Sand Wardens

On average, a Sand warden stands at a demure height of three feet. Their four arms and two legs are well-muscled, making them capable of astonishing speed and feats of strength. They are a turtle-like humanoid species native to The Salted Sands . Their naturally thick skin protects them from harm in most cases and the extreme temperatures the desert is known for. A thick shell covers the back of their torso and over their shoulders, continuously growing as they age. Most will train the shell's growth into spikes or blades as a form of weaponry and personal expression. They are horned and plated with crystal-like natural armor on the legs, feet, arms, and rostrum. Each sand warden is unique and has their own personality, but they share a hivemind-like intelligence that allows them to communicate wordlessly and across vast distances.   Sand Wardens are wickedly intelligent and cunning. Hunting their prey in packs, they are the Salted Sands' apex predators, capable of killing any unprepared foe. Matriarchal in nature, each colony has its queen who can telepathically communicate with other colony queens, making them capable of uniting when needed to overcome obstacles and threats with vast numbers.   Life in the unforgiving desert sands has taught them to waste nothing. To honor their dead, they burn their fallen, which removes the flesh from bone, armor plates, and shells. These then are made into needed goods which in most cases is weaponry capable of being honed into a nearly indestructible keen-edged blade in a style of the creator's choosing. However, most wield a dual-bladed polearm, as pictured above.