| Category | Marvels, voidships |
| Type | voidship |
| Location | see below |
| Owner | see below |
| Built | Dawn Era, varies by ship |
Helas Vessels are colossal, wavering spires of an enigmatic, purplish-black crystal, constructed in the Dawn Era by the primordial lord known as Beldileck. During the Creation War ( 1486 DE - 8777 DE ) , these vessels facilitated the movement of primordial armies between a system's worlds and moons. Their ability to easily open Rifts made them a valuable strategic asset for commanders seeking to attack a world's moon. When the primordials were ultimately defeated, Beldileck set the vessels adrift in the Void, rather than allow them to become Covenant war prizes.
In the Lith-Crillion Era, approximately seven thousand years later, four of these ships entered Osâchar's atmosphere. Within an area of Durkoth civilization, a highly tribal people at the time, these ancient primordial-built vessels came to rest, situated hundreds of miles apart. The villages built near them would gradually grow into towns and cities. It would be centuries before Durkoth explorers and researchers discovered a means to access the interiors, yet this prolonged period of trial and failure profoundly impacted Durkoth civilization. During this time, the study of mystical arts and sciences became institutionalized. Their mathematical knowledge advanced four centuries after they breached the alien vessel's hull, entering a series of chambers. Finding a way to reach the next group of chambers would take a decade, as the ship had adapted to the magic used to breach the initial chambers. Thereafter, each series of chambers they entered provided a wealth of knowledge. These findings, combined with changes in study, applied training, and other advancements, would eventually grant the Durkoth the edge to dominate their surroundings.
In the Torc Wars, the Spires evolved to become palaces and subsequently religious sanctuaries for the Saints of Maen.
When the Horgon Empire (159 HE - 537 HE) was attacked during the Second Suellk Invasion, the Saints of Maen and Molakh-Búle evacuated a select number of their people aboard Beldileck's arks. They abandoned their homeland, journeying into the Void. Three centuries later, in 862 HE, the Helas Vessels arrived on the world of Bal-Kriav. As they entered this world's atmosphere, the hibernating passengers, numbering 15,000 to 30,000 in each voidship, emerged from their deep slumber, preparing for their new home.
The Shiphis Helas drifted the void for many decades, the voyage concluding with the parting of Bal-Kriav's clouds. The ship's hibernation chambers cooled, liberating me and my crew. Lacking any say in our landing site, we found ourselves upon a jungle island, an unfavorable locale to establish a civilization.
From the depths of the Dawn-forged citadel, we Durkoth were trailed by the Hydrocur legions, and a steadfast Sussgurd labor force.
Molakh-Búle, excerpt from his journal - "The New World"
| Common Name | True Name | Region | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spire of Krak-Oth | Svoghast Helas | Grashakh | Gháshulg |
| Spire of Molakh-Búle | Shiphis Helas | Necrocrypt | Mulun'nâth |
| Spire of Neld-Rac | Girothe Helas | Aerie of Dragons | Fiit Storn |
| Spire of Rioch Tetrax | Kythac Helas | Troll Bogs | Tûnin-Gil |
On Bal-Kriav, the Spires that compose the Helas Vessels are commonly referred to by the names of the Durkoth leaders who commanded the ships' crews. Three of these esteemed leaders, Krak-Oth, Neld-Rac, and Rioch Tetrax, later ascended to the rank of Higher Powers.
The Helas Vessels are structures of staggering proportions - rising 2000 feet in height, with a base diameter of 3000 feet and tapering to a flat roof of 500 feet. Within these cavernous voidships lie hundreds of chambers, the largest of which is the Hibernation Bay. This expansive area allows the vessel's crew to enter a state of deep slumber during lengthy voyages across the Void.
Helas Vessels exude immense magical energy. Numerous scholars have speculated that these super-secure vaults conceal slumbering primordials, formidable war machines, ancient artifacts, and potent abominations.
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 2000' high, 3000' diameter base |
| Engine | living engine |
| Speed | unknown |
| Crew | 20,000 |