I have nooo fuckin clue what I'm gonn post on this shjithole but OK?! We're gonn figure it out together
🍕 CLASSPECTz . ALL THE COOL SHIT . YADA YADDA
SIGN : Scorlo, sign of the devious (ISN'T THAT SO COOL?)
CASTE : Cerulean
SWAY : Prospit
CLASSPECT : Bard of Heart
🍻TAGZ
#heartgamzcosplayz - homestuck cosplays
#heartgamzart - homestuck art (empty as of now)
#heartgamzramblz - i ramble about stupid bullshit nd most likely myself
#heartgamztzatzi - shit about my fantroll/trollsona
(I APOLOGISE IN ADVANCE FOR THE LACK OF PICTURES HERE; THERE ARE FAR LESS COMIC PANELS RELEVANT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER AND I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THIS UNNECESSARILY LONG OR UNWIELDY TO READ)
Horuss Zahhak is a fairly nebulous character in Homestuck; even moreso than his deliberately obfuscated descendant. Without most of the serious undertones that challenge Equius' perception as a pastiche joke character, it's all too easy to write off the Page of Void as a walking punchline.
After all, he spends the majority of his screen time ghosting a personality that isn't his own, cracking uncomfortable jokes about bestiality and having a rather questionable attitude towards relationships.
...all of this, of course, also applying to Equius.
Horuss' depth is present, but it's there in a far different way compared to Equius. He's simultaneously taken as less of and more of a joke depending on the situation and the narrator you're listening to - even when wading through the quagmire, there's nuance in even the most obtuse of the Alpha Troll cohort.
First of all, Horuss' Classpect.
We're told by Aranea that he is the Page of Void - a title that's all too easy to write off as a mean-spirited joke. How does someone meaningfully embody potential born of nothing? It's poking fun at Horuss' very existence, punching down at him in the same way Hussie tends to treat all three Pages.
What's most interesting, immediately, is the implications of his role relating to the rest of his session. See, a Page is a signal, just as a Knight is, to indicate a deficiency of Aspect.
The central difference in the comparison is the active Knight compensates for that deficiency intentionally through their surplus of it; even if they believe themselves to share the absence. A Page suffers from the deficiency themselves, and often lacks the self-awareness required to confront it.
What does a deficit in Void mean? It's specific to the player, yes, but applicable to the whole session. In the Alpha Trolls' case, it's one of three things.
1. That the teenaged echo-chamber the twelve of them are stuck in denies them the right to privacy and secrecy; their situation forces them into proximity with people they'd otherwise never give the time of day to.
2. The narrative is refusing to let them die and continually forces them back into relevance, first through their Dream Bubble immortality and then through their reincarnation on Alternia.
3. They're all fucking idiots and the majority of them don't know shit. This also ties directly into Latula's signalled deficit in Mind; a lack of rational thought that leads them to gloss over obvious truths.
Horuss' personal deficiency in Void manifests in a fourth fashion, he is forced by expectations and circumstances to do & know everything. He's role-playing a Renaissance man; so caught up in the belief that a man of his caste must be a prestigious polymath that he Voids out simple solutions and passive lifestyles in favour of pursuing Light.
Furthermore, his functional use of his Aspect as a wielded shield is apparent; for Horuss' default response to information he doesn't want to hear is ignorance. The STRONG implication when it comes to his failing relationship with Rufioh is that he knows they're doomed to fail but is so reliant on the Rogue's presence in his (after)life that he blots out the writing on the wall.
This is not the only romance that's affecting his presentation, mind you.
Let's latch onto that Renaissance Man part. The part about Horuss trying to live up to expectations. Where else do we see that in his character? Simple, his toxic relationship with Meulin.
Meulin and Horuss have forced themselves into a saccharine, hyper-positive moirallegiance based on the example set by the genuinely healthy Equius & Nepeta. Horuss sees his dancestor's behaviour and feels obligated to emulate it; unable to come up with ideas on his own, he fills his Void with the ideas of others.
