“It is not down on any map; true places never are.”
― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick or, the Whale

This is for write-ups of shadows great and small, Golden Circle, Silver Circle, far-flung and near. I'll put player contributions to shadows here. If anybody's PC has *visited* any of these shadows, and you wish to give me an IC pull-quote opinion of it, good things may eventually come your way. :)

These are the shadows nearest Amber. They are also the shadows that are 'opened' to Amber, meaning citzens of Amber and of these shadows can trade with one another without the presence of a royal required. The shadow roads were open long ago (and with a great deal of effort). If you want your PC to be from one of these Shadows/you want to expand any of the info on them, let me know. The world's your playground!

If you have a cool idea for another Golden Circle shadow, write it up and PM it to me! :)

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Begma

The capital city of Shadow Begma is Meridor. Begma is a parliamentary monarchy. The current Prime Minister is Sebastion Frederic Wutherford-Johnston of House Otrel. The current monarch is the very old (and reputedly somewhat mad) Georges Justinian Victory Carloman Begmanthe-Acor of the Royal House Carloman of Begma. Begman names tend to be long and grand. Begman nicknames tend to be some commonday thing or object - Bird, Coral, Quartz, Thimble, etc. Begma and Amber have been hand in glove for a long time, and Begma might claim the distinction of First Shadow (still extant) added to the Golden Circle.

Tensions traditionally between: Regata, Deiga, and Løvetann.
Typical alliance at Amber: Kashfa, Ulster

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Deiga

Lowlands, rolling hills, traditional monarchies, ghost forests where the marshes have flooded and so much drizzle and rain and water. The rain has been going on for years, ruining crops and much of Deiga's exports, leading to mud slides and structural damages in some of Deiga's main cities. Deiga was getting uppity. Now Deiga is having bad luck. There may be dissent simmering here. Deiga, although not principally a Shadow known for its Seafarers, is reputed to be turning more and more to piracy in order to get supplies its people need.

Tensions traditionally between: Begma, Ilyria

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Regata

The capital of the glorious and eternal empire of Regata is Lundun. The glorious and eternal empire of Regata is built on the bones of an older empire, which, in turn, is built in the bones of an even older empire, and each subsequent empire harkens back to a mythical golden age when the Pendrake united disparate warring lords.

Regata's emphasis is on pleasure and it is an extremely popular tourist destination. Have you lived before swanning around on a pleasure barge of Regata? Regata thinks not, but that's okay, Regata is gracious and welcoming. Have you experienced the thrill of Regata's shipwright tests? Have you witnessed anything as lively as a duel in Regata? Have you observed Regata's fireworks or Regata's opera house? Have you seen anything as glorious as Regata's Court or services at Regata's Cathedral of (formerly the Drake) the Unicorn? Regata is sad for you, but Regata wants you to be happy: join Regata in fraternity and bliss.

Before Amber gently offered the hand of protection and friendship, Regata was also frequently raided.

Tensions typically between: Begma, Aragon, Tamyr, Ulster, Løvetann

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Tamyr

The capital city of Shadow Tamyr is Dumuzid. Lush valleys a river runs through, but otherwise - desert and steppes. A nomadic empire to the North - seal-hunters who may be as likely to ride mammoths as horses - an opulent/agrarian empire to the South, monument-builders, wild manticores and a center of learning respected throughout the Golden Circle (even if some of the sciences don't seem to 'work' in shadows closer to Amber/in Amber itself. The philosophers of Dumuzid have written about Amber as the Alchemical City, the True City which every kingdom might eventually become if it perfects itself. There is also a minor belief that Amber might be the City of the Dead, and its royals are angels, and when one dies in Tamyr one is reborn in Amber unless one goes to Hell, then one becomes a shade in Amber's moon city.)

Think Ancient Nubia/Ancient Mesopotamia, but with 17th century tech and industry. The ruler of the Dumuzid is Khalil, youngest Emperor in memory at 25. The ruler of the People of the Mammoth is Ajeela, Queen. They treat differently with other Golden Circle powers and it is often tricky to get something from one if you are already dealing with the other.

