Buy me a coffeeGiant Tortoise, “The Living Bastion”
“Seemingly harmless and half your height, the Giant Tortoise is a slow-moving tank with a bite that surprises—and a shell that shrugs off your first mistake.”
The Giant Tortoise stands just over three feet tall, its rounded, high-domed shell resembling a sun-bleached boulder mottled with patches of moss and lichen. Its thick, leathery skin is a dull gray-brown, wrinkled like ancient bark. A long, surprisingly agile neck extends cautiously from its shell, supporting a narrow, beak-like mouth and keen, intelligent eyes set low on its broad head.
Behavior:
Docile and deliberate, the Giant Tortoise spends most of its life grazing on low vegetation, basking in warm sun, and slowly ambling from one feeding patch to another. It rarely reacts with urgency, preferring stillness and retreat over confrontation. When threatened, it withdraws into its shell, becoming nearly impervious to casual attacks. Though not aggressive, it will defend itself with a powerful bite if cornered.
Habitat:
Giant Tortoises inhabit warm island chains, coastal lowlands, and sun-drenched desert fringes where predators are few and plant life is abundant. Their preferred environments lack large carnivores, making them common in isolated ecosystems and on uninhabited islets. They often live for decades in the same territory, carving faint trails through the underbrush with their repeated passage.
Modus Operandi:
The Giant Tortoise avoids combat whenever possible. If attacked, it will first withdraw into its shell, relying on its natural armor to deter the aggressor. If escape becomes necessary or it is cornered, it strikes with a heavy, clamping bite and slow but unshakable persistence. In rare instances, a tortoise will use its bulk to block narrow passages, intentionally becoming a living barrier.
Motivation:
Driven by instinct, not malice, the Giant Tortoise seeks only survival—sunlight, sustenance, and security. It shows remarkable patience, and in some magical regions or druid-guarded groves, these creatures develop an affinity for guarding ancient places simply through continued presence. In these roles, they serve not as warriors but as symbols of endurance, balance, and peace with the natural world.
Giant Tortoise 5e
Giant Tortoise, Pathfinder
Giant Tortoise
Medium Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class 16 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Speed 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) | 6 (–2) | 13 (+1) | 2 (–4) | 12 (+1) | 5 (–3) |
Saving Throws Con +3
Skills Perception +3
Senses Passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Traits
Low Profile.
The giant tortoise is considered to have half cover when occupying underbrush, rock clusters, or similar natural terrain.
Buoyant.
The tortoise cannot sink in water, even when unconscious. Though it cannot swim effectively, it remains afloat and is not subject to drowning unless restrained underwater.
Slow and Steady.
The tortoise’s speed is not reduced by armor, encumbrance, or nonmagical difficult terrain.
Natural Camouflage.
The tortoise has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in natural environments such as forests, grasslands, or coastal regions.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Withdraw Into Shell (1/Short Rest).
The tortoise pulls its limbs and head into its shell as a bonus action, gaining the following benefits for up to 1 minute or until it ends the effect as a bonus action:
- AC increases by +4.
- Advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws.
- The tortoise cannot move, take actions, or speak.
- Attempts to forcibly move it require a DC 14 Strength check.
Shell Bash (Recharge 5–6).
The tortoise lunges with its shell in a sudden, powerful movement.
Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Tactics
- Avoids confrontation unless provoked or startled.
- When threatened, uses Withdraw Into Shell defensively and waits out danger.
- If cornered, uses Shell Bash to knock foes prone and create space.
- Takes advantage of terrain to hide or position itself as a barrier.
- May block narrow passages or protect eggs or grazing grounds through sheer immovability.
Description
The giant tortoise is a docile, long-lived herbivore native to warm islands, deserts, and lowland forests. Its heavy domed shell, leathery hide, and slow gait make it appear harmless—until provoked. While not aggressive, its jaws can break bone, and its size makes it a stubborn obstacle in tight terrain.
Despite their simplicity, giant tortoises have become symbolic in druidic and natural cultures as emblems of endurance and ancient wisdom. Some are used as passive guardians of sacred sites or companions to reclusive sages. Their placid demeanor conceals a surprising resilience that has allowed them to survive in harsh, predator-filled worlds for centuries.
Giant Tortoise
This tortoise is half the height of a human, and has a domed shell, leathery skin, and a long neck.
Giant Tortoise CR 1
XP 400
N Medium animal
Init –2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +7
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 8, flat-footed 16 (–2 Dex, +8 natural)
hp 22 (3d8+9)
Fort +8, Ref +1, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 10 ft.
Melee bite +4 (1d6+3)
STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 7, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 9
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, Great Fortitude
Skills Perception +7 (+3 for sound–based checks); Racial Modifiers –4 Perception for sound–based checks
SQ buoyant, shell, slow and steady
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Buoyant (Ex)
A tortoise that fails a Swim check by 5 or more does not sink.
Shell (Ex)
As a move action, a tortoise can pull its extremities and head into its shell. It can’t move or attack as long as it remains in this state, but its armor bonus from natural armor increases by 4 as long as it does. It may end this state as a move action.
Slow and Steady (Ex)
A tortoise’s speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.
ECOLOGY
Environment warm deserts or islands
Organization solitary, pair, or herd (6–12)
Treasure none
Giant tortoises typically live on tropical islands without large predators. Despite their impressive shells, their slow speed makes them easy prey, especially for vermin and other creatures that consume their eggs. Tortoises are herbivores, and can survive for months or even years without food or water. Despite being poor swimmers, their buoyancy and long necks capable mean they can survive for significant periods at sea.
A typical giant tortoise is 3-1/2 feet tall to the top of the shell and weighs 500 pounds.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 4 © 2013, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors: Dennis Baker, Jesse Benner, Savannah Broadway, Ross Byers, Adam Daigle, Tim Hitchcock, Tracy Hurley, James Jacobs, Matt James, Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Tom Phillips, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K Reynolds, F. Wesley Schneider, Tork Shaw, and Russ Taylor.