- I. Apices

- II. Dogma

- III. Primus

- IV. Divinus

- V. Eques

- VI. Custodis

- VII. Sententia

- VIII. Teneres

- IX. Disciplinare

- X. Ordos

- These books are organized in such a format by Senior Steeleye Eirgan Brightfall with the utmost wisdom and care. The first book is an introduction, both a description and a prayer to Helm for guidance in his writings. The second and third books are theological dissertations on the Great Guard and the Helmite faith. The fourth through sixth books are called the Three Reflections and give beautiful insight into the intricacies of the Church of Helm and its inherent beliefs. Finally, the last four books - books seven through ten - are called the Books of the Vanguard, detailing the purpose and inner workings of the Knights of the Vanguard.

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Espiel Callahan

In the most holy and righteous name of the Great Guard I, Eirgan Brightfall, write these texts with a hand most vigilant to the task before me – to act as the mortal vessel of Helm’s will, putting his image, doctrine, and commands into these pages with both clarity and reverence; being both duly worshipful as well as founded in reason so that the mind of any man, based in the Prime Material and of any level of faith or understanding, will be capable of comprehension. Helm, grant me the ability that which none without divinity can aspire to – I ask this of you so that I may bring you glory by performing the duty you have placed within my hands. May the faithful brethren which these texts guide be an upright vanguard of Truth and Mercy in your all-seeing eye.

Ever Vigilance to the Great Guard.





In his divine core, Helm is the deity of those who protect justly, those who defend the weak, and those who safeguard the noble law - even those who are made to reach forth and enforce the law when such is the only means of doing so - because he is the utmost and flawless example of such virtuosity. An old god, servant only to Ao, Helm is unflinching in his duty and immaculate in his vigilance. Never is he surprised, for observation and forethought prevent such an occurrence. Always is he mindful, his unsleeping eye resting eternally upon the realms. So trusted is the Great Guard in his steadfastness and watchfulness that the Overgod chose him of all his divine children to maintain his godhood, giving him the single greatest task of import during the Time of Troubles: to keep watch over the doorway to divinity, preventing the wandering gods from returning to their positions in the Outer Planes and enforcing the punishment to which Ao sentenced them for their crimes. This duty made his aegis, the Vigilant One keeping his post even in the face of the Goddess of Magic, slaying Mystra as she attempted to force past his station. The consequences of this event are never to be blamed upon the God of Guardians; for is it not true that the Law cannot be blamed for the fate of those who break it, nor can the Keepers be incriminated for maintaining the Law even in the face of Chaos? Do not mistake devotion to duty as heartlessness or a lack of compassion, my brothers – such is surely folly. Helm is a god of justice, and justice has no concern for good or evil but only righteousness as measured by the Law. Mercy is permitted, as the Watcher often shows mercy to who do not yet comprehend the Law – children an example of such. But while Mercy is a virtue, the Law stands as Truth, and Truth is the greatest of virtues; only to be tempered by the lesser values, never replaced. Often reaching down from his lofty station in the House of the Triad to commune with his faithful, Helm stands apart from most of the Pantheon, desiring to impart his Wisdom, his Truth, and his Vigilance upon those who would receive it through dreams, omens, and signs. Those who have the faith to understand his message come to see the duality of Truth and Mercy not as contradictory, but evident and transcendent, measuring and meting Justice inseparably. As such, threats to the Law – that is, to Truth and to Mercy– are made plain as enemies of the Great Guard. Most apparent are the foes of Truth – Bane, Cyric, Shar, and Mask – and the foes of Mercy – Malar, Talos, and Garagos. Of all the gods, the most noble and worthy of alliance is Torm the True, a fellow keeper of the Law, Truth, and Mercy.



As a faithful, you are to emulate the Vigilant One in all that you do. To perform such a daunting task, a strict set of priorities is made necessary so as to clarify the import of virtues.

Duty is the foundation of everything. With it, all other virtues align according to their proper place. Without it, one cannot claim to be a servant of the Great Guard. It is what connects us to the Law, binding our hands and our minds as tools as willing bondservants to it.

- Even if one’s Faith falters, Duty causes their hand to press on and perform what their heart and mind do not understand or believe. As such, Duty is both the Sword and Shield of Faith, both acting as its guiding protector as well as its fearsome arm.

Faith is trusting in the Law, in Truth and Mercy, no matter the circumstance. To be assured of Helm’s virtues, to acknowledge that they are to be emulated, and to be vigilant in all things so that every action and every thought is a prayer of praise to the Watcher – that is what it means to be Faithful.

- When a man’s heart and mind are in line with that of Helm, that is when he has true Faith as Senior Steeleye Brightfall describes it here – unshakeable, unafraid, and completely devoted to the character of their Lord.

Justice is measured and meted by an inseparable union of Truth and Mercy, and as such, is a significant portion of both Duty and Faith. Without Justice, Duty has little concordance with the Law. Without Justice, Faith has no concordance with the character of Helm. To be Just is to be the Great Guard’s upright gauntlet, a tool to be used for his glory and the defense of the Law.

- The best way I am able to describe Senior Steeleye Brightfall’s writing on mercy is in a single phrase: “Justice Tempered with Mercy”. Without Mercy, Helm is no better than Bane. Without Justice, Helm is nothing at all.

These are the Three Priorities of the Vigilant Vanguard, then: Duty, Faith, and Justice. Together they form a man into the mold of Helm himself, making a man undeniably righteous at his core.

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Espiel Callahan

To be your Faithful, O Lord of Watchers, I must be ever mindful of my Duty. To be Dutiful in Your Name, Greatest of Guards, I must be Just in all things. To be a keeper of perfect Justice, God of Protectors, I must be a perfect keeper of your Faith. As it is said:

“He also serves who stands and waits and watches carefully.”

We understand that we serve you, Great Guard, because you serve us. Through humble adherence to the Law of Truth and Mercy, you safeguard us; of all the gods you show true virtue in that what you demand, you evenly provide. Never shall we be capable of protecting the Realms as you have done in Duty, Faith, and Justice to and for the Overgod. But, as parallels within this life and thereafter, we shall vigilantly keep your noble priorities because you have done no less yourself. As it is said:

“Never betray your trust.”

We know that we should never betray our own trust; but in the event that we fail as such a task, we may always benefit from being loyal to what you trust. You speak to us through dreams, visions, omens, and signs, but even so you equally communicate to us through your Law, through discipline, through reason. By fulfilling our Duty we honor you in that we remain trustworthy and trusting unto you.

- Senior Steeleye Brightfall was a truly wise man. His rhetoric in this reflection is beautiful, his writing like a tapestry woven with colorful words. I was truly blessed to have studied under him, even for such a short time.



To be chosen by Helm as his Just, upright hand is an honor that cannot be surpassed – and a Duty that cannot be shirked. A Paladin of the Great Guard is more than a man, more than a mortal, more than even a Faithful. A Paladin of the Vigilant is Duty. He is Faith. He is Justice. He is the Law. And just as the Law protects and safeguards the righteous, serving those within its reach, so does a chosen knight of Helm shield and serve; sacrificing all and becoming the very image of his deity so as to exist as both Bastion and Champion, Shield and Sword. And just as a Helmite Paladin’s purpose is twofold, split into equivalent opposites, so must he accept that this world is severed by a single line that defines Justice and injustice; righteousness and folly; good and evil. With shield raised and sword held aloft, they stand within the light, facing the darkness – no fear, no hesitation, no surprise ever crossing their stoic countenance. No man is more a protector than a Paladin of He of the Unsleeping Eye. No shield is more fortified than his resolve. No blade is sharper than his vigilance. The Three Priorities are to the Champion of Helm as breath is to any living thing. He is held to a higher standard. Eight Tenets of Character must he follow if he is to be righteous in the eyes of not only the Law of Helm but the sight of all: Discipline, Obedience, Compassion, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Kindness, and Humility. Never do these tenets contradict the Law, nor do they do battle with Justice. For the first two – Discipline and Obedience – are aspects of the Truth, and the latter six –Compassion, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Kindness, and Humility – are facets of Mercy, the shield of Truth and it’s wedded companion. The Paladin of Helm must strive to fulfill these Eight Tenets in all he is able, truly becoming the servant he was called to be – and that his Lord truly is.

- Do not fret; the Eight Tenets are further expounded upon in Teneres, the Eighth Book.



To be a servant of the Great Guard, one must be a Guard. To serve the Protector, one must seek to protect. As such, being a Watcher and a Keeper is of great concern to Helm, to his Church, and to his Faithful. To this end I will endeavor to enlighten the Faithful upon what our Lord expects of his guardian servants.

- It has been asked, “If we are Guardians, do we thusly Guard all?” Does a gatekeeper guard both those inside his walls and those without? Does a watchman protect both the burglar and his victim? No! Just as Helm protects the righteous as judged by the Law, by the Law, through the Law, so do we defend those who are within the bounds of the Law. Once a soul has stepped into lawlessness, they are an agent of Chaos and an enemy of Helm. As such, they no longer warrant safekeeping until repentance has been attempted and the Law is fulfilled.

- It has also been asked, “If we safeguard the righteous, then must we condemn the wicked?” We measure our Justice by the Law – that is, that we understand righteousness and wickedness as opposing sides of a fence, that fence being the Truth and Mercy of the Law. If one is outside of the fence, they are wicked. If one is inside, they are righteous. Goodness and evilness are not accounted for in this measurement, for goodness and evilness are not always made obvious. The Law is plain, visible, and comprehendible.

- It has also been asked, “If we are to condemn the wicked, we must seek them out; then are not we no longer protectors, but attackers?” Just as our Great Guard not only defends the law but enforces it, so must be understand that we may only protect the righteous by culling the wicked. Seeking out the enemies of the Law is rarely necessary, however, and should be avoided unless utterly necessary; for the wicked will seek out the righteous and will receive their Justice crashing upon our shields. However, if allowing a certain lawless entity to continue to exist would only further endanger the righteous, then seek it out you must – for doing so is the ultimate defense, the permanent and utter destruction of a threat.

By the grace and vigilance of the Watcher are we given the strength to fulfill the task set before us. Ever Vigilance to the Great Guard.

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Espiel Callahan

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Espiel Callahan