Helivians

Helivians are among the many races that are known as anomalies on northern Ludwag. With a seemingly obscure history and a lack of knowledge regarding their past, many are uncertain as to where Helivians first originated from. Regarded as oddities, Helivians are often identified by scientists and researchers as “the Firmar”, and some refer to the civilization they hailed from as “Helivia”.

Although their civilization was allegedly located in the volcanic wastes of Southern Keleva, oral tradition in Helivian culture has resulted in many elements of Helivian history being misconstrued or mistold. Some Helivian historians have even claimed that Helivians managed to reach Northern Ludwag through migration and maritime expansion.

Despite being associated with a race of unknown creatures known as the “Demons” in Trepheonic culture and literature, Helivians are widely known for their sharpened teeth and strikingly similar appearance to elves in terms of facial structure. In comparison to the demons of Trepheonic folklore, they are far more different. In addition to their unusual appearances, Helivians strictly only consume meat, as they are completely carnivorous. Any consumption of plant matter results in Helivians growing ill, and in some cases, being debilitated for several days.

## History

Modern day literature and history does not account for the tragedies which occurred in the past during the last days of proper Helivian civilization in Southern Keleva. What little is known about Helivian civilization has been translated onto books and documents before, but due to a lack of information, or an abundance of misinformation, there is really no telling whether or not most of the stories regarding Helivian civilization are true or false. In spite of this grim reality, most historians turned to prominent members of Helivian settlements in Northern Ludwag to learn about the history of their people before they arrived here on Ludwag.

Many historians, since first contact with the members of Helivian society, have cited an important date in Helivian history known as the “Settlement of Firmarsu”; this event was said to have been the first recorded occurrence in Helivian history ever. Some estimate that Firmarsu was first settled as late as 1800 AC, while others suspect that it was first created before the collapse of Pyros. Regardless, Firmarsu was known as an extravagant city that once rested against the shores of Southern Keleva near the great volcanoes whose lava flowed in rivers. Said to have been the first settlement of ancient Helivian society, many cities like Firmarsu eventually came into existence, establishing themselves as dominant forces in their respective regions. As time passed and advancements were made in technology, these cities eventually waged war against one another, resulting in a bloody conflict whose origins were lost to history. This conflict resulted in many cities being ruined or destroyed, and only one victor stood among those who fell to the treacheries of war, plagues, and economical downfall- Firmarsu. Slating itself as the superior city-state, the Helivians of Firmarsu united the many disconnected Helivian tribes and cultures together into a proper nation, only known as “the Firmarsii Ascendancy”.

The Firmarsii Ascendancy would continue to prolong its status as the dominant power in the region for many years through the brutal assimilation of it’s adversaries who laid northwards. Between this point and modern history, many have failed to link a proper reason as to why the Firmarsii Ascendancy failed, but many have drawn the conclusion that the Ascendancy collapsed into chaos due to a widespread shortage of resources. What’s briefly known about the Ascendancy is that they managed to achieve many miracles through the usage of a foreign technology which was said to have been pioneered by both Trepheonic Mons and Kelevan Helivians.

Regardless of the many tales spouted by members of Helivian society, it is certain that something terrible resulted in the collapse of the Firmarsii Ascendancy. It became apparent through many discussions and dialogues with Helivian elders that an unknown “menace” ravaged it’s way through Helivian society, causing livestock, children, and entire armies to perish. Historians have drawn the conclusion that this “menace” was a great famine that killed many thousands of Helivians, but none are certain as to what could have occurred in those far away lands.

Subsequently after the collapse of Firmarsu, Helivians first arrived on the continent of Ludwag in the year of 2102 AC, during a time of strife between many civilizations that existed within the expanse of Amnisica. The first documentation of Helivians on Ludwag was recorded by dwarves who had first discovered strange, metallic vessels which had been washed ashore and terribly damaged by the Eternal Storm. It was said that the Helivians who had first arrived were coated in strange, foreign armor and garbs which did not match any known records at the time- due to their strange appearances, the dwarven expedition labeled them as the “Hirdrek”, or “Horned ones”.

Overall, the tales of the Helivian’s arrival on Ludwag is clouded with doubt and suspicion- some suspect that the Ascendancy never even existed, while others are sure that the Helivians who reside on Ludwag were among an expedition sent out to discover new lands. Nevertheless, Firmarsu’s legacy vanished many centuries ago, and none are certain as to what remains of it.

