Primordial Chaos

*(This is a take on a Shade-based religion and if anyone wants to add onto the concept, absolutely feel free to do so! I imagine it to be pretty flexible, so really, do whatever you want if you plan on using it in your lore. I'll probably edit this later to fix any mistakes or clean up some stuff. - Dynami)*

"To be called the twelfth deity by these sickening creatures is insulting. I am not the twelfth deity, I am the first. You are all the pathetic creations of false deities. My point still stands - even you aren't free from chaos. Fighting it will just cause a conflict on its own, and it will only give me power. Not that I wouldn't want some excitement... the only reason I've remained dormant is because I find your antics amusing, and a prime example of chaos."

- Chaos to followers of the Eleven in the Book of Chaos

## Overview

Some may believe in the existence of a twelfth deity, or more besides the Eleven already known. But believers of Primordial Chaos say that their god is not the twelfth, but rather the first. The one who came before the Eleven, the creator of the Shade, the ruler of the void and everything inside it. This deity is known as Chaos, and most, if not all names don't use the Eleven's naming fashions. Other titles include but are not limited to Mare, Blackout, or Allsight. The reason for this difference in naming conventions could be due to the attitude that Chaos is superior to the "false deities" and should stand out from them.

Artistic interpretations of Chaos vary. Depictions of them may appear as draconic, others may see them having a basic draconic shape with other irregularities, or they may be shown as a being similar to the Shade. Nearly all depictions show them with asymmetrical features, a wide maw, and a pitch black appearance with wisps of smoke.

Depiction of Chaos

## Beliefs

Believers in Primordial Chaos have been criticized for "blasphemous practices" against the Eleven. But there are different views within the religion that separate believers into two categories depending on their attitudes toward the ideals. There are good things that Primordial Chaos has brought to the world, such as encouragement of developments towards space exploration and self-identity. Their views on the cosmos are positive. Being able to reach that far into the sky would bring them closer to Chaos and see the void where the Shade originated. The believers who commit dangerous acts, on the other hand, bring society's view on Primordial Chaos down to near rock bottom.

### Chaotic Law

1. The Eleven are false deities and a danger to thy chaotic freedom.
2. Do not assume control over groups of dragons or territory, as Chaos is the rightful ruler of the void.
3. Challenge those who attempt to control groups of dragons or territory, as they not only claim leadership they have no right to, but also endanger chaotic freedom.
4. To live under strict and set conditions other than chaotic law is restriction of thy potential.
5. Make choices based upon thy desires, and not the wishes of anyone else.
6. Exaltation or sacrifice to the Eleven is the worst position to be in. Resist it no matter what.
7. The Shade is a creation of Chaos and thy allies, not enemies. Fight alongside the Shade against those who wish to banish them.
8. Fight against the Eleven's exaltees for dominance in the name of Chaos, but not for thyself.
9. Embrace disharmony, as that is the only way to accept Chaos as thy deity and the Shade as thy friend.

### Anarchs

Anarchs are considered the "extreme" side of Primordial Chaos, pursuing a world without leadership and all laws that don't conform to Chaos. They are usually vehement in these practices to the point of starting battles against those they look down upon. Fighting against the Eleven's followers would only give Chaos power, as it would cause disruption. Anarchs act on their own will, typically with no consideration for others. Even mild believers in Primordial Chaos see Anarchs as selfish extremists, as opposed to the Anarch philosophy of "being one with discord". Morality is included as an unnecessary rule in their interpretation of Chaotic Law.

The most devout Anarchs try to find ways of becoming Shade-touched, usually by finding a fragment of the Shade and making contact. These dragons are seen as among the most dangerous by society, "trying to corrupt their entire being" as they would say. But Anarchs believe that becoming Shade-touched is what it means to accept Chaos and the Shade, no matter what happens to themselves. They see it as the highest honor, similarly to exaltation.

### Sighted

Sighted dragons could be considered mild believers and while seen as blasphemous by the rest of society, they are tolerated a lot more than Anarchs are. They interpret Chaotic Law in ways that can be helpful to society outside of religious practices, and is even studied by some dragons outside the belief system. Sighted dragons base their ways on freedom and living a full life rather than fighting against the Eleven and their followers. Because they don't participate as much in fights for dominance, they are less of a concern by those who are against worshippers of the Shade.

Sighted beliefs include going against tyranny or monarchy, acting based on one's personal beliefs rather than letting it be dictated by other dragons, living life to the fullest without restriction of one's expression, and accepting the inevitability of danger and quarrel to have mental peace. Rather than focusing solely on accepting Chaos, they see that being in constant denial and fear of trouble is detrimental to one's well-being. Accepting it will make room for more important concerns and lessen paranoia.

### Relationships With Other Religions

It is already evident that the most dedicated followers of Primordial Chaos hold disdain against the Eleven, but others can be indifferent. Those who ignore the Eleven argue that fighting against the deities' exaltees is hypocritical, regarding the rule to not take land or leadership when Chaos should be the only leader. But they are told that it would be in the name of Chaos, so the dragons fighting against the deities' claims wouldn't be taking it for themselves, but willingly giving it to Chaos. The different groups within Primordial Chaos already fight amongst themselves, other religions aside.

