Design For Living - Factions - Amber
The Pattern was drawn in a primal plane accessible by very few. The walk-able Patterns were found in the first shadows of this once magnificent symbol of power. Amber is the first of the shadows and was home to many and the original home of the Lords of Amber. With the destruction of the Pattern, those that survived have already begun to form new and powerful alliances.
Oberon
- "Oberon, Lord of Amber, stood before me in his green and his gold. High, wide, and thick, his beard black and shot with silver, his hair the same. Green rings in gold settings and a blade of golden colour. It had once seemed to me that nothing could ever displace the immortal liege of Amber from his throne. What happened?" - Nine Prince in Amber.
Oberon was last seen at the Primal Pattern where he had been sacrificed by Benedict for his blood in the ritual to destroy the Pattern. Since then, Corwin has created a cenotaph in Fenneval where Oberon is said to be buried - though none of the players witness the funeral.
Dworkin
- "He was a small man. Tiny might be an even better word. He was around five feet tall and a hunchback. His hair and beard were as heavy as my own. The only distinguishing features in that great mass of fur were his long, hook nose and his almost black eyes, now squinted against the light." - Nine Princes in Amber
After meeting Dworkin in his room and finding out several bits of strange information from him, a book was discovered on his shelves about the Beasts. He was left there and a mention was made in passing to Corwin as to his whereabouts. The next time Dworkin was visited, he was not there....
Where he is is anyone's guess though considering the erratic way he moved in his rooms, if he is out in shadow, he could be anywhere!
Caine
- "Then came the swarthy, dark-eyed countenance of Caine, dressed all in satin that was black and green, wearing a dark three-cornered hat set at a a rakish angle, a green plume of feathers trailing down the back. He was standing in profile, one arm akimbo, and the toes of his boots curled upwards, and he wore an emerald studded dagger at his belt." - Nine Princes in Amber
Caine was last seen fighting on the battle field outside Chaos where he shot Brand with a crossbow. He had previously been hiding after killing a shadow of himself to deflect investigations as to his whereabouts. No other information is available about him although it is suspected that he is either dead or a prisoner.
Coral
- Coral, on the other hand, was taller... selnder, her hair a reddish brown. When she smiled it seemed less official... I approved of her sensible dark green breeches, heavy coppery shirt, and warm brown cloak. Her boots looked fine for walking, and she had on a dark hat that covered most of her hair. There were gloves and a dagger at her belt. - Sign of Chaos
- "King Oberon supposedly had an affair with my mother before I was born," she said, "The timing would have been right. It was only a rumour though. I couldn't get anyone to provide details. So I was never certain." - Sign of Chaos
Coral did not return from Chaos and is assumed to either be dead or a prisoner.
Dierdre
- "...and then there was a black-haired girl with the same blue eyes, and her hair hung long and she was dressed all in black, with a girdle of silver about her waist. My eyes filled with tears, why I don't know. Her name was Dierdre." - Nine Princes in Amber
Dierdre was last seen on the battle field outside Chaos shortly before being dragged backwards into the Abyss by Brand after he was shot by Caine. She is presumed dead.
Eric
- "Then there was Eric. Handsome by anyone's standards, his hair was so dark as to be almost blue. His beard curled around the mouth that always smiles, and he was dressed simply in a leather jacket and leggings, a plain cloak, high black boots, and he wore a red sword belt bearing a long silvery sabre and clasped with a ruby, and his high cloak collar round his head was lined with red and the trimmings of his sleeves matched it. His hands, thumbs hooked behind his belt, were terribly strong and prominent. A pair of black gloves jutted from the belt near his right hip" - Nine Princes in Amber
Eric was last seen during the Patternfall War where died at the foot of Kolvir using the Jewel of Judgement against the Chaosian forces. He was buried in Amber.
Finndo
- "...Benedict is the eldest. His mother was Cymnea. She bored Dad two other sons, also - Osric and Finndo. Then - how does one put these things? - Faiella bore Eric. After that, Dad found some defect in his marriage to Cymnea and had it dissolved - ab initio, as they say in my old shadow - from the beginning. Neat trick that. But he was king.' 'Didn't that make all of them illegitimate?' 'Well, it left their status less certain. Osric and Finndo were more than a little irritated, as I understand it, but they died shortly thereafter..." - Sign of the Unicorn
Little is known about the Finndo of legend save that he was a true brother to Benedict and Osric and died In the Service of Amber.
