The Cathedral of Helheim is a bastion of faith and community, located in the castle complex of Helheim.
♛ Last update: April 2026 ♛
Warrior is a broad term that covers Knights, noble officers and peasant levees and the blessing seeks to strip away all of the accoutrements and bells that comes with showmanship. Dressed in naughty but a simple robe or field clothes, the person to be blessed makes their way to the altar where they kneel in front of it. While asking God or the gods for their protection and guidance using words prepared by themselves, or by the clergy, a large cross, representing a downwards pointing sword is draw on the back of their neck in heavy paste, mixed in such a way that it will stain the skin for weeks to come. This mark of the warrior, often left visible during combat, is said to act as a shield and give strength to those who go through the ritual.
History
Early in the Spring, to see off the pestilence of creatures that may have walked the land during the darker days of Autumn and Spring, the Faithful of Helheim venture out in to to the farmlands and forests of Helheim to call forth a holy rain to bless the ground and budding crops. Each year it takes different forms, though it is typically done in April once the lasts frosts have gone for some accounts suggest that frozen water loses its holiness - others dispute this fact. The newer members of The Cathedral are tasked with carrying large casks of holy water and bundles of firewood to the site without use of wagons or carts, a task of physical labour to symbolize the need to work within the natural order Aidos created. With a censer, the bonfire is lit, and the ceremony begins with an entreatment from a devout of Aidos, who calls upon the flame to serve as a beacon for the creator to see the clergy, and the labours of those to use the gifts of life and nature. Each member of the clergy then dips a ladle into the cask of holy water, offering a prayer, and slowly pouring the contents of the ladle over the flame to send its vapors skyward. The ceremony is concluded with a final prayer from the devout for nourishing rains and a bountiful Autumn harvest, recited in ancient tongue to call forth a plentiful rain.
History
Silver Watch begins around the first week of December each year and lasts the whole month. It is a time of reflection for the people of Helheim, when they consider those who are absent, be they lost in war or at sea, working in foreign lands or any other reason to be absent. The beacon above Helheim's castle which is used as a guiding light for distant ships is turned to burn bright white to help lost souls find their way home.
Events
Gifts
Often people can be found walking the streets with lamplights when the weather is clear, ornate designs cut in to metal bodies. Gifts of wooden swords for would be soldiers is common thanks to Helheim's militarised society - though at peace, many citizens are knights, former Guards or trained, ready for the day Sincadere's wild nature rears its head.
The Tree
Cut down fresh, a tree is hauled in from the forest and erected in the market square, often decorated and topped with a glowing light to represent the castle's beacon. Within its branches, notes to lost loved ones are left and at the end of the season, the tree is burned with the smoke though to carry the words to the far reaches of the world where they can be heard.