Helmstar

In the Second Epoch, Helmstar was built as the Farinteen Empire's northern bulwark against marauders out of the Northern Hordelands. These marauders were largely Theegans of the Witch Horde, long-range goblin war parties out of Pellangoth, and the most uncompromising of them all, Zyrath's gnolls. Not surprisingly, in time of peace they traded heavily with the Theegans and Githzerai home to the Kuli-Cir Forest. Like today, most of the trade north and south into Kuli-Cir and northward is by way of the Rap'run.

In the Black Tide War (1465 - 1504), Helmstar fell to the legions of undead running amok across the Lands of Purity. Strategically located, with a harbor on the Galathien, it became the heart of Black Tide operations as they pushed deeper into the region. It was central processing for bodies collected for reanimation, feeding the Dead Council's war machine.

Liberated in the Athenian Crusade (1539 - 1551), Helmstar voted went on to vote against becoming a state of Malacost. Their decision to become independent city-state was largely on the urging of the holy orders based out of Rumakarrûs. These were militant types, Athenian worshipers with a more zealous and crusader approach (c.f. Athenian Schism).

In 1823, still an independent city-state, Helmstar was beset by the Witch Horde of Arhibess. The city's fall led to a depopulation as slaves went north to join their new Theegan masters.

In the Buruthran War (1824 - 1829 ), soldiers of the Luran Alliance rescued Helmstar from the "barbarians". At the conclusion of this war in 1829, Helmstar became a holding of the Divine Empire; they got no vote this time around.

Helmstar does a lot of commerce and fishing on Galathien. It also has a substantial navy that patrols the seas by night, ever watchful for Underdark raiders coming up by way of the Vortices of Khushnír.