"Where brilliance is good and madness is better..."
Helovia Info
Helovia opened in February 2012! We are an active fantasy equine RPG
Where once the world narrowed into naught but gray dust and desolation, the gods called for life. Wielding the elements of fire and light, dark and wind, earth and water, spark and time, they have created Helovia. The realm is set within the mythical globe of Loorien, a planet rich with all variety of creatures and blessed with all manner of magic. Originally populated by nomadic, tribal characters, they've since grown into massive empires saturated with culture and history. Separated into four distinct segments of Helovia, called "The Regions," each band of horse strong enough and capable enough, took up the power and responsibility of leadership. Unicorns, old, wise and mysterious, took to the north, hidden in forests of mists and shadows and rarely making themselves known beyond their cliffs of the World's Edge. Equines, vast, organized and militaristic, split into two, one group went north to the Windtossed Foothills and the other group went south to the Dragon's Throat. Pegasus remained nomadic, making their homes in various parts of The Wilds in a migratory manner. For many generations, the land was peaceful and calm, but peace was never the way of the gods. With a clash of argument, war and bloodshed massacred Helovia, and in the aftermath, the realm was eerily quiet. Now, as newcomers sweep into this land, they are met with the lingering bitterness of the gods and the struggle to reclaim what was lost. Nothing remains safe or certain while sorcerers and soldiers alike brood and bide their time for revenge, honor and glory.
Site Wide Plots
Kaos :: The Beginning of the End ☼ - 6/2017 - Kaos placed Helovia in a time-bubble for a short period of time, but the Helovian gods are fighting back. But Kaos is powerful- far more powerful than anyone thought. This may be the beginning of the end of Helovia as we know it.
Kisamoa :: A New Kind of Kaos ☼ - 3/2017 - Kisamoa asks Helovians to help him restore the Spectral Marsh. Which side will you choose?
Invasions :: All Out War ☼ - 5/2/16 - New layout and the brand new invasion rules are up! Thank you for your patience and we look forward to getting started with this new adventure.
The Rift :: Gods Do Die ☼ - 8/2015 - Helovia Gods are saving the Rift from corrupt gods! Can Helovians band together against these foreign deities?
The Literal Ship ☼ - 2/8/15 - Oh no! You have to pair up for Valentine's day!
Sky Island :: Murder ☼ - 10/25/14 - Vesta has been found dead on the island, and the gods have called to you to solve the murder!
Sky Island :: Peace ☼ - 7/7/14 - An island has appeared in the sky! Clouds carry Helovians from the Veins to the sky.
Restoration :: We Welcome the Dawn ☼ - 9/21/13 - The sun has finally risen on this day, giving the land new light, but the Time God and the Sun God have yet to be seen.
Endless Night :: Broken Magic Plot ☼ - 8/30/13 - The earth god has returned and is walking across Helovia to heal the land. Every area can now be considered lush and prosperous, but the sun has still not risen.
☼ - 7/19/13 - The moon has risen in the sky, heralding the return of the Goddess of the moon. Lamp trees which light the paths have grown brighter, moon flowers which grow in dark places have begun to grow and prosper and the world is brighter, filled with a new hope.
Endless Night :: Dead Magic Plot ☼ - 6/22/13 - The gods of Helovia, in order to protect the world, have disappeared into the rift, leaving the world sunless, moonless and magic-less in their absence. Only the herdlands have a source of light, but lamp-trees with glowing leaves and branches sporadically line the popular roads and paths from place to place.
Doppleganger Plot ☼ - 6/20/13 - The God of Time is still struggling to close the rift though which the dopplegangers have come. He has requested that his brothers and sister assist in closing this hole, but without knowing why it opened, the task is proving difficult. Magic still remains faulty and hard to control, but the herdlands continue to be places of refuge for those who are fortunate enough to call these lands home.
ORANGEMOON cools off the lands with a a viscious force. Colder than normal, a sign of things to come during Frostfall, Helovia is bathed in a rich tropical lushness - albiet a cold one. The coastlines of the Dragon's Throat are pelted constantly by tidal waves, and the desert climate is humid but chilly. Ice begins to form early in the Aurora Basin leaving the winding trails slick and dangerous. The mists of the World's Edge coat everything in a glistening crystalline shine which encourages mould to grow everywhere. The Spectral Marsh is the only area which remains fertile, blissfully temperature and lush.
Cotm
Character of the Month for
June, 2017
WEAVER, Corporal of the Aurora Basin, is a relatively recent addition to Helovia and has taken it by storm. Branded with the seal of Death on her chest, intrigue and interest follow both her past and present. Though she is assuredly beautiful, her sometimes sharp personality reveals that there is more to this uni-peg hybrid than meets the eye. Proving herself able on the battlefield in the Basin’s warrior ranks, we can’t wait to see her test her mettle against the looming Kaos happenings! Congratulations!
