
 
Ralon, most commonly referred to as Sister Grain, is venerated as the bringer of food and patron of farmers. She and Brother Shell are considered the children of Mother Ocean and Father Earth.