Flora
- "The woman behind the desk wore a wide-collared V-necked dress of blue-green, had long hair and low bangs, all of a cross between sunset clouds and the outer edge of a candle flame in an otherwise dark room, and natural I somehow knew, and her eyes behind glasses I didn't think she needed were as blue as Lake Erie at three o'clock on a cloudless summer afternoon; and the colour of her compressed smile matched her hair." - Nine Princes in Amber
Flora was last seen on the battlefield outside Chaos and is presumed to be captured or dead.
Gerard
- "And a big, powerful man regarded me from the next card. He resembled me quite strongly, save that his jaw was heavier, and I knew he was bigger than I, though slower. His strength was a thing out of legend. He wore a dressing gown of blue and grey clasped around the middle with a wide, black belt, and he stood laughing. About his neck, on a heavy cord, there hung a silver hunting horn. He wore a fringe beard and a light moustache. In his right hand he held a goblet of wine." - None Princes in Amber
Unlike most of the other Amberites who joined the battle in Chaos, Gerard was left behind to defend Amber. By the time the younger Amberites were rescued by Corwin, a significant amount of time had already passed, time where Amber had been under constant attack. Their return was no unwelcome, but the only task worth setting them was the rescue of the other elders as only a combined force could push back the ever threatening Chaosian forces.
Gerard was available during the rescue attempts for advice, but as things spiralled out of control, the next time they saw him, it was possibly too late. Gerard lay next to the Pattern along with Corwin and Oberon as Benedict used them to destroy it.
Gerard's body was never recovered from the location of the Primal Pattern and so no one knows if he is truly dead or alive.
Julian
- "Next there was the passive countenance of Julian, dark hair hanging long, blue eyes containing neither passion nor compassion. He was dressed completely in scaled white armour, not silver or metallic-coloured, but looking as if it had been enamelled." - Nine Princes in Amber.
Julian was last seen on the battlefield outside Chaos and is presumed to be captured or dead.
Llewella
- "Next was Llewella, whose hair matched her jade-coloured eyes, dressed in shimmering grey and green, with a lavender belt, and looking moist and sad. For some reason, I knew she was not like the rest of us. But she, too, was my sister." - Nine Princes in Amber
Llewella was last seen on the battlefield outside Chaos and is presumed to be captured or dead.
Martin
- "May I try it, father," Martin asked. "I've always wanted to." "Why not?" Random said. "You still got that other round, Merlin?" - Trumps of Doom
Having been returned from Chaos by Corwin along with the others, Martin went off into shadow to raise an army to defend Amber. He has not been seen since and has probably gotten stuck in shadow when the Pattern was destroyed.
Mirelle
Having been rescued from crucifixion's in Chaos, Mirelle was returned to Amber. She has not been seen since.
Osric
- "...Benedict is the eldest. His mother was Cymnea. She bored Dad two other sons, also - Osric and Finndo. Then - how does one put these things? - Faiella bore Eric. After that, Dad found some defect in his marriage to Cymnea and had it dissolved - ab initio, as they say in my old shadow - from the beginning. Neat trick that. But he was king.' 'Didn't that make all of them illegitimate?' 'Well, it left their status less certain. Osric and Finndo were more than a little irritated, as I understand it, but they died shortly thereafter..." - Sign of the Unicorn
Little is known about the Osric of legend save that he was a true brother to Benedict and Finndo and died In the Service of Amber.
Random
- "I know damn well that Gerard would have chosen than moment to attack. The big bastard would have strode forward with that monster blade of his and cut the thing in half. Then it probably would have fallen on him and writhed all over him, and he'd have come away with a few bruises. Maybe a bloody nose. Benedict would not have missed the eye. He would have one in each pocked by then and be playing football with the head while composing a footnote to Clausewitz. But they are genuine hero types. Me, I just stood there holding the blade point upward, both hands on the hilt, my elbows on my hips, my head as far back out of the way as possible. I would much rather have run and called it a day..." - Random's Tale from the Sign of the Unicorn
Random was last seen on the battlefield outside Chaos and is presumed to be captured or dead.
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