To summon a helhest, one must form an esoteric circle with burning horseblood and invoke one's own sins (at least seven). As long as the circle is maintained, the helhest will be contained and can be persuaded to serve in exchange either for special oats mixed with flesh (of anything, though an intelligent mortal being is most effective). One may not ride the helhest unless one is resistant to its heat, however. Helhests do not offer anything other than service as a steed in contracts, but that service comes with a bond that allows very close communication between rider and mount.

To capture a helhest and draw its power, enslave it, or bind it into an object, one must first bridle it with a bridle made of an infernal metal (blackiron is most effective, but demonsteel works as well) or mundane metal infused with infernum or imbued with an act of sin through ritual violence. Usually this is done by commiting a murder with a metal object, then melting it down and remaking it as a bridle. An unwilling helhest mount does not bond with its rider. To draw power from an enslaved helhest, one must have reins made from infernal (or other appropriate esoteric energies) material. To bind it into an object, one must take the bridled helhest into a circle of burning horseblood along with the target object (or person) and invoke an infernal spell.

Helhests cannot possess anyone and cannot be channeled.

To create a helhest, one must infuse mud and clay with infernal eneriges through ritual violence or invocation of demonic powers (through Names, other demons, etc.) and shape it into the shape of a helhest, then leave it washed in horseblood and buried in a desecrated churchyard for thirteen nights. To turn a mortal horse into a helhest, one must bury it alive in a desecrated churchyard for thirteen nights and go each night to the grave to invoke a sin or demonic power.