Helaclossan Primeans

Introduction

The Helaclossans, named for the illustrious City of Helaclossus, were one of many people groups designated under the moniker “Primean ''. They embrace the high culture of their northern relatives, including the love of debate and rhetoric, yet have also integrated the folk mysticism of the deserts they live near. While Helaclossus, and the tradition of the oracles have long disappeared with time, their remnants exist in the hardiness of their descendants who inhabit the modern City of Kelea. They are a pariah among their Primean peers, believing the Mother of the Trium to be a solar goddess, and the Soldier to be a spear wielding war god. The Theocracy of Helaclossus saw the rule of a Triarchy, though the attempt at mimicking the Trium in their ruling body is often attributed as heresy.

Physical Appearance/Biology

Helaclossans are typical in biology, mirroring the traits of other humans. They are generally shorter, sitting between an average of 5’7 for men and 5’4 for women. Black hair and tan skin is common due to the climate, but their skin is still lighter than their Sadafi counterparts. As most Primeans do, the Helaclossan culture places physical fitness on a pedestal of respect and almost reverence, so it is very common to see stout but muscular Helaclossan men.

Religion

Helaclossans are Triumists, and devotedly so, but their practice deviates from the accepted dogma of even their neighbors in Pheranthos. Priests in Helaclossus wear diagonal bands of gold across their robes, and carry axe-scepters as blessed icons of their faith. They answer to the Oracle of Helaclossus, who is said to disseminate the pleasure or displeasure of the Trium at any given event or decision. A measure of influence from their Sadafi neighbors, the Oracle receives dreams from the Trium, and is trusted to interpret them.

Otherwise, the Helaclossans possess their own form of the inquisition, but do not answer to the institution at Wakendor. They are called the Wardens of Psalia, soldiers called up from military service to guard temples and destroy dark religious sites of Helaclossus’ enemies during war. Among the many beliefs held by Helaclossan clergy, the belief that dark magic contaminates anything it reaches is the most potent. It is not uncommon to see Helaclossans express fear and dread at the sight of dark artifacts, calling immediately for their destruction. This is not for some notion of cowardice, but the respect afforded to the enemy for their influence, and influenced in part from the Helaclossan wars against Sadaf.

Culture

Morality

Helaclossan morality is libertine, likely a reflexive reaction to the zealotry of the Sadafi to their south, and the virtuous polity of Pheranthos in the north. They do not hold to strict monogamy, are liberal on the matter of same-sex marriage, and hold to a very egalitarian view on gender. Gambling is seen with suspicion for its proclivity to spur violence among its participants, but the City of Kelea today still maintains one of the largest gambling halls in all of Reveia and Sadafeia. Substance abuse and alcoholism is common, despite a general aversion to it religiously and culturally. The Guards of Psalia are given license to prosecute moral law without court sanction, a deviation from the other Primean states who maintain more robust judicial traditions.

Customs

Helaclossan custom governs all conduct between citizens, from greetings to the manner in which a meal is conducted. Consumption of food is blessed as a provision of the divine, and as such Helaclossan families will begin each meal with a long prayer of gratitude. Parties and festivals are suitable for Helaclossan society, from the celebration of birthdays to fellowship with one’s friends. Individualism is a fostered virtue of Helaclossus, and as such it is seen as out of touch to bow, even before the Triarchs. While the Triarchs command respect, it is seen as alien to show reverence akin to that of a king.

Politics

Judiciary

Helaclossan courts are infamously poorly maintained. Trials are usually resolved on the same day they are held, and court officials are elected from a lottery-dependent jury. It is a strange system to any outsider, a true reflection of mob justice meant to encourage the development of personal virtue. Surprisingly, despite all of its criticisms, Helaclossan courts are still reputable among its peers, and are known for their fairness and just practices. The death penalty is very common to Helaclossan culture, most notably exercised in cases where a criminal has committed crimes that significantly damage the possessions of another.

Government

The Triarchy of Helaclossus is a famous institution, a ruling body of three, often wealthy, citizens of the city. They are elected through a council called the Apella, a gathering of thirteen citizens over the age of thirty. During election cycles, the council is chosen at random to serve as electors. Wealthy politicians will influence this choice with bribes, and most of the time they are allowed to do so. Helaclossan corruption is very well known, and it is rumored that the priesthood almost legalized the practice as a matter of Merchant-ordained piety.

History

Compiled by the Scribe Phineus of Kelea

Tales of antiquity describe the City-state of Helaclossus, a Primean power in Sadafeia renowned for their trade and mercantile control of the roads leading south into the desert. They feuded with the Keriokois to the north, and the scattered Sadafi tribes to the south, but the records of these events are scattered and left to academic speculation. I choose to start with their resistance against the Elves, a cause to which our brave city donated its blood. Our proud Strategos Inaros, marched an army estimated around a few thousand to meet the enemy in battle. Sometime in the early period of the First Era, Inaros had fought several battles to keep the Elves at bay near Daxis and Pheranthos. It is my belief that the resistance was futile, a thought reinforced by the Oracle at the time whose records we still have access to.

I note the Battle of Thenae, for my scholarly readers. Inaros suffered a grievous wound that would later end his life, but it was his command that stopped an Elven army from reaching our city. Over a hundred thousand Elves mounted an attack on Inaros’ army, numbering only a tenth of that. For every Helaclossan death, the Elves paid dearly and the spirit of holding the line against foreign powers has animated the Helaclossan spirit in their wars against all who tread against them.

In more recent history, the Helaclossans were ruled by the Sultans of Hashid, and I count myself lucky to live in an era free of their barbarity.