Amber historians from the future might refer to this period as 'Late Middle Amber.'

For those familiar with the Zelazny books, this means that the events of this game occur long before the events of the Corwin books, which are the chief inspiration for tone and atmosphere. This game takes place before Oberon vanishes for a very long time and before Corwin and Eric go riding and only Eric comes back.

Don't expect the Logrus or Courts of Chaos to exist in the same way. Don't expect anything from the Merlin books to inform this game. Expect your characters to shape history, to be thrown into ambiguous or mythic situations, to be given a chance to taste greatness or turn from it. Expect games played, little cruelties and little joys, and a family you'd hate not to be part of (perhaps almost as much as you hate being part of it).

The following posts on this thread are about Amber culture, things your character would likely know and/or you can use to build your character. If you're interested in playing an ambassador (to Rebma, to Amber, to a Golden Circle, vice versa), a captain in the navy, a ranger, somebody with a city office, somebody with a court office, somebody who is in any way 'official' or owns/rents public property in the city, let me know.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:42, Mon 04 May 2020.

Heads of State

“Be great in act, as you have been in thought.”
--Shakespeare

Oberon is King. He is the only King anybody has ever known. He is magnetic, cruel, callous, temperamental, gregarious, and old and canny and immortal and great. He is: King in Amber, Regent of Ilyria, Regent of Amberways, of Malorica, Amberica, and Lord of Hornis, Anointed Champion of Shadow, King of All Shadow. The only title he always uses is King of Amber.

He is called Your Majesty.

Paulette is Queen. She has been Queen for fifty years, keeping in mind that citizens of Amber--and those King Oberon wants to be long-lived--tend to be long-lived, she is still quite young. It is commonly presumed Oberon married her because he wanted to be diverted, as she has few interesting political connections as had other queens before her. She's given birth to two children, and is heavily pregnant. Some people joke that once she's had the third, she's out, a tongue-in-cheek reference to Oberon tending to get three children on his spouses before all Hell breaks loose/He gets bored/They die what with one thing or another. The office of queen has very little actual power.

She is called Your Majesty.

There is no official Heir Apparent.

--

Sons of Oberon

Oberon, a philanderer with a famously lusty eye, may have sons not on this list. These sons unless otherwise noted have the title of 'Prince' because they are acknowledged enough (it gets dicey) to have that honor.

They are called Your Highness or Your Royal Highness.

Benedict, youngest surviving son of Cymnea. He has served as Master of Arms at Amber Castle, although that position is another's now.

Eric, eldest son of Faiella, but a bastard born before his parents' marriage.

Corwin, second son of Faiella, first son born within wedlock.

Caine, youngest son of Faiella.

Bleys, eldest son of Clarissa, born within wedlock.

Brand, second son of Clarissa, born within wedlock, kind've.

Julian, first son of Rilga, legitimate

Gérard, second son of Rilga, legitimate

Endymion, only son of Dybele

Random, eldest son of Paulette, legitimate

--

Daughters of Oberon

The princesses of Amber are often discounted when it comes to jockeying for position as far as heir to the throne goes, but this discounting might be wishful thinking on behalf of their brothers. Then again, Amber is a patriarchy. The princesses in recent years have more power at court than their various stepmothers, they are the only female power that stays.

They are called Your Highness or Your Royal Highness.

Deirdre, daughter of Faiella.

Fiona, daughter of Clarissa.

Llewella, daughter of Moins, and the only acknowledged child of Oberon to dwell primarily in another realm. Some have said that Oberon would like to bring Llewella to Amber, but Moins resisted it so, and now that Moins' daughter is Queen, Llewella will not come. It has been a while since Llewella was seen in Amber.

Florimel, daughter of Dybele.

Mirelle, daughter of Paulette. Mirelle is very young by Amber standards and slated to be allowed, at long last, to walk the Pattern and claim her rightful inheritance.

--

Old Queens and Consorts, Dead Princes or Princesses

Cymnea. Oberon's first queen, known now (when she is mentioned, which is very rare) as the Never Queen, on account of Oberon anulling his marriage to Cymnea ab inito, from the beginning. Cymnea is presumed deceased.

Faiella. Oberon's second queen, one of Cymnea's former ladies in waiting. They famously had an affair while the King was still married to Cymnea and Oberon dissolved his marriage with Cymnea for Faiella. Before Faiella and Oberon were married, Faiella gave birth to Eric. After Faiella and Oberon were married, she gave birth to Corwin, and then, later on, Caine and Deirdre. She died in childbirth.

