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.

Dogma

Beliefs

The practice of controlling the undead, as opposed to their outright destruction, was abhorrent to the faithful of Helm.

Attitudes

Novices, or initiates, of the church were trained to vigilant and dutiful in carrying out their orders. In their service they learned to never betray the trust that was bestowed upon them, which extended to the manner in which they considered martial combat. They had to rely upon themselves, their weapons and allies in order to best plan and coordinate defense and attacks in battle.

Activities

Following the Time of Troubles they set out to win back favor among the people of Faerûn with renewed demonstrations of excellent and loyal service as protectors. The church sponsored the training of guards and armed escorts in various cities throughout the realms, extolling their virtues and worthiness as the only guardians that were worthy for hire. The clergy of Helm would take in anyone who sought sanctuary within the walls of their fortified churches, persecuted and criminally accused alike. Those running from the authorities would be turned over to local law enforcement, though the presiding Helmite priest would ensure a fair and just trial.

Organization

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 14th century.

Titles

Supreme Watcher A single source of authority within the church (vacant since 992 DR) Some of the titles below Supreme Watcher are listed below: 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.

Knights of the Vigil: These dedicated knights were tasked with presiding over Watcher's Keep and ensuring the Imprisoned One had no influence over the Realms.
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.

Rituals

Holidays

The faithful of Helm celebrated their devotion with the Ceremony to Honor Helm on Shieldmeet. They held no other annual observances or holidays.

Ceremonies

Consecration of a Postulant: One of the holiest of the Helmite rituals, this consecration was performed upon the confirmation of a person's dedication as they entered into the ranks of the Helmite clergy.
Consecration of a Glymtul: This ceremony was used to dedicate items into service unto Helm.
Purification: A ritual of atonement that was performed when a clergy member returned to the faith after leaving its service, or otherwise failed in their vigilance, obedience or faithfulness.
Holy Vigil: This night-long ceremony was performed by a priest of Helm when they ascended in rank within the church.

Bases

The church of Helm was a strong, protective presence throughout the North. They were oft regarded as the region's first defenders against attacks from monstrous beasts and malevolent humanoids.

Regions

Lands of Intrigue
Maztica
The North
Western Heartlands

Temples

Temples of Helm were imposing fortresses, whose architecture stressed defense and defendability. They were often built in Faerûn's most dangerous regions, or near its strongholds aligned with malevolent forces, (such was the case with Darkhold near the Sunset Mountains). Within their halls were a number of barracks, armories, training grounds and, within the heart of each temple, a central altar with a suit of pristine full plate mail. Each of these sets of armor had been worn by one of Helm's champions throughout history, and were considered among his holy relics. Each temple was extremely well-defended; Helmite guards remained ever-vigilant to protect their holy houses. To aid in this feat, the church often enlisted the aid of spectators, a sub-species of even-tempered beholder-kin. Most major cities throughout the Realms had a temple or abbey dedicated to the Watchful One. Among these were:

Guardtower of the God, Redwater
Hall of Vigilance, Sundabar
House Invincible, Silverymoon
Noble Hand, Tsurlagol
Citadel of Protection, Ravens Bluff
Tower of the Eye, Procampur
Temple of the Vigilant Guard, Iljak
Watchtower of the Vigilant

Equipment, Spells, and Relics

Dress Clerics of Helm were armored in pristine full plate mail, often enchanted with the everbright property, complete with open-faced helmets that often featured colored plumes. Over their armor they typically carried steel-colored scabbards, wore red or steel-grey cloaks, with Helm's symbol, the "Unsleeping Eye". While and church members donned their armor in the field and during church ceremonies, if found themself in a venue where armor was not allowed, they often kept their pauldrons and always wore their helm. In the south, Helmite clergy inset their finely-crafted armor with gems and adorned its lining with gold filigree, particularly around the lids of the eye. Weapons and arms When preparing for battle, a Patriarch of Helm often used a ceremonial mace to anoit troops in holy water, referred to as the "Tears of Helm". Spells Exaltation • Faith Armor • Fist of Faith • Forceward • Mace of Odo • Seeking Sword • Sentry of Helm • Shield of the God • Summon Spectator • Tenfold Ironguard Relics/Artifacts

Guardian's Tear: Manifested after the death of Mystra at the hands of Helm, this immensely powerful gemstone held the anguish of the Guardian God.
Helm of Helm: This warhelm, which has been donned by several of Helm's champions, offered great power to the faithful of the God of Guardians.