Helvellyn Ref Sheet - 2015

Helvellyn's body is covered in a fine coat of almost microscopic, hollow barbed down or 'hairs'; which if brushed up against can detach complete with a small poison sac that will deliver a non-lethal sting. Her tail and wings are the only areas where these hairs are absent.
If stung the pain can range anywhere from nettle to bee-sting and can last up to three days. The barbs make them very difficult to fall out/pull out (too small to pull out in reality) but thankfully they do dry up and disintegrate after a few days. If you get stung you have the added bonus of a really annoying itch for a while after the pain of the sting subsides.

Head and back spines are ridged and stiff and do not contain poison; although they are very sharp and pointy and if you are unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a head-butt they will pierce straight through whatever is in front of her.

Her deadliest poison is contained in the limb spines, as evidenced by the balloon-like engorged poison-sacs around the joints; mainly the wrists and ankles. These contain an extremely dangerous and severely potent neurotoxin, of which the only anti-venom is derived from Helvellyn's own blood. The neurotoxin slowly paralyses the body and if the anti-venom is not administered within a matter of a few hours death will occur. It is a very painful demise; severe pain accompanies internal haemorrhaging and muscle paralysis, which spreads through the body slowly until eventually constricting the airways and then stopping the heart. The victim also experiences an agonising unquenchable thirst and a feeling of itchiness or 'like bugs squirming' under their skin of which no amount of scratching can relieve.

The limb sacks vary in size, as they swell or deflate depending on the levels of venom within. This can occur weekly as the poison is cycled through in order to keep it fresh and fluid so as not to solidify causing unnecessary discomfort upon Helvellyn.

Her stocky tail is extremely muscular and dexterous, she prefers to keep it curled up or tucked away. Helvellyn mainly uses her tail (and sometimes her wings) as her 'hands' when interacting with others as using her arms may cause unintended harm due to the proximity of dangerous spines. When in a combat or hunting situation, her tail is powerful enough to constrict and kill small prey/enemies with ease. She holds her tail horizontally when in flight.

Besides her deadliness, Helvellyn is sweet, bubbly and cheerful. She wouldn't wish harm upon anyone. In fact, she isn't proud of the fact that she is so poisonous, and spends most of her time in her -thankfully- non-toxic human form. (Which is not pictured - But here's a handy description of her! - Red auburn Hair, freckles, fair skin. Appears to be in her late 20's, 5'9" + 126lbs. Lean frame)

Optimistic and excitable to the point of mild annoyance, Helvellyn (or Ellyn for short) enjoys spending time within her pack/family unit, tending to her garden, wearing onesies and fan-girling over whatever are the most current popular TV shows.