Helena

Biodata

Background / History

Becoming Zhao Si’s maiden

Helena knew the previous owner of Zhao Si’s body before his awakening as a Tarnished. When they met at the Chapel of Anticipation, she was surprised that he did not remember her becoming a maiden and complained that he had previously tried to lift her skirt. She attributed his unfamiliar behavior to his awakening and led him toward Stormveil Castle 1.

Acting on the Two Fingers’ wishes, she brought him before Godrick and cheered him on using the name “Nicholas.” After Godrick selected him to travel to the Roundtable Hold, she watched him depart and prayed that he would fulfill his mission 2.

Destined Death and the first mission

Helena followed Zhao Si to the Roundtable Hold after handing over her duties at the church. She identified his mission as Destined Death, while admitting that she knew only its name. Her assurance that she was his maiden encouraged him to confide his belief that Ranni planned to assassinate Godwyn 12.

Rather than demand proof, Helena helped him examine the conspiracy’s missing steps. She questioned how Ranni could steal Destined Death from Maliketh and suggested that another party had assisted her. Her proposal that Marika might have helped the Black Knife Assassins remained speculation, which Zhao Si rejected. She urged him to investigate, disrupt the assassination, and stop hiding at the Hold 13.

Gideon subsequently assigned Helena, Zhao Si, Blaidd?, and Alberich to investigate Frenzied Flame Sickness on the Weeping Peninsula and kill Shabriri. Helena maintained contact with the Two Fingers and explained the disease’s dangers during their journey 14.

Castle Morne

During the encounter with a Death Rite Bird, Helena protected Blaidd? and Alberich from its vengeful spirits with Litany of Proper Law, allowing her companions to continue attacking 20.

At Castle Morne, she celebrated Zhao Si’s improving swordsmanship and reported that the Two Fingers had issued no further orders. When Demi-Humans attacked, she explained their territorial position in the Lands Between and checked again for instructions before Zhao Si entered the battle 22 23.

After Zhao Si killed the Lion Misbegotten, Helena healed his severe wounds and broken bones, bringing him back from the brink of death over several minutes. She remained with him when Blaidd? and Alberich returned to the Roundtable Hold, accompanying him to Liurnia and the Academy of Magic 25 27.

Liurnia and reconciliation

Helena stayed with Zhao Si at Thops’s secluded house and treated an arm injury sustained during a magical experiment. She warned him not to treat convenient healing as an excuse for recklessness 30 32.

When Zhao Si struck a research agreement with Azur and Lusat, Helena warned that he lacked the leverage to deal with them as an equal. Under the influence of lingering Frenzied Flame poison, he responded by accusing her of spying for the Two Fingers, deeply hurting her 35 37.

After the poison was eradicated, Zhao Si returned to apologize. Helena offered to heal him before he could explain himself, then forgave him and affirmed that they were family. She also pinched his ear and reprimanded him for his behavior. The two reconciled and set out for the Shaded Castle 37.

Shaded Castle and return to the Academy

At the Shaded Castle, Helena defused an awkward exchange with Mare Mare by requesting a meal and privately warned Zhao Si against antagonizing their noble host. She then befriended Malenia through ordinary conversation, helping her relax despite her distrust of people affiliated with the Fingers 40 41.

Helena advised Mare Mare to stop pestering Malenia and show consideration through small gestures. She also persuaded him to invite Eleonora to a banquet, creating the distraction Zhao Si used to steal the Executioner’s Sword. Although she helped deceive the two men, she did not know how Zhao Si had taken the weapon until their journey back 42 43.

When Shabriri’s army attacked the Academy, Helena waited at a safe distance while Zhao Si and Malenia fought. She later rejoined them and helped disguise Malenia before their audience with the Carian royal family. As that audience deteriorated, Zhao Si asked Malenia to protect Helena if danger broke out 46 47 48.

Appearance

Helena is a young woman with a slender build whose eyes are kept covered 12.

• Blindfold: She explicitly describes herself as blind, although she can perceive tiny flames on Zhao Si 2 42.
• Maiden’s robe: Her initial clothing covers her from head to toe 1.
• Traveling clothes: She arrives at the Roundtable Hold dressed as a traveler 12.
• Waterproof cloak: She wears one during the rainy journey across the Weeping Peninsula 14.

