Historical Record #
The story of the Tortle becoming sentient didn’t start with a bang. It was more like a slow, quiet hum deep inside the shells of countless generations. On the lush, tropical island of Undaria, the sea turtles always returned to the same beaches to nest. It was there they first found the Prismbloom, a flower whose petals glowed with a pale, soft, magical light. For ages, this plant was just another part of the scenery, an herb they naturally ate that, little by little, began to change them from the inside out.
The alchemical essence of the Prismbloom fueled a deep and slow transformation, finally culminating around 9,500 BR with the first true Tortle. They weren’t just following instinct anymore; a real consciousness was waking up. They learned to use tools, their hands clumsy at first but quickly becoming adept, and they developed a strong connection to the rich earth and the endless, beautiful sea.
In the beginning, their communities were just loose collections of families. The oldest turtles, whose shells held the silent record of centuries of migration, naturally became the people everyone looked to for guidance. These venerated elders, with their accumulated wisdom, became the solid foundation of their first society. By 8,764 BR, the different clans had officially united, calling themselves The Undari Shores. This was a nation of coastal villages run by a council of elders. A Tortle like Hoku, whose shell was a living map of his every journey, made decisions not through shouting orders, but through quiet, patient observation of the old ways and the natural cycles of the world.
For thousands of years, this peaceful existence simply continued. With their long lives and unhurried minds, the Tortle became masters of the island’s plants. Their knowledge of alchemy and herbalism—how to brew potions and mix elixirs—was a communal memory, passed down in stories and even carved into the shells of their most respected Lorekeepers. Their quiet time was only occasionally broken by curious visitors. The Tortle would patiently watch these outsiders, who were nothing more than a brief ripple on the calm waters of their self-sufficient island home.
Then one day, the sky suddenly went bright, burning for an entire day and night as a massive, wild surge of energy swept across the globe. This was a physical shock for the Tortle. The Prismbloom, which had been with them for so long, began to pulse with a blinding, terrifying energy. This cosmic event did more than just amp up their ancient flower; it also brought new, powerful ships that cut through the deep water, arriving with clear purpose. The Tortle, whose lives were measured by the tides, felt the world’s pace suddenly speed up. New ideas, strange technologies, and unfamiliar challenges arrived with every boat. Their traditional council of elders, perfect for a timeless existence, were completely overwhelmed by the complexities of foreign trade and diplomacy. They knew the sea and the earth, but a world suddenly full of new magic and technology was a language they couldn’t speak.
The need for a faster, more effective government became undeniable, and in 2,583 AR, the scattered elders of The Undari Shores met for an event they called The Sea Change. They weren’t greedy for power; instead, they completely rebuilt their government, creating Undaria—a system designed for this new age. They formed specialized councils to handle all the new skills that had become necessary. They established guilds to manage the creation and trade of their famous elixirs, to chart the newly dangerous seas and guide foreign ships, to preserve their history, and to handle diplomatic affairs. Each of these Orders elected its own representative to a central council. A brilliant, young alchemist named Keahi, Seeker of Hidden Roots, was a driving force behind this new structure, pushing with quiet but firm resolve for a system that valued skill and expertise over age alone.
Undaria has proved to be a strong and stable nation, with each Order ensuring its part of society runs smoothly. As their population grew and needs changed, more Orders were added over time. Their alchemical products are now desired all over the world, and their neutral stance in conflicts makes them a valuable trade partner. They have learned to adapt their timeless traditions to modern problems through their enduring spirit and the quiet, steady power they have cultivated since their very first days on the island shores.
Present Day Details #
Founded: 2583 AR
Capitol City: Kelptide
Citizen Population:
Government Type: Council Republic of Orders/Guilds
Leadership:
Language/Name influences: Hawaiian, Maori, Taino
