World of Animals/Helen

Helen is the seventh party member players encounter in World of Animals, and serves as a sort of defender with access to light skills.

## Bio

Helen is the captain of the Shepherds' Royal Guard. She's the daughter of the Noble of Development, Julin. Her relation may've helped her get a jump on learning about the brand new invention, guns, which much of the Royal Guards now wield. And thanks to her performance before the Shepherds, where she outdid Simone in a demonstration of the abilities of the weapon. Following that, the outdated weapons were shelved, and much of the staff were forced to either seek new careers, or learn all about the gun.

She's commonly seen with Shepherds when out on the field, though is mostly in the background. However, come news of the Dragon's arrival towards the beginning of Iuli, she leads the guards in an attempt to see the dragon herself, which leads to it becoming a subject of interest for the Shepherds. After that, and after the defeat of the beast that'd taken Seimester, Helen arrived back in Rusal, where she announces the Shepherds chose to send her to help guard the dragon.

## Character Description

Helen stands 6'0". She appears to have an average build, though wears thick, cast iron armor. There are red highlights throughout the suit, shining metal plates within said highlights. She herself is a wolf with gray fur, her head typically seen without her helm to expose the gray upper fur and the white under fur visible from her cheeks down her neck. Her tail's also seen peeking out through the back of her armor. Said armor also has a long sheath at the side for storing her gun.

* As a Royal Guard - In turn-based battles, Helen stands up straight, steely gaze forwards, her holding her rifle parallel to her chest. She holds the shaft in her left hand, and the handle in her right, her right hand low and her left hand high. When performing a normal attack, she quickly straightens out her gun and holds it forwards while looking down the sight, blasting the foe with a quick bullet. A critical hit has her hold the gun and aim just a little longer, before a wicked glint appears in her eye and she strikes the foe right in the head. When casting spells, she simply removes her gun from her left hand, props it on her shoulder as the magic charges in the palm of her left hand, before she thrusts it out to strike a foe with the spell.

* As a Vanguard - Helen stands upright, her body turned such that one foot is forwards and the other is behind, giving her enough room to aim her minigun forwards. Helen wears armor thicker than her usual, this one appearing several sheets thicker while boasting small channels for bullets to run through, and red highlights. For normal attacks, the cylinders of the minigun spin, before several bullets strike the enemy. If she crits, she rushes forwards and rams the head of her weapon into the foe, while also assailing them with a spray of bullets. When she casts magic, she releases one hand from the gun, the head pointing towards the ground, as she extends her hand to cast the spell.

* As an Outsider - Helen is leaning back on her right leg, her looking to take a loose stance while she leans her boomerang on her right shoulder. She wears loose, gray pants that look like those for pajamas, and a red tshirt, and a pair of black gloves. For normal attacks, she rears her right arm back, before hurling her boomerang at the foe, it slashing through them before returning to her hand. When she crits, she holds her boomerang low to the ground, spins around several times, before hurling the boomerang insanely fast at her foe, it driving through them and ending up back in her hand. When she uses Stab skills, she holds the boomerang in reverse grip before racing to her enemy, bringing the weapon up, and ramming the edge down onto the foe. When casting damaging spells, she extends her left arm towards the enemy, wiggling her fingers, before casting the spell at the enemy.

## Gameplay Stats

### Royal Guard

Helen wields a rifle, normal attacks dealing Stabbing damage. She has with her a few Stabbing skills, some Light spells, and has the unique distinction of learning reflect skills, which makes it so she can have players reflect one physical or magical attack, the type of attack varying depending on the skill she uses. She also learns defense boosters, which helps keep party members safe. Her defense is fairly remarkable, as is her HP. Her attack isn't too bad, but her speed and magical attack are somewhat lacking.

The below assumes that Helen is at about Level 1. Each stat is accompanied by their growth rate, representing approximately by how much either stat goes up each level up.

* Healthpoints (HP) - 29 (65%)
* Spell Points (SP) - 8 (25%)
* Strength (St) - 8 (55%)
* Magic (Ma) - 5 (20%)
* Endurance (En) - 9 (70%)
* Mentality (Me) - 8 (65%)
* Agility (Ag) - 4 (25%)
* Luck (Lu) - 8 (45%)

### Vanguard

Helen wields a Minigun, which deals Stabbing damage with normal attacks. Helen has the unique ability of dealing multiple hits with her normal attack, which works well with her ability to Blk stabbing damage in case she's dealing with a Wall. Helen becomes even more defensive though less speedy. She has access to more stab skills, more Light magic, and even some Pure magic.