Personality

Helena is affectionate, optimistic, and strongly invested in Zhao Si’s future. She reassures him when he feels weak, celebrates his progress, and confidently predicts that he will one day surpass everyone. Her loyalty is personal rather than dependent on his reverence for the gods: she remains untroubled when he criticizes the Greater Will, the Two Fingers, or the Erdtree 12 22 29.

Her kindness does not prevent her from challenging him. She questions gaps in his account of the Night of the Black Knives, warns him about unequal bargains, and repeatedly objects to his carelessness with injuries. After their reconciliation, she combines forgiveness with a pointed reprimand rather than simply overlooking his conduct 13 32 35 37.

Helena is also socially resourceful. She draws the reserved Malenia into friendly conversation and uses Mare Mare’s infatuation to guide his behavior. She treats her own blindness matter-of-factly, citing her ability to live well when encouraging him not to despair over his illness 41 42.

Abilities & Skills

Healing and restorative incantations

Helena knows several incantations from the Two Fingers and Erdtree traditions, making her primarily a support caster rather than a frontline fighter 20.

• Closes wounds and replenishes depleted stamina 20.
• Dispels training fatigue with an Erdtree incantation, helping Zhao Si recover for further practice 14.
• Heals severe injuries, including broken bones; Zhao Si’s recovery after fighting the Lion Misbegotten takes several minutes 25.
• Treats injuries caused by magical experimentation 32.

Litany of Proper Law

Her prayer produces golden rings of holy power that oppose the Death Rite Bird’s vengeful spirits 20.

• Shields Blaidd? and Alberich during the spirits’ attack 20.
• Dissolves the approaching spirits, creating an opening for her companions to act 20.

Communication with the Two Fingers

Helena can maintain contact with the Two Fingers while traveling, serving as the expedition’s link to the Roundtable Hold 14 27.

• Relays guidance and checks whether new orders have been issued 22 23.
• Explains the Fingers’ information about Frenzied Flame Sickness, including that Grace does not prevent infection 14.
• Knows the name of Zhao Si’s mission, Destined Death, but initially has no further details 12.
• Displays a Finger mark that soldiers recognize, allowing the group to pass through checkpoints 14.

Flame perception

Despite her blindness, Helena recognizes Zhao Si by the “tiny flames” she can see on him 2.

• Navigates Stormveil’s crowded streets while leading him by the hand 2.
• Her perception is not shown to provide ordinary sight: Alberich describes Zhao Si’s sparring match to her, and Helena asks who won 22.

Persuasion and disguise

Helena helps manage delicate social situations and supports Zhao Si’s schemes 40 42 47.

• Befriends Malenia despite her reservations about the Fingers 41.
• Persuades Mare Mare to invite Eleonora to the banquet used as a distraction for the sword theft 42 43.
• Helps conceal Malenia’s identifying features with a loose cloak and mask before the royal audience 47.

Equipment / Items

• Finger Sacred Seal — Held ready for support incantations during the Death Rite Bird encounter 20.
• Finger mark — Recognized by soldiers as evidence of the group’s connection to the Two Fingers 14.
• Horse — Used on her journeys with Zhao Si and Malenia 30 43.
• Waterproof cloak — Protection against the Weeping Peninsula’s persistent rain 14.

Relationships

• Zhao Si / Nicholas — Her Tarnished and closest companion. She guides, heals, and supports him; after their painful disagreement, both explicitly recognize one another as family 2 12 35 37.
• Two Fingers — The source of the guidance she relays. Her service to them does not displace her personal devotion to Zhao Si 14 29.
• Malenia — A close friend who finds comfort in speaking with Helena as an equal. Helena calls them best friends, and the two hold hands or link arms during their stay at the Shaded Castle 41 42.
• Thops — A host and traveling acquaintance who defends Helena when Zhao Si lashes out. His observation that she cares for Zhao Si like family helps prompt their reconciliation 30 35 37.
• Blaidd? — A fellow expedition member whom she protects from the Death Rite Bird’s spirits 14 20.
• Alberich — A fellow expedition member who explains sparring to Helena and later protects those inside the Lord’s Manor during the attack on Castle Morne 22 25.
• Mare Mare — Their host at the Shaded Castle. Helena consoles him and offers courtship advice while also manipulating him into providing a distraction for Zhao Si’s theft 40 42 43.

Notable Quotes

“I followed the road here. I’m your maiden. How could I abandon you?” 12

“Just because incantations are convenient doesn’t mean you can stop taking care of yourself.” 32

“Look at me. I’m blind, but I’m still living just fine. Try to look on the bright side.” 42