Clarissa. Oberon's third queen, divorced.

Rilga. Oberon's fourth queen, deceased.

Dybele. Oberon's fifth queen, deceased.

Rosemary. Oberon's mistress, deceased.

Harla. Oberon's mistress, deceased.

Finndo. Eldest son of Cymnea. A renowned warrior.

Osric. Second son of Cymnea. A renowned wizard.

Wulfnod. Son of Osric. There's a ballad about his death. Some people doubt he existed.

Agnès.  Daughter of Rilga.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:27, Sat 16 May 2020.

The Court of Amber consists of

(a) Important Personages from Golden Circle (or, very occasionally, Silver Circle) shadows, either visiting or "visiting" (fostered to Amber in order to keep their parents/siblings/whomever in line)

(b) members of some Noble Houses "native" to Amber (which means either they've been here so long nobody remembers when they weren't here or they were elevated at some point in the past by Oberon or, very occasionally, by one of Oberon's sons [if this is the root of the House, Oberon's approval was necessary] and the House has since been given land and/or a more-or-less constant fixture in Amber). Traditionally, on those who are part of a Noble House native to Amber are supposed to hold Court Offices, but in actuality, if Oberon appoints some favorite out of shadow, the nobility falls in line. It is more common for minor offices to be fulfilled by nobles from the Golden Circle or favorites out of shadow.

(c) the odd companion of Oberon, a Prince, or (even more rarely) a Princess from somewhere out in shadow. These last are usually highly skilled, or there's something about them that makes them stand out. They are also, alas, not often very long-lived.

There are more Houses than I have come up with. If you want to come up with a House, let me know. Houses as of now: Bayle (established circa Clarissa), Chantris (established circa Cymnea), Feldane (established circa Faiella), Karm (established circa pre-Cymnea), Vo (pre-dates Cymnea; claims to be the oldest house, which is hotly contested by Karm), Maris (established circa Clarissa), Theógrav (established circa Cymnea), Gaheric (established crica Faiella)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:58, Fri 08 May 2020.

Castle Guard

There are about 50-75 members of the Castle Guard.

City Guard

There are about 400-600 members of the City Guard.

Navy of Amber

Amber's navy is a mighty power in the Golden Circle. including 35 ships and over 3,000 sailors. There is plenty of interesting sailor lore to be had if you've got ears to listen. The Navy is currently headed by an Lord Admiral, with other key positions being two Lieutenants of the Admiralty, and the Clerk Comptroller of the Navy, Surveyors and Riggers of the Navy (a Vice-Admiral), with more minor positions being Clerk of the Ships, Surveyor of Marine Victuals, and Keepers of the Storehouse. Royal princes who currently hold naval responsibilities are: Bleys, Caine, Gérard, and Endymion.

Army of Amber

Amber does maintain a standing army.

Rangers of Arden

Arden is 35-40 miles outside of Amber. Oberon, Julian, Deirdre and Bleys are the most likely to spend any time in Arden. Julian has a distinct preference for it, so-much so that somehow his other siblings have receded from it. Eric, Corwin and Bleys keep hunting lodges, Gérard and Caine visit Julian's, and Julian has more than one lodge. There is a lodge for the princesses, a collective gift to them from Oberon. There are about 700 rangers of Arden on the record, and an estimated additional 200 off the record.

The rangers patrol and make certain that the beasties and monsters and myths of the forest do not come out of it to trouble Amber. There is good
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:23, Mon 04 May 2020.

The first rule of getting along at Court is fall in line with what Oberon wants.

The second rule of getting along at Court is don't piss off one of his children. Sometimes that means don't let one of his children like you too much, although there are benefits that go along with that. There are definite factions, some nobles having decided to throw in behind one or another of the Princes, some nobles being supportive of one or another of the Princesses.

---

On Dueling

Duels are common enough, but Oberon has decreed that there shall be no fighting in Amber Castle or Amber City, so gentlemen (or ladies) who wish to duel must ride out pretty far to do so. There is a note on record from the Royal Order of Rangers has requested people stop leaving bodies in the forest.

Duels that result in deaths aren't illegal, but there are a number of rules surrounding them. Failing to inform the family in person according to custom IS illegal, and may result in jail time. Desecrating the body is also illegal, punishment being that whatever desecration was committed on the corpse will also be committed on the living.

