{ Beginners Guide }
Welcome!
Hello there, welcome! This guide contains all the bases you need to understand to play the game, and should be every new or returning player's starting point!
Additionally, every player has the chance to follow the Beginner's Path and claim its rewards! The Beginner's Path is entirely optional, and can only be completed once per player.
Additionally, every player has the chance to follow the Beginner's Path and claim its rewards! The Beginner's Path is entirely optional, and can only be completed once per player.
Index
I. Terminology
II. General Lore
III. Getting an Eláfkeri
I. Terminology
II. General Lore
III. Getting an Eláfkeri
- III.I. Beginner's Path: First Adoption
- IV.I. Beginner's Path: Master Booked
- VI.I. Beginner's Path: Explorer of the Kósmos
- VI.II. Beginner's Path: Deer-It-Yourself
- VII.I. Beginner's Path: Sunny-Side Up
- VIII.I. Beginner's Path: Social Butterfly
Terminology
Eláfkeria ARPG terms, in order of importance.
Eláfkeri ( /ˌɛ'læfkɛri/ | noun • plural Eláfkeria /ˌɛ'læfkɛriæ/ )
A species of winged ungulates with sharp, majestic horns and long ears. The ARPG’s focal species. Read more about them here!
ARPG ( noun • plural ARPGs )
Acronym for “Art Role-Playing Game”. A role-playing game in which players use their turns by making art pieces ( e.g. drawing, sculpting, writing ) that are judged by the ARPG’s admins. Art turns ( usually referred to as "Activity Rolls" ) can be rolled for items and rewards!
Closed Species ( noun • plural same )
Also referred to as "CS". Within the ARPG, an original, fictional species that is moderated through stated rules and limits by the species’ owner. Said rules and limits apply to each character that is part of the closed species ( e.g. an Eláfkeri character is bound to the Eláfkeri closed species’ rules and TOS ).
Genotype ( noun • plural genotypes )
Also referred to as "geno(s)". Within the ARPG, a genotype is an undesigned Eláfkeri's gene string ( e.g. "f/c/S/[Eb]/BkBk/nBr/nCu/FrFr/HH" ).
Phenotype ( noun • plural phenotypes )
Also referred to as "pheno(s)". Within the ARPG, a phenotype is an Eláfkeri's genotype expressed as its physically visible markings ( e.g. "[Ebony] Sunflower Beak Burn Cupid Frost Hood" ).
Import ( noun • plural imports )
Within the ARPG, the base or template an Eláfkeri’s official design is put on. It consists of a line work base with toggle-able traits, and a background. It is only for official ARPG use, and can only be publicly posted in the official Master Book.
Starter ( noun • plural starters )
Within the ARPG, an Eláfkeri that exists primarily for its usage by other players for activities within the game ( e.g. Hunting, Breeding, game events ). It is ultimately owned by the species’ owner, but listed as owned by the ARPG to distinguish it from personal characters.
Slot ( noun • plural slots )
Also referred to as "breeding slot(s)". Within the ARPG, a one-time “turn” to breed an individual Eláfkeri. Slots can only be used in the Breeding activity, by pairing them with a slot to an Eláfkeri it can breed with. An Eláfkeri’s slots must be unlocked by making it complete its Blooming Trial. Read more about Breeding here.
Semi-Custom ( noun • plural Semi-Customs )
Also referred to as "semi(s)", "MYO(s)". Within the ARPG, an official one-time permission to create an Eláfkeri character with a genotype of the owner’s choice ( within the semi-custom’s stated limits ). Semi-customs are only originally offered by the ARPG group and species’ owners. Read more about Semi-Customs here.
HarP ( noun • plural same )
Short for "Harmony Point(s)". Leveling points used to rank Eláfkeria and measure how close they are to reaching Harmony. Read more about HarP here.
Harmony ( noun • no plural )
The state of absolute balance between oneself and nature. A state of wholeness used to refer to the special balance between the Olakálos and Kósmos, which is often pursued in one way or another by the Eláfkeria, and seen as the ultimate and perfect state of being.
Kósmos ( /'kɒsmɒs/ | noun • no plural )
World where Eláfkeria live. Read more about the world lore here, and view the world map here.
Olakálos ( /ɒˌlæ'kælɒs/ | plural noun )
Term referring to Kósmos's deities as a whole. Read more about them here.
Fawn ( noun • plural fawns )
Very young Eláfkeri, usually before they start developing their horn. Can be used interchangeably with hatchling and fledgling.
Hatchling ( noun • plural hatchlings )
Newborn Eláfkeri. Can be used interchangeably with fawn.
