Helmstar

Category	Cities
Continent	Brucrumus
Region	Lands of Purity
Owner	Divine Empire
Population	35,000+
Founded	17 Bliss 1402
Map	Adellum

In the Second Epoch, Helmstar was constructed as the Farinteen Dynasty's northern bulwark against marauders from the Northern Hordelands. These raiders were predominantly Theegans of the Witch Horde, long-range goblin war parties from Pellangoth, and the most unyielding of all, Zyrath's gnolls. Unsurprisingly, during times of peace, they engaged in extensive trade with the Theegans and Githzerai residing in the Kuli-Cir Forest. As is the case today, the majority of trade flowing north and south into Kuli-Cir and northward is facilitated by the Rap'run.

In the Black Tide War (1465 - 1486), the strategic harbor city of Helmstar succumbed to the rampaging legions of the undead across the Lands of Purity. Situated on the Galathien, it became the epicenter of Black Tide operations as they expanded their reach into the region. Helmstar served as the central processing hub for the bodies collected for reanimation, fueling the Dead Council's formidable war apparatus.

Liberated during the Athenian Crusade (1539 - 1551), Helmstar opted against joining Malacost as a state. This decision was prompted by the urgings of zealous crusader orders based in Rumakarrûs and the Lurans, who represented the more fervent faction within the Athenian Schism.

In 1823, Helmstar, still an autonomous city-state, was besieged and sacked by the Witch Horde. During the Buruthran War (1824 - 1829), soldiers of the Luran Alliance liberated Helmstar from the "barbarians". At the war's conclusion in 1829, Helmstar became a territory of the Divine Empire.

Helmstar conducts a significant amount of commerce and fishing operations on the island of Galathien. It also maintains a formidable naval force that patrols the surrounding waters throughout the night, ever vigilant against potential incursions by Underdark raiders ascending via the Vortices of Khushnír.