Hellei, Goddess of Safety

A beautiful mother-like goddess, Hellei looks after the safety and well-being of all creatures, although those who worship her are usually foremost in her mind. Sometimes called the "Goddess in Green," legend has it that Hellei plucks potent herbs from her garden and uses them to accomplish amazing miracles.

Those who follow this goddess are usually kind and thoughtful, although there are those who believe in aiding the safety of others more directly. These followers, the thorns to the other follower's rose, set out under arms to protect other people and bring them to safety. It should be noted that among knights of the shield Hellei is as popular and well thought of as Torranak.

Seat of the Faith

The worship of Hellei is focused around Falcos and does not reach much beyond the borders of Estovia. Hellei is worshipped at many small shrines rather than one or two large temples, and her worship is particularly popular outside of large cities and amongst the farmers of Estovia.

This faith is a relatively recent one, not having a history among the Vaelsh as do many of the Estovian faiths. It is quite likely that the lack of a large organized priesthood is the only thing preventing the worship of this goddess from spreading further, as she is beloved where she is known almost without exception.

Tenets, Beliefs, and Dogma

Worship of Hellei is based on one irrefutable fact, mortal creatures are in constant danger, and require supernatural aid to be safe. It is believed that the goddess Hellei does her best to aid all creatures, but she is far more able to help those who bring their needs to her directly through one of her priests or shrines. Once a need is brought to the attention of this loving goddess and her minions they turn their powers to the benefit of the needy with determination and speed.

Sapphires and acorns are particularly revered by this goddess and are symbols of the faith. Those who can afford the gems decorate themselves or their house with them in hopes of safety, those who cannot trust in the nuts of the oak.

Relations to Other Faiths

This religion is confined almost completely to Estovia where it has good relations with nearly all the faiths. Followers of Hellei are respected by those of Torranak, even if they are considered to be somewhat lower in the eyes of the battle god, and there is particular goodwill between Tessus and Hellei. The priesthoods of these two gods often cooperate, and it is not rare to find them travelling together.

There are rumors of subversive faiths in Estovia that do not support the knighthood or the king. Hellei is fervently opposed to any such action, as the stability of the kingdom and the knighthood are paramount to the safety of the land from the undead and other threats.

Factions and Heresies

The followers of Hellei are almost too fractionated for there to be any heresy. Without a central temple creating and delineating doctrine it is nearly impossible to know what are core beliefs and what are regional or personal variations.

Each priest or shrine will have slightly different goals or aspects of the faith associated with it, but for now the localness of the religion keeps it relatively similar amongst those who follow the goddess in green.

There are some rumors that the Greencloaks, a usually secret society of healers, are followers of Hellei, but the truth of this is unknown. The only Greencloaks who are public with their allegiance to the organization are a medium sized group of gnomes in Menion, and they neither confirm nor deny having any faith at all, a wise decision in that city.

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