The Isle of Helisto 

It has been three years since the House of Talarius left the City of Ven’dara and took title of a small remote island, and after many adventures, made landfall there.  In a thick fog the fleet of seven tarnships, headed by the Akbar under the command of Captain Torres, found their way into the natural harbour of Verrs Hoof Bay.

Talarius, with His Free Companion Aneesha and Admiral Aiken were met by the notables of the island. There they were introduced to Tacitus the Builder, Initiate Magnus, Scribe Khahn, Healer Caius, High Merchant Omri, Vintner Bacchus and the Captain of Guards Elios. Notable by his absence was the High Chieftain Pekelo. 

The Island of Helisto is situated amongst a cluster of islands close to the equator, its nearest neighbour is the island of Tabor to the North-East, and the nearest mainland town is Bazi, 400 pasang to the east across the Thassa. The only large settlement is the village of Eflassovan, set close to the east of the wide sheltered anchorage of Verr’s Hoof Bay on the south-west corner of the island. An old abandoned fort stands high on the cliffs dominating the bay. Lake Koleya lies just East of the village and is fed by the river Efenisdra, that tumbles down from the volcanic mountains to the north east via a spectacular set of waterfalls.

The only other settlement of note is the small fishing village of Tangaroa, that sits on a small bay on the island’s northern coast, close to the quarry. The island is almost completely covered in forest, access from place to place being through paths cut and maintained through the trees. There are many rugged hills and valleys on the island that testify to its violent volcanic birth.

In the last two years the Island has been turned from a small community of a few hundreds, plagued by pirates, to a busy trading hub with modern docks, a small but capable fleet and a population now in excess of three thousand souls and development continues.

Official Helisto Map of Gor

Helisto on Gor

An A to Z of Places in Helisto

Admiralty House

Situated at the northern end of the docks, this is where Admiral Aiken keeps an eye on maritime matters and the day to day business of the fleet.

The Bay Barrier

The latest major building project undertaken on Helisto. This ambitious project cost 4,000 gold and was devised by the Builder Tacitus and Architect Bythell. The purpose of the Barrier is to protect the Bay from storms, prevent seaborne attacks on the anchorage and provide a controlled entry / exit and additional berthing areas.

The Bay Light

This lighthouse has the purpose of guiding ships into the safety of Verr’s Hoof Bay and the docks in darkness or poor weather.

Bazaar

Situated near the entrance to the docks, this vast collection of stalls sells anything and everything! Let the buyer beware however!!

Bosk Back Ridge

This protects Verr’s Hoof Bay and the Docks from the storms that sweep in from the Thassa. Heavily forested it is the chosen refuge of the Pani called Calico.

Crop Fields

A range of crops are grown here by the inhabitants of Eflassovon.

Dockside Tavern

The Dockside Tavern is run by Gratticus, brother of Plartis, who runs the only other tavern! It is often full of sailors and can be a dangerous place. Other staff are Raukus, the Tavern ‘Heavy’, and nuisance, synca and gazelle, tavern slaves. Two slaves that displeased are nerissa and ayana who, as punishment, now work the dockside as coin girls.

Dockside

A recent northern extension to the docks has increased berthing capacity to 16 small ramships, 9 roundships or a mixture of the two. Behind the docks there are extensive warehousing facilities and housing for those of the fleet not out on patrol. In the centre of the docks is the Harbourmaster’s building and at the southern end a factory and maintenance buildings.

Dry Docks

Helisto has a small dry dock and a larger one for round ships where essential hull repairs and maintenance can be carried out.

Efflassovon

Helisto’s town. Has housing for approximately 2000 people. The north end of the town is mainly tightly packed terraced houses, crowded but reasonably comfortable. The south of the town has the houses of the more affluent citizens.

Efinistra River

Has its source high in Mount Hyrokkin and tumbles down the waterfalls before emptying in Lake Koleya and then south to the Thassa. It is shallow and placid for the most part and best travelled using rencer’s punts.

Frog Island

Once the home of the Physician Aurorah

Hospital

Built to the specifications of Helisto’s late, lamented Physician Aurorah. It has experienced staff and welcomes visiting Physicians. It is situated between the tarn cotes and Initiate temple, so that incoming wounded can be helped as soon as possible but, if beyond help, can be given the appropriate rites!