### Outsider

Helen wields a Boomerang, which deals Slashing damage with normal attacks. Helen becomes one of few party members who has access to multi-targeting physical strikes, and she becomes an evasive tank. She has access to Water magic, as well as access to some more restorative magic, which helps her out on account of her already buffing moveset.

## Social Links

1. This rank is achieved upon her joining the team.
2. Here, Helen is touring around the church, led by Sesuna's brother. She's currently going through a set of halls, when Simone comes up across them. He's clearly upset. Gero seems very interested in Helen, commenting on her armor and her weaponry. He asks her how she got that kind of equipment. She admits that her father helped speed her along through the academic courses, though it was all up to her to put the work in. It took her many an endurance training before she could wear armor, and that was a few years before she could be considered a royal guard. Her father set up private courses in gun work, where attendees would have to learn them inside and out, from maintenance to ammunition to aiming to recoil.
Simone can then remark "Sounds familiar" or "I thought you were teaching her". At that, Gero suddenly notices the mink before saying that Helen's been a very good tourist. She seems to be recognizing the layout of the church easily as they go through more and more of the tour. Simone nods with a hint of malice, when Helen decides to approach. She says that she hasn't quite gotten to know much of Simone one on one, and if her training's taught her anything, then she needs to get to know the strengths and weaknesses of those she fights alongside.
She ponders whether they should have a spar or exchange notes on personal techniques. Simone can either say "I'll show you the business end of the sword" or "Stay in the back, don't worry". To the latter, Helen says that they won't get anywhere arguing like this. To the former, Helen says that perhaps they should deal with less hostile conditions.
Helen supposes she still has more church to memorize, so she'll go back to the tour. She'll speak with Simone more one on one later.
3. Helen's seen nearing Jenkins' Armory, where she looks over some of the equipment, while remarking at how quick the guards were to supply guns to this shop. Simone is soon upon her, when she turns and notices the mink. She asks him if he's here to buy a new sword. Simone can either say "Just browsing the city..." or "Of course...". Helen seems to notice the strange pause, though she adjusts herself in place. She notices that Simone has a fairly rigid expression. She then says that the people that've been cross with her have either been bad guys, or someone she upset. And Simone doesn't look like a bad guy.
With that, Simone can either say "Do you really not know me?" or "You ruined my life!" To the former, Helen gives pause, before looking over him more closely, slowly beginning to realize. To the latter, Helen doesn't seem to register at first, merely staring at him like that'll get her closer to the answer, before realizing. She remarks that he was there to show off the strength of the sword. She's surprised she hadn't realized beforehand, though... She never really learned what became of him after the demonstration, she'd always assumed he'd gone back to training.
Simone seems even more upset now that she just disregarded him after she kickstarted his spiral downwards. He seems visibly steamed, and tells her about how he was forced to go into banditry thanks to her. Helen then gives pause, before saying she'll have to go back to work and make sure the guns are in proper order. She suggests that Simone leaves her alone for a little while, so that they may speak more about this issue at a date when her duties aren't required.
4. Helen's next seen over in the church's resting sector, near her own room, the rooms cleared out after the Hybrid was slain. Once there, Helen says that she supposes she's been integrated into the church just fine now. She says that she should show her appreciation to the clergy again, and asks Simone if he knows where they are. Simone can then say "Shove it" or "Shut up". Helen pauses again, before muttering and leaning back. She asks him where he thinks he's getting off, berating her.
Simone seems alarmed at this change in composure, only for Helen to shake her head. She says that she shouldn't say such thing as a guest. She says that for the moment, she feels that Simone's vitriol is misguided, him standing in the light of something as esteemed as a dragon. Simone pauses for a bit, before grunting in annoyance. He can then say that "You humiliated me" or "You ruined me". Helen's steely persona drops again as she glares at the vagrant, before sighing.
