Pupil Qintim Ijuts
Scholar Lacimq
RLST 1112

Collective of the Forgotten Dawn Distinctions and their Possible Impacts on Helstklism

The tale of Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass has been told and retold several times throughout the history of the Gemlands. This paper is intended to reiterate the most widespread version told by Followers of the Loam, as well as offer information on contrasting denominations of Helstklism. To begin, it’s important to establish that Followers of the Loam are the oldest recorded order of Helstklism and when referring to ancient Gemlands history, “Helstklist” simply refers to Followers of the Loam. But as practitioners of Helstklism migrated to different corners of Gemlands and adapted to cultures and environments different from their home, Helstklist beliefs also adapted. This has resulted in many denominations in different regions - from large ones such as Reconstructionists in the Onyx Highlands and northern Ruby Territory to small ones such as Order of the Lingering Shorelines found alongside Amethyst Coast and Diamond Canyon water borders. Each denomination has very specific beliefs tied to their specific sect. Interestingly, after much communication and research with leaders of each denomination, it is safe to say that the common theme among every variation of Helstklism is a combination of chaos and creation theory of origin with two deities at the center of them: Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass. Religious leaders, scholars, political figures and hobbyist historians have long pursued to explain this persistent connection and, from my study and understanding of the subject so far, have come to the same conclusion: Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass are the beginning of our existence in Gemlands. 

But one denomination has drawn the interest of this paper: Collective of the Forgotten Dawn, popularly referred to as CoFD (pronounced “kaaft”). A majority of CoFD practitioners reside in Topaz Plains, but in recent years the borders between Topaz Plains and its neighbors have been seeing an uptick in CoFD worship sites. With this, there has been a growing interest in what distinguishes CoFD worship from the commonly found beliefs of Followers of the Loam.
The primary interest of this paper is to detail those differences, then see how those differences may make a larger impact on Helstklism as a whole.

In order to ensure the reader is on the same track as myself, I will be reviewing the Followers of the Loam iteration of Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass. Distinctions between CoFD and Followers of the Loam and commentary will follow on page five.





The Tale of Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass, the Followers of the Loam abridged version

The universe began in a haze, referred to as The Gurgle, specifically a blissful and unrestrained confusion. In this context, The Gurgle and its iterations are best thought of as black, open spaces. A voice called out for existence to be next to it. And so, Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass appeared in the black void of existence to answer the voice’s call. The voice split into two, and became the voice of both Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass. When they spoke their first words, they were startled at how similar they sounded. Both felt the urge to reunite the voice and thus, shared a kiss in an attempt to bind the sound. But because the voice existed within them rather than outside, when they separated, they found that their voices had become their own and that they were alone in the haze. Exhausted from their inception and attempts to recover the voice to its original state, they fell asleep holding hands to celebrate their discovery of each other and newfound voices, expecting to disappear back into the void where they had begun.

But when they awoke, they instead found that the haze was gone and they now were in the blackness of a void, referred to as The Curtain. Like The Gurgle, The Curtain’s primary feelings were one of happiness and confusion. But rather than the unabashed forms of happiness and confusion, The Curtain’s versions were more tempered and controlled. In Followers of the Loam mythos, The Curtains’ tame emotions are attributed to the holding of hands of Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass during their rest. Understanding that they were now changed from their experience, Cotheloclakim and Gorgdlass agreed to union. During this union, The Curtain’s emotional landscape experienced an unbridled explosion of ecstasy from the two deities, changing the aura of the space that existed, subsequently affecting what we know as the Gemlands.

Some time after this ecstasy, Gorgdlass realized that she had to return to Noginy, the realm where all begins. Cotheloclakim, though wanting to intervene, knew that there was nothing either of them could do to silence the call of Noginy. But, before their imminent separation, the two cast a spell to create a portal that allowed them to see and hear one another, regardless of their physical presence.

After Gorgdlass’ return to Noginy, the two deities attempted to cross the borders, successful a handful of times. During this time, Cotheloclakim noticed that the weight of The Curtain was bearing down on him. Initially, it made little difference in his life, as the presence of Gorgdlass lingered there with him and was strengthened by their use of the portal and successful crossings. But, over the course of centuries, her presence faded and Cotheloclakim was unsure if he could handle the weight of The Curtain, completely transformed by loneliness and anxiety, by himself anymore. It was after the seventh successful crossing that Cotheloclakim made the decision to close the portal, as he felt it was consuming his energy. Gorgdlass repeatedly informing her beloved that this would sever their bond forever, that there was no going back, only watched as Cotheloclakim performed the ritual. The words that Cotheloclakim uttered are said to have the ability to end life in an instant, but the ancient language has been lost to time.

