Greg Stafford's apartment in Oakland was so cluttered and disorganized that he decided to name his new company after it, combining the word chaos with the nearby Oakland Coliseum to create Chaosium. In 1975, this small operation began as a vehicle to publish White Bear and Red Moon, a fantasy war game set in Stafford's own invented world of Glorantha. The company started with a single vision: to create immersive worlds that felt alive and dangerous, rather than just abstract rule sets. This humble beginning would eventually spawn some of the most influential role-playing games in history, including RuneQuest and Call of Cthulhu. The name itself reflected the chaotic energy of the early days, where a single apartment housed the dreams of a future industry giant. Stafford's approach was not about mass production but about creating deep, interconnected narratives that invited players to become part of the story. The early years were defined by a hands-on, almost DIY ethos, where the line between creator and publisher was blurred. This personal touch would become a hallmark of the company, even as it grew into a major force in the gaming world.
RuneQuest and the Birth of BRP
The publication of Steve Perrin's RuneQuest in 1978 marked a turning point for Chaosium, introducing a system that prioritized skill and simulation over abstract combat mechanics. This game, set in the richly detailed world of Glorantha, became the foundation for what would later be known as the Basic Role-Playing system, or BRP. In 1980, Stafford and Lynn Willis distilled the complex rules of RuneQuest into a concise 16-page booklet, making the system accessible to a wider audience. This streamlined version would go on to power a host of other games, including the iconic Call of Cthulhu, which debuted in 1981. The BRP system's emphasis on percentile dice and skill-based resolution set it apart from other role-playing games of the era, offering a more realistic and nuanced gameplay experience. The success of RuneQuest also led to a licensing agreement with Avalon Hill in 1983, allowing Chaosium to expand its reach while maintaining creative control. Ken Rolston, who managed the line as the