## Horns

Horns are viewed as an important symbol of Helivian culture- some have claimed that the banners of the Firmarsii Ascendancy once had a pair of horns upon them that hinted at the maiming of a captive Helivian warlord. Helivians are prominently defined by the protrusions of horns which grow upwards from their scalps; horns are seen as an important aspect of culture in Helivian society due to their association with age and wisdom.

The horns of a Helivian are constructed of hardened keratin and bone, both of which are similar in consistency to the hooves of a horse. As such, the horns that they bear upon their head can generally withstand even the strongest of blows, though, if the horns are obliterated through extreme force or removed from the head of the Helivian, they will experience agonizing pain that will result in possible death.

Horns commonly sprout from the frontal bone, sphenoid bone, or the parietal bone for most Helivians; around the age of twelve, Helivians will fully develop their first set of horns, which can be located in the aforementioned spots upon their skulls. Their second set of horns will begin growth at the early age of fifteen, but this adjacent set of horns will fully blossom by the age of twenty in most Helivians. Many Helivians, by the age of forty, will experience a third set of horns erecting upwards from their parietal bone, located somewhere near the back of their head. This third set of horns, by the age of fifty, will curl itself around their current set of horns similar to how a vine entangles itself around a tree.

Finally, many Helivians will grow a final set of horns before their death, sometime at the age of eighty or seventy five.

The pigmentation of horns usually matches the skin color of the Helivian, albeit, they are slightly darker. Although skin does not cover their horns, the horns themselves will somewhat resemble the color of each Helivian’s skin respectively. In some rare cases, horns can turn black or brown, but for the most part, they always retain the same color of a Helivian’s skin.

*For their cultural importance, refer to **Culture**.*

## Skin & Diet

Helivians who once lived in the southern stretches of Keleva were said to have been born with darker skin colors that closely resembled the landscape they thrived in: volcanic plains. In direct contrast to this, those who dwelled in the north near the oceans and mountains usually had lighter complexion of skin due to the climate they prospered in.

Generally, Helivian skin colors vary, and climate wildly affects the outcome of pigmentation in a Helivian. In some, cooler temperatures, Helivians would be graced with the cool color of blue, while Helivians in hotter temperatures were denoted by their rugged, red appearance. Despite this obvious contrast in colors, Helivians do not regard each other as inferior due to the pigmentation of their skin.

   Many colors of skin have been recorded by researchers and historians- the prominent colors that Helivians are often adorned with are red, blue, and orange. Lesser colors, such as yellow, pink, and grey exist, but these skin colors are rather rare among Helivian civilization. Rarely, Helivians will be burdened with albinism and melanism, resulting in their skin growing an eerie pale, or in the case of melanism, an eerie black. Those who suffer from these conditions commonly die at birth, but only a handful of Helivians are known to have survived these conditions at an early age.

Like the strange abnormal colors of their skin, Helivians have been noted to have bizarre accelerated muscle growth, likely due to the strict diet that all Helivians have to abide by. This diet often entails multiple meals a day, consisting of strictly meat-based products; it can be said consuming any form of plant matter is enough to cause a healthy Helivian to be bed ridden for many days. Despite the benefits of this diet, Helivians will suffer if they do not have access to meat in areas such as tundras, wastelands, and deserters.

## Physique

Helivians loosely resemble Mons and Elves in a variety of ways; although they have distinct differences, Helivians are known to have the ears of an Elf, and the bodily structure of a Mon. With this in mind, Helivians share the same structure of hands with a Mon, though, the bones of each finger, including the opposable thumb, are far thicker than those of an average Mon. Due to the structuring of the phalanges and the ligaments, it’s likely that the hands of the Helivians were once designed for digging and tunneling, unlike their Monic and Elven counterparts.

With these strange hands come many other anomalous properties- in lieu of fingernails, Helivians possess retractable claws that extend outwards from sheathe-like pouches that reside where fingernails would have rested. These claws were not originally intended for usage against skin. Instead, they appear to have been utilized for piercing dirt swiftly and easily without causing damage to the hands.

Recent studies around the origin of these claws suggest that Helivians with a lighter complexion are incapable of retracting their claws, which appear to be far more shorter in length and width, indicating that the Helivians who dwelled in the mountains lost this evolutionary trait due to their divergent lifestyles.