The result of this arrangement is Horuss deliberately censoring and obfuscating the broad strokes of his personality in favour of more mask-wearing and roleplay. He ignores the simmering anger at his own unfulfilled potential and the burning wrongness in his own empty soul in favour of grinning through the pain and pretending it's all A-Okay!
By now, we've neatly segued into discussing Horuss' interpersonal relationships; and frankly, there's only one more legitimately important one here; Damara. His interactions with her pile onto the theme of highblood expectations in a damning fashion and highlight just how deeply entrenched in the idea he is.
We already hear based on his thoughts on Meulin that he's a hemocasteist, but it's the cruelty he shows to Damara that truly highlights it. Horuss has the dubious honour of being the only Homestuck character to be seriously real-world racist.
(Dave is a more complex example owing to his latent bigotry reflecting the author's as opposed to being a conscious character writing decision).
Whenever Horuss speaks to Damara, it is abundantly clear that he's disgusted with the fact she is Troll Japanese. He explicitly calls her language a vulgar peasant tongue and, even through the guise of a friendly smile, cannot hold himself back from expressing how much he looks down on her.
This is tied to her being a rust-blood as well, yes, but no other casteism in the comic seems as directly tied to a real-world ethnic identity than Horuss'. It is obviously, shockingly, racism. (Racism that is also baked into the presentation of Damara's character as a whole; though that's not present much in this particular conversation).
The casteism is apparent with the way he treats Rufioh as well, he seems embarrassed and ashamed to have dated somebody lower on the spectrum and views his entanglement with a bronze-blood as a shameful experiment. He's two seconds away from calling him 'exotic'.
Though this isn't nearly as present when it comes to Meulin, there are still shades of it - given he lampshades to Meenah that he would've found the idea of dating an olive-blood ridiculous, before he learned of Equius and Nepeta's moirallegiance.
What's the central point here? Horuss' relationships all point to a pursuit of feeling superiority, which could very easily stem from the inferiority and lack of meaning he's feeling! His pattern of dating below-spectrum and adherence to the hemospectrum as a system of belief is tied to his absence of feeling, just like Equius.
This is also, I feel, a manifestation of a fear of change that's neatly represented through Light and Void's dichotomy: Void is simple and reductive, Light is complex and encompassing. Both Zahhaks fear complexity and so prefer simplicity, and therefore would rather take in what they know rather than change viewpoint.
This internal feeling of emptiness brings us onto the third point about Horuss' psyche; and the Watsonian|Doylist interpretations that come with it. Horuss and systemhood.
There's no sugar-coating it; Horuss being a system is something incredibly poorly handled by the text. Hussie's portrayal seems to make the fact a butt of a joke and somehow conflates systemhood with being otherkin? How that conclusion was drawn, I have no idea.
It's textual that this was the intention - Horuss describes having realised upon self-reflecting that he was a 'system' - this is the exact term used - but it's difficult to take the reading seriously with how facetious and ableist Hussie is being.
The central point attempting to be made is that Horuss internalises anything he sees from an exterior perspective and incorporates it into his perception of selfhood, incapable of truly grasping what actually lies beneath his own surface. There is legitimate merit in understanding this as part of a system's experience; it's just incredibly difficult to separate from the misinformation and ableism it's caked in.
Unfortunately, this leaves me with very little to say about this as a part of analysing Horuss, only because it feels like any conclusion drawn would just be regurgitating the same rhetoric; that Hussie sees systems as fake nonsense. It's upsetting.
That being said, for any potential rerailment attempts, it is possible to retool this facet of Horuss' characterisation and his relationship with plurality into something far more tactfully handled; the Sovereignstuck team are doing great with their iteration of the character so far.
It's a rather cruel trick of the mind that I ended up confronting my own systemhood during the authorship of this essay; though it did give me some new perspectives on the character that I'm grateful for. The specific kind of system Horuss seems to be portrayed as is the kind that I am myself; a polyfragmented system. That's a fun little authorial tidbit - albeit one I don't think I feel comfortable going over in public just quite yet.