She says that she'll search for that clergy herself. As she leaves, she turns to Simone and warns that if he still wishes to seek her out to berate her, then they'll take it to her room.
5. Here, Helen is waiting by her room. Upon approaching, Helen notices that Simone isn't as upset as usual. Simone seems unsure about this, though Helen says that if nothing else, then she needs this. So, Simone can say "O...K..." or "Let's..." With that, the two enter her room, where Helen says no weapons, no armor. Quickly, the two strip down, boasting only their undershirts, at which Helen then tells Simone to "put them up". Simone seems confused for a moment, only to get a swift call to reality with a punch to the face. They stumble back, though stand tall.
Helen rushes in again, and Simone brings up her arms to brock. Helen asks them what right they have to judge her. She follows up with a strike to their belly, though the latter shoves her back with a strike to the chest. There, Helen says that her father's always put her on a pedestal, always made her an idol to the general public. She's always been built higher and higher, to the point where one wrong step from that plateau would kill her! She goes in for a hook, punching Simone across the face. Helen says that Julin wanted her to represent a weapon no one had come to learn the existence of until so soon! The classes were filled with equally ignorant students, but she was already a savant among the people, Julin made sure everyone thought that!
She goes for another hook, where Simone ducks under it and punches her in the abdomen. She headbutts Simone back, and says that she couldn't show weakness, she couldn't ask questions. She was the noble's number one, the little trophy daughter, what would she look like if she raised her hand to get a lesson?! She delivers several punches, prompting Simone to guard each of them. She says that she had to remain sleepless so often to just keep up with the technology, she's taken any Stimson she could, she's developed an addiction to it, all so she can look like the perfect, perfect woman Julin always said she was! And yet here Simone is, having failed spectacularly enough to be disowned, now standing right-hand to the dragon! And they have the gall to tell her how she ruined their life?!
Throughout, the two are forced to come to blows, when the final hit nears. Simone can either (Punch her) or (Take it). To the former, she's knocked off her feet and forced to tumble, gasping and wheezing, clearly having been spent. To the latter, she pants and pants, before slumping back while Simone lays in a heap. Either way, she says that she's never, ever let loose like that. She feels like she's all on fire... but it feels nice. Simone can notice tears have started to come down. She apologizes for that, part of her was sure that she'd explode if she stood by while Simone ranted at her.
There's another pregnant pause, when Helen asks him to keep this a secret. She says that they don't have to visit her again, but they can't divulge any of this.
6. The two are riding in a trolley over to a Military Camp, Helen seeming worried in only body language, though not in the face. Simone looks over and can say "You can say if you're uncomfortable" or "Penny for your thoughts?" Helen says that she's going to get used to it. She says she's about to take a step she never would've before. She'll shove herself in front of a bunch of her fellow comrades, set up a target, and miss for the first time. She needs Simone to be there, just in case... Simone seems to urge her to continue, to which Helen continues ust in case the world collapses or something, she doesn't know. Just to remind herself that a little failure keeps on keeping on.
Simone seems slightly offended, though follows her. She steps out and can see a field with a few soldiers doing drills. She steps out and approaches, though not before telling the horseman that they won't be long. They get closer and closer, when the military training see Helen. Seeing her, they get into a bow. She tells them at ease, and they stand back up. She says that here she wishes to show her gunmanship to the crowd. Hearing that, there's elation among the soldiers. A personal demonstration from *the* captain?! Amazing! They immediately go about setting up the target rig, when Simone steps next to Helen. He can say "Fail, don't misaim" or "Be legit".
Helen gives a nod, before approaching. She tells them to make sure it's at full difficulty, and steps into the shooter spot. The targets are far away and moving at high speeds. Helen aims and takes a few breaths, her gun shaking a little in her hands. She glances over towards Simone, who gives her a knowing nod. Helen takes a deep breath and aims, before firing.
