Helpis Salticids

Helpis salticids are a salticid species. They evolved from an unknown spider in the modern jumping spider genus Helpis, probably Helpis minitibunda, during the early Second Carboniferous on Pangea Proxima 1.

Origin
Modern Helpis minitibunda (also known as the Threatening Jumping Spider) inhabit Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand, with a small New Zealand population likely originating Helpis salticids. When Eurasia merged with Antarctica and Oceania to form Pangea Proxima 1, the Helpis migrated inward and became part of the Terran Mingle with the other emerging Mopsus, Hyllus, and Portian salticid cultures.

Description
Helpis salticids are not as boldly colored as other salticids, but possess a distinct marbled look, with yellow, brown, orange, and sometimes dull blue patterns. Males are generally darker-colored than females.

Abilities
Long legs give Helpis salticids an enhanced jumping and climbing ability.

Society
Helpis salticids joined the Terran Mingle along with three other founding salticid species. When Hyllus broke from the Mingle in 380 PT, organized Helpis opposition led to the emergence of an independent Helpis state. Although the new Helpis state was centered around the Helpis culture, it had many Mopsus citizens, and Helpis encouraged and assisted in the founding of Vast Mopsus to act as a trade partner and be able to surveil Great Portia. In about 400 PT, Helpis fought the Terran Coastal War against the Coastal Mopsus, leading to the surrender of the Coastal Mopsus and the creation of a semi-sovereign Mopsus Prefecture.

Starting in about 730 PT, Helpis went to war with Portia over its aggressive colonial actions in Vast Mopsus. The two fought for about ten years as Portia gradually took over Helpis. Eventually, the remaining Helpis government officials surrendered, leading to the creation of a new Helpis state with a Portian-instated puppet leader. Part of the previous territory of Helpis, along with the entirety of Mopsus Prefecture, became the Helpis-Mopsus Contested Territory after the war's end, with both the new Helpis state and the newly-independent Mopsus Coastal Culture claiming the right to occupy and govern the area.