(And, yes, that is a large part of the reasoning for my delay in publishing this. Re-evaluating your own selfhood is understandably a higher priority).
Finally, we reach the central point - the crux of Horuss' character that I've been mentioning over & over throughout various points in the essay. Expectations.
The fact is, all of what Horuss experiences comes down to the expectations and ideas that other people pin onto him; and it's this that he then takes from others as inspiration to fill his own perceived Void. He thinks he's nothing, so he tries to do everything he can.
If you subscribe to the oft-contentious Classpect Inversion theory, one could even argue that it's Horuss ghosting his would-be inverted self - a Thief of Light. Both he and Vriska struggle with the expectations of their forebears, after all - it's just that Vriska focuses on her own ancestor in specific whereas Horuss is influenced by the stereotype around his entire caste. It's unclear if any of the Alpha Trolls know of their ancestors; but I'm inclined to say they didn't.
It's a very clear idea of just what it's like for an indigo-blood on Beforus - the Renaissance Troll Horuss aspires to be seems to be a common thread of inspiration for bluebloods on both planets. Again, it's this idea of doing everything; a jack of all trades and a master of none. Even Hussie's hastily released Beforan Ancestor designs corroborate this theory; Equius (Danklook) there is explicitly referred to as an Exemplar, someone there to be a paragon of highblood expectations.
In this vein we actually end up gleaning as much about the parallel aspect of Light as we do about Void, because even by Page standards Horuss is very deeply tied into his opposite. Ultimately, where the Void overpowers him is not through anything he consciously does but rather the passive influence of the narrative; for despite his efforts to be significant, he remains an irrelevant footnote amongst an already-irrelevant group of players. The least significant of the least significant; a loser of losers, where even his Classpect serves as a cruel joke.
Fans of my previous essay will no doubt be expecting this point, so for my closing statement I'll bring up the idea of Horuss as a trans woman, a reading I've seen more often since I accidentally popularised trans Equius.
Regrettably, I don't see it. Not nearly as much as I would with Equius. I think there's definitely the argument of the Beforan-Alternian upper class being tied to masculinity as a whole and therefore the reading that comes from this image being forced onto Horuss, plus the lack of coherent self-perception that colours the rest of his characterisation...
But I just don't think it would be nearly as interesting or cohesive with the extant parts of his character. I would be far more interested in seeing his canonical plurality taken seriously and explored in-depth. It's a narrative I haven't seen many people attempt to work with before, and I think it's more appropriate than rehashing Equius' potential arc. (If anything, emulating his dancestor is clearly something Horuss should avoid doing).
On the topic, though I'm sure a fair few of you came from this direction anyways, one of my friends (and the lead author of Sovereignstuck, which I cited earlier) made a post on his perspective on the trans Horuss idea: I'll link it here. Also, I'll give a shout to @santostrife who's in charge of writing Horuss for the fanventure; hou's got a few really interesting posts about him.
So, to conclude on the matter of Horuss Zahhak; he is a deeply troubled and angry man whose life experience and self-perception is defined by internalising the expectations of others, the oppressive standards forced upon him by his own society and hideous amounts of repression.
I do apologise just for the length on this one compared to the last - I feel there's a lot more that needs to be explained about the groundwork of the argument compared to Equius who the fans are more familiar with - but I hope this has been an interesting read for some of you!
TL;DR - never enter a relationship with Rufioh Nitram. Thank you all for your patience in waiting for this; I hope you understand my reasons for delay - and have a nice day.