When it comes to anyone who worships deities besides Chaos or the Eleven, Primordial Chaos calls them misguided and dangerous. They are only adding more deities to the problem and not aiding Chaos who is "in the right". These worshippers could argue that Primordial Chaos isn't helping either, criticizing the deities for making claims when they're already doing that themselves. Believers of other interpretations of Shade deities or harbingers of chaos are seen as incorrect, but on the right track. They are probably left alone more than other deity-based religions.

Atheists, meanwhile, are seen in a neutral light. They don't worship the Eleven or believe in them, but they don't follow Chaos or any other deity, either. But since they're indifferent, Primordial Chaos doesn't think of them as malicious unless they become a threat. Dragons who honor ancestral spirits are also not harmful by the standards of Primordial Chaos and in the same light as atheists.

Overall, Primordial Chaos' relationships with different religions are messy and almost guaranteed to start a fight. But individual dragons might be lenient with other religions and simply not care, and the fight is usually started because anyone who admits to worship the Shade doesn't even get a chance to explain themselves before being thrown out and called heretics.

## Texts

There are multiple books detailing the story of Chaos. The first ones were originally written in ancient runes, but have since been translated to the common tongue. Some versions depict Chaos as a vengeful and jealous god while others portray the deity in a neutral light, detesting the Eleven for their conquests and encouraging freedom. The Shade is regarded as a destructive force that brings nothing but nightmares and pain by the Eleven's followers, but according to Primordial Chaos, they are almost like heroes who tried to fight the usurpers that nearly destroyed themselves over Sornieth. Alternatively, while less prominent, there are writings that show Chaos as not hateful to the Eleven and wishing only to guide them. The Shade was the god's way of saving the Eight from themselves and asserting authority.

Perhaps this goal did succeed when the Pillar of the World was created as the Eight's resignation, their way of acknowledging their incompetence. Even those who don't agree with the beliefs of Primordial Chaos can agree that the Shade attacking was a turning point, knowing how it taught the Eight that they weren't as great as previously thought. It doesn't change the fact that the Pillar prevented Chaos from ruling Sornieth in their absence, though.

In nearly all versions of the story, the fighting of the elemental gods made Chaos more powerful. All conflict and disorder gives them strength, and this strength is what allowed them to create the Shade. When the Plaguebringer and Gladekeeper rose from the wreckage of the Second Age, their warring gave Chaos the resolve to instigate the return of the Shade. Though it was broken into fragments across the land upon the shattering of the Pillar of the World, the rise of society would still have their own quarrels and wars. No matter what, as long as society existed, Chaos would be strengthened. Only Chaos' power is a big enough threat for the Eleven to focus their efforts on fighting and containing the Shade for years on end. Chaos is able to sap at magic, but the Eleven are powerful enough to put up a fight.

### The Book of Chaos

The most widely accepted, studied, and interpreted version is called the Book of Chaos (as predictable as that sounds). It is also the oldest text out of the others, showing Chaos as an angry god who has a ferocious disdain for their elemental adversaries. They created the Shade to claim Sornieth for the void and keep the Eight from ruling over it. The Book of Chaos tells the history of the world from Chaos' perspective, and details of the god's motives and feelings contrast the normal view towards Shade worship. The reputation of the Shade gives the impression that Chaos would be an evil power-hungry threat to the world's very existence. But the book argues the opposite of this assumption.

Chaos was the first who awakened in the beginning of time according to the book. They appeared first in the form of star fragments that separated and formed the celestial bodies known today. In a way, Chaos can be considered the cause of the world's existence, but that's up for debate.

Looking upon the emptiness, Chaos saw a purpose for themselves. They took the vast emptiness and the celestial bodies including the sun as their own. But when the Four took it upon themselves to build the fourth-furthest planet and later fight over leadership, Chaos was enraged. They destroyed the world they built, as though they were ungrateful for what brought them there. They didn't even seem to acknowledge the existence of the greater power that was Chaos. Ignored and obligated to make themselves known, they struck when the next four deities came to be as a result of the warring. Unfortunately, to Chaos' dismay, the Shade was defeated and the Pillar of the World was formed to keep it out for millennia.

However, Chaos was patient. Throughout the Second Age, they gradually regained energy as nations over time clashed against one another. The appearance of "The Speaker" brought peace when she spoke her prophecy, which slowed down Chaos' rise, but they were willing to wait. It didn't matter how long it would take to regain their strength. Their patience was rewarded by the dawn of the Third Age, when the magical reactor wiped out all life on the planet and caused the Arcanist's formation. The Sister deities healed and rotted the world around them until they met and fought, just as the Eight had done before. This was exactly what Chaos had been waiting for, and by the time the Arcanist awoke, the Shade lurked outside the Pillar's shield. Attracted to the Arcanist's magical ritual at the top of the pillar, the darkness struck the barrier with such force that it caused an explosive catastrophe enough to shatter the Pillar... and the Shade. Fragments of the entity rained down on the land and sunk into the ground.

Despite the appearances, with the Eight reentering the world and the Shade scattered all around the globe, Chaos knew this was far from over. The Beastclans that came from what remained of the Second Age during the Sisters' warring and the Arcanist's exploration were fearful after the Pillar's shattering, and the ones who came in contact with Shade fragments acted abnormally, as if they were possessed. Chaos saw the results of what happens when someone is "Shade-touched" and held onto their perseverance, waiting for the societies that would come to be to experience conflict with the assistance of the Shade-touched, who disrupted their communities.

It would only be a matter of time.