The Secondary Helm was an auxiliary unit for the Ildorian paramilitary Ravenhelm. It primarily served as a recruiting pool for those awaiting a chance to compete for an open spot in the elite Ravenhelm. The second-in-command of the entire Ravenhelm, Second Helm, was the commander of the Secondary.
Secondary Helm consisted of 60-100 soldiers who had passed selection and began their training for work in the Ravenhelm units. This was still considered an elite unit in the Ildorian military apparatus, and often the Secondary was called upon to perform missions that were similar to those of the actual Ravenhelm units, such as in cases where the other units were already tasked, when more personnel were needed, or in a supporting role. It was directly from the Secondary that slots were filled on the four Ravenhelm teams. It was not unheard of for a soldier to spend several years in the Secondary before finally earning a place among the Ravenhelm, however, it was also common to retire from the Secondary.
Joining the Secondary
Candidates were taken directly from the ranks of the Ildorian Army, could be of any age or gender, and were required to pass a medical exam in order to try out for selection, which was a grueling training 2-month course designed to weed out unqualified or unmotivated individuals. Those who passed selection were offered a spot among the Secondary Helm, where they acquired and practiced all the skills necessary for work on one of the four Ravenhelm teams.
Promotion to Ravenhelm
When a spot on a team (except for Gold Helm) became available, members of the Secondary were permitted to compete for that spot, regardless of how long they had been assigned to the Secondary. They were tested on a variety of job-related skills and fitness; the top four candidates from this series of tests then fought each other in a bracket, where the winner earned the coveted spot. If an opening became available on the Star Helm, however, the slot was always filled with a Ravenhelm from one of the other teams, hand-picked by the Second Helm. Then the slot that individual left behind would be filled with the most qualified from the Secondary.
End of the Secondary
The unit met its end, along with all other Ravenhelm, at the end of the Ildorian Revolution when they were caught and burned at the stake, which came to be known as the Burning of the Birds.