Church of Helm
The Church of Helm was the organized collective of clerics, paladins, fighters, guards and other martial protectors, who dedicated their service to god of vigilance, Helm. They dedicated themselves to the protection of those who could not protect themselves and shared their skills and tenets with the guardians and defenders of Faerûn, and beyond.
Structure
The church of Helm was organized into a strict military hierarchy. Although the highest post within the church had remained vacant since the 10th century DR, the Council of Helm oversaw Helmite activities, up until the late 14thcentury.
Titles
Supreme Watcher
A single source of authority within the church (vacant since 992 DR) Some of the titles below Supreme Watcher are:- Novice
- Adept
- Trusty
- Alert
- Watchknight
- Watcher
- Guardian
- Overblade
- High Watcher
- Senior Steeleye
- Bishous (bishop)
Orders
Priestly orders
The various orders of priests, or "pryats", within the church:- Watchers over the Fallen: A fellowship of 11 skilled battlefield healers.
Knightly orders
Many abbeys of helm maintained strong armies and sponsored various military groups, in order to defend their congregation.- Vigilant Eyes of the God: An order of paladins, that was known for its selfless and humble service across the Realms.
Other groups
- Champions Vigilant: A Tethyrian order of knights.
- Companions of the One True Vision: Before their excursion in Maztica, this group of zealous clerics and fighters and crusaders wereknown for their unwavering loyalty and discipline in combat.
- Everwatch Knights:This group of devout bodyguards were hired out by the church to those in need.
- Vigilant Riders: Led by the great Garshond, this short-lived grouping of outriders defended the roads between the cities of northern Heartlands.
History
Formation of the Council
In the mid-13th century, great Helmite cleric, Garshond, led the defense of Iriaebor from a goblinoid army. Following the battle, the battle-priest was presented with the Helm of Helm, which rose out of a nearby bog and seemingly chose him as its new wearer. Donning the ancient relic, Garshond returned to the Watchtower of the Vigilant, a lone keep found in nearby scrublands, which surrounded the long-ruined town of Harkstag. From the sentry-like outpost, Garshond reached out to the rich, noble families of Waterdeep, Iriaebor and Scornubel, and invited them to his stronghold for a meeting of minds regarding the protection of the northern heartlands and the Sword Coast North. This assembly came to be known as the first Council of Helm, which saw the formation of the Vigilant Riders. These elite guardians would protect the region for several years, and helped ensure welfare for the small villages and hamlets as far south as Baldur's Gate.Time of Troubles
In 1358 DR, following the events of the Time of Troubles, the reputation of Helm and his clergy were heavily tarnished across most of Faerûn. The ranks of their faithful diminished greatly and in some regions, such as the North, they were openly persecuted.Involvement in Maztica
Inexplicably immune to the distrust and weariness in four years following the Avatar Crisis, the Helmites of the south declare that 1362 DR, the Year of the Helm, would mark a new blessed age for their faith. A few years later, in 1365 DR, the Waterdhavian branch of the church, along with the Adarbrent, Helmfast. Jardeth and Raventree noble families, sponsored a transoceanic expedition of twelve ships across the Trackless Sea to the land of Maztica. While they were turned away at Helmsport by the Lord-Governor of New Amn, the colonists settled on Maztapan Island, and opened lines of trade and negotiation with the native Kultakan people. Within months they formed the colony of New Waterdeep, and after forging further north, the second settlement of Trythosford. At some point, the Helmite knights known as Companions of the One True Vision slaughtered many native Maztican people. This order was scorned across Faerûn, and many of their guilt-ridden brothers atoned for their sins by serving among the altruistic order, the Vigilant Eyes of the God.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Deities
Divines
Neighboring Nations
Comments