[Glorantha] Chaos and Void

tim_at_timellis.demon.co.uk wrote:
> A view expressed here a number of times recently has been that Chaos is synonymous with Void and/or Annhilation.

I agree that this concept is a gross simplification, but it is an informative view. It can help with an understanding of an essentially intangible concept.

> So I'd say that Chaos is "Corruption" not "Annhilation"

I have pushed forcefully the corruption angle myself, and I agree that this is also a useful concept, but one that does not negate the concept of annihilation.

Corruption fits well with the most manifest examples of chaos, especially deities like Krasht or Malia.

Where the narrowly defined analogies break down are when one tries to make sweeping statements about the entire nature of chaos. Or, to describe all of the Chaos entities in one way.

As you point out, you cannot characterise all of the manifestations of chaos in Glorantha as annihilation of Cosmos. The Matter / Anti-Matter analogy is a poor one, mainly because it uses a naive view of physics and attempts to impose it upon Glorantha. Anti-matter is not Void. But again, this view is not without its uses when trying to pin down the nature of chaos, as it helps visualise the intangible.

I assert that there is not a unified concept of chaos, it depends upon your cosmology model. And, as cosmology is also analogous, no one cosmology can describe the world.

This does not mean that we cannot define chaos, only that need also to limit our definitions.

Jamie
Orlanth.Umathi Received on Wed 05 Apr 2006 - 16:18:00 EEST