
Dogma
Never betray your trust.
Be vigilant.
Stand, wait, and watch carefully.
Be fair and diligent in the conduct of your orders.
Protect the weak, poor, injured, and young, and do not sacrifice them for others or yourself.
Anticipate attacks and be ready.
Know your foes.
Care for your weapons so they may perform their duties when called upon.
Careful planning always defeats rushed actions in the end.
Always obey orders, providing those orders follow the dictates of Helm.
Demonstrate excellence and purity of loyalty in your role as a guardian and protector.
Organization
The church of Helm is organised into a strict military hierarchy. Although the highest post within the church has remained vacant since the 992 DR, the Council of Helm oversees Helmite activities. All sworn members of the church are given rank upon taking their oaths with promotions for meritorious service:
Novice
Adept
Trusty
Alert
Watcher
Guardian
Overblade
High Watcher
Senior Steeleye
Supreme Watcher
Helmite priests specifically are commonly called Pryats, and those delegated to regional authority (generally the rank of Guardian or higher) are called Bishou.
Orders
Everwatch Knights - This group of devout bodyguards are hired out by the church to those in need.
Watchers over the Fallen - A fellowship of 11 skilled battlefield healers. Clerics/Favoured Souls only may apply.
Vigilant Eyes of the God - An order of paladins that was known for its selfless and humble service across the Realms. Paladins of Helm only may apply.
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 is performed upon the confirmation of a person's dedication as they enter into the ranks of the Helmite clergy.
Consecration of a Glymtul - This ceremony is used to dedicate items into service unto Helm.
Purification - A ritual of atonement that is performed when a clergy member returns to the faith after leaving its service, or otherwise having 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 and involvs keeping a magically-enspelled weapon (usually a bastard sword) levitating in front of Helm's altar by willpower alone.
Bases
Temples of Helm are imposing fortresses, whose architecture stressed defense and defendability. They are 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, armouries, 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 armour had been worn by one of Helm's champions throughout history, and were considered among his holy relics.
Each temple is extremely well-defended; Helmite guards remain ever-vigilant to protect their holy houses. To aid in this feat, the church often enlists the aid of spectators, a sub-species of even-tempered beholder-kin.
In the Sword Coast region, the following temples/citadels to Helm may be known:
The Watchful Shield, Baldur's Gate - Overblade Martin Valdore
Temple of the Guardian, Nashkel - High Watcher Jaumet Ubina
House of the Guardian, Athkatla - Guardian Telwyn
Helm's Shieldhall, Elturel - High Watcher Bereduin Shondar
Ready House of the Right Strong Hand, Berdusk - Vigilant Godseye Tathlosar Brimmerbold
House of the Guardian, Hluthvar - High Watcher Ward Maurandyr
Helm's Hold, South of Neverwinter - Guardian Dumal Erard






