I've rarely been able to set foot in Shallam without being immediately
besieged by archers and telepaths, and these days, totems, guards, et
cetera. So this new law of theirs forbidding Occultists in Chaos Lord or
Lady form to enter their city does not affect me practically. However,
it is obviously a law designed against a single group of people - my
guild, the Occultists. Thus, don't mind me if I comment.

A conversation with Greywolf, the Sultan of Shallam, brings to light the
belief that Chaos is a contagious disease which is spread by physical
proximity and/or contact. Apparently, like leprosy, those of us
contaminated strongly by Chaos can spread it to others through mere
touch. Unfortunately, the Sultan was unable to enlighten me regarding
any empirical basis for this belief in "chaos cooties".

The logical conclusion to a campaign to forbid Chaos in Shallam on the
basis that it would contaminate others would be to forbid humans, mhuns
and trolls in Shallam. They are after all, descendents of a pure being
of Chaos. Oh, but you might say, Chaos Lords and Ladies choose their
form and humans, mhuns and trolls do not. You might as well deny that
every Achaean is given the divine gift of being able to choose a race on
Loom Island, and later even to reincarnate into another.

Also, consider that one major way (though certainly not only) way in
which Chaos manifests itself to mortal eye is in unpredictability --
chance. That mortals can and do delight in this facet is shown in
simple, popular games such as roulette and blackjack. Consider also that
the cards used in blackjack are descended from ancient forms of Occultic
divination. Yet I see that the gambling parlour still stands in Shallam.

Upon asking where the line is drawn, the answer was simply that the line
is ever shifting and changing as fast as events change in Achaea.
Interesting.

Also, I wondered how much of this is an instance of Church policy
reflecting upon city policy. This, I am assured, is surely not the case.
The Church and all the guilds and the great majority of citizens in
Shallam simply feel the same way towards Chaos. And if there is some
misguided minority who do not feel this way.. well, I've spoken to some
in Shallam who do not have this abiding hatred for and wish to destroy
Chaos. But they have realized they better not talk that way in Shallam.

It is the purview of every city to declare the laws it sees fit, even if
it's a law criminalizing the possession of blueberry tarts. Far be it
for me to question Shallam's right to impose whatever laws they wish.
The internal coherence of such laws, however, I feel fairly free to
reflect on, so there you go!

Cheers,

Shakti Devi.

Penned by my hand on the 4th of Ero, in the year 328 AF.