Fledgling ( noun • plural fledglings )
Young Eláfkeri that is of fledging age. Can be used interchangeably with fawn.
A species of winged ungulates with sharp, majestic horns and long ears. The ARPG’s focal species. Read more about them here!
ARPG ( noun • plural ARPGs )
Acronym for “Art Role-Playing Game”. A role-playing game in which players use their turns by making art pieces ( e.g. drawing, sculpting, writing ) that are judged by the ARPG’s admins. Art turns ( usually referred to as "Activity Rolls" ) can be rolled for items and rewards!
Closed Species ( noun • plural same )
Also referred to as "CS". Within the ARPG, an original, fictional species that is moderated through stated rules and limits by the species’ owner. Said rules and limits apply to each character that is part of the closed species ( e.g. an Eláfkeri character is bound to the Eláfkeri closed species’ rules and TOS ).
Genotype ( noun • plural genotypes )
Also referred to as "geno(s)". Within the ARPG, a genotype is an undesigned Eláfkeri's gene string ( e.g. "f/c/S/[Eb]/BkBk/nBr/nCu/FrFr/HH" ).
- ( Informal ) An undesigned Eláfkeri in general, as a character.
- ( Informal ) An undesigned Eláfkeri’s phenotype.
Phenotype ( noun • plural phenotypes )
Also referred to as "pheno(s)". Within the ARPG, a phenotype is an Eláfkeri's genotype expressed as its physically visible markings ( e.g. "[Ebony] Sunflower Beak Burn Cupid Frost Hood" ).
Import ( noun • plural imports )
Within the ARPG, the base or template an Eláfkeri’s official design is put on. It consists of a line work base with toggle-able traits, and a background. It is only for official ARPG use, and can only be publicly posted in the official Master Book.
Starter ( noun • plural starters )
Within the ARPG, an Eláfkeri that exists primarily for its usage by other players for activities within the game ( e.g. Hunting, Breeding, game events ). It is ultimately owned by the species’ owner, but listed as owned by the ARPG to distinguish it from personal characters.
Slot ( noun • plural slots )
Also referred to as "breeding slot(s)". Within the ARPG, a one-time “turn” to breed an individual Eláfkeri. Slots can only be used in the Breeding activity, by pairing them with a slot to an Eláfkeri it can breed with. An Eláfkeri’s slots must be unlocked by making it complete its Blooming Trial. Read more about Breeding here.
Semi-Custom ( noun • plural Semi-Customs )
Also referred to as "semi(s)", "MYO(s)". Within the ARPG, an official one-time permission to create an Eláfkeri character with a genotype of the owner’s choice ( within the semi-custom’s stated limits ). Semi-customs are only originally offered by the ARPG group and species’ owners. Read more about Semi-Customs here.
- ( Informal ) An Eláfkeri that was created through a semi-custom, as a character.
HarP ( noun • plural same )
Short for "Harmony Point(s)". Leveling points used to rank Eláfkeria and measure how close they are to reaching Harmony. Read more about HarP here.
Harmony ( noun • no plural )
The state of absolute balance between oneself and nature. A state of wholeness used to refer to the special balance between the Olakálos and Kósmos, which is often pursued in one way or another by the Eláfkeria, and seen as the ultimate and perfect state of being.
- Harmonic: ( adj. ) An adjective relating to an Eláfkeri's Harmony Rank ( not to be confused with "Harmonious", the highest Harmonic Rank ).
Kósmos ( /'kɒsmɒs/ | noun • no plural )
World where Eláfkeria live. Read more about the world lore here, and view the world map here.
Olakálos ( /ɒˌlæ'kælɒs/ | plural noun )
Term referring to Kósmos's deities as a whole. Read more about them here.
Fawn ( noun • plural fawns )
Very young Eláfkeri, usually before they start developing their horn. Can be used interchangeably with hatchling and fledgling.
Hatchling ( noun • plural hatchlings )
Newborn Eláfkeri. Can be used interchangeably with fawn.
Fledgling ( noun • plural fledglings )
Young Eláfkeri that is of fledging age. Can be used interchangeably with fawn.
General Lore
General world lore. While Kósmos is rich in lore and culture, you're free to scrap it and make your own lore for your characters! You're only asked to be mindful of the lore, if you wish to use it fully or bend it
Kósmos is said to have always existed, ever changing, ever magical.
Long ago, the Olakálos, a group of diverse creatures, lived in and with the Kósmos, their empathy and wisdom allowing them to be in harmony with one another. They were said to hold deep wisdom to what being harmonious truly was, and they decided to pass it down to all who roamed Kósmos.
