Understanding Chaos

I'm not referring to non-linear dynamical systems. :)

Chaos in alignment can be a very sophisticated concept. What is it? The absence of law? A governing principle of character and behavior? How do we treat it in a game reality?

Let's start with some research and definitions of alignment. According to my edition of Holmes Basic (3^rd Edition, p.8), “Chaotic characters are quite unpredictable and can not be depended upon to do anything except the unexpected...” This concept of chaos is eminently playable. It gives parameters, without limiting players to anything specific. There are years of fun in this, and we could stop right there.

This definition describes individuals. For a wider concept of chaos and more sophisticated campaign adventures above and below ground, we need something more than Dr. Holmes definition. Turning to Gygax the Great we have, “...alignment describes the world view of creatures and helps to define what their actions, reactions and purposes will be.” Dungeon Masters Guide, 1979 Revised Edition, p.23. Rather than re-typing that which you can read yourself, I 'll summarize by saying that his descriptions of chaotic alignments in the DMG and the Players Handbook (6^th printing) emphasize freedom and independence over “law, order, social forms and anything else which tends to restrict or abridge individual freedom,” (ibid.).

From the PHB Second Edition, “The character's alignment is a guide to his basic moral and ethical attitudes towards others, society, good, evil and the forces of the universe in general. Always consider alignment as a tool, not a straitjacket that restricts the character. Although alignment defines general attitudes, it certainly doesn't prevent a character from changing his beliefs, behaving irrationally or acting out of character.”

Other 2e texts also refer to the idea of alignment being a tool rather than a rigid set of expectations – sounds a lot like a chaotic person's belief system!

A convenient on-line dictionary (reference.com) has as a definition of chaos, “a state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order.”

Clearly, there are some differing ideas here – and I'm not even touching later editions. There seems to be one group that identifies chaos as similar to anarchy. There seems to be another group that sees chaos as merely highly individualistic. The more we examine chaos, the more messy it becomes – which is, of course, appropriately chaotic! There are, I think, degrees of chaos that can be exploited to create a more robust understanding, but some of this comes down to how you define it.

How do we define chaos without referencing law?

For example, once upon a time in an earlier period of my life cycle, I knew someone who claimed to be a “non-conformist.” He wore purple shirts with green and white striped pants and black and white sneakers. His hair was, naturally, reddish orange. He was damn near a walking rainbow. Eventually it was pointed out to him that even though he took an anti-thetical position to conformity (of dress and general disposition), his position outside “conformity” was still defined by conformity. His position was not possible without its relation to conformity, so that he was still being defined by conformist beliefs and attitudes. Though he opposed the slavish attitudes and conventions of conformity, he was slavishly devoted to a position itself defined by the same conformity. Could he truly call himself a non-conformist? Let's keep in mind this idea of a concept defined by its antithesis as we move on.

As mentioned earlier, some define chaos as equivalent to anarchy and lawlessness. I think of anarchy as fitting of Chaotic Evil, and as I have described elsewhere, demons and biker gangs seem good examples. What might be good examples of a non-anarchic chaos?

Often in fiction and in many campaigns, the Lawful Good – Chaotic Evil axis is the main storyline, the dynamic of the grand epic. In the Kemen campaign, it is the Chaotic Good- Lawful Evil axis that is the primary. This resulted from the affinity that I, and some of my players, shared for Star Wars and some other stories. Darth Vader is (to me) clearly Lawful Evil. Han Solo, the smuggler with a heart and a sense of loyalty, seems very much Chaotic Good. Does Gandalf really feel Lawful Good to you? Some think he's chaotic, others perhaps Neutral Good. Other examples of Chaotic Good: Captain James Tiberius Kirk; Danny Ocean; James Bond; John Keating, Robin Williams' character in Dead Poet's Society.

Now follow me on this last example. When I've used this example in the past, I've had people tell me that almost everything Robin Williams did was chaotic because he would randomly generate dialogues and characters on the spot. That got me thinking to a conversation I overheard between two teenagers in which Teen B responded to something Teen A said. Teen A accused Teen B of a non sequitur by saying, “Random!” Teen B said, “Just because you don't see the connection doesn't make it random.”

Just because you don't see the connection doesn't make it random. Once more, just because you don't see the connection doesn't make it random. Just because you don't see/perceive/understand the order and organization,doesn't meant that there isn't one.

Chaos is a system of ordering and organization based on maximizing individual freedoms and independence, rather than rigid laws and linear ideas of order. The fact that you can't see the order and organization is a reflection of your own bias. The structure is there, but is imperceptible to those who are conditioned to see law as “order.” Chaos is a different structure. “Just because you don't see the connection doesn't make it random.” Chaos doesn't have to mean anarchy and doesn't have to depend heavily upon law for its definition.

It takes some brain power, I grant you, to imagine as “normal” what we here in our ordered world would call “chaos and anarchy.” I think it can be done. The trick, for me, is to think of chaos as having degrees. Not everyone who has conservative beliefs or liberal beliefs is as extreme as the talking heads on tv. Not every chaotic culture has to be anarchic as well. Yes, some chaotics are anarchists (in my campaign these are CE, these I have said), but you can be chaotic without being an anarchist.

Other concepts could include a place where the laws are plentiful, but generally ignored by the populace. The laws may exist, but their chaotic nature results in little compliance.

Slyr Dorom is an example of a chaos-based society from Kemen. The primary type of law is kirun (extended family) law. The daina (head) makes the rules for the family. Anyone in the family who does not like it can appeal to the kirun, usually a group of family heads. When conflicts occur between families, the kirun of each meet to arrange a settlement. This ends one of three ways: a settlement, refer up to a noble, or a feud. When referred up to a neutral arbitrator – say a count or duke – the decision is final only if the kirun of both families choose to accept it. There is a king, but he actively avoids involvement in anything that doesn't rise to kingdom level import. Hence, there is kingdom law, and kirun law, which sounds like a lot of law. Comparatively little is actually binding, and most often moral behavior is taught within the kirun. Laws within the kirun can vary quite widely and change often. There is a Mark Twain quote  that fits, though it is an afterthought: Laws control the lesser man; right conduct controls the greater.

So, maybe I am referring to a non-linear dynamical system!

Some might suggest that this society is really just lawful with sprinkles of chaos. But alignment is not intended or expected to define every dimension of a character's behavior, but rather a general tendency. The same things happen with lawful societies. For example, adventurers go into the tomb, kill the orcs and nasty things and keep whatever valuables they find. How do we reconcile killing the orcs and taking their treasure? Pass a law? What about their civil rights, Mr. Paladin? At some point, you have to let go of reality and play the game.