Helm (Forgotten Realms)
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| Forgotten Realms Deity | |
|---|---|
| Image:Helm symbol.jpg | |
| Helm | |
| Title(s) | The Watcher, the Vigilant One |
| Homeplane | House of the Triad |
| Power Level | Intermediate |
| Alignment | Lawful Neutral |
| Portfolio | Guardians, protectors, protection |
| Superior | Lord Ao |
Helm, The Watcher, is a god in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.
Helm is known as the Vigilant One, the Great Guard, and The Watcher. God of guardians, protection and protectors, and worshipped by guards and paladins, he was long seen as a cold and focused deity who impartially took the role of defender and sometimes also enforcer[who?]. His activities in the Time of Troubles caused the folk of Faerûn to look differently on the Watcher[vague].
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Overview
Helm is a Lawful Neutral deity. His symbol is a staring eye with blue iris on an upright war gauntlet, his divine realm is Everwatch in the House of the Triad, and his 3.5 Edition D&D domains are Law, Planning, Protection, and Strength. The deity wields "Ever Watchful", a +4 holy keen lawful Bastard Sword, the favored weapon of his faith.
Helm's faith is (or was) especially popular in Cormyr, the Dragon Coast, Tethyr, the Vilhon Reach, and the Western Heartlands.
Worshippers
Helmites have long been respected and revered for their dedication and purpose, and their pledge to come to the defense of those who call for it[who?]. They wear polished full suits of armor often with plumed helmets. Their hierarchy is strict and militaristic, with specific groups such as the order of paladins called the Vigilant Eyes of the Deity, and originally also a single pontiff (head of the church)—the Supreme Watcher. There has not been someone in this post since 992 DR, though.
Titles used by the clergy of Helm are (in ascending order of rank): Novice, Adept, Trusty, Alert, Watchknight, Guardian, Overblade, High Watcher, and Senior Steeleye (A title applied to all senior clergy).
Holy Days / Rituals
Ceremony of Honor to Helm - The only calendar-related ritual observed by Helmites, a festival to honour Helm celibrated on each Shieldmeet.
Consecration of a Postulant - Confirmation of new clergy
Consecration of a Glymtul - Dedication of an item to Helm's service
Purification - An atonement for a shortcoming in vigilance, loyalty or worship
Holy Vigil - Ceremony marking the ascension of a priest to a higher rank
History and relationships
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A very old deity, Helm is the eternal sentry and is always represented and seen wearing a full suit of armor that represents the weight of his heavy responsibility. Yet Helm gets, and has always gotten, the job at hand done without complaint. The people of the Realms widely admired these qualities in what they saw as a humble and reassuring god[who?].
During the Time of Troubles, though, when the gods walked Toril, it was in reliable Helm that Lord Ao trusted the task of keeping the other deities from returning to their posts without returning the stolen Tablets of Fate. Helm kept his full power for this task, so that when the goddess Mystra attempted to pass him without the Tablets he was capable of first blocking her and after, when she retaliated, destroying her. This action had enormous repercussions for Helm. Whilst it put off any of the other earthbound deities attempting the same action, it also caused the other deities and mortals alike to hold Helm in great contempt (surprisingly however, in the South, Helm's following was still strong)[original research?].
When the Time of Troubles ended and (what was left of) the other gods were restored to their former existences, and Helm himself no longer bound to stand guard against them, much of Helm's worship had faltered. Things amongst his clergy were made worse when the natives of recently-discovered Maztica, whom the priests of Helm were subjugating in their conquest of the region, highlighted their cause. It is only in recent times that Helm has regained some of his popularity and respect, as people acknowledge that in the Time of Troubles he was doing what he had to. The only god who could be considered a full ally of the Watcher is Torm the True, the god of paladins. Strongly-held ideological differences have caused a great rivalry verging on hatred between the clergy of the two gods, but the deities themselves remain close[original research?].
Far back in time, the deity Lathander caused a divine purge known as the Dawn Cataclysm in which Helm's lover, a lesser deity of pragmatism called Murdane, was victim. Helm has begrudged the Morninglord this ever since. However Helm reserves his real opposition for deities whose plots threaten the people and stability of Faerûn, especially Bane and Cyric, as well as Mask and Shar. He is also especially at odds with the uncontrolled violence and careless destruction of the deities Garagos, Malar and Talos.
According to The Grand History of the Realms, released by Wizards of the Coast, Helm is eventually killed by Tyr in 1384 DR[when?], though the other gods suspect Cyric is somehow behind it.
Orders
- Watchers over the Fallen
The Watchers over the Fallen form a small fellowship of battlefield healers who worship Helm. Only Clerics in high favor may join.
- Everwatch Knights
The Everwatch Knights are a group of dedicated bodyguards whom Helmite temples hire out to others to generate revenue.
- Vigilant Eyes of the Deity
This is the order of the paladins who worship Helm. All Paladins may join this guild after squirehood.
- He Who Watches Over Travelers
This is a relatively obscure order of clerics who see to the blessings of those about to partake on long journeys, such as traders and merchants.
Helm in computer games
- In Baldur's Gate there are temples of Helm in Nashkel and Baldur's Gate
- In Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn there is a temple of Helm in the 'Temple District' of Athkatla, in which you are sent to discover the truth about the 'Cult of the Unseeing Eye,' unless the main character is a cleric of Lathander or Talos, in which case you will be sent to the corresponding temple.
- In Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal a major quest is offered to the player if their character class is 'Priest of Helm'.
- In Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II one of the playable characters, Allessia Faithhammer, is a human cleric of Helm.
- In Neverwinter Nights towards the end of the first chapter, the player must battle through Helm's Hold, where the Cult of the Eye has slaughtered all the followers of Helm and suppressed the guardian spirit with a demon. The player has the option of destroying the demon and resummoning the guardian spirit of Helm.
- In Strahd's Possession, after completing the main quest, the player's party is summoned before Helm for a hearty thank you.
References
- Eric L. Boyd and Erik Mona. Faiths and Pantheons (Wizards of the Coast, 2002).
- Julie Martin and Eric L. Boyd. Faiths and Avatars (TSR, 1996).
- Brian R. James and Ed Greenwood. Grand History of the realms {Wizards of the Coast, 2007}.
External links
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