Other than recalling a specific trait, this is the last time Gorgdlass is truly involved in the shaping of the Helstklism pantheon. It is said that she developed a ritual to erase the memories of her and Cotheloclakim and still exists in Noginy.

After the closing of the portal, confusion spread throughout The Curtain. Cotheloclakim fell into despair at what he had done, the confusion making him unsure of why he’d done such a thing. This caused the confusion to grow stronger and have a stronger effect on Cotheloclakim, creating a maddening loop of uncertainty. After decades of this, Cotheloclakim became bewildered and lashed out. He pounded at the space beneath his feet, frustration and fury taking him over. This lasted for a decade, until the space beneath him broke and revealed the barren land which we know as Gemlands. Upon seeing this, Cotheloclakim descended further into despair, lamenting the possibility that Gorgdlass could have nurtured the land together into something wonderful.

He stood onto his feet, cocked his head back and screamed into the space above him. The Curtain again succumbed and pieces of it fell onto the barren land, creating mountains and canyons. 

When he could shout no longer, Cotheloclakim fell to his knees, still filled with rage and frustration. But he no longer had the desire to swing violently. Instead, he cried. His tears fell onto the lands, creating oceans and seas, splashes forming the lakes and rivers that flow and provide life for us.

After giving all of his physical self that he could, he looked at the land and what he had accidentally contributed to it. Cotheloclakim was overwhelmed with conflicting emotions that overloaded The Curtain and, along with pieces of it missing, it became unstable. All emotions released from both The Curtain and Cotheloclakim, two unstable balls of pure energy floating in the sky above Gemlands. These two balls of energy are said to be his emotional and spiritual states unleashed. Relieved of his emotional and spiritual states, the only thing Cotheloclakim could rely on was a logic that he wasn’t aware he possessed. He realized that if the two balls of energy were allowed to exist, the land below him would be erased. 

Deciding that with the absence of his lover and the fate of something he had created at hand, hope was higher and happiness was more likely with what he had created. Cotheloclakim grabbed the two balls of energy and slammed them into his chest, merging all of the emotions and energy into him. He felt everything and, for a moment, was at peace. He imploded shortly after, spreading every aspect of him across the land, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual.

This is what created us, the sentient beings that exist in Gemlands. Followers of the Loam texts plainly state that the environment we exist in are largely the physical aspects of Cotheloclakim, sentient beings are largely the emotional aspects in physical form, our thoughts and, by extension our creations, are the mental aspects of him, and everything outside of what we are capable of understanding are his spiritual aspects. 


































Collective of Forgotten Dawn Distinctions
	
Overall, Cotheloclakim’s role as creator of Gemlands still dominates Helstklism as a whole. But CoFD beliefs have three points of contention that slightly change the narrative, found primarily in the two accepted versions of the Book of Perceptions, Translated by Jiye and Igna’s Version. There are slight differences that have created micro differences even in the CoFD denomination. but all that is needed to know for the sake of this paper is that these two texts are vastly similar and are two separate texts only because of how Gorgdlass and Cotheloclakim are presented.

These three points of contention are as follows and will be discussed in degree by which myself and other students of religious studies deem to be severity of impact on Helstklism and its influence on culture and systems in Gemlands:

1. Cotheloclakim’s closing of The Portal
2. Cotheloclakim’s devotion to Gorgdlass
3. Gorgdlass appearing in The Gurgle before Cotheloclakim

This first point of contention is brought up and agreed upon in both versions of accepted CofD texts, almost verbatim when addressed. “But instead of uttering the full spell to close The Portal, he left out two words. The connection between Gorgdlass and Cotheloclakim remained, but their bond was weakened and this frail connection served them more harm than help” (Book of Perceptions, Jiye 4.57). “But instead of uttering the full spell to close The Portal, two words were cut. This stayed the connection between Gorgdlass and Cotheloclakim, but their bond was weakened and the frail nature of the connection bore down on them, rather than uplifted their beings” (Book of Perceptions, Igna 4.41). These two confirmations of debate mean that one of the cornerstones of common Helstklism is brought into question: decisiveness. It is touted as an important trait to hone and possess and has shaped mindsets from military victories to the way that goods and services are ordered. If this point of contention is true, then many followers and non-practitioners alike may reassess where that source of strength comes from and if the opposite of the cornerstone trait might be required. 

