What is an ARPG / HARPG?
ARPG is an acronym for Art-Role-Playing-Game. When you add the H for HARPG, it refers to Horse-Art-Role-Playing-Game. 

The purpose of an ARPG is to create characters and draw (or write!) about those characters and their lives. This can be in a player-made world, or in the canon world of that particular ARPG species. There are many reasons why someone may enjoy HARPG, but it all boils down to enjoyment of the process of creating art -- and of course enjoying pretty ponies! (Without the cost of owning an actual horse)

What is a Nordanner, exactly?

In short, a Nordanner is a closed ARPG species. Meaning it is not free to create. 
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With closed species, you must purchase an import from the group, purchase slots from existing player horses and breed a foal, or participate in newbie-centric events and programs. We have more information on how to get into the breed with our "Getting Your First Nord" page!

In the breed Lore, they were bred specifically to be strong and fearless war horses that fight dragons. They have been through strife, two kingdom changes, and currently face the ever-growing corruption spread by the anti-god Vramien. To learn more about Nordanner Lore, check out our Lore page!

Of course, you don't have to use your Nordanner in the canon realm mentioned in the lore. You can have their story be whatever and wherever you like!

Where do Nordanners come from?

Nordanners were originally from a world called Skagenrak. However, they were forced to leave that world behind, and soon found themselves on a continent called Aleria. For a while, things were thought to be stable, until the appearance of the anti-god Vramien. With him came the terrible corruption that both unraveled magic, and the land it touched. Once again, Nordanners were forced to flee their kingdom -- losing their reigning monarch Queen Alora in the process -- and have since fled to a different continent called Kisarana. To learn more about the breed origins, check out the Conformation and Origins and Lore pages!

How do I join Nordanner?

Check out our page that can help you with Getting Your First Nord.

The quickest way to get involved in the community is to join the group Discord and DeviantART group!

Are there other HARPG breeds other than Nordanner?

Of course! There are hundreds of different breeds and species, for all different tastes and drawing styles!
The main hub for most HARPG species is DeviantART. You can search HARPG on the site and come up with thousands of different images, and from there find groups of all different flavors. Nordanner is only one of the many, and one of the oldest still in existence!

Our Affiliates:


Do you wish to have your breed officially affiliated with Nordanner? Send a DM to Moosiferr, or a note to the group! From there we will review your breed, and discuss official affiliation!

About: HARPG Etiquette

Like with all social communities and groups, there are certain expected behaviors when it comes to HARPG. This can vary from breed-to-breed, but in general the following guidelines are what is considered polite ARPG etiquette.
​ Please Note: This etiquette primarily refers to "closed" species ARPG, and much of this is Nordanner-specific. "Open" species, and other species may have different etiquette rules!
General etiquette
  • Be kind and polite to others. HARPG in the past (and Nordanner is no exception) has been filled with a lot of drama. As a result, most HARPG groups now have strict codes of conduct - Nordanner included - which seek to resolve issues and implement consequences for those who create problems. However, it is important to remember that HARPG is an online community with users from all over the world, meaning we see many different beliefs, cultures, languages, etc. which should be taken into consideration. Overall, make sure you are being kind and accepting of others, and that if you have an issue with another user to please report them or reach out to the group. In Nordanner, you can find this information on the Reporting Issues page. 
  • Art Payments. Before taking on an art payment, it is good to talk to the user who is receiving the art about their expectations. The same is true vice versa - those accepting art payments should be clear in their expectations. For example: Some users do not count show entry points towards kaaring payments, or may prefer you do the payment my entering things like Cartography or Arena. Also, make sure you are both clear on what the deadline is for the art payment, and what the consequences will be for not meeting those deadlines. All of these things should be discussed before you start your payment! 
  • People are not obligated to sell you things. Generally, users do not like being asked if they will sell something. This is especially true if they feel constantly pressured to do so. Good practice is to wait until the user has indicated they would be interested in selling certain things, or posting a sale in general. If you are told no - that is a full sentence, and do not continue to beg or ask to be given or sold a horse, item, etc. People are free to do what they wish with their belongings. 
  • Ask Before Using. Although gift art is great and usually well received, make sure you are asking before entering another persons horse in a show or event. They may want to enter the horse themselves, or have reasons for not wanting that horsed used in those situations. You do NOT have to ask permission to draw another users horse (unless they have stated clearly they do not want the horse drawn without asking first). 
  • Admins Are Volunteers. Across the HARPG community, most admins are volunteers and not paid for their work. This means that just because an admin is online, it doesn't necessarily mean they are doing admin work at that time, as they also are usually members of the breed who enjoy the recreation and do the admin work on the side. Often they too want to enjoy entering into events, having time to draw, etc. In can be seen as incredibly rude to pressure an admin or moderator to do something. Please have patience with admin teams, and do not harass admins privately about group related matters, and instead use proper channels to contact the group how they wish to be contacted. 
  • HARPG is just pixel ponies. At the end of the day, remember it is about having fun, being kind to others, and enjoying your time with your pixel ponies. Nothing here is worth losing sleep over. HARPG is a fun way to enjoy your time with like-minded friends and make some new connections. It should not be something that stresses you out or makes you upset. 
Group Obligations
  • Member Agreements. Generally, members have their own set of rules with regards to the sale of horses, items, breeding slots, etc. These are private rules, and the group cannot enforce them. Although there may be no consequences with the group for violating a members private sales or breeding rules, you can be blacklisted from further purchases from that user. As well, the group will not intervene if because of this violation other users also prefer not to do sales with you. Private agreements can include things like limitations on items you may use in a breeding, if you can resell a horse you bought from them without offering them first refusal, etc. The group will get involved in situations where a group rule has been violated as well as the private rules, such as scamming, charge backs, etc. 
  • Personal Sales. Many groups do no control the price of member-sold goods. This can include breeding slots, in-game items, and more. The sale value of these items depends on the user selling it, and the overall market value of those goods. Users are allowed to price their items as they desire, and the group will not moderate what people decide to charge for things like items, breeding slots, horses, etc. The only prices the group has control over is group sales -- imports, items bought directly from the group, etc.
Nordanner specific
  • Have a question? Check FAQ first! We provide detailed resources and explanations in the FAQ, so you should be able to find most of your answers there. We see some questions getting asked repeatedly, so to save time make sure to look there before asking in the Discord.
  • Breeding Slots. Due to the limited number of breeding slots Nordanners have, and the fact that we do not permit any form of inbreeding, often breeding slots have user made rules and requirements. Honoring these and discussing them with the owner before sending in a breeding is a good practice to ensure there is no issues down the road. Some things people include with breeding slots is breeding images, the requirement for a parent slot, if items can be used and which, etc. Most users have their own private breeding rules and by breeding to their horses you are agreeing to those rules. 
Art on this page by: Tealgmagpie and PetrichorCrown (top to bottom)
​Header art done by: Memuii