According to the Olakálos, being virtuous was "having an unshakeable, intimate feeling that one wishes to do good, for the sake of creating something good, or of helping something become better."
They taught their nine virtues: Kindness, Fairness, Honesty, Determination, Valor, Wisdom, Temperance, Patience, and Mercy.
These virtues were divided into virtues of gesture and virtues of mind. The virtues of gesture ( i.e. Kindness, Fairness, Honesty, Determination, Valor ) were said to be shown through actions— be them active or passive— while the virtues of mind ( i.e. Wisdom, Temperance, Patience, Mercy ) were shown through mind stances, which could similarly be active or passive.
It was said that cultivating all virtues helped one be more harmonious.
To this day, the creatures of Kósmos work hard to be more in touch with one another, and with the world.
Long ago, the Olakálos, a group of diverse creatures, lived in and with the Kósmos, their empathy and wisdom allowing them to be in harmony with one another. They were said to hold deep wisdom to what being harmonious truly was, and they decided to pass it down to all who roamed Kósmos.
According to the Olakálos, being virtuous was "having an unshakeable, intimate feeling that one wishes to do good, for the sake of creating something good, or of helping something become better."
They taught their nine virtues: Kindness, Fairness, Honesty, Determination, Valor, Wisdom, Temperance, Patience, and Mercy.
These virtues were divided into virtues of gesture and virtues of mind. The virtues of gesture ( i.e. Kindness, Fairness, Honesty, Determination, Valor ) were said to be shown through actions— be them active or passive— while the virtues of mind ( i.e. Wisdom, Temperance, Patience, Mercy ) were shown through mind stances, which could similarly be active or passive.
It was said that cultivating all virtues helped one be more harmonious.
To this day, the creatures of Kósmos work hard to be more in touch with one another, and with the world.
Getting an Eláfkeri
Getting your first Eláfkeri is key to begin playing the game to its fullest!
You can obtain an Eláfkeri through a few different methods:
Remember that, as a player, you agree and are bound to the Eláfkeri community rules and TOS.
- You can pick a free Eláfkeri geno every three months at the Adoption Center.
- You can breed your own Eláfkeri genos through the Breeding activity.
- You can buy and trade for an Eláfkeri geno or import in the Trades and Sales channels of the Discord server.
- You can buy Semi-Customs and Eggs at the USD Shop.
- You can obtain premade designs through official ARPG events, announced through the Discord server.
Remember that, as a player, you agree and are bound to the Eláfkeri community rules and TOS.
Beginner's Path: First Adoption
You've gotten this far, great!! The first step to join the community is to get an Eláfkeri to play with! Luckily, there's a few adorable fawns waiting for a new home at the Adoption Center, come on!
All you have to do to fulfill this step, is visit the Adoption Center button below, and follow its rules to claim a geno that catches your eye.
Once you've received your geno's proof, you can claim your first Beginner's Path badge by going to Badger's Badges!
Good luck!
You've gotten this far, great!! The first step to join the community is to get an Eláfkeri to play with! Luckily, there's a few adorable fawns waiting for a new home at the Adoption Center, come on!
All you have to do to fulfill this step, is visit the Adoption Center button below, and follow its rules to claim a geno that catches your eye.
Once you've received your geno's proof, you can claim your first Beginner's Path badge by going to Badger's Badges!
Good luck!
Designing & Approving
Once you have a geno, all you have to do is design it and send it to Approvals. You can also commission someone to design it for you! Keep in mind that the Import files are big, and you'll need a desktop device to use them properly.
Quick rundown:
- First, you’ll need to check your geno’s body and feather type ( e.g. Lean Koinos, Curly Koinos, Silky Koinos ). Once you do, go to Import Bases, and download the .psd file labeled with said combination.
- Once you open the file in your art program of choice, toggle on and off the traits of your geno ( e.g. Saber horn, Tuft tail, [Prancer] mutation ). This is what your Eláfkeri will look like; now your base is ready to be colored!
- To design a geno, you’ll want to pay attention to its phenotype ( e.g. "[Ebony] Sunflower Beak Burn Cupid Frost Hood" ) to check what base coat and genes it has, and pay attention to its genotype ( e.g. "f/c/S/[Eb]/BkBk/nBr/nCu/FrFr/HH" ) to check if its genes are recessive ( nX/ ) or dominant ( XX/ ).
- Once you know the base coat and genes, go to the Base Color Guide, Gene Color Guide, and Genes & Mutations Guide, and open the links to the genes you’ll be using. These links contain guides to how to draw each marking, what colors to use, and what limits you have.