House of Talarius

Stands on the hill, overlooking Lake Koleya and the Docks. It is the home of Talarius, His FC Aneesha and Their devoted slaves tasha and iona. Most discussions seem to take place in the dining room there, or the banqueting hall if the dining room table gets too crowded!A bridge over the Efinestra river links the house with the town.

Initiate Temple

A recent build and an expensive one as the special stones for it were shipped in by the Blessed Ones. The massive bell in the tower calls the Peasants to worship, and gives everyone a headache. The Chief Initiate is called Magus and he has perhaps a score of acolytes ... so far.

Insulae

Two blocks of cheap rental housing just north of the Militia Keep. Very basic but very affordable.

Koleya Lake

A calm stretch of water, though the occasional shark finds its way there! Rence is grown on its western shallows.

Market

A long terrace of shops within Efflassovon. Most are long established businesses and customers can buy there with more confidence but also more coin, than at the Bazaar!

Militia Keep

Situated between the town and the docks, this circular fort is home to the Island’s Militia. It commands the docks and will be an excellent place of defence in the event Helisto is invaded. The cellar of the Keep contains cells, slave pens and slave kennels

Mill and Bakery

Situated on high ground in the crop fields. Produces bread and other such products. Some grain is provided from the crop fields, but most is imported and ground to flour and baked here.

Mount Hyrokkin

A volcano in the north west of the island. It last erupted several generations ago and deposited a red hot piece of rock through the Headman’s roof. That was adopted as Helisto’s Homestone!!

Old Fort

The Old Fort stands at the mouth of Verr’s Hoof Bay. It has now fallen into decay as it was built many generations ago but it may be brought back to use one day, as it dominates the approaches to the docks.

Prancing Larl

The Prancing Larl is Efflassovon’s tavern and is slightly more upmarket than its competitor on the docks. Plartis is the landlord and there is also helga and nevaeh, tavern slaves, olive a new inexperienced tavern slave and Yarman - the cook.

Quarry

Situated in the far north of the island adjacent to the fishing village of Tangaroa. It is still a dangerous trip to take the long road north through the jungle to reach it. Almost all buildings on the island use the granite that the quarry provides.

Shipyard

A place to build and repair ships! Situated at the southern end of the docks, next to the dry docks.

Sigurd’s Seat

A pasang south-west of the quarry stands the highest peak after Mount Hyrokkin. Many legends are associated with this mountain and the deep, mysterious lake at its base.

Tangaroa

A fishing village in the far north. The people there do not much mix with the rest of the islanders having their own culture and rituals. Once a haunt of pirates and still a mysterious place, they trade the fish they catch.

Tarn Cotes

Situated near the dry docks, with entrances facing the sea. Has room for a couple of score of tarn.

Village Green

Between Eflassovon and Lake Koleya. It often has verr grazing on it, but that keeps the grass short for the frequent games and festivities that take place there. Chief amongst those are the Helisto tarn races and the finishing pole for those races is the only permanent structure there.

The Wall

“The Wall”, as it is referred to, surrounds the main inhabited area of Helisto. Over ten feet in height and topped with strands of tarn wire it serves to keep the more dangerous creatures of the jungles out!

Watchtowers

There are four of these, set around the coast and manned by a score or so Watchmen. Their purpose is to keep watch on the seas around Helisto and signal to the docks and each other if they see anything that requires investigation by the fleet.

Waterfalls

There is a line of four waterfalls that tumble down Mount Hyrokkin to the Efinistra river. They are named from a local legend ... “ .... So it came to pass that Efenistra and her daughters in their grief threw themselves into this great river, causing, four waterfalls to be carved into the river before it flows into a large, beautiful lake that irrigated the entire land, with many clean, edible fish in it.  The waterfalls came to be known by the names of Sigurd and Efenistra’s daughters, Dulcina, Gelsey, Eolande and Liliana.” They are at their most beautiful at dawn or dusk.

Wilderness

“The Wilderness” is the general name for anywhere beyond The Wall, but in particular the dense jungles in the north west of the island.