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Originally Posted by
Story Time
...if birds can make it work honu can also. However, I really, really, don't want to spur conflict. What I want is to be encouraging and so I'll quietly suggest a second nose near, or just inside, the shell opening where the forward torso protrudes. This secondary ( it'd actually be primary, because they're bigger ) set of nostrils could easily fill a large set of lungs.
Gills...would not make sense, though I did think of them for a moment.
There's no need to get stressed out about conflict. We all just want to put in our own two cents.
Hmm... Completely different idea. How about they DO have two sets of lungs, but they use them differently? The larger, deeper set are used most of the time, and are good for the usual slow pace they work at. (My research shows big turtles breathe ~4 times a minute, compared to an adult human's ~15 and a halfling-sized child's ~25) But then when adrenaline kicks in, they switch over to the upper set of lungs. They've got a smaller capacity, but they have a much faster rate of exchange. And since the upper body is usually the part that's doing most of the hard work, that's the part with the most immediate access to the extra-oxygenated blood.
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Originally Posted by
Story Time
This part right here confused me. ???:smallconfused:??? I'm sorry, but can you explain?
I mean, the fortified shell ability blocks 50% of crits, not 100%, and if all the important organs are in the shell, there's very little chance of them being struck in combat. And if there's no organs in the upper portion, why would it develop a ribcage/shell? Which would in turn mean I'd have to reimagine the design of the upper body (kinda more like hips, maybe? It'd be really weird and hard to describe).
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Originally Posted by
Story Time
...that's just flat-out cool. :smallbiggrin:
It certainly is, isn't it? And then you count in PC ability scores. An 18 base in con would end up with a shell hardness of 11, harder than steel, and 15 HP.
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Originally Posted by
Story Time
...my mass would like it to stay the way that it is. Auto-regeneration of flesh is a theme in fantasy, but should require some fantastic circumstances to do so. It shouldn't be trivial, mundane, common, or prosaic.
This is a surprisingly thorny issue. I shall have to think on it.
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Originally Posted by
Story Time
Yay for Day-In-The-Life entries! :smallbiggrin:
They're taking longer than expected, but they shall be done!
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Originally Posted by
Story Time
...just to encourage Squish's original point, it shouldn't be easy to repair a shell. Temporary protection or aid could theoretically be applied in a metal plate on the shell and possibly some application of [(nails?)(glue?)]. Herbal poultices and other remedies might be interesting if deemed applicable. I am very interested in medicinal practices that these species use.
And...if I start to be a bother or distraction from Squish's intentional plans about this home-brew, please say so.
Metal plates... idea for item. Steel, or even adamantine shell fortifications. a thin, custom-forged shell cover anchored into the shell with nails or screws. Increase the hardness and HP of your shell. Maybe they can even be enchanted to deal damage to anything attacking your shell?
Medical practices could certainly be a fun topic, too. I'll see if I can address them in the 'day in the life' bits.