There are three targets available. She breaks one target with one shot. She breaks a second with a second. She takes some breaths and aims again, and finds it a bit tricky to follow. She breaths again, and fires. The planes are only filled with the sound of a gunshot, sans the noise of wood splitting. The soldiers seem confused before gazing. Helen herself seems surprised and keeps her pose, before sighing. She aims again, and fires, splitting the target with this shot. And at that, there is cheering from the soldiers.
Helen sighs contently, before sheathing the gun. She approaches Simone and asks if there's any tear in reality or disgusted looks or anything. Simone looks towards the soldiers, who seem to be going back to work. Helen remarks that everything's just going on like normal. That failure was just a bump in the road. That was probably what it was like with Simone, right? Helen nods, and says that she's made a good head start on her goals, now seems like a good time to return to Rusal.
7. Helen and Simone are at the entrance of the church. There, she says that she's been working on mistakes more and more, and she thinks she's been getting used to it. Though, there's still the matter of her addiction. Helen says that she thought it'd be easier to deal with on account of her getting better and better with failure, but Stimson's done things to her. And she realizes that it isn't healthy, and she needs help getting rid of it. She needs to avoid buying any, and to avoid injecting any for a while.
She shudders a little and admits that she's gone to that nurse nearby, to which Simone says "Maybe we can inform her" or "She could avoid service". And at that, Helen says that that might be the best plan right now. The attacks typically only come at night, which means the trollies won't be able to get her out. Though, what if she gets the urge to get some in preparation. Simone strokes his chin contemplatively at that, and decides they should speak with Jackie first.
A quick trip over there has her greet them, asking what they need. Helen seems ready to talk, though locks her lips before she can explain. Realizing the situation, Simone can say "Someone we know has an addiction" or "She needs to not be given something". Helen seems to wince at the latter reaction. The panda strokes her chin at the story, before seeming to understand. She's able to learn that the Stimson in question is the issue, and says that she can make sure the stuff is out of the subject's hands.
She also says that, in case she, before correcting herself to say in case "someone" needs it, she's hosted a few support groups for addicts. She understands that it can be a bit embarrassing for people to go, but she assures that it's a place only of support and improvement. Helen listens though seems a little uncertain. Simone asks for a card, at which the apothecary hands over a card with a time and location on it. Helen takes it up and supposes that someone they know will receive it. Jackie nods, and the two head out.
8. This is available only after Septmi 21. Here, Simone can find Helen seeming miffed and distant, especially compared to the rest of the group. Approaching her, she seems unwilling to talk. Simone can ask "How's everything?" or "Are you handling yourself?" Helen gives pause, before sighing and drawing out a paper. She says that Jackie took control and, before everything started, her father was working on a project that he'd have trusted only to her. Apparently Sesuna will be disbanding the military, meaning Helen herself won't really have the title of "captain" to rely on. However, Jackie reached out to her and asked her to take up Julin's final weapon as compensation for the news, but there's no way she should support that maniac's wish, right?
Simone still notices that she's conflicted. Simone can suggest "Maybe speak with Jackie?" or "Speak at Julin's burial?" Helen still seems unsure. She says that she's not sure with either. Simone lets her think for a bit, when she decides that she thinks maybe she just has to shout all of her rage at Julin, finally. With that, the group heads towards Runal and arrive at the graveyard. They approach, and find one tombstone with his name on it, surprised at their being flowers left. The two stand before the grave, and Helen seethes.
She begins to ask Julin if he knows what he put her through, what making her look perfect led her to becoming, just so she wouldn't fall. Her ire rises and soon she breaks into shouting, ranting to him similarly to how she ranted to Simone when they fought before. However, she's soon snapped out of her rant when they hear someone. They both turn and see Jackie, holding a bouquet of flowers. He says he didn't expect to see anyone else before Julin's grave. He sets the bouquet down, and there's uncomfortable silence, before Helen asks what's the deal with him and Julin?