Tensions typically between: Regata, Aragon, Kashfa, Ulster, Løvetann
Typical alliance when in Amber: Deiga (No, what? Deiga? Who cares about Deiga, f' Deiga), Begma, Ilyria, Aragon (yes, it's on both lists)

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Aragon

The capital city of Shadow Aragon is Valençia. Aragon's Earth analogues would be Spain, Portugal, and - California. Visitors to Aragon note the temperate climes and desire to stay. Mediterranean architecture and botany, Aragon is also home to the second tallest mountain range in the Golden Circle, and it is quite a different beast than the balmy dry heat coastal regions.

Export: citrus, spices, olives, oil, glass-work, metalsmithing, famous for very fine blades

Worthy of note: There is an island called Zaragoza, which seems to have initially been part of Shadow Aragon, but also seems to be drifting into a new Shadow for whatever mysterious reason. Zaragoza is a rough and tumble independent nation and a haven for pirates, scoundrels, and exiles. Because it does seem to be drifting from one shadow to the next, it is often stricken by 'earth' quakes and occasionally it isn't found where expected.

Tensions traditionally between: Regata, Tamyr, Ilyria
Typical alliance when at Amber: Begma, Regata (yes, it is on both lists), Ilyria (yes, it is on both lists), Ulster

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Ilyria

The capital city of Shadow Ilyria is Veniss. Another city of particular note is Akiles. The current ruler of Ilyria is Adrian. Adrian has three brothers: Dorian, Aleksander, and - an adopted exile from Shadow Regata - Athos. Veniss is canal cities, waters full of sirens and beguiling enchantments, and the rest of Ilyria follows an 18th century France-trying to be-Pastoral Greece mode. Ilyria possesses a hedge maze, and there is an alternate shadow route to Ilyria via hedge maze if you know it's there and want to avoid the water. Very few people know it's there.

Akiles is named after the founder of the Myrmidons. The Myrmidons are an elite fighting force with a fearsome reputation throughout the Golden Circle, and though a detachment of Myrmidons is stationed according to tradition in Akiles, the force is usually with the ruler of Ilyria and Veniss has been the capital for oh these many years.

Sophistication is Ilyria's watch word, but so, too, perhaps is "intrigue" and "lies."

Tensions typically between: Deiga, Aragon, Kashfa, Løvetann, and worth noting recently Regata for sheltering Athos

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Thessaloniki

The capital city of Thessaloniki is Orfeos. Volcanos and mountain ranges, glaciers and lava and rain forests and islands ruled by great merchant houses, each with an individual fleet and a president or a prince. Shadow Thessaloniki is 'ruled' by two elected representatives from a council of presidents and princes (never a princess), and these two representatives are obliged to marry and provide diplomatic services and may veto and/or make certain decisions regarding each merchant house's forces throughout the Golden Circle. They are not allowed to have their own standing army. This is where most coffee in the Golden Circle comes from (in spite of Kashfa's moves to export).

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Kashfa

The capital city of Shadow Kashfa is Jidrash. The ruler of Shadow Kashfa is Vahishta. It is a very beautiful Shadow, think medieval Arabia, think Granada, think Western China. There are pilgrimage roads criss-crossing Kashfa and a number of sacred sites to visit, at each sacred site a shrine or a fortress depending on who was given/took the sacred site. Sorcery is said to be in the very dirt, the thing that causes the King's Way Road to be red. In Jidrash, luxury and austerity are both on display. Kashfa is famous for its hot cuisine, and there is a game among tourists to see how hot they can go. People have died.

Tensions typically between: Tamyr, Ilyria, Thessaloniki

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Ulster

The capital city of Shadow Ulster is Lughigan. A fortress on a high hill, nine barrows on nine small hills encircle it. A forest full of wolves to the west, the Llyric sea to the east. Known for being damp and almost eternally foggy, musicians are especially prized in Ulster and much is forgiven one who can prove one's musical worth. Ulster is ruled by two kings who take turn according to the season, one the Sained King, the other Unsained King. Each king has their own council of advisors and must drive off the other when it is time to take position on the glass throne. The driving off varies according to how 'ritualistic' it is depending on politics of the day. Members of the king's council of advisors may serve for seven years before they're shouted down or assassinated or sent on a long quest. In Ulster, the quest is sacred, and anybody of rank is obligated to go on Three Great Quests. Exports: sheep, cattle, leather, wool, iron, beer, a vibrant green dye.