Helovia RPG was created by Tamme and Blu and coded by Tamme also known as Schwartze. All coding, palettes and imagery are copyrighted to the website and are not for use outside of Helovia. Thank you to our ServerMaster for hosting Helovia. A special thanks goes to Neo for all of her coding help and fixing Tamme's errors, Boom, for her loyal service and creation of the Time God, and to Ali for her consistent contributions and dedication.
What Gaucho needed most, was simply the absence of thought. It was the constant buzzing of Mara in his brain, that was slowly driving him mad. She flooded his primitive mind with image after image: sands and storms; a mare lost at sea; a quiet healer; a crystalline rose; a flash of lightning; an endless night and trees bleeding light; wraiths and a sickness...The bombardment threatened to throw off the dun's balance, as his inability to multitask left him nearly helpless during Mara's fits of imagery-overload. Gaucho could sense his bonded's frustration, as she constantly worked to force him to remember a life that seemed simply illusory. I no remember! he would mentally shout, forcefully shaking his antlered-skull to try and break her mental hold upon his mind. At this, she would often hiss and sulkily retreat higher in his antlers, biding her time until later, when she would try again.
The absence of thought - that's what Gaucho needed. But moreso, he needed the feeling of flesh pulling against his own. The feeling of teeth and hooves grating against his skin, of his spiked-collar coaxing blood out of another: giving him new memories to fill the dark void in his primitive mind. Maybe he would find an opponent with the ability to knock him unconscious. It was a rare occasion for Gaucho to be bested in battle, although on this evening, he would welcome the unconsciousness of defeat. To sink into blackness where not even Mara's probing mind could disturb him, would be a blessing.
Flying high where the air grew slightly more shallow, forcing his lungs to fight for oxygen, Gaucho haphazardly landed in the Heavenly Fields. Although the sun had dipped below the horizon, warm pinkish tones still filled the skies, creating a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. Yet Gaucho was neither soothed, nor relaxed. The air was mild - warm, but not uncomfortably so, and a light breeze stirred playfully amongst the grasses. All of this - the gently waves of flowers dancing in the warm glow of the evening - Gaucho found annoying. He wanted biting cold - or hellishly hot. He wanted his body to fight merely enduring the elements - not to be pampered by the scenery and pleasant weather.
With a frustrated grunt, Gaucho swept a black wing across the grasses, hoping that the harmless and heatless flames on his wings would set fire to the grass. Of course no such thing happened, and so the dun resorted to thrashing and bucking at the foliage, decapitating as many flowers as possible. Jaws gaping wide, revealing oddly white teeth, the WildFire bellowed loudly and angrily into the still of the evening, his call echoing across the empty fields. It was a sound of pain and anguish, of frustration and need. It spoke of the remedy to his misery, the elixir that could finally soothe his soul, if only temporarily.
Fight me! Beat me!
For @[Aaron] - Teaching Spar.
Setting: Heavily Fields. The sun has set, but there is still ample light. The air is quite pleasant, with only a slight breeze. Feel free to attack first!
Today the painted knight and hellhound returned for the first time to Heavenly Fields. The first time since he had witnessed through Alanna's eyes the murder of his mother. It had been something he had needed to do alone. Although he figured Kimber and Kaiden were probably not very far away. His heart skipped a beat at the thought of her. But the feeling did not last for long as the pair climbed higher and higher up the rocky path. You can do this. Alanna encouraged him mentally. I can, but I am not sure I want to Alanna. He stopped for a moment, about halfway up the path. The garnet and ivory hellhound rubbed gently along his legs. Need to over want to. He nodded silently and continued the climb to the top.
Once there, he just stood at the top of the path. The same spot where Alanna had been able to do nothing but watch his mother die before running back down to him. Slowly, the paint walked forward to inspect the place where she had fallen. Time had rid the ground of her body, but the memory was etched in his mind. However it seemed the Gods were willing to bless him for coming, as where her chest had fallen lay an amulet. It was golden in color, much like his mother's coat had been. He smiled softly, I carry? Alanna questioned gently. Please, until I can get someone to tie it in my mane or create another way to carry it.
It was then the antics of the pegasus caught Aaron's attention. Couldn't he mourn in peace?! Frustrated, the young knight charged the stallion. He screamed, letting go a cry of anger and sadness. Alanna stood, shocked at the display of her bonded. This was not like him. She could feel everything he felt, just as he could feel her confusion. As his anger boiled with every step, her garnet markings began to glow as the anger spread to her as well. They would take this beast on, if for nothing more than a reckless outlet of anger.
"Talking"
Word Count: 353
Attack: 1/4
Aaron charges at Gaucho. Alanna stands in the background for now.
Please Tag Aaron in All Posts
Permission granted to use magic or physical force with Aaron at any time for any reason to any degree, with the exception of killing him.