While the claws and hands of helivians lack similarities with humans, the legs and feet of a Helivian are almost completely the same as a Mon or an Elf. Despite this, Helivians still retain a tail, which is capable of growing up to about three feet long. This tail begins at the coccyx, and eventually terminates into a pointed tip. Because of their unique skeletal structure, the tails of Helivians come in various shapes and sizes- some appear thin while having a plump point at the end of their tail, while other tails are thick and conical. Tails overall, are very similar to an elephant’s trunk, and can easily be manipulated by Helivians; containing a variety of muscles, the tail is often considered to be extremely important due to its relevance in Helivian culture.

Eyes and skin color are also commonly synonymous with the pigmentation of their skin- while a red Helivian has black hair and grey eyes, a blue Helivian could have white hair and red eyes. Additionally, yellow and orange helivians sometimes have black or brown hair colors depending on what genes they inherited from their parents.

Due to their diets and their origins from the volcanic plains of Keleva, Helivians are commonly taller than most species on Ludwag. Helivian females and males stand at an average of around six foot three, and with their added muscle mass, both females and males are prime candidates for warriors and laborers.

## Dimorphism

Helivian females and males are among one of the only species on Ludwag that have a consistent average height of around six foot three, and a balanced contrast of muscle mass between each gender. There are certain differences that set female and male Helivians apart, however.

### **MALES**

Male Helivians will typically grow far more intricate and grand horns than their female counterparts. These horns can have an array of sinuous patterns, all of which appear on a Helivian male’s horns at the age of twenty. With their complex horn patterns comes another feature that many other species lack- a great abundance of bodily hair. Helivian males will rapidly grow stubble and beards at the age of seventeen, and by the age of twenty, most Helivian males will have a full beard that they trim to their preference.

### **FEMALES**

Female Helivians lack the grandiose horns of their male counterparts, resulting in their horns retaining an average complexion alongside a simplistic pattern. Like male Helivians, female Helivians will commonly grow the most hair solely from their scalp- braids, and other types of intricate knots are used to keep their lengthy hair from obstructing their vision.

Noted by many physicians and doctors, Helivians will only give birth to twins, and not singular children. Babies will have soft horns at first, but they will eventually harden by the age of three or four.

## Language

The language of Helivians contrasts greatly to many on Azura, Aéstach has evolved primarily isolated from the outside world, thus the language is almost unintelligible when spoken, and even in writing. In speech, while there are some discernible words, it also includes various clicks, and in some archaic terms require the speaker to utilize whistles, though these words are ones that are seldom used, and have not evolved along with the culture. In writing, Aéstach can be compared to High Sindaryn of elfkind, yet also has its similarities to Kiv'lar, the language of the orcs. However, there is an intricacy among the language, despite its crude and harsh angles illustrated in the calligraphy. The orthography consists of symbols and shapes that mean certain things, whether that be an added suffix, adjective, or for important day to day objects, apparent imagery of things like the moon, or otherwise.

## Culture

Helivian culture has been taught and spread across Ludwag through oral tradition for many years; many iterations of Helivian culture exist under the nations of Ludwag after the Helivians who fled from Keleva integrated themselves into the Kingdoms and Empires of Amnisica. Despite the cultural division between select groups of Helivians, Helivians still enjoy the benefits and sacrifices of old traditions that have been passed down for multiple generations.

### **FAMILY /  *ÂTAIKTA***

Ever since the days of Firmarsu, the strong bond between family members in Helivian culture has lingered in the foreground due to its grave importance. During the primitive age in which Helivians were still considered primates, their ability to recognize friend versus foe was something that enabled them to compete against even the greatest of creatures and monsters. With this heightened sense of responsibility to one’s pack, Helivians developed an unassailable bond between their parents, siblings, and extended members of their family. With this everlasting bond came a social hierarchy, which resulted in the natural creation of a patriarchal and matriarchal system.

Patriarchs and matriarchs would be defined with elegant face and body tattoos, which would allow other Helivians to recognize their status and authority in a family. When another Helivian of a separate family was in trouble, a Helivian patriarch or matriarch would provide them with refuge and shelter until they could return to their own families. Since then, the practice of these derelict systems have fallen out of use, but Helivians still generally stick close to their family. Despite this, some have opted to distance themselves in pursuit of independent lives away from the observant eyes of their patriarchs and matriarchs.

