Chaotic Neutral

Above respect for life and good, or disregard for life and promotion of evil, the Chaotic Neutral being understands that the cosmos is inherently random and disordered. Good and Evil are complimentary balance arms. Neither are preferred, nor must either prevail, for ultimate chaos would then suffer. This view of the cosmos holds that absolute freedom is necessary. Whether the individual exercising such freedom chooses to do Good or Evil is of no concern. After all, life itself is law and order, so death is a desirable end. Therefore, life can only be justified as a tool by which order is combated, and in the end it too will pass into entropy.

Chaotic Neutral characters believe that there is no order to anything, including their own actions. With this as a guiding principle, they tend to follow whatever whim strikes them at the moment. Good and Evil are irrelevant when making a decision. Chaotic Neutral characters are extremely difficult to deal with. Such characters have been known to cheerfully and for no apparent purpose gamble away everything they have on the roll of a single die. They are almost totally unreliable. In fact, often the only reliable thing about them is that they cannot be relied upon!

Chaotic Neutral characters like to indulge in everything. This is the insurgent, the con-man, gambler, and high-roller; the uncommitted freebooter seeking nothing more than self-gratification. This type of character will at least consider doing anything if they can find enjoyment or amusement. Life has meaning, but theirs has the greatest meaning of all. According to Chaotic Neutral beings, laws and rules infringe on personal freedom and were meant to be broken. This character is always looking for the best deal, and will work with Good, Neutral, or Evil to get it; as long as he comes out of the situation on top. The Chaotic Neutral is constantly teetering between Good and Evil, rebelling and bending the law to fit his needs.

Chaotic Neutral beings can also be completely random and unpredictable. They may shift allegiances at a moment's notice, or remain with a leader for years. The Chaotic Neutral character feels that there is no plan at all for the universe. Things just happen. They tend to believe in luck and chance, rather than fate or destiny. They don't care what happens to others, yet will not necessarily go out of their way to harm others. If someone stands in the way of their happiness, they may kill that individual or move on to something else. Their priorities tend to change as they experience new things in life. They may even appear to adhere to another alignment for some length of time, only to switch at an inappropriate moment. They can be the worst tricksters, conning people not for gain, but for sheer amusement. The Chaotic Neutral may not be driven by fame or wealth, but may only take actions just to see what happens.

In direct opposition to the Lawful Neutral being, Chaotic Neutral characters view ultimate freedom and disorder as most desirable. He sees Good and Evil in a secondary role, and neither should be allowed to interfere with pure chaos. Violence is not a Chaotic Neutral trait, but adherents will often not hesitate to use intimidation and non-lethal violence to achieve their goals. These characters will almost always seek some selfish goal (such as acquiring wealth) in addition to the promotion of universal disorder, and are thus seen as "greedy" by others. Naturally, the Chaotic Neutral being won't see this as greed, but rather as "self-fulfillment". Thus, respect for others does not stand in the way of the pursuit of individuality. Since death is inevitable anyway, the Chaotic Neutral being isn't averse to speeding certain creatures on their ways if it's deemed necessary, although he won't go out of his way to inflict pain and suffering like an Evil being would. Life can only be justified as a tool by which order is combated.

A Chaotic Neutral character will keep his word if it serves his interests. He may attack an unarmed foe if he feels it is necessary. He will not kill, but may harm an innocent being. He may use torture to extract information, but will never torture for pleasure. He may kill for pleasure, but is not likely to do so. A Chaotic Neutral character may use poison, or they may not. He may help those in need but he prefers to work alone, as he values his freedom. He does not respond well to higher authority, is distrustful of organizations, and will disregard the law in pursuing his self-interest. He may betray a family member, comrade, or friend, but only in the most dire of situations. Chaotic Neutral characters do not respect the concepts of self-discipline and honour, because they believe such concepts limit freedom to advance their self-interest.