The King of Chaos rules the Courts, but not as an absolute ruler. The King is advised by the five Realms Lords: Logrus Master, Realms Mage, Realms Master, Time Lord, and Warlord.

The seventeen major Council of Houses in Chaos elects the King from a list of nominees. Nominees are traditionally the Guild Second in one of the Guilds. The houses vote in order from lowest to highest; the 17th house gets one vote and the first house gets 17 votes.

The known Kings of Chaos have been:

• Borel, Guild Second of the Warriors Guild, head of House Hendrake. Borel was a driving force in the Pattern Fall war against Amber, and was killed by Corwin at the end of that war.
• Jance, Guild second of the Philosophers Guild. Jance was elected as a peacemaker king after Pattern Fall.
• Silver Lyra, guild second of the Dancers Guild. Silver Lyra was elected to replace the long-missing Jance after his body was discovered in Ferethynways.
• Corwin, guild second of the Warriors Guild. Corwin was elected as a wartime king when Chaos declared war on Gwen.
• Caine, guild second of the Warriors Guild (after Corwin became guildmaster when Benedict left the local universe). Caine was elected to deal with Dara when Corwin declared himself unable.
• Osric, Hero of Chanicut and a member of the Rimfishers Guild, was asked by Shiryu to replace Caine after the latter was found unworthy (and Silver Lyra was still poisoned). After announcing this in council at Thelbane, Osric was easily elected.