Duels between full brothers are also currently illegal, following a nasty duel-series between Eric and Caine, then Caine and Corwin, then Corwin and Eric, culminating in a riot and arson in the warehouse district. Bleys and Brand were held up as the ideal of brotherhood, which they responded to about as humbly as you'd expect.

There are no rules whatsoever about ladies dueling, although it is not common.

---

Ladies at Court and About Town

Noble ladies are supposed to have an escort.

Unmarried noble ladies aren't supposed to be alone with a man (of quality; a servant does not matter as much).

Usually when one of Oberon's queens is newish, they become something of a fashion icon, but generally speaking it is Oberon's daughters who actually control the Court, Deirdre and Fiona and Florimel. They are at their most friendly when it comes to putting a stepmother in her place. Mirelle is too young. Agnès is dead.

---

Marriage, Infidelity, and Sexuality

One isn't supposed to flaunt one's affairs with a married personage. The vibe is very courty love, Eleanor of Aquitaine-style, maybe with more edge. Amber doesn't exactly tack onto medieval Earth attitudes, but close enough for comparison.

There is, in fact, a "secret" court within the court of royal mistresses and paramours. Some daughters may know of it, membership is not exclusively female but it is largely female. You may have heard rumors of this court, or you may know more. We can discuss.

Marriage exists. It's political. Oberon marries for love. His children do not (unless you and I work something out re: your PCs parentage, which is certainly an option), at least not in Amber where it matters. Among the family, marriages out in shadow might be looked upon as casual, non-binding... or as deadly serious as any oath taken before Oberon and announced to the kingdom. Mileage varies.

Most Golden Circle realms would super love to have an Amber prince or an Amber princess under their belt. That probably goes for your PC. Princes have more autonomy, the Princesses are treated somewhat differently. Who is willing to risk an angry brother? Or worse--father? (This is not meant to discourage you from playing a child of one of Oberon's daughters, only to provide context and consequence to your childhood. We can discuss if you have any questions/envision anything in particular!)

Emotional infidelity to a spouse is (again, see 'courtly love') common and epic and dramatic and, in some ways, secretly admired, as long as there is emotional fidelity to the paramour. Physical infidelity is definitely a thing, but as with so many things, it's less of a big deal when men do it. Still: affairs happen.

---

Holidays and Traditions

High Holydays. There are so many. The Court loves 'em because it helps guide courtly activities.

There is always an Autumn Ball.
There is always a Spring Ball.
There is always a regata-festival in honor of Faiella's birthday. (The only time in known history it was ever cancelled was when Rilga, sick, left for Shadow at what would be the end of her reign.)

---

About Walking the Pattern

Walking the Pattern is a big to-do, pomp and cirumstance appropriate to the undertaking may surround it. Relations will line up outside the Pattern room for encouragement or... well, let's just say encouragement. Some may even watch the walk if they are given permission. This tradition is said to have begun when Eric and Benedict showed up for Corwin.

Depending on the character who walks, their personality and their estimation in Oberon's favor, there may be a party afterward to properly introduce the new Prince or Princess of Shadows to the court as being fully in their power.

If one has yet to walk the Pattern, one may petition a sponsor to intercede on their behalf with Oberon -- or one may choose to try and ask Oberon themself. Rebma's Pattern is not available to characters who did not grow up in Rebma, and then it is Moire and Llewella one must go through.

Tir-na-Nog'th is technically available, but there is an old-fashioned ballad about Wulfnod son of Osric, who went to the moonlight castle one clear night in order to take power and vengeance, and he was very sneaky, and he was very quiet, and he fell to his death when a cloud passed over the moon and the castle disappeared. Depending on the version of the ballad either no body was ever found or a mangled corpse unrecognizable was discovered in a juniper tree by his dog, which lay down at the foot of the tree and died.

The Average Amber Citizen's Knowledge of the Pattern

They know the royal family has something, maybe like a maze, of Great Power in the castle. They know that it is a crucible and a challenge to pass through and that only those who are Oberon's True Children may take the test without dying and claim the power that makes Amber great. They don't know specifics of how to walk the Pattern or even exactly what walking the Pattern does, other than allow Princes and Princesses to go into shadow and bring back wonders. They know that Amber is great, in part, because of the Power that the royal family keeps.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:32, Sun 17 May 2020.