- Begin the design by coloring the gray color layer with the base coat color ( e.g. Fuchsia, Cardón, Sunflower ), and make a new, clipped layer for each marking in the geno.
- Once you finish designing each marking, export the file as a .png file; your geno is now ready for Approvals!
- You can check the Designing Help Guide for a detailed explanation on how to design your genos, and a guide on how to send it to Approvals ( or what to do when sent to Corrections ).
Beginner's Path: Master Booked
Now you have a geno to design, and know how to design it! Your next step is to design your geno, submit it to the Approvals queue, and get it submitted to the Master Book!
To do this, you can find the Designing Help guide and the Getting Ready for Approvals guide in the buttons below.
Once you receive the notification of your character's uploaded Import, you can claim your second Beginner's Path badge by going to Badger's Badges!
Good luck!
Now you have a geno to design, and know how to design it! Your next step is to design your geno, submit it to the Approvals queue, and get it submitted to the Master Book!
To do this, you can find the Designing Help guide and the Getting Ready for Approvals guide in the buttons below.
Once you receive the notification of your character's uploaded Import, you can claim your second Beginner's Path badge by going to Badger's Badges!
Good luck!
HarP & Activities
Once your Eláfkeri has been uploaded to the Master Book, you can start using it in the game! Although the game's main focus is on activities and events, art unrelated to them still counts for Harmony Points ( or HarP ). This means every art piece ( visual, literary, or otherwise ) will count for HarP that will help your Eláfkeri grow closer to Harmony!
About HarP
Any kind of art piece featuring an Eláfkeri is able to count towards Harmony Points, regardless of whether or not the piece can be rolled for an in-game Activity.
All of an Eláfkeri's HarP tallies towards their Harmony Rank. Harmony Ranks help an Eláfkeri's overall performance in different Activities ( e.g. Hunting, Dream Divination, Breeding ), and an Eláfkeri's Rank can always be seen in their Import sheet.
HarP is manually tracked by players in HarP Trackers, and are officially counted and assessed by HarP Admins through the HarP queue.
Any kind of art piece featuring an Eláfkeri is able to count towards Harmony Points, regardless of whether or not the piece can be rolled for an in-game Activity.
All of an Eláfkeri's HarP tallies towards their Harmony Rank. Harmony Ranks help an Eláfkeri's overall performance in different Activities ( e.g. Hunting, Dream Divination, Breeding ), and an Eláfkeri's Rank can always be seen in their Import sheet.
HarP is manually tracked by players in HarP Trackers, and are officially counted and assessed by HarP Admins through the HarP queue.
About Activities & Events
In-game Activities are game features that can be used by players constantly. Some Activities ( e.g. Quests, Hunting ) depend on "Activity Rolls" or "ARs", which are art pieces that are rolled for the Activity's rewards; whereas other Activities ( e.g. Crafting, Breeding ) depend solely on the player's usable items ( in the player's PaperDemon Inventory ).
Game Events, on the other hand, are game features that can be used by players only for the duration of the Event. Some events ( e.g. Timthriall, Síocháin ) repeat themselves every so often, whereas other events ( e.g. Kickstarter Giveaway ) only happen once.
In-game Activities that depend on Activity Rolls have specific criteria that varies from Activity to Activity. Because of this, art pieces featuring an Eláfkeri are able to be rolled for an in-game Activity only when they meet said Activity's specific criteria. The same happens with Events that depend on art entries.
Activity Rolls can be rolled for their rewards in their respective Activity's queue ( e.g. Quest rolls are rolled in the Quests queue, and Hunting rolls are rolled in the Hunting queue ). Similarly, Event entries can be rolled for their rewards in their respective Event's queue ( keep in mind every Event varies, and will contain instructions on how to participate ).
Like normal HarP, Activity Rolls and Event entries count towards an Eláfkeri's HarP. However, Activities and Events grant special HarP bonuses that are listed in the HarP Guide.
In-game Activities are game features that can be used by players constantly. Some Activities ( e.g. Quests, Hunting ) depend on "Activity Rolls" or "ARs", which are art pieces that are rolled for the Activity's rewards; whereas other Activities ( e.g. Crafting, Breeding ) depend solely on the player's usable items ( in the player's PaperDemon Inventory ).
Game Events, on the other hand, are game features that can be used by players only for the duration of the Event. Some events ( e.g. Timthriall, Síocháin ) repeat themselves every so often, whereas other events ( e.g. Kickstarter Giveaway ) only happen once.
In-game Activities that depend on Activity Rolls have specific criteria that varies from Activity to Activity. Because of this, art pieces featuring an Eláfkeri are able to be rolled for an in-game Activity only when they meet said Activity's specific criteria. The same happens with Events that depend on art entries.
