Tortuguan

Description:

The enormous Tortuguan, more commonly referred to as the Siege Turtle, is a nearly unstoppable force. Similar in appearance - if not in size - to a common turtle, a Tortuguan’s shell is approximately 20m long and 15m wide. The flattened tops of their shells, which rise 10m above the ground, are large enough to install large platforms on which to station troops, or mount siege weapons such as catapults or ballistae. Their utility in siege warfare is irrefutable, as they can easily carry fifty humanoids, or mount a fully supplied, crewed and protected siege weapon. While Tortuguan are fairly slow, they are not markedly slower than infantry, and in numbers, can deliver entire armies to their destination fully rested and ready for battle. Tortuguan are amphibious, and so can also be used to ferry armies across water - though expert handling is required, because if a Tortuguan disobeys its driver and dives, those aboard are in serious danger. Their advantage as amphibians, however, comes with a trade-off; they cannot stay healthy for long without water, and they must eat an enormous amount of fresh seaweed and kelp. Trying to march Tortuguan over dry land for more than a couple of days is impossible.