Monument Turtle

The Monument Turtle is considered a docile ruler of the sea, with its slow going yet overly prominent size can be mistaken as a small island when sighted in the distance. The diameter of its shell is unknown, though can sometimes vary depending on the age of the Turtle. In general, it can easily be stood on and occasionally even settled upon, including established housing although nothing excessive in proportion to the shell's size. Even then, it can be dangerous considering this massive sea giant can submerge its entire self when needed.

A Monument Turtle is completely neutral towards anything it slowly marches past, unless it happens to be attacked. With long, pillar-like legs where the base of its foot is larger than the entire leg for the purpose of having enough weight to push or break through the materials at the bottom of the ocean. It's head is almost all the time buried beneath the surface of the water, though slowly lifts it after extended amounts of time in order to take in a breath of air, its neck long enough to the point where it can do this without moving its whole body. Moving too close to its legs or feet when swimming can end up being unintentionally treacherous, although there can be beneficial opportunities when trailing behind this beast. As it can leave behind pieces of corals or ocean plants after stomping upon it. While it may seem that the Monument turtle disrupts the aquatic ecosystem, that is not the case, as leaving bits and pieces of these plants scattered about only give more opportunity to replant and grow to larger sizes.

The Monument Turtle never leaves the water. It has specifically developed to thrive within large bodies of waters at all times, its gargantuan and, of course, very cumbersome shell too heavy for it to carry if it completely steps onto dry land. After all, it can traverse almost any range of ocean possible, able to swim slowly but efficiently as it begins reaching deeper depths. Not having any reason to actually want to leave the salty seaway.

One of the few animals that are sometimes fantasized by sea-goers, Monument Turtles have been credited to establish civilizations on their very backs, having their own oceanic environment. Passing up the opportunity to step upon their shells can be considered foolish. They can house a multitude of aquatic plants as well as fish, which follow along with the Turtle as it moves. Sometimes, other greenery and trees which usually thrive on land can grow on their shells, though they must have some sort of source of fresh water, and only certain kinds will take root depending on where the Monument Turtle tends to float throughout most of its life. Blown in from the winds and gathering on its back when it is close enough to the shore.

There are different Monument Turtles that happen to grace the water. While they all happen to be the same species, they vary with color and at times shape. For instance, more midland Turtles will generally have a darker green shell and a somewhat lighter green body. Those in more hot, Southern waters they will have a shell that is shaded in reddish or light brown colors, similar to that of the sands. Northern ones, however, not only have gray or blue hues of its structure, but the front of their shell stands on a higher point. Flat where it faces the water, it acts as a blunt force against sheets of ice which it can break through in order to keep moving.

Distribution

The Monument Turtle is one of the rarest animals on the whole world of Aversia. Young are extremely rare to spot with a singular parent, and because of their colossal size, space is obviously a hindering problem for them. Therefore greatly spreading out in distance with each other. Their numbers are completely unknown, but what is obvious is that finding them is nearly impossible, therefore referred to as a legendary creature.

Habitat

Living anywhere in the ocean, the Monument Turtle always floats just at the surface, lazily swimming throughout their seemingly ageless life. They are most commonly sighted in temperate waters or more tropical locations, although there have also been extremely few sightings of them driving through the ice in Northern regions.

Diet

Monument Turtles have beak-like mouths, though primarily filter water through their mouths, consuming the nutrients floating about in the ocean. They don't have much of a need to eat, so they are often well-fed even on small amounts.

Relations

The Monument Turtle is purely neutral to all creatures, as none currently have the ability to truly hurt or harm the animal. It rarely seems to show much of any emotion, though fish tend to flock around it and benefit off the marine vegetation which grows on it. While attacking the animal can be a cruel act, the only defense it can undergo is diving completely under water to escape. Though it must be in deep enough waters.

Quite unusual, though possible, mundane societies may live atop the exposed shell of a Monument Turtle.

Mechanics

• Monument Turtles are behemoth in size, acting as a small island which constantly yet slowly moves.
• Monument Turtles can house multitudinous plants and fish.
• Monument Turtles are able to crush reefs and vegetation underfoot, leaving behind many pieces available for gathering, or to naturally replant.
• There are subtly different types of Monument Turtles depending on where it travels the most. Midland are mainly green, Southern take on the colors from the Desert sands, and Northern are tinged either blue or gray along with a tougher shell for breaking through ice.

Material Properties

• The shell of a Monument Turtle is very sturdy and thick, almost impenetrable. Varying types of plants can be found and harvested off its surface.

Alchemical Properties

• Unknown

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier