Gilindrea Helfast, Hero of the Dawn War

The time honored hero of mortals, banisher of Surtym, there are few indeed who do not know her name. Her origins are largely unknown, though it is known that she came to Elturia with one of the groups of Elves that traveled the fae lands. She was supposedly a scribe for one of the noble houses at the onset of the Dawn War, and only after being forced to defend herself did her kin recognize her innate skill with a sword. Tales of her flowing through battlefields, her stark white hair nearly as graceful as her sword, bolstered the morale of Elefae Pact troops. Though she was a prominent figure during the Dawn War there are only four primary tales that remain and make up the legend of Gilindrea Helfast. Many common folk today call them "The Virtues of Helfast" and tell them to their children to impart valuable lessons.

The Virtues of Helfast

You Never Know What You Are Capable Of

For the first few years after Gilindrea had crossed into Elturia, she didn't even pick up a sword. Like all of the elves that traveled through the portals, she had her memory stripped while traveling the fae lands to Elturia. She knew not who she was, it seemed that she had no family that traveled with her. She was the only one in her caravan with the name, Helfast. Like many of the elves searching for a safe place to call home, when they stepped through the

Writing Quill by Janet Gooch

portal they found a land torn by war between giants, elementals, and dragons. Though they were tired, the elves were determined to stand and fight for their new home. For where could they go?

Gilindrea showed an analytical mind, so was given a place as a scribe within an officer's retinue. For months she tallied ledgers that helped make the elvish armies run. She developed a knack for the many languages of the the native mortals which allowed to her in the inner circles of important meetings. While she was proud to serve her people in such a distinguished place, she desired more. The scribe's life suited some, and she did not disparage her kin who enjoyed it, but she questioned if it suited her. She got her chance to prove herself sooner and more dramatically than she expected.

She was in a meeting of tactics with some of the most powerful leaders among the mortals when assassins struck. Shadowy creatures sent by Surtym struck, slaughtering the command structure in one fell swoop. As the assissins turned on the scribes, Ginlindrea sought for a way to defend herself and the other bystandards. As she found and picked up the Drek Guard captain's greatsword lying on the ground next to his corpse, it felt like she was at home at last. Time slowed as she gave a prayer to Skir. She then launched into a dance to fend off the shadowy creatures as her blade began to glow. Swordsmanship came naturally as she, dove, struck, and glided through the tent, saving the fellow scribes and destorying all of the creatures save one. That one she left to flee and tell their masters what they saw. Gilindrea had regained something lost in the migration, and saw a sliver of what she could become.

Skir, mother of this land, I know we are not your children as the others are. Though we would be, if you would have us. I know you are weak, but if you grant me the power to protect these people, I give my oath to protect your creations, strike down the wicked, and to defend this land to the end of my days.

— Gilindrea Helfast's prayer and oath to Skir, the mother goddess of Elturia

Even a Hero Needs a Hand Sometimes

The Mighty can Fall, but They Must Choose to Rise Again

Know When it is Time to Give Everything

Species

Elves - Time Lost Refugees

Age

Unknown

Date of Birth

Unknown

Date of Death

Approximately 249 B.F.

Circumstances of Birth

Unknown

Birthplace

Unknown

Pronouns

She/Her

When last we looked the world was doomed
We saw the fire, we felt the gloom.
Surtym had sundered the land and the sea
So the few mortals, we had to flee.

You could only hide
Or stoke Surtym’s pride
Hopefully you’d live
Many before us had tried
The primordial lords made a pact with the fae
To create the dragons, to enter the fray.
Giants and Dragons fought to the bone.
Great was their war that destroyed all our homes.

You’d either hide
Or you’d choose a side
No matter what you did
Those around you had died

The plight of the elves had gone unheard
They traveled so far only to be spurned
Helfast rose up, to carve a place for her people
Her eyes were set, on the greatest evil

If you didn’t hide
You were on a side
Gilindrea’s actions
They would turn the tide

Gilindrea Helfast rose up against Surtym
Gliding into battle, on the back of Drekim
Drakes fangs met armor, of deep forges make
Driving back giant’s father, for all of our sake

Mortals didn’t hide
We chose a side
We sided with Helfast
Surtym was denied

The elvish hero fought Surtym to the brink
They thought she’d die in only a blink
But the gods had blessed her with a sword of Kradore.
Bound she slew Surtym, but he evened the score

The people, they cried
Now the giants must hide
Though the lost Helfast
Surtym had died.

— Song of Helfast, often sung in reverence