A Knight of Void would be someone who protects the Void, thus being this secret keeper. However they can start struggling with this, putting up this facade on being reliable in some way, show themself as smart? They usually develop into this Secrecy, skills like bluffing, lying, and pokerfaces. These are not natural to Knights of Void, but it will soon become second nature to them. They come in sessions that usually lack void, and they must make do with the VOID they do have on them, which is usually something inner within them. Which sounds weird, but makes sense (to me at least)! Too much going on? They'll use that downtime with nothing to do to the best of their ability. People are being way too honest and it's hurting the sessions integrity? Tell them to shut up and keep a secret!
HORUSS. A Page of Void is similar to Knights, being devoid of their aspect, not knowing how to keep a secret, what is or isn't true, struggling with concept of secrets. They may grow insecure about this! They might bring attention to things best kept secret. Even if they subconsciously show some signs of the Voidbound, hiding themself away to protect themself, they must still grow into the role of a true Voidbound, learning how to lead with NOTHING, with secrets, with lies. How to keep everyone together through such means. They go from having nothing, to still having that nothing, but with the limitless potential of... Nothing! They might turn into a being that you cannot find, protecting what they hold dear in a way they might LITERALLY disappear.
A Witch of Void, one who manipulates the unknown. Someone who manipulates secrets, Witches however has an abundance of their aspect, whether it be everything about them is a lie, they keep things about themselves in darkness, or have a bunch of Literal Nothing to them, own nothing keep nothing, not a hoarder! They meddle more selfishly (but not a bad way), they weave themselves into other peoples secrets, whether but accident or not, they keep these secrets, but a more malevolent witch may use this as blackmail,.,... Manipulation.... Witches arent inherently bad but can def have the evil BAD potential.
Heir of Void, Equius Zahhak Classpect, one who is changed by nothing, or changes through nothing. They accept the void, whether this brings solitude or accepting into the secrets. They can be meaningless in some way, but revel in it! Or love the fictional, as it isn't real, but imagining their world just like it. They undo and redo, they change through these acts, or make change through them. They can hear lifechanging secrets, keep it to themselves. But it changes them for better or worse. No matter what, their aspect will change them or the world greatly.
Thief of Void, steals Nothing? for themself. They hoard secrets, lies, nothing, the dark. they will take it and never let go. Best secret keeper! but still may not be reliable... As they don't keep it for YOU, they keep it for THEMSELF. They might be not secretive themself, being quite truthful actually, but due to that they might be the greediest little shit to find secrets on other. Never truly achieving a sufficient amount, they will take without knowing the meaning of the aspect, but cause of this, they can steal the unlimited potential of Void, making Something they want FROM NOTHING. Much like Roxy as the Rogue of Void in Canon, she makes something for someone else out of nothing. Cause she "stole" from nothing. However with this greed to take from the void, they might find themself overcompensating just "stealing" more and more and more and more. The balance on their void is weird, they'll take but they'll never have a void around them.
Rogue of Void, Roxy Lalonde's classpect, where you don't take for yourself, you take for others. They don't want to be invisible, or feel uncomfortable in this area of being forgotten. So they take all this, and share it with their closest allies, or random people if desperate enough. They want attention, but will always end up being forgotten temporarily, whether it be short or long! They will do anything for others, and they will give anything from their aspect, for others. They take from the void to make anything with the potential, to appease anyone surrounding them.
Prince of Void, You are not lying to this person, they will sniff out the truth! They want attention, they want to have truth out there. Don't want to keep secrets, don't want to LIE. However this will be futile to a prince, as their aspect is a key part of them. They will try and reject their aspect, but will always come back to it. It can come out in a number of ways, having their own secrets, telling a white lie every while, having a facade of their own. Anything that brings them back to the aspect they try to deny. These princes are aware of the NOW, not the past and future. They want the TRUTH NOW and will not hesitate.
Prince of Void side note. I think there's one non-homestuck character that's the PERFECT Prince(cess) of Void. Kurara Oozusuki from The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy. She is someone who HATES secrets and lying to others, her "best friend" she feels like she can't trust over ONE LIE. But this is hypocritical of her, as she gives herself a facade to deal with her own issues. She wears a big tomato mask to APPEAR confident, and she acts SUPER confident and cocky, but without it? She is her true self who is super anxious ABOUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. She denies her true self, making this facade despite her hate of someone who doesn't show their true self. She also engineers weapons of destruction, overcompensation for her aspect.
Bard of Void. They allow destruction of nothing. They do not seek it, but is always drawn to it. They might be someone who is very informative, or at least bringing people to information, allowing them to passively destroy gatekeeping information and secrets, the Void. Then they go much more into this state of Destroying that information. Going from secret sharing to never telling a soul. Leaking documents to Redacting any mention of a thing. That, or it could go the opposite, being a fairly secretive person, to someone who shares everything everywhere. They destroy their aspect, or through their aspect.
Maid of Void, someone who creates nothing, however has that abundance once again. They might dislike this, They may create the positive aspects of void in themself, being content in nothing, calm with not sharing the truth. But will face the negative factors of this in others, not being part of knowing the truth in groups, being ignored every once in a while. They face both sides of this Abundance, and this can grow tiring. They might not get themselves though, being content in the calm of the Void, but also not facing who you truly are, no one knows who you are deep inside. But they grow honest, they keep the aspects of void, but mature into someone who can function without it. No longer abundance, but a good level.
A Sylph of Void would be someone who casts doubt on what's already known, they would find secrets, and despite their meddlesome nature, would tend to play along with secrets. Void players are apart of the unknown, secrets, literal nothingness and is a canvas for limitless potential. They are apart of their aspect, so they tend to create and not only create and leave it, they'll add to it, a spruce up if you will. So they will keep secrets and lies, and keep it til their deathbed. However this comes with people coming to YOU for information, whether you give it or not is up to you. You help people with their secrets, not just protecting said secrets.
Mage of Void, They understand everything about the void, they can keep secrets, know how to lie effectively, and point out when someone is lying or keeping a secret. They understand the darker sides of people that are kept hidden. They always find ways to get information, even if it seems like it came from Nowhere, they might know something in the back of their head without realizing, and pull it out at the perfect moment. However despite their knowledge of the unknown, they might not feel particularly confident, being insecure and feeling meaningless. They might also miss the big picture of things, focusing on the small details of secrets and lies and "nothing"
Seer of Void, Another understander of the Void. However they know nothing at first, not void nothing, nothing nothing. They observe their aspect and learn everything about it. They start not knowing they're being lied too, but grow into seeing the telltale signs of a lie, and picking out every detail from said lie. They can start to pick out peoples details from just reading their appearance, you can't get someone's personality from appearance! IT GIVES NOTHING, but to a seer, they can pinpoint many details about a person from said appearance. Seers can know EVERYTHING from NEXT TO NOTHING. The Knowerrr.
HEELLOOOO PEOPLE! here's my looovely little trollsona
some background info:
hes an alternian troll that somehow learned of the existence of aspects, and became extensively invested in the void aspect, almost worshipping it, believing himself to be voidbound, immersing himself in 'nothingness' and denying his 'heart' eventually during his sburb session, he ascends, and freaks the fuck out
ALSO: Cerulean blooded, prospit sway
thats pretty much all i know abut him yo
making a classpect-specific character is hard when i dont know shit
ill be posting more about him soon i guess idk
HEELLOOOO PEOPLE! here's my looovely little trollsona
some background info:
hes an alternian troll that somehow learned of the existence of aspects, and became extensively invested in the void aspect, almost worshipping it, believing himself to be voidbound, immersing himself in 'nothingness' and denying his 'heart' eventually during his sburb session, he ascends, and freaks the fuck out
ALSO: Cerulean blooded, prospit sway
thats pretty much all i know abut him yo
making a classpect-specific character is hard when i dont know shit
ill be posting more about him soon i guess idk
YOOO!! saw the other request and was inspired... kismesitude-matesprit tension sprite between gamzee & nepeta? whateva that inspires yu to make wuld be lovely. THANK YIIU ! ! XoO