Of course, being clear about what must be done will always be required. But the distinction in certain parts of Gemlands is notable enough that non-practitioners often refer to followers as stubborn, bullheaded, and hot tempered. These nicknames were formed based on many incidents of clashes between Helstklists and agnostics. The most notable of these incidents is Temple Number Eight, in which “23 participants of spiritualism succumbed to their wounds after being targets of powerful concentrated magical spells from Helstklists” (Alkim 1). The six perpetrators admitted to casting the spells in unison to “it was swiftly decided by us who follow that a message needs to be sent to non-practitioners that there is punishment for lack of faith and recognition of those above us” (Alkim 1). It has been argued that this incident could have been prevented if the cornerstone trait of decisiveness were not so emphasized, if there was more thought put into a camp of pondering. This is very much a norm as it is in many areas where CoFD is the most practiced denomination of Helstklism. This is demonstrated in many CoFD practicing settlements’ governing system where a minimum of months of testing and deliberating legislation before it is passed into law (Kesaj 22). The spread of CoFD’s belief on Cotheloclakim and The Portal would be highly controversial to a majority of Helstklists, but it may inject more thoughtfulness into believers which may bleed into how political and cultural systems are established and maintained in Gemlands societies.

The second difference in CoFD worship is calling into question Cotheloclakim’s devotion to Gorgdlass. Like the previous point of contention, both CoFD texts refer to this phenomenon: “And in his time alone in The Gurgle, Cotheloclakim sought out Gorgdlass’ attributes in other beings” (Book of Perceptions, Jiye 4.88) and “After the partial closure, Cotheloclakim turned wretched and sought to relief in the attributes of Gorgdlass” (Book of Perceptions, Igna 4.79). In this interpretation of Cotheloclakim’s origins, he is seen as disloyal and even brought down as a lower being. This contrary point again challenges a core tenet of Helstklist beliefs: extreme loyalty. 

Extreme acts of devotion and loyalty are not only a basis of romantic relationships, but have been used in everything from alliances between allying regions to workplace expectations. A prime example is in the first recorded War of Deities between the early Emerald Grove and Onyx Highlands. Archdruid Rovas secured alliances with leaders in the Amethyst Coast and Sapphire Wetlands by “arriving at the doorsteps of every leader in the territories, knees on the ground and forehead to the dirt, proclaiming and carving into his body a symbol that meant the nation’s promised loyalty for their assistance in the war against false deities” (Nama 82). The thought of self harm in history was unheard of, thought to be reserved only for those who had overstepped humanly possible limits with Pax of Sadness. And it is theorized that Archdruid Rovas did spend much of his meditations focused on Pax’s blessings, his overall endeavors later in life, particularly the cultural phenomenon of smiling at death rituals, say otherwise.

This small variant in CoFD belief has shown both positive and negative effects in the Topaz Plains. It has been observed that “citizens of Topaz Plains settlements are much happier without the stress that comes from the pressures of maintaining strict relationship standards, often taking time purely for themselves” (Graab 99). This behavior and mentality is contrary to a majority of Followers of the Loam, where it is sometimes non-vocally accepted that there can be no relationship between people if there is no proof of loyalty. Because of this, there have been reports from extreme practitioners who experience “feeling isolation from and are bullied into relationships” (Graab 101). Overall, this small difference in text and worship can be seen as a big influence in how the different practicing societies’ perspectives and behaviors.

The third point of contention is perhaps the most impactful on Helstklism: the appearance of Gorgdlass before Cotheloclakim’s in The Gurgle. The primary sacred text reference of CoFD plainly states that “And so she arrived, leading Cotheloclakim by her side” (Book of Perceptions, Jiye 1.88). According to this text, there is no doubt that Gorgdlass arrived first. Or, at the very least, she had more intent than Cotheloclakim initially did upon arriving at The Gurgle, which has huge impacts on the entirety of Helstklism and, as a result, the entirety of Gemlands’ political, cultural, and societal systems. After all, Gorgdlass having more intent than Cotheloclakim may mean that she set up more of Gemlands than what more widespread denominations preach, which in turn would call into question how legitimate common holidays such as Autumn’s Voice really are. 

Furthermore, if this is true, then Helstklism’s belief of balanced powers would be called into question. Would Cotheloclakim’s sacrifice mean as much? If not, would that imply that our lives, being from him, have less value? Or would new research be poured into Gorgdlass’ part in the creation of our world? If this point of contention being true would turn the entirety of the Gemlands upside down. Of course, this would take many years and be seen from many a myriad of perspectives, from literary analysis to military strategy to philosophical debate and beyond. And with each of these discussions, fierce opposition would clash and be picked apart, hopefully until a clear answer is left.

In conclusion, CoFD beliefs have small variants in their beliefs. But these three small bases of worship mean that there are large differences in CoFD practitioners’ behavior and perspectives on everything ethereal, such as relationships. This isn’t to say that either form of worship is better than the other, but the differences are stark enough to form strong opinions on one or the other. As of the writing of this paper, perhaps it is better to keep the two separate due to rising tensions between Gemlands Regions, but perhaps sometime in the near future these differences can be reconciled and the entirety of Gemlands can begin its pursuit for higher truths together.