Tensions typically between: Tamyr, Regata, Løvetann, Ulfhednar

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Løvetann

The capital city of Løvetann is . Historically, Løvetann has a history of aggressive action in Golden Circle waters. Its people are canny seamen and shipwrights, are raiders and pillagers, and possess some of the fastest ships on any sea. The government is semi-democratic insofar as though there is a Thane of Thanes he must (at least appear to) listen to his ring-lords, clan heads, shield-men and shield-maidens, and there is a great deal of ritual as to who gets to speak when. But everybody can speak, and be listened to. The current ruler is Helskald, the Boar. His wife is Gudrun, and she is a power. They have two sons and one daughter. They are in power because of a coup and some consider Helskald to be a kin-killer. Corwin, Bleys, and Gérard of Amber all visited pre-coup, and are apportioned some of the blame/credit.

Løvetann jewelry is much coveted but rare outside the Shadow. This shadow's people are known to be covetous of gold, brass, copper, but will not part with it once they have it, rather dying than allowing even a crumb of gold to go. They have two religions, one animistic with spirits in rocks and trees etcetera and one a religion centered around a Sun God who is both Evil and Good.

Tensions typically between: Everybody. It's a new age.

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Ulfhednar

The capital city of Shadow Ulfhednar is just Ulfhednar. Ulfhednar is in the hinterlands, if you talk to Golden Circle traders. If you talk to a man or woman from Ulfhednar, it's the Moon of the Universe, with Amber as its Sun. Everything between Amber and Ulfhednar is lesser. Ulfhednar is an absolute monarchy. The architecture of smaller towns and cities is very Black Forest/Slavic, with a significant portion of Ulfhednar's population riding and herding massive reindeer, but Ulfhednar itself is an extremely grand city, with architecture a mish-mash of old and new. The grander and more impressive, the better. Think Vienna.

The Church of the Unicorn is strong here, albeit with a very Ulfhednar-flavor. It seems to have been combined with a native religion where the people of Ulfhednar are descended from the stars and the wolves in the dark. The stars and the wolves together crafted the moon so they'd have a bridge to one another, got busy, boom! People, and blood rites.

Tensions typically between: Hey, guys? Hey! We exist!! Er, I mean: Ulster.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:38, Mon 18 May 2020.

These are shadows that have had descendants of Oberon interact (a lot) with them, whether or not they've technically been "claimed." Your PCs birth shadow, if not Amber or a Golden Circle shadow, is likely to be one of these even if your PC doesn't visit. Your parent sure did. Some Silver Circle shadows may be eligible for admittance to the Golden Circle. Unlike a Golden Circle shadow, a Silver Circle shadow does not necessarily know that Amber exists and is not necessarily "close" to the True City. However, some Silver Circle shadows mayyy have the beginnings of a shadow road that others can follow built into them.

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Avalon
Belongs to: Corwin
Others welcome: Maybe some

Avernus
Belongs to: Bleys
Others welcome: Unless mayybe you're descended from Clarissa, there is no Avernus.

Broceliande
Belongs to: Julian
Others welcome: Invitation only

Dorhallow
Belongs to: Benedict
Others welcome: Younger gen, maybe. Other sibs etc may have been allowed in and had their permissions revoked.

Earth
Belongs to: Flora
Others welcome: Nope, gtfo.

Keep in mind that in this game, Eric hasn't dropped Corwin off on Shadow Earth during the plague, so Earth is not modern at all. There may be other Shadows which have already undergone Industrial Revolutions, of course! But it's not this one. This one is currently stuck in the 12th century. Stephen of Bloise is King in England. Abelard is gonna be condemned for heresy soon, or just has.

Gigal
Belongs to: nobody
Amberites who've passed the time there: Julian, Brand, Trekin

Heerat
Belongs to: nobody, but it's a frequent way-stop

Texorami
Belongs to: Random
Others welcome: Noooo, gtfo

Yalyra
Belongs to: [Mystery]
Others welcome: Ask the GM if you have Pattern and are interested in visiting.

Yalyra's deserts stretch on forever. City-states dot them, tiny islands in the oceans of sand. They cluster around the few rivers and oases that exist. Clusters of spires that stretch up into the endless, cloudless skies. Trader caravans wander from city to city, wily merchants carrying exotic goods from city to city, searching for a market for their wares. Currently, this shadow sits in a state of flux. Several of the largest city-states were united into a single empire, conquered by a brilliant general and strategist. How the Shadow's politics will be shaped by this are unknown.

