Editing Helotry of Xiombarg (section)

==Members of the Helotry==

Despite the fact that it is called the Helotry of Xiombarg, it is not truly known whether the power of the Helotry stems from Xiombarg or the Nameless Goddess whom they adore.  It is well known that the Helots are avowed worshipers of the powers that the Queen of Swords represents - power over others and one's self, magical forces, pain, suffering, blood, and obscene forms of what can only by a far cry be called "love".  Typical of Xiombarg's followers, they deface the beautiful, glorify the unsightly, vilify the rules and laws of their communities, and then turn around and do the opposite when confronted with claims of having done these things.  Despite that, the Helotry of Xiombarg quietly adores a silent, unknown being, which they call a goddess.  There was no recorded name for the being they say gives them their power as they emulate her mystery.  Whether the Lords of Order struck their cats-paw from record, or the spells which imprison and ensnare her prevent her name from being discovered, no one can say.  

It is rare for those who are members of the Helotry to speak of their induction into it, but by and large it seems almost by chance or divine will that they first enter into their power.  Despite this, the Helotry is a growing concern in many cities.  The more sophisticated and cosmopolitan the city, the more likely the Helotry will worm its way in to start eating at the souls and hearts of the youth or those who seek power without restriction upon its use.  Sorcerers are by far and away the most common among the Helotry, with wilders maintaining a close second; however, wizards, psions, and disenchanted priests of other deities often find their way into the secretive temples and bordellos of the depraved worshipers of Xiombarg.  

Strange creatures are attracted to the Helotry.  They cannot truly be called 'allied' creatures, as the Helotry is not organized as such, and those creatures that find their way into the Helotry are generally doing so for their own reasons.  In keeping with the capricious nature of the faith that they have, the Helots react in a wide variety of ways to these creatures and their responses are unpredictable.  By far the most common alien visitations come from the undead jahi.  These intelligent undead seek worshipers and adulation, and find that cults such as the Helotry (when they actually organize enough to be called a cult) suit their purposes to perfection.  Most find that it is actually more cost effective to let the Helotry bring them cultists rather than trying to subvert the Helots themselves; in addition to being powerful psychics and spell casters most Helots do not take well to being controlled despite appearances.  Slaadi are another (relatively) common visitor to Helots.  Usually it is curiosity or summons that bring them, and being the insane creatures they are they will often stay to do various things with, to, around, between, beside, or away from the Helotry.  

Needless to say, it is almost impossible to determine what any group of Helots will have among their numbers; they are equally likely to have local nobles, beggars off the street, guild members, heretics of other faiths, and monsters that make no real sense to have around when a cell of Helots is discovered.