[Legacy Post] d20 Turtles for your swamps... Batrachian or otherwise
I recently picked up The Batrachian Swamps by Micah Anderson and Nate Treme. It’s great but it needs some turtles! So I’ve provided some turtles for you.
CW: references to dismemberment/body horror, animal harm, suicide/death, and possession.
All turtles are cool and resistant to slashing and water damage unless otherwise specified.
- Log Turtle
A common turtle laying atop a log regards you as you pass and won’t move. If touched, it will launch into the water, swimming away in the murky water. - Snapping Turtle
A territorial turtle that will try to bite (d4 damage) anyone who gets near it. Its bite can remove fingers or toes. If it does not bite those parts, it will latch onto its target and can only be removed by prying its jaws open. - Painted Turtle
A turtle with several beautiful stripes along its head and shell. This turtle is immune to electricity, fire, and water damage, making them prized familiars for magic users, scientists, and tech researchers. - Timothy Crabwell!
When a creature capable of speaking sees Timothy Crabwell! for the first time, they will shout “Timothy Crabwell!” and this turtle will look in their direction so you know that that is his name. Timothy Crabwell! understands all languages but won’t speak them. Telepathic speech or attempts to read Timothy Crabwell!’s thoughts are not possible. Timothy Crabwell! can cast Lightning Strike (d12), targeting himself and any creature in a 10 ft radius, destroying his mortal body instantly. Timothy Crabwell possesses any targets killed by this attack! Any survivors gain the condition Timothy Crabwell!’s Revenge! - Alligator Turtle
It is found in shallow, murky water. Disadvantage to spot. If someone steps within 2 feet of it, it bites their ankles (d8). Its bite is capable of removing hands or feet. - Green Turtle
This turtle has green skin and a green shell. Yes. Good. This turtle is looking for a new home. Anyone with animal experience can see this, and a check to domesticate it may be made with advantage. - Softshell Turtle
Swims lazily through the water. Not resistant to slashing damage. Delicious to eat. - Yellow-spotted Turtle
A turtle with yellow spots on its skin and shell. If touched, your skin will also have yellow spots all over the next time you wake up. Until cured, you pine for the swamp. - Black Marsh Turtle
A turtle with a dark, almost black shell, sitting amidst withering vegetation and chomping on a small fish. If a creature moves within 10 feet of it, it ages 5 years and will do so again every minute in the Black Marsh Turtle’s vicinity. If touched, immediately start vomiting black peat. Death occurs in 3 minutes if not cured. Those that die from this condition become a Black Marsh Turtle. - Spiny Turtle
A small turtle with a brown-red shell with serrated edges. Can be thrown to deal 2d4 turtle damage (the Spiny turtle does not take damage.) - Box Turtle
A turtle with black and yellow patches on its shell. Accustomed to humanoids, it can unhinge its jaw to store items within its body. Will give stored items back for cherry tomatoes or eggs. - Mud Turtle
A tiny brown turtle that burrows into the mud when looked at. - Tortoise
This big guy is definitely lost. It is about 3 feet tall at the crest of its shell, capable of carrying a person or a backpack, albeit at a tenth of normal walking speed. Can’t swim, if you throw it in the water gain the condition Turtle Tort. The next turtle you see will arrest you and take you to a Turtle Tribunal for sentencing. - Razorback Turtle
A grey/brown turtle that is mainly aquatic and swims at fantastic speeds. Capable of opening mollusk shells. - Turtle Turtle
Now this is a turtle that turtles! Turtle Turtle wears sunglasses. Turtle Turtle is perhaps the coolest turtle. - Brown Turtle
A turtle that one might describe as “brooooooown” sitting on the shore. Chomping on some reeds currently. - Fire-breathing Turtle
A turtle with red stripes, the mud beneath it has become solid ground, and steam rises from the surrounding area. Only attacks if harmed; it's fire breath dealing d6 damage. Popular in tea shops. - Baby Turtles
2d4 baby turtles swimming and playing in the water. Easy to domesticate at this stage. - Giant Turtle
Seven feet tall at the crest of its shell, this turtle walks lazily through the water. Its bite (d10) can remove arms and legs, but it usually just retreats into its massive shell if attacked. - Turtalitarianism
God Queen of all turtles, 200 feet tall at the crest of her shell. She shakes the earth where she walks. Her shell is pearlescent and contains every color. Her bite (d100 turtle damage) is capable of removing souls. Turtalitarianism is immune to all types of damage, except Turtle. If a turtle testifies that you saved its life, Turtalitarianism will grant you one wish- as long as it involves turtles in some way.