Lord of Chaos (concept)

Not much is known about the Lord of Chaos, despite being the title of the sixth book in Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series. Some think that it may be another name for the Dark One, but it is unlikely. It seems more likely that the "Lord of Chaos" is an appellation referring to Rand al'Thor and his ta'veren influence. A command given to the Forsaken Demandred by the Dark One, "let the Lord of Chaos rule" suggests that it may only be a phrase directing the Forsaken, notably to spread disorder and distrust.

Other mentions of "Lord of Chaos"

The Fourth Age

The "Lord of Chaos" is mentioned in a children's game from the Fourth Age. It is represented in its entirety at the beginning of Lord of Chaos and seems to be the first time this phrase is mentioned in the series.

"The lions sing and the hills take flight.
The moon by day, and the sun by night.
Blind woman, deaf man, jackdaw fool.
Let the Lord of Chaos rule.
"
   ——chant from a children's game
heard in Great Arvalon,
the Fourth Age

Of the Shadow

"Lord of Chaos" is also used in the context "Let the Lord of Chaos rule." The saying is associated with the Dark One's command to Darkfriend and the Forsaken to increase chaos.

Mazrim Taim utters the phrase, which many take as the final proof of Taim being a Darkfriend. The Asha'man in the room start laughing, suggesting that they too are Friends of the Dark.

The Feast of Fools

A holiday called the Feast of Fools is described as:

"A day in which all order is deliberately inverted; the high perform lowly tasks (running errands, serving at table, etc) while the low do no work and give orders to their usual superiors. In many villages and towns the most foolish person is given a title such as Lord/Lady of Unreason/Misrule/Chaos or the King/Queen of Fools. Not an honor sought, but for that one day everyone has to obey whatever orders, however foolish, are given by the chosen one."
   —TWORJTWOT, Chapter 31

It is interesting to note that Rand has been given the title Lord of Chaos, and he certainly is a chosen one from a variety of prophecies. By merit of being ta'veren and a fulfillment of prophecy, a sheep herder with no experience or qualifications for ruling gives orders that are obeyed across nations.

Possibly, this connection to the Feast of Fools is the common association with the "Lord of Chaos," whether used by Darkfriends, in children's chanting, or in direct reference to Rand al'Thor.

Knife of Dreams - Prologue: Embers Falling on Dry Grass

Suroth (Darkfriend) has stalked to her chambers after news of attacks in Tarabon.

A woman in roiling flames appears and says "I am Semirhage", she offers Suroth to rule in the lands of the Return, tells Suroth of the death of the Empress Radhanan (might she live forever) of Seanchan, suggesting that Suroth could name herself Empress.

Suroth fears the the punishment of having her skin removed alive, for usurping the throne.

Semirage says, “I see I didn’t make myself clear. Radhanan is dead, and her daughters, and her sons, and half the Imperial Court, as well. There is no Imperial family except for Tuon. There is no Empire. Seandar is in the hands of rioters and looters, and so are a dozen other cities. At least fifty nobles are contending for the throne."

Semirhage says that if Suroth disposes of Tuon, she is safe to declare herself Empress and tells her a ship from Seanchan will soon arrive with the news.

(Semirhage) She laughed again, and said something strange. “Let the lord of chaos rule.”