The Helghast are a race of genetically adapted, pale-skinned humans originating from the planet Helghan. Descended from colonists of the Helghan Corporation, exiled there following their defeat in the First Extrasolar War, they developed enhanced physical and physiological traits after generations of exposure to Helghan’s harsh environment. Known for their increased strength, endurance, intelligence, and height, the Helghast later became the dominant population of the Helghan Empire.

Following the catastrophic event known as the Terracide, the surviving Helghast population resettled on Vekta, with the given territory named New Helghan.

Etymology

The term "Helghast" was first coined by Scolar Visari in a public speech in 2347. Visari claimed the word derived from the Old English "gast", meaning "spirit" or "ghost," intended to evoke fear and symbolize a reborn people.^[1]

Description

Helghast are visually distinguished by their pale skin, frequent lack of hair, and imposing physical stature. Their bodies evolved to survive Helghan’s extreme conditions, resulting in several notable adaptations:

• Enhanced strength and reinforced tendons.^[2]
• Increased lung capacity and more oxygenated blood to endure polluted atmospheres.^[2]
• Cellular resistance to high radiation levels.^[1]
• Physiological adaptation to Helghan's heavy gravity.^[1]

These traits collectively make Helghast physically superior to baseline humans in many respects.^[3]

Helghast are also biologically compatible with humans and can produce hybrid offspring, commonly referred to as "half-breeds". Observed cases indicate that Helghast genetic traits tend to dominate in both physical appearance and biological composition.

History

The Helghast trace their origins to human colonists who once inhabited Vekta. Following the First Extrasolar War, millions of colonists loyal to the Helghan Corporation were exiled after refusing to submit to the rule of the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance and the United Colonial Nations. These disaffected colonists were relocated to Helghan, a hostile and desolated planet. The ISA and UCN provided little assistance, leaving the colonists to survive independently.^[1]

Life on Helghan was marked by widespread hardship, including disease, famine, and mass mortality. The majority of first-generation settlers perished shortly after arrival, with subsequent generations continuing to suffer heavy losses.^[1]

By 2305, the third generation of Helghan-born humans began to exhibit significant genetic adaptation to the environment, becoming stronger and more resilient than their ancestors. Scolar Visari later declared these adapted humans a distinct and superior race, formally naming them the "Helghast".^[1]

By 2347, the Helghast population had unified under Visari, who assumed leadership as Autarch of the Helghan Empire. Under his rule, Helghast society became defined by strong nationalism, militarism, and xenophobia. The Empire initiated the Second Extrasolar War, aiming to reclaim Vekta and overthrow the UCN. Despite initial successes, Helghast forces were eventually repelled, prompting an ISA counter-invasion of Helghan, attempting to capture Visari and forcing an end to the war. Ultimately, these events led to the death of Visari and the devastation of Helghan in the Terracide.

Following the Terracide, the surviving Helghast were granted refuge by the ISA on Vekta. The planet was subsequently partitioned, with the Helghast establishing the state of New Helghan on one half. Relations between Helghast and Vektans remained hostile, with deep resentment persisting. This division led to the ongoing Vektan Cold War between the two societies.

Helghast Diaspora

In the aftermath of the Terracide, many Helghast refugees settled on Vekta and other colonies such as Gyre, where they often faced discrimination, particularly from populations affected by the war.

On Vekta, Helghast residents living on the Vektan side were treated with scorn and contempt by Vektans. Anti-Helghast hate groups are known to frequently target Helghast migrant workers on both sides of The Wall and often causing their "disappearances".^[4] Despite the discrimination, some Helghast chose to remain on the Vektan side, seeking better living conditions than those found under the more authoritarian regime of New Helghan.^[5] These individuals were often labeled "traitors" by Helghast nationalists.^[6]

Tensions escalated, following a terrorist attack by the Black Hand on Vekta City on 29th June 2390. In response, Vektan authorities deported all Helghast residents back to New Helghan, where many were interned in impoverished conditions.^[6]

Culture and Characteristics

Helghast culture under Visari emphasized loyalty to the state, military strength, and distrust of outsiders. ISA personnel commonly refer to Helghast soldiers by nicknames such as "Higs" or "Red Eyes" referencing their distinctive optical equipment.

Linguistically, Helghast speech varies widely. Earlier generations were often characterized by British regional accents, while later generations — particularly those raised on Vekta — tend to exhibit North American accents, reflecting cultural assimilation.

Trivia

• According to Guerrilla developers, the word "Helghast" is based on the Dutch-Germanic word "gast", which means "guy" or "guest". In essence the Helghast (plural) are "guests from hell."^[7]
• The Helghast shared the same name with the near-indestructible "Helghast" creatures found in Joe Dever's Lone Wolf gamebooks. Dever also wrote the backstory for Killzone.
• Most Helghast speak with a multitude of different British accents. Regular troops have an east London or Welsh accent, Shock troops and a few commanding figures such as Colonel Armin Metrac speak in a central London dialect, while Scolar Visari (voiced by Brian Cox) has a Scottish voice. The British accent is noted in Killzone 3 when Sev takes advantage in speaking in a British accent with a Helghast comms officer on a radio. In Killzone Shadow Fall, many Helghast characters speak in a North American English accent; this is possibly due to the new generation of Helghast who grew up on Vekta and assimilate the Vektans' non-British accent.

References