Jackie explains that back in college, the two turned out to be roommates. Julin wound up willing to confide in him the kind of tortures his parents put him through to make sure he was great enough to become a Shepherd. He met a wonderful lady, but seemed torn. Julin approached him in the past and wanted to test his feelings. One night later, they decided that they'd just be friends, and he went on to that lady. Helen was soon born, but Julin's lover had passed away during birth, and in the moment, Julin had confided in him.
Jackie turns to Helen and says that, maybe he's just speaking out of bias, and maybe it's not safe to say this, but he doesn't believe that Julin ever had malicious intent in his action. If it meant the betterment of the world, then he'd go after it. Similarly, he feels that he needed to give Helen the praise that he never got, though it seems like he compensated too hard.
Helen seems shaken by the information and seems downtrodden. Helen starts shedding a few tears. She wanted dearly to see him as a monster, but deep down, some part of her wasn't willing to accept it. More tears come forwards, and she actually drops to her knees, surprising Jackie. Simone watches as Helen cries over Julin's grave, and can "Give her space" or "Hold her close". Eventually, she's able to finish, and says that she feels calmer now... she feels calmer. She stands and tells Jackie that her answer will come soon.
9. Simone's meeting Helen in her room. And here, she's seen looking over the paper she showed Simone earlier, clearly in contemplation. She greets Simone, and says that she's not really any closer to seeing whether or not she should take Jackie's offer. Simone can say "Don't feel like you owe them" or "You shouldn't feel compelled to if you don't". Helen assures them that she isn't. She says that she's glad she could make a more proper judgement of Julin, because deep down, she knew her attitude wasn't right, not when she couldn't see the full picture of him.
She looks over it and still isn't sure. A lot of studying will be involved, and she'll have to do a lot of work with this thing. If she doesn't... She looks towards Simone, and supposes that there are worse fates than not learning a new weapon. She looks at the letter, and supposes that this weapon could garner a lot more power for them. Simone can say "We could use more power" or "Vegging out sounds good". Helen agrees with either.
Still... she strokes the letter with her thumb and keeps on thinking. She sighs and leans back, before handing the note towards the mink. They take it up and look it over. Helen says that they've done a lot for her already, but she'll have to ask for one last thing. As someone that's sort of been in their shoes, what do they think she should do. Simone looks over the letter and reads, all while thinking back to what they've been through. And then, the time seems to freeze as players are told that "This is a life-changing decision. Choose your ally's fate". They're presented two options: "Go through with it" - This leads Helen down the vanguard path, a warrior of extreme defensive and offensive power, with which she'll be able to tear through enemies. "Disregard it" - This leads Helen down the outlander path, which garners a big boost in agility, netting not only many debilitating physical moves, but the ability to hit multiple foes with physical attacks.
-**Go through with it** - Simone decides to tell Helen that their journey hasn't been rewarding. They say that they've gone through things that they really shouldn't, and really, it's only luck that they got where they are. Helen has a lot more promise than they do, and that she shouldn't throw it away yet. Hearing that, Helen pauses, before nodding. She supposes that they're right. Despite how Simone appears today, Helen's gravely exaggerated how easy they must've had it in their failure. She says that she'll have to hit the books, but is thankful that the apothecary won't be able to give her those drugs.
-**Disregard it** - Simone explains that Helen's been through plenty already, and this will just make it harder on her. Hearing that, Helen sighs gratefully. She thanks Simone for supporting her, and thanks them for saying that. She sets the paper aside, before walking away. She says that she should let her fur breathe. Especially now that her military rank will be as mud. She then fiddles with her armor, and the suit comes off in chunks, unveiling some slightly more comfortable clothes underneath. She marches over to the bed and looks down at it, before sighing. She then unceremoniously flops onto the bed, and almost immediately begins snoozing.
10. Rank 10 is different depending on the Life Changing choice at 9.