### **STATUS, HORNS, AND TAILS / *SRATKAI, KILHOLRY, Ł TÛRSA***

Horns and tails have emerged as important symbols in Helivian culture due to their representation of one’s status, age, and importance in society. In Helivian society, there are many cultural standards that are far different in comparison to other civilizations and cultures. In some cases, Helivians might seek advice and wisdom from patriarchs and matriarchs whose horns are alluring and extravagant. Warriors are often selected from the most well tailored male and female Helivians- this means that warriors in Helivian society often condition themselves to match ideal standards for a proper soldier. Horns and tails were often decorated in the past with jewelry and medallions to signify victory, good fortune, luck, and many other virtues.

Though, prejudice still remains deeply rooted in Helivian culture- specifically, prejudice for those who are perceived as “imperfect” or “defects” in Helivian society. Black or brown horns are commonly viewed as signs of misfortune, and many children who are born with these defects are cast into orphanages as a result of their mutation. Tails or horns that are stunted are usually removed through a process known as “Sheering”, which involves the surgical removal of a tail or horn with the utilization of medical equipment. Some mutations are welcomed however- in Helivian society, crescent shaped horns that curl and wrap together are often welcomed due to their profound beauty.

### **TRIAL / *TSULÂR***

In the event a Helivian disrespects or insults another Helivian by committing crimes against his family or his fellow Helivians, then a ritual known as Khashrâs Zai can be initiated at the request of a patriarch of either side. Unlike the legal systems of many countries on Ludwag, Khashrâs Zai is a system of trial by combat which sees one opponent brutally maimed or killed due to their actions. It involves utilizing one’s horns against another opponent to successfully kill or injure them. This ritual has been strictly taught to many Helivians before, but many have partaken in trials which involve blades and swords in lieu of horns.

If participating in this trial, participants may only use their horns to duel each other.

### **PUNISHMENTS / *PHUROQHOS***

Punishments in Helivian society are ripe with brutality due to the nature of Helivian culture. For one to perform wrongdoings against another, it constitutes the use of force to mutilate, injure, cripple, or even kill a criminal for his or her transgressions.

One of these punishments is known as “Rendering”, a process in which all of the horns upon one’s head are removed through precise incisions using a blade forged from Solarium. In the past, weapons used to slice the horns from a criminal’s head were said to have been forged from Cysteel, but those claims have no proper evidence to support them.

Another punishment involves the butchering of one’s face, ears, and nose. This savage way of discipling a criminal is often referred to as “Hewing”, in which an axe is used to slice the nose, ears, and lips from a criminal’s head, resulting in them being horribly deformed. This practice was once used by warriors during the age of Firmarsu to horrifically disfigure enemy captives.

### **WAR / *VALRA***

War in Helivian society is a concept that many indulge in and enjoy due to the spoils that one can achieve from large conflicts. Helivian warriors, much like patriarchs and matriarchs, received facial tattoos and tattoos upon the arms which displayed their prowess in combat. In the past, horns were carved and adorned with expensive trinkets that symbolized one’s status, such as an officer in a prominent military.

As of the modern day, many Helivians still partake in conflicts and war, with some even turning to banditry- though, Helivians are not inherently obligated to join conflicts against foreign nations or entities. Some have chosen to live peaceful lives while others have chosen the path of strife, but that is the fate of those who wish to cause harm to others.

### **DEATH / *MORZIS***

Death in Helivian society is revered as a final achievement that one can obtain in life; Helivians that die of old age but committed most of their lives to balancing themselves are observed as heroes among their people. Though, those who rot and fail to take initiative over themselves are often labeled as failures following their death. It can be said that Helivians bask in the concept of glory and victory, for it has guided their old civilizations for many centuries after they were established. Those who die gloriously in battle or from old age can expect heavenly funerals which revolve around the concept of that individual ascending to the heavens above. Those who perish from rotting away and their failures expect no funeral, and due to this, they are commonly casted away into ditches to help the land flourish with flowers in the distant future.

Funerals often take place five days after the death of a Helivian- the process of preparing the body is long and intricate, and it involves the careful restoration of one’s body to its most pristine condition before it can be displayed before a procession. The carcass will then be properly displayed before a gathered crowd- adorned in flowers, ivy, and various decorative mosses, the body will slowly be lowered into Azura once more once the crowd has said their last grievances. After this process is complete, the crowd will hum a quiet tune designated by the leader of the procession, which will mark the end of the funeral.