The Queens of Amber campaign operates on the understanding that there are five major powers: Pattern, Logrus, Trump, Magic and Abyss. No power is greater than any other in totality, though each possesses its own particular advantages and disadvantages, as detailed below. The powers of the Jewel of Judgement are considered separate, though the Jewel itself is believed to be a Trump artifact. Similarly the powers of the Eye of Chaos are separate, though the Eye is considered to be an Old Logrus artifact. Note that Shapeshifting, though formidable, is not a greater power in my campaign.
Pattern - Stability. A defensive power...the Pattern's strength lies in its ability to resist change. Therefore it is traditionally opposed to Logrus and Abyss. Because of its nature, the Pattern does not grow weaker as one leaves its seat of power. The Avatar of the Pattern is the Unicorn...who is also Blethius.
Logrus - Change. An offensive power...the strength of the Logrus is its ability to adapt. Therefore it is traditionally opposed to Pattern and somewhat to Trump. Because of its nature, the powers of the Logrus vary with location, growing weaker near Amber and stronger in the Courts of Chaos. The Avatar of the Logrus is the Spider...who is also Shaenan.
Trump - Creation. Neither defensive nor offensive, the power of Trump is the power of creation. It could be argued that Trump is the greatest power, and that Pattern is merely a creation of Trump. Trump does not vary in strength due to its location, but distance can affect the efficacy of Trump. Trump is traditionally opposed to Abyss, and somewhat to Logrus. Though it is not known to be so, the Avatar of Trump is the Jewel of Judgement.
Magic - Manipulation. Both defensive and offensive, magic has been traditionally seen as a minor power. The strength of magic lies in its ability to work with other powers, with its ability to utilize omnipresent forces. The power of magic varies from Shadow to Shadow, but by combining magic with Pattern or Logrus, a sorcerer can overcome such boundaries. Magic is traditionally somewhat opposed to Abyss. Through the actions of Meridian, the very nature of Magic has changed...and through his creation of the Magic Circle, magic has achieved the level of a Greater Power. The Avatar of Magic is Ygg.
Abyss - Negation. Both defensive and offensive, the power of the Abyss is its power to overcome other powers, or rather, its ability to resist other powers. Abyss power refuses all understanding of barriers. The Abyss is opposed to all other powers; the only power it seems to work with at all is Magic and Shapeshifting. The Avatar of the Abyss was Sulemain, but he was deposed following the failure of the Abyss War. The identity of the current avatar of Abyss is unknown.
All text on this page is © 1997-2000 by Matthew Richardson and Kris Fazzari.
Last modified on August 19, 2000 by Kris Fazzari.