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--- shardbacks [2025/03/30 06:32] – [Tactical Advice for Dungeon Masters] admin
+++ shardbacks [2025/09/29 06:27] (current) – admin
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 ====== SHARDBACK ======
+{{ :shardback_gg_scenic_2d.png?200|}}
 ===== Overview =====
-Shardbacks are medium-sized, turtle-like creatures native to the rocky shorelines and marshy outcrops of [[lake_tijonara|Lake Tijonara]] in the [[asari|Asari Region]] of the [[habitual_belt|Habitual Belt]] on [[the_planet_voi_700_d|VOI 700 D]]. Recognizable by their broad, armored shells covered in jagged, mineralized spikes, these herbivorous reptiles play a crucial role in the lake's ecosystem by controlling aquatic vegetation.
+The Shardback, known to the [[the_senti|Senti Tribe]] as "Duramak" (“Stone-Shelled Guardian”), is a shoreline reptile native to the rocky shallows and reed margins of [[lake_tijonara|Lake Tijonara]] in the [[asari|Asari Region]] of the [[habitual_belt|Habitual Belt]] on [[the_planet_voi_700_d|VOI 700 D]].
+Recognizable by its mineral-rough shell and curved, bird-like beak, the Shardback is a calm, deliberate grazer that prunes aquatic plants and keeps deltaic channels open. The Senti regard it as a waterway keeper; first baskers of the season are taken as signs of balanced floods.
-Respected by the [[the_senti|Senti Tribe]] as peaceful guardians of balance, Shardbacks are often depicted in tribal carvings and lakebed sculptures.
 ===== Physique and Appearance =====
   * **Size:** Shell length up to 60 cm
   * **Weight:** 15–20 kg
-  * **Shell:** Broad, dome-shaped, coated in irregular mineral spikes
+  * **Shell:** Broad, low dome with irregular, stone-textured spurs; edges chipped like river rock
-  * **Skin:** Dark green to muddy brown, with algae often growing along limbs
+  * **Beak:** Sharp, keratin beak (parrot-like curve) for shearing reeds and scraping algae
-  * **Mobility:** Slow on land, agile in water using wide, webbed limbs
+  * **Skin:** Dark green to muddy brown; algae often colonize limbs and scutes
+  * **Limbs:** Wide, webbed feet; powerful for swimming and steady footing on slick rock
+  * **Posture:** Low center of mass; slow on land, agile in water
-==== Special Features: ====
+==== Special Features ====
-  * **Mineralized Shell Spikes:** Offer natural defense and act as camouflage among rocky outcrops
+  * **Mineral Camouflage:** Shell spurs break up outline among stones and roots
-  * **Powerful Jaw:** Grinds through thick aquatic vegetation and deters aggressive intruders
+  * **Reed Shear Beak:** Efficiently clips fibrous stems; can deliver warning nips to intruders
-  * **Algae Camouflage:** Natural algae growth on shell and limbs blends with lake terrain
+  * **Algal Mantle:** Natural algal film improves concealment and houses beneficial microbes
 ===== Game Mechanics =====
-  * **Armor Class (AC):** 15 (due to spiked mineral armor)
+  * **Armor Class (AC):** 15 (mineralized shell)
   * **Hit Points (HP):** 28
   * **Speed:** 20 ft. (land), 30 ft. (swimming)
-==== Actions ====
+**Actions**
+  * **Beak Shear:** +4 to hit, 1d6+2 slashing (plants or creatures); against plant matter, deals double damage
+  * **Shell Bash:** 1d6 bludgeoning; DC 13 Strength save or pushed 5 ft.
+  * **Defensive Withdraw:** Retract and brace; gains +2 AC and resistance to bludgeoning until start of next turn
-  * **Shell Bash:** 1d6 bludgeoning + knockback (DC 13 Strength save or pushed 5 ft.)
+**Special Abilities**
-  * **Defensive Withdraw:** Retreats into shell, gaining +2 AC and resistance to bludgeoning for 1 turn
+  * **Vegetation Sense:** Detects motion through plant contact within 15 ft.
+  * **Shell Stability:** Cannot be knocked prone while in water or on soft substrate
-==== Special Abilities ====
+  * **Stone Stillness:** Advantage on Stealth checks when motionless among rocks
-  * **Vegetation Sense:** Detects movement in aquatic plants within 15 ft.
-  * **Shell Stability:** Cannot be knocked prone while in water or on soft terrain
 ===== Behavior =====
-  * **Diet:** Aquatic vegetation, roots, algae
+  * **Diet:** Aquatic vegetation, shoots, tubers, filamentous algae; opportunistic biofilm grazer
-  * **Social Structure:** Generally solitary but may bask in loose aggregations
+  * **Social Structure:** Mostly solitary; loose basking clusters in calm weather
-  * **Activity Pattern:** Most active during calm weather
+  * **Activity Pattern:** Midday basking, crepuscular foraging in shallow margins
-==== Survival Strategies: ====
+==== Survival Strategies ====
-  * **Shell Camouflage:** Remains motionless among shoreline stones and reeds to avoid predators
+  * **Freeze and Blend:** Holds still among cobbles; predators overlook the “stone”
-  * **Basking Clusters:** Warms up by sunning in groups, deterring threats through numbers
+  * **Channel Keeper:** Regular grazing prevents reed choke points, benefiting small fish and invertebrates
+  * **Cautious Nipper:** Short, warning beak strikes deter harassment without escalation
 ===== Reproduction and Lifecycle =====
-  * **Nesting Sites:** Females dig shallow nests near the lake’s rocky edge
+  * **Nesting Sites:** Shallow scrapes above the splash line on warmed gravel
-  * **Egg Count:** 3–6 per clutch, with hardened mineral shells
+  * **Egg Count:** 3–6 per clutch; tough, mineral-rich shells
   * **Hatching Time:** 8–10 weeks
-  * **Juvenile Phase:** Young Shardbacks resemble miniature versions of adults and remain near reeds
+  * **Juveniles:** Miniature adults; remain near reed cover and rock pockets
   * **Lifespan:** Estimated 40–50 years
 ===== Tactical Advice for Dungeon Masters =====
-Shardbacks are perfect for setting tone or environmental challenge in semi-aquatic terrain:
+  * **Natural Obstacle:** Basking clusters block narrow landings or canoe pull-outs
+  * **Resource Hook:** Harvested (non-lethal) beak scrapings or shed shell chips as alchemical abrasives or camouflage dust
-  * **Obstacle Creatures:** Passive unless provoked; blocking narrow paths or channel crossings
+  * **Ecology Clue:** Areas with trimmed reed corridors hint at Shardback presence — and safer, clearer water
-  * **Ingredient Source:** Their mineralized shells may serve in crafting or trade
-  * **Spiritual Role:** Senti quests may involve protecting or tracking a rare Shardback nesting site
 ===== Related Pages and Further Information =====
   * [[the_planet_voi_700_d|VOI 700 D]]
   * [[habitual_belt|Habitual Belt]]
   * [[asari|Asari Region]]
   * [[lake_tijonara|Lake Tijonara]]
   * [[the_senti|Senti Tribe]]
   * [[wildlife_of_asari|Known Wildlife of Asari]]
 **Known Predators:**
+  * [[bluestrike_heron|Bluestrike Heron]] (juveniles)
-  * [[bluestrike_heron|Bluestrike Heron]] (juveniles)
   * [[skyweaver_eels|Skyweaver Eels]] (hatchlings)