* **Vanguard Route** - This takes place if players prompt Helen to keep studying. With this, Simone's seen near Runal, near that building Julin worked on his construction. Apparently Helen had asked for them to hang here and wait for her. As he waits, the front door opens, and loud footsteps begin echoing out. Simone looks on, and seems alarmed. Out comes someone in armor that itself looks to be muscular, boasting not just thick plating but also flag-shaped flairs extending off of her armor. Said armor also appears to have channels running through them, and within these channels are several tracks of bullets.
Helen approaches Simone, and says that her study time's been so much less intense than college. Yet despite that, she passed with flying colors. Simone asks "What the heck is this?" or "Holy-!" Helen remarks that the armor was a bit of a surprise, but it feels kind of nice. It's pretty heavy, but she feels as tough as a tower in this. She says that she thought Simone should see the capabilities of this thing, it's so cool! Simone seems alarmed at the excitement, and Helen clears her throat, saying that she's not normally like that.
Either way, the two head out to the plains and approach a dead-looking tree. Helen recommends Simone stands back. She then reaches to her back, before pulling forth a thick gun, it bearing long tubes on a rotatable cylinder. It appears to be a minigun, and the tracks of bullets come out from one spot of the armor to attach to a slot to the minigun. She holds up the gun, the machine spins and whirs to life, and then a torrent of bullets soar forth.
Simone seems surprised and falls onto their backside and watch as the bullet tears the tree apart, shredding the trunk and slowly eating up the upper half of the plant before slowly stripping it down to its roots. Eventually, what's left of the tree is gone, and Helen turns off the machine, the rotating cylinder coming to a halt.
She seems stunned by the power of this thing, and Simone can say "That was amazing!" or "HOLY-!!!" Helen herself seems to struggle to say something, before giving a soft laugh. She could never imagine getting her hands on something as all powerful as this! She feels like a whole army herself! She sets the minigun on her back, and sighs happily.
Simone looks over her and can say "You seem a lot different" or "You're... enjoying this?" Helen supposes that she got to understand stuff better thanks to these past many weeks. She hated a lot about what it took to become the captain, but lately, she's found herself being able to enjoy herself more now that she's learned to take failure on the chin. She didn't even need an all-night study to get good enough to hold this weapon!
She says that if she hadn't vented to Simone before, then she probably would've just fallen into the same pitfalls her old self did. She thanks Simone for their assistance with everything, for teaching her all about how to be less stressed. She also thanks them for standing by her with the Julin stuff... She swears to lend her firepower to the group, and she gently plants a hand on Simone's shoulder affectionately. With this, the Social Link is finished, and Helen is officially awarded the title of **Vanguard**.
* **Outsider Route** - This takes place if players say Helen should relax. With this, Simone's seen hanging out by Helen's room, apparently prompting to come and see her. Simone waits there for a bit, before the door opens up. Simone seems shocked to see the one coming out. It's Helen, sure, but instead of her typical armor, she's wearing baggier, more comfy-looking clothes, and her fur seems a little more ruffled. She looks over Simone and smiles, greeting them, remarking that they seem surprised.
Simone looks on her curiously. She then takes up a boomerang and asks if Simone wants to go play something with her. Simone seems willing, and follows her. The two are seen out on Rusal's plains, the mink and wolf standing side by side. Helen throws her boomerang forwards, and it loops back, going towards Simone. Faster than Helen can say "Heads up", they're struck on the noggin. Simone takes the boomerang, before throwing it, it looping around back to Helen.
She says that she's been meaning to thank Simone... Before she studied for the gun, Julin and her would play with the boomerang like this. It feels nice to just lay back and enjoy the moment like this. Simone can then say "It's nice seeing you like this" or "Who're you, and what've you done to Helen?" Helen can't help but chuckle at the latter. Simone catches the boomerang again, and tosses it back, it looping back to Helen. They appear to keep up the game, before soon taking a break.
The two are then sitting down at the gate before Rusal, sighing. Helen asks if Simone can remember the time they fought, or even the time she didn't remark them as anything really. She adjusts her fur and says that she's sorry for that, though Simone can say "You've gotten better" or "You're not that person anymore". Helen supposes that's true and looks over her boomerang.
She says that she's never felt so free before. It feels like the wait of the world itself has fled her shoulders. As she speaks, a few tears begin to come down and she remarks that it must look sad, her being this old and pining after some childish game after all of this time. Simone can then say "It doesn't hurt to look at the old times" or "I'd probably do the same in your position". To the former, she says that it does feel nice, and to the latter, she can only wonder how different things would've been if Simone had out performed her...
She says that for now, she supposes that she still has business with the church. She says that she'll do what she can, and that she'll keep on helping, even if she's lost her armor. She holds Simone's hand and thanks them for everything they've done. With this, the Social Link is finished, and Helen is officially awarded the title of **Outsider**

## Trivia

* Ysg and subsequent light spells is a reference to how the welsh name for light is "ysgafn"
* Ddi and subsequent Endurance boosting spells is a reference to how the welsh name for protect is "ddiogelu"
* Ffo and subsequent Mentality boosting spells is a reference to how the welsh name for fortitude is "ffortwin"
* Mall and subsequent multi-targeting light spells is a reference to how the welsh name for blight is "malltod"