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The concept is borrowed from the Patterns of Memory Website. What this amounts to is what we, as characters, know of the world. (Any exceptions to this must be discussed with the GM.) As players, we may know differently, but then, we've read the books. Our characters haven't. 1) Timing I mentioned at the beginning of the games that the Merlin series never happened. At least, any of it that did isn't public knowledge. It is rumored to have been leaked that after the Patternfall War Merlin slipped into a coma. More than that is unknown. Anyone who appears in the Merlin series, from Coral to Dalt to Jurt to The Big Talking Pattern, may or may not exist, but will likely be different. 2) The Patternfall War The Pattern is still there, so why it is called that is anyone's guess. A couple of people know that it was redrawn, but unless Corwin, Fiona or Random lets that slip to you, odds are you're not one of them. 3) The Pattern has always been, as far as anyone knows. Dworkin was Oberon's crazy father, and nothing more. 4) It is widely accepted that only people who are Of the Blood can walk the Pattern. No non-familymember has tried, that anyone knows of. 5) The Courts are known to exist, and have had trade with Amber in the past, although not for some centuries. Very few people actually know someone who is from the Chaosian Shadows and fewer know someone who can use the Logrus. 6) "The whereabouts of the Pattern blades are completely unknown. In fact, most people don't even know they ever existed. Sure Corwin had a sword that he named, but he was the kind of guy who probably named other things, too." (Quoted directly from the website, because the GM liked it a lot.) It is also known that the batleth that killed the latest Shara is also a Pattern weapon. 8) No one has heard of Spikards. 9) If there is information on something, Barbara and the Library will know it. There is no information on Spikards that isn't theory. 10) "Almost no one knows that the Jewel of Judgement is important. Oberon had a ruby that was a symbol of office, but only Corwin, Brand, Benedict, and Fiona know that the Jewel is at all important. Also, players should not assume that the Jewel has anything to do with the creation of the Pattern in Amber or Corwin's Pattern. It may; it may not." The Jewel was last seen with King Random, and has not been seen since his disappearance. Some people, including the Regents and their inner circle, have learned this information in-game. They know enough to know there's more to learn. 11) Primal Pattern? Isn't that in the basement? 12)
Chaos a) Trump.
No one in the Courts knows Trump. Trump is a Pattern-based ability.
It should not be expected that Cowrin's Table has Trump. b) Shapeshifting.
Shapeshifting isn't something that Amberians can consciously do, except
under special circumstances, or with special training. Or unless they're
Deirdrian or Clarissaian. Most Amberians have never seen anyone shapeshift,
and it's not easy for most people to do in Amber. c) Although it was known that Random had ambassadors in the Courts, it is not known who they were, or what happened to them after he disappeared. 13) House Deirdre is not known to exist by any outside of the Royal Family and trusted advisors. Their role as ambassadors to Chaos is unknown to all but the Regents, Aoife, Tandra and member of the Houses of Random and Florimel. 14)
The Elder generation consists of the children of Oberon. Known children
are on the list, although most are only known by name. a) Legitimate
Houses have some claim to Amber. These include Gerard, Random and
Florimel. All the other houses and unaligned menbers have either abdicated
any rights to the crown or were removed from the line of succession
(such as Benedict and House Corwin). The reasons for their removal
are almost always private, but are always the subject of speculation. b) Even illegitimate
Princes are generally accepted in Amber and given all courtesies afforded
the Royal Family. c) Amber Royalty
do not pay for anything in Amber, or in Golden Circle Shadows. d) Welcome committes were set up by House Florimel to greet new family members, long absent family members or simply people who were able to get to Amber from Shadow, most of whom end up being family. There is a routine to this, which includes a tour of the Castle and Palace, a hot bath and meal and an information packet outlining the current family residents of the Castle. The packet also includes information on the Golden Circle and the House structure. It does not include information on the Pattern or Trump, unless Flora or Max wants it to. 15) The Golden Circle Most family
members know it exists, and what nations are included. a) The Golden
Circle nations: Amber, Kashfa, Eregnor, Begma, Rebma, 'Tis, Laputa,
FaerAlbion, Cremea, Puerta Rael, Cabra, Al Ardis and Gleep (or Lizardville).
See the Golden Circle page for more information. b) Golden
Circle nations, almost without exception, can only be reached via
naval routes. These routes are well traveled and well known to the
people who sail them. They are also occasionally blocked by storms,
both mystical and natural. These have become more common since Random
disappeared. c) Political turmoil in GCS was almost unheard of during Random's reign. There were many reasons for this, and few of them were public. All anyone needed to know, or cared to know, was that trade moved smoothly. Since Random left, this has changed little, due in part to centuries of habit. 16) Shadow Earth is well known, and has been frequented by a number of Royals, for extended periods. As a result, it has become something of a Shadow-hub. Most of The Family knows this, and it's in the welcome packets. 17) The original Castle still stands, but walls have been knocked down to add on the Palace. There will be a map, eventually. |