Activity Rolls can be rolled for their rewards in their respective Activity's queue ( e.g. Quest rolls are rolled in the Quests queue, and Hunting rolls are rolled in the Hunting queue ). Similarly, Event entries can be rolled for their rewards in their respective Event's queue ( keep in mind every Event varies, and will contain instructions on how to participate ).
Like normal HarP, Activity Rolls and Event entries count towards an Eláfkeri's HarP. However, Activities and Events grant special HarP bonuses that are listed in the HarP Guide.
Beginner's Path: Explorer of the Kósmos
You know all about general HarP, Activities, and Events, good job! Your next step in understanding the game is to create an Activity Roll of your own.
Remember an Activity Roll is an art piece— of any accepted art medium— that fulfills a specific Activity's criteria. We don't need to be academically skilled to make art, so don't worry!
Pick one of the Activities below, read the criteria, and make some art! When your Activity Roll is ready, post it to PaperDemon, and follow the queue's instructions to submit your post to be rolled.
Once you receive the notification with your rolled rewards, you can claim your third Beginner's Path badge by going to Badger's Badges!
Good luck!
You know all about general HarP, Activities, and Events, good job! Your next step in understanding the game is to create an Activity Roll of your own.
Remember an Activity Roll is an art piece— of any accepted art medium— that fulfills a specific Activity's criteria. We don't need to be academically skilled to make art, so don't worry!
Pick one of the Activities below, read the criteria, and make some art! When your Activity Roll is ready, post it to PaperDemon, and follow the queue's instructions to submit your post to be rolled.
Once you receive the notification with your rolled rewards, you can claim your third Beginner's Path badge by going to Badger's Badges!
Good luck!
Beginner's Path: Deer-It-Yourself
And while we're at it, creating a player-based Activity request will also be good!
Remember a player-based ( or non-art-based ) Activity is one that relies on the player's items or limits, and does not require an Activity Roll art piece! However, most player-based Activities require items that are obtainable only through art-based Activities.
Once you have enough items to fulfill a recipe, go to the Crafting queue, and follow the Activity's instructions to submit your desired recipe to the queue.
After you receive the notification with your crafted item(s), you'll be able to claim your fourth Beginner's Path badge by going to Badger's Badges!
Good luck!
And while we're at it, creating a player-based Activity request will also be good!
Remember a player-based ( or non-art-based ) Activity is one that relies on the player's items or limits, and does not require an Activity Roll art piece! However, most player-based Activities require items that are obtainable only through art-based Activities.
Once you have enough items to fulfill a recipe, go to the Crafting queue, and follow the Activity's instructions to submit your desired recipe to the queue.
After you receive the notification with your crafted item(s), you'll be able to claim your fourth Beginner's Path badge by going to Badger's Badges!
Good luck!
Blooming Trials & Breeding
One of the main ways to obtain more Eláfkeria is through Breeding!
To breed, an Eláfkeri must first prove their worth as a caretaker to the Kósmos, through a set of trials known as the Blooming Trials.
Once your Eláfkeri has finished their Trials, they'll obtain a pin that allows them to bring new life to the Kósmos!
To breed, an Eláfkeri must first prove their worth as a caretaker to the Kósmos, through a set of trials known as the Blooming Trials.
Once your Eláfkeri has finished their Trials, they'll obtain a pin that allows them to bring new life to the Kósmos!
About Breeding
Breeding is a player-based ( non-art based ) Activity in which two Eláfkeri are matched by the player to create new genos!
Eláfkeri Breedings work with "Breeding Slots", which are available to any Eláfkeri with a Blooming Pin.
To breed Eláfkeria, you must own the Eláfkeria, or own a Breeding Slot to said Eláfkeria.
Breeding is a player-based ( non-art based ) Activity in which two Eláfkeri are matched by the player to create new genos!
Eláfkeri Breedings work with "Breeding Slots", which are available to any Eláfkeri with a Blooming Pin.
To breed Eláfkeria, you must own the Eláfkeria, or own a Breeding Slot to said Eláfkeria.
Beginner's Path: Sunny-Side Up
Now that you know all about the magic behind new Eláfkeri fawns, let's get some hatchlings!
Once you have Breeding Slots to two Eláfkeri of the same Pin ( owned by you or someone else ), submit a Breeding request!
After you receive a notification with a successful clutch roll,
Now that you know all about the magic behind new Eláfkeri fawns, let's get some hatchlings!
Once you have Breeding Slots to two Eláfkeri of the same Pin ( owned by you or someone else ), submit a Breeding request!
After you receive a notification with a successful clutch roll,