adamantoises

If you have seen an adamantoise, you know it. Massive scalekin, they are primarily known for the vast hard shell surmounting their backs, under the weight of which they waddle along, and sometimes inside of which they hide themselves from predators.

Though feeding primarily on plant life, the adamantoise can prove a burden upon its habitat if allowed to grow too large or too many; needing to feed up to thrice its considerable weight every sennight, it can utterly destroy a grove of trees or marsh of weeds. (1)

Given the rather touchy nature of the Shroud's elementals when it comes to invasive species, the lack of uproar suggests that they are willing to make an exception for the humble adamantoise where it dwells in Rootslake. This has, of course, given rise to a fair amount of debate regarding whether the creatures should be considered invasive or native. (4)

(1) FATE: Full of Rigor Mortis
(2) Lodestone Archive of Hatching-Tide event article
(3) Encyclopaedia Eorzea Vol. 3, p. 263
(4) Encyclopaedia Eorzea Vol. 1, p. 286

Known species/types of adamantoises:

- Chelone
- Adamantoise
- Alpha adamantoise
- Spawning adamantoise
- Alpha tortoise

- Kacchapa
- Thavnairian tortoise
- Iron tortoise
- Aspidochelone
- Crazed archelon

That being said, it is not the fault of the creatures that they are here. Though native to Gyr Abania (as chelones) and Thavnair, their introduction to the rest of Eorzea was quite accidental. During the second Hatching-Tide celebration (the year before the Seventh Umbral Calamity), a handful of adamantoise eggs were accidentally included with a shipment of dodo eggs from Thavnair, where the scalekin are native (and called "kacchapa"). (2)(3)

From there, the hatchling turtles made their way down the Black Tea Brook and into the Black Shroud and Thanalan, and some as far as Vylbrand. (2)

- Giant tortoise
- Gil turtle
- Crazed notochelon
- Shredder
- Chukwa

chelone

The chelone's presence in Gyr Abania well predates the migration of its cousins into the rest of Eorzea, as it figures prominently into Ala Mhigan culture. Its shell being lighter due to the salinity of the Lochs, where it dwells, fishermen would pay a premium; these, they used as fishing boats, for the high curve made for a deep keel, and the salinity of the water gave it extra buoyancy. (5)

However, this tradition came to an end when the Garleans--never hesitant to proclaim something barbaric that pertained to a native culture--declared an end to the tradition of making do.

(5) Encyclopaedia Eorzea Vol. 2, p. 259

Habitat:
- The Lochs, the High Bank

Combat Rating: 69

Special note:​ The chelone has two favored methods of self-defense. One is the infamous Tortoise Stomp, which sends a shockwave all around it. The other is Adamantine Flames, a cone of fire that it breathes in front of it. Hunters would do well to take heed.