Tachtan

Tachtan, also known as "turtlemen" by foreign races, are amphibious-like beings that have inhabited Ludwag’s swamps since the golden ages of Pyros. They are, as the name implies, sentient beings that take the form of humanoid turtles, and are a slow-moving race with docile behavior. Tachtan are also known to have an affinity for mancy, this is caused by their culture which is centered around the spirits and knowledge.

## **Anatomy**

Tachtan have completely scaled bodies carrying a thick calcium shell, the scales themselves aren't thick enough to offer any meaningful protection aside from very light cuts, but are fairly durable, Tachtan are also known to have webbed fingers, which help them gain mobility in water.

Trepheonic Tachtan have developed olive green scales slightly lighter in color than the Tachtan who live within the swamplands of Ludwag, which developed a darker green mossy coloration of scales to adapt and hide within the foliage and plantlife of the swamp.

These turtle-like creatures aren’t known for their height, but for their natural affinity to mancy, being able to comprehend it much better than other races, not only because they’ve been blessed with patience and a long lifespan. The hard shells on their backs are able to contain most forms of attack before it reaches their soft body inside the shell, however blunt objects can crack through it, causing pain equivalent to breaking a bone. Tachtan cannot hide their body parts inside their shells.

Tachtan, like their aquatic shelled cousins, also have beaks instead of mouths with lips and teeth. These beaks are serrated, meaning they use their beaks AND tongue to chew their food. Due to the anatomy of their mouth parts, the Tachtan people find it difficult to pronounce certain sounds from the “common” vocabulary, such as Z, X or S sounds.

These sentient beings aren’t capable of many other feats to be considered exclusive to their species, for instance they possess a normal hearing range, and their sight works well both above and underwater. Their sense of smell is also not heightened, take for the fact they can smell underwater.

Tachtan are able to hold their breath underwater depending on their ethnicity, some going for dives that last longer than thirty minutes at a time, and rising up with breath to spare, their muscle strength is comparable to that of a human about their size, however since most of them turn into mancers, their strength is subject to change and debate, as well as the different ethnicities that do have a different strength when compared to the common Tachtan.

## **Ethnicities / Sub-Races**

The most numerous and notable sub-races of Ludwagian Tachtan;

### **Occidan**

Occidan Tachtan are the most common type of Tachtan in Trepheon and in general you will encounter, they have developed an olive-green tint of scales to better help blend in with the forests of Trepheon. They are normally 5'3" and weigh in at about 175 Lbs. It is know that Akunva was an Occidan Tachtan, however that does not interfere with the cultural importance that he had for every Tachtan in history. These are also known as Common Tachtan, for being the dominant and predominant ethnicity of the turtlemen in Ludwag. The Occidan Tachtan’s diet mostly consists of plant material, and while they can eat meat, they dislike it, often preferring lighter meats like fish.

### **Iustus**

Iustus are turtlemen almost only found in Ludwag. They settled in the swamps of Northern Ludwag where they developed a darker green mossy color of scales,  which help them to hide from predators such as Slentaurs in the swamp. These Tachtan are also slightly taller, standing at around 5'7" with broader shoulders. Their average weight is 195 Lbs. Their higher stature and shorter lifespan of about ~290 years comes in exchange for their superior physical strength and  slightly more resistance to damage when compared to the Occidan, for even their scales are slightly thicker, providing a bit more defense. Their diet is a little more balanced, while they still eat plant materials, and things of the sort, they may also be seen eating meat, but still prefer the fish from the swamp.

#### **Rostron**

The Rostron are Tachtan who are similar to alligator snapping turtles. The Rostron originates from Trepheon  like their Occidan brothers, but it isn't rare to see them in Ludwag as well. They have dark brown colored scales, with basically the same durability as other Tachtan. Rostron also developed a more spiky shell, but their most distinguishing feature might be their strong and sharp beak. These turtlemen are also normally vegetarian but they also hunt for and consume much more fish, they catch them with their stronger beaks. They have the same mancy affinity like their green brothers. The average height for a Rostron Tachtan is 5'5" with a weight of around 180 lbs. Rostron diet is similar to the other Tachtan, however they share no dislike for meat, for these Tachtan, everything goes.

## **Dimorphism**

The differences between the male and female Tachtan are difficult to notice at first glance, however a more detailed look at their anatomy reveals that, Tachtan males have their belly shells curved slightly inwards, while the female shell remains flat.

Another noticeable difference comes from their voice, since the female tachtan’s have a slightly higher and ‘feminine’ voice, and their tail, for the Male Tachtan’s tail is longer than the female’s

## **History and Language**

During the height of the Tachtan might, they sent out expeditions into the sea, hoping to quench their ever growing thirst for knowledge, these expeditions caused them to discover new lands down south, a marshy swampland with quick access to the seas. This new land they had discovered was Ludwag, and the tachtan were quick to realize there was a great many deal of things to learn from all around them, new discoveries just waiting to be made. The Tachtan settled the Meridian library after most of the Meridians died out, this civilization was rather short lived though, having only survived for a couple hundred years. Most Tachtan now remember and tell stories of this former Tachtan settlement in the library, which they called 'Prakash'.

Settlements were established, and a portuary presence of the tachtan in the swamps for easy access on the seas came rather quickly, as well as their interactions with the native races of Ludwag which proved to be rather peaceful, for such is the Tachtan nature. It isn’t clear if the Tachtan or the humans were the first to come from Trepheon, however their interaction proved to be much the same in Ludwag as it was there. The turtlemen continued with their customs of veneering the spirits, for they were the ones that guided them, gave them purpose, and bestowed upon them the gift of Mancy.

Tachtan usually are seen to speak Lagartian, however there is a much older language, passed on from generation to generation which is exclusive to the Tachtan. While other races could eventually learn and decipher it, this ancient language is as rarely spoken as the tachtan who know it. Every Tachtan knows lagartian because of culture, since many years ago the Lizardkin were their sworn protectors, thus, Lagartian is seen as their main language, for even today Tachtan and Lizardkin are two species that are always found together.

## **Culture**

Tachtan are a very sedentary culture, usually staying in one place where they grow attached to and defend to their last breath. The Tachtan usually only travel out in furthering knowledge for their mancy, as obtaining a masterful knowledge of any is highly admired among its communities. The Tachtan are also natural diplomats, and can communicate very well with others in a huge array of languages. The oldest Tachtan are highly respected and revered throughout the Tachtan communities, most usually taking a leadership position to guide younger kin.

Tachtan culture is very complex --- their society is a meritocratic system, higher class children being born to well known or credible people in these societies, and having to keep a families line of success going in order to keep living luxurious lifestyles. They were once lead by the Grand Elder Akunva in Trepheon, the oldest and wisest of the Tachtan. All of the communities see him as an example and teach their youngest to revere him and see him as an idol, teaching their children to strive to be like him. Usually they live in large forests in large communities.. They are highly religious and work towards appeasing the spirits and giving them “gifts”, which usually consist of carvings, staffs, crowns of leaves,  or any other hand-crafted item. The Tachtan are against harming other animals, and most are vegetarians. They are very curious and friendly towards everyone that approaches their villages, and will accept anyone who lays down their arms, but will remain very weary of them and watch their visitors closely.