Religion
The Church of the Unicorn is unknown in Yalyra. Rather, it's inhabitants favor a local religion focused around animist spirits and a thousand local gods. The religion has no formal scriptures or organized priesthood. Rather, each city has its own local habits and customs, both formal and informal. Religious customs are as varied as the people who practice them.

Army
Perhaps because it is not yet united under a single ruler, and perhaps because it recently ended a period of significant conquest, Yalyra maintains armies that would shame many Golden Circle Shadows in size, experience, and logistic expertise. The Empire maintains several forces of thousands of warriors, and the smaller city-states have forces required to defend themselves from Imperial ambition. Most of these forces are well equipped and supplied. The warriors of Yalyra favor light armor- metals are hard to find in supply and the heat makes heavier armor into ovens- and spears paired with large, wicker-woven shields for melee. However, most warfare is conducted by mounted archers. Their arrows are carved from woody plants that grow nowhere else, and tipped with terrible poisons from the animals that stock Yalyra's deserts.

Yalyra has no navies of note- only a few smaller river-going merchant fleets. The concept of naval warfare is almost unthinkable to this desert Shadow.

Culture
Like many Shadows, Yalyra's many cities share a similar culture. However, it is very distant from the culture of Amber. No formalized religious practice dominates. Merchants are held in generally high regard. Most power is determined by wealth and social acclaim rather than generational titles- there is little wealth to be had in owning land, and a great deal to be made from transaction. Merchant princes throw huge celebrations in their own honor. Marriage is entirely informal, with men and women entering into relationships as they wish and departing when they please. Homosexuality is common practice and encouraged in military forces to bond soldiers more closely.

Most of the city-states operate government on a loose oligarchy of merchant-princes who pool their wealth to provide basic services to citizens. They largely have basic written constitutions formalizing the arrangement between different merchant cartels. The main exception to this is the Empire, an absolute dictatorship without any formalized central structure.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:08, Sat 30 May 2020.

These are shadows of note, but great mystery (for now).

Weirmonken

You'll see.

Mirata

You'll see. There are stories...

Palidor

Do you hear that sound? A host, a host!

Rahoringhast

Bring your silver arrows.

Shadows accessible from Rebma. Only five: The Circle of Pearl.

Loire, Loiret

Umber

Westernesse

Korélìralyselios

Frothinwåld

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Pale shadows just beyond the Circle of Pearl.

Taslinta is among the Shadows one step removed from the Circle of Pearl.  Taslinta is most properly the name of a militant kingdom/empire that exerted hegemony over a large majority of its Shadow.  The Kingdom of Taslinta directly controlled the entirety of the Shadow's largest landmass; the Empire was maintained by naval power. Taslinta was conquered by Rebma over a period of nearly two decades, as the Rebman navy isolated one outlying holding at a time for easy conquest before invading the Taslintan mainland.  Some Rebmans criticized this strategy as needlessly conservative--why not simply cut off the head at the outset rather than first cutting off the tail one slice at a time?--but it undoubtedly achieved its goal.

Prior to the Rebman invasion, Taslintans viewed themselves as superior in every way to all other peoples.  The slow, steady, inexorable tide of Rebma's conquest came as quite a shock, and Taslintan culture has since turned heavily toward the arts in attempt to assert a new identity not inconsistent with military and political subjugation.  An old and little-regarded philosophy known as Serenicism, which holds that all things are cyclical and that burdens should be borne with patience, has gained broad popularity.  This is not an accident; Rebma's cultural engineers are good at their jobs.  On the other hand, the generation of artists who came of age amid the collapse of the old order, and whose works therefore tended toward elegy, are now being superseded by a generation with no memory of Taslintan sovereignty, with more positive and neophilic attitudes.  The implications of this new zeitgeist for Rebma are yet to be seen.

Taslinta's natural resources include lumber (of a kind excellent for shipbuilding), furs, iron, silver, lapis, and a spice called arispeg. Silver and lapis are used in the medal of the Order of Taslinta, given to all Rebman veterans of the war.  Taslinta is currently governed in the name of Queen Moire by Lord Governor Lake Ophiucus, and mostly garrisoned by troops from [some Pearl Circle Shadow]. Taslinta would not properly be described as restive, but Rebma isn't about to let the Taslintans start governing themselves again, either.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:05, Sat 30 May 2020.