It never took long, did it? The anguished call from one heart to another in need of physical satisfaction always reached some willing soul, did it not? In Gaucho's experience, it did. And so, as the tobiano stallion appeared, Gaucho's stormy gaze swept approvingly in his direction. Although the paint appeared to have some of the same warmblood traits that Gaucho had, it was as if all of the dun's length and leanness had been squashed down a few hands, resulting in the stockier and smaller Aaron. Joining him, appeared to be some wolfish looking creature - white splashed with a light red. The dun had never seen such a combination before (although truthfully, if he had all of his memories, he might have recalled Loretta was sort of wolfish). In his antlers, Mara hissed softly, sizing up Alanna. Her fur appeared thick ... if it came to it, she'd likely have to target the canine's face or belly, though attacking the belly seemed risky.
As the pair sized up their soon to be opponents, Aaron began to charge, screaming as he did so. Although Gaucho was unaware of whatever caused the paint such anguish, it was a feeling that his primitive mind understood. Fight me. Fight will make everything better. Gaucho thought in earnest. For while the troubles of the world - Gaucho's lost memories, and Aaron's lost family - would still be there after their heaving bodies finally came to a halt, they would be dulled so long as they sought the physical caress of each other, in battle.
As Aaron raced his way, Gaucho spread his black wings. His darkened legs extended easily, as he raced forward to meet Aaron. Sizing the paint up, as if he were some hurdle to be cleared, Gaucho adjusted both his strides, and his wings in tandem. As the space between them dwindled, Gaucho beat his dark wings downward, moving his taller frame into the air. Tucking his forelegs neatly to his blue-striped chest as his wings pulled him higher, he allowed his flame-tipped wings to beat downwards, causing an arch of fire to extend from his blackened feathers. The arch had an extension of about 30ft, which, if Gaucho had judged his extended flight-aided leap correctly, should intersect with Aaron's current trajectory. Then again, perhaps the equine had some magic that would allow him to evade the blast. It did strike Gaucho as strategically silly, for a creature bound to earth to attack one able to take to the skies in the manner that he had but... The dun was appreciative that an opponent had appeared, and would not judge Aaron's tactics.
The WildFire did not remain in the air. He allowed his body to naturally angle back towards the earth, about 20 feet behind where he had last seen Aaron. Dark hooves stretched forward, colliding with the softened ground. Cantering forwards, the dun spun around trying to locate his opponent. In his antlers, Mara's dark gaze sought out her opponent; the white wolf-thing. She had not been a part of the opening attack, but the snake judged that she would not remain in the background for long.
WC: 535
Attack: 1/4
Summary: Gaucho runs towards Aaron, and flies over top of him. As he does so, he uses his magic to send a wall of fire towards him, and lands about 20ft behind him.
OOC Teaching Notes
AAMMMMGGGGG. Using the murder is AMAZING. I had no idea it happened in the Fields - I'm so glad that this is where we're sparring! Excellent, excellent choice to bring that up!
So the judging categories are based on realism, emotion, prose, and readability. In my comments, while I'll give you tips on things I see, I'll focus specifically on what the judges will be looking for. In terms of emotion, your post was great. I would have loved to have seen more - especially where Aaron becomes annoyed that Gaucho is flailing around while he's trying to grieve. I mean, it isn't like Gaucho knew that she was killed here - he wasn't even there. Alanna could have told him that. So why is Aaron annoyed? obviously he's attacking Gaucho as an outlet (They would take this beast on, if for nothing more than a reckless outlet of anger.) But what else? Why isn't he yelling "SHUT THE FUCK UP" as he rushes towards him? So I think that part could have been motivated a little bit more.
I think your biggest area of improvement is going to be writing the actual attacks. So Aaron is charging at Gaucho - what's he trying to do? Just intimidate him? Make him leave the area? Or if he's trying to hit him, where exactly is he aiming? Although you never want to powerplay, in writing spar posts, you need to give your opponent some structure to work with. So even if I decide to evade you completely, or take the damage from some other source, your post sets up where you are in relation to me, as well as what and where I might take damage from. Right now, I just have to guess where Aaron might be, and what he might do after he attacks.
Also keep in mind that your post seems to imply that Alanna is with him - but in your summary you mention she's hanging back. Your summary can never contain new information.
So in looking at the roll, Aaron's attack misses. This is sort of fitting, given that he's just running at Gaucho. We don't really expect a character like Gaucho to just stand around, and get hit by someone just charging at him. But in all honesty, I hate when I roll a 'miss', because I always feel like I'm cheating when I write these posts - and it actually makes it sort of tricky for realism as well. I mean, even if Gaucho runs at Aaron and tries to kick him or bite him, he's going to take some damage, even if it's really minor. So I either need to find a realistic way of ensuring that Gaucho would take any damage at all, or just take damage that wasn't rolled for.
Also I realized I put 4 attack posts - we can just do three if you like. Your call!