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The Topic: What is the Opposite of “Order”? Chaos or Freedom?
This is a bit of a philosophical question, but it colors your view on alignment in TTRPGs.
Some Cool Responses
This begs two questions: 1) Is freedom chaotic? and 2) Is chaos freedom?
GamerMomLuna
This is interesting. Order and Chaos are similar in that one can be trapped by either. Freedom is the state of being bound by neither, but possessing the ability to observe, assess, and freely choose which to align with at any given moment.
Galgi
Therefore freedom, or able to choose between the two, is both orderly and chaotic.
Which feels weird, because I would consider order and chaos to be opposites. And freedom contains them both.
It’s entirely about perspective. One person’s religion is another’s cult. one person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter.
Sir James
This is why I moved away from the 3×3 alignment grid of dnd in favour of the five-colour pie present in Magic the Gathering, as well as Numenera or some psychology personality stuff.
This way there are opposing values, but not exactly direct.
With respect to the colour pie, Order is White, and Freedom (and Chaos) are Red. Where Red finds White constricting and uptight, White finds Red messy and disobedient.
I think there’s only an opposite of ‘order’ within a defined context. I still like the early D&D influence in which it wasn’t good vs evil, but chaos and law were constantly in tension.
Aloof
In the game I’m running, there is a ying-yang approach based on the Amber series. One side has the order within chaos; the opposing side has the chaos within order.
Keybounce
Freedom of choice is on both sides.
I think the opposite of order is Chaos. Just because people are free does not mean that there isn’t structure (order). Chaos implies a lack of structure.
Devon from Crazy Weasel Gaming
What a provocative question (positive)! I think a lot hinges on your definition of freedom. It’s possible to feel free in an ordered society, and chaos often means you’re (only) as free as you can get away with. I think, clearly, I would do order/chaos.
Mike Timonin
Wrapping It Up
I haven’t used “alignment” in my TTRPG and D&D games for a while, except sometimes when I’m GMing for younger people and those new to RPGs because it can be a useful tool to help them grow characters. But I don’t have any problems with people who like to use it. In many editions of D&D “Lawful” is aligned with order, while “Chaotic” is aligned with freedom. But it’s an interesting exercise to discuss this as in modern times some people equate freedom with laws even though laws by definition restrict choice. What do you think?
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RPG News
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