Amber and the Golden Circle
A map of Amber and the Golden Circle is
now available.
Amber - Founded by Oberon and Dworkin, exiles from Chaos, Amber
is the seat of the Pattern, and its stability is reflected outwards into
Shadow, dominating reality as far as Ygg. In truth, Amber covers the
region surrounding Mt. Kolvir, extending north and west to Forest Arden,
south to Ghenesh, and east to the Bay of Cabra. Amber is currently ruled
by Regent Meredith, until Crown Princess Lenore comes of age.
Amber City - The largest city in Amber, which lies at the base
of Mt. Kolvir and extends to the Bay of Cabra. Amber City is ruled by
Regent Meredith and supervised by the Mayor. The mayoral position is, in
fact, merely a figurehead position that carries no real duties or
authority.
Arden - A forest of epic size, Arden covers the regions west and
north of Mt. Kolvir, and is bisected by the River Moison. Ruled by Prince
Julian and patrolled by his rangers and hellhounds, Arden was nearly
burned down during the Abyss War, but has recovered during the period of
the Reconstruction.
Baylesport - Both city and Shadow, Baylesport is located at the
juncture of the Western Sea and the River Moison, west of Forest Arden.
Ruled by House Bayle, a noble family of Amber, the Bayles are known for
their wine-making. The Bayles also have a home in the country, called
Arbor House. Vinta Bayle was mistress to Prince Caine for a time, but she
perished during the Abyss War. The current ruler of House Bayle is Lord
Vincent.
Begma - A major Kingdom in the Golden Circle, Begma was one of
the first Shadows to join the Golden Circle and is located directly south
of Amber. It had a long standing rivalry with nearby Kashfa over a region
known as Eregnor. When Kashfa was destroyed by the Abyss, Eregnor became
corrupted and dangerous, and is now avoided by most people. The prime
minister of Begma is a woman by the name of Nayda, who took over after her
father passed on.
Cabra - A reference to the Bay of Cabra, which rests due east of
Amber, and to the lighthouse which guards the northern mouth of the
Bay.
Initially, Cabra was just a lighthouse. Now it's a small village clustered
around the lighthouse. Essentially, Cabra has become a small community of
shapeshifters devoted to studying the medical arts. They receive financial
support from the Crown in exchange for providing healing services to any
who need them. Not all who live at Cabra are doctors. Many are just
shapeshifters who were ostracized by their own families and came to Cabra
to learn about their own powers and find acceptance.
Corilaine - A Golden Circle kingdom that covers the far northern
reaches of Forest Arden. Former home of Queen Sand. Corilaine is a dark,
untamed, forested region that is filled with fierce wolves and the
occasional wary hunter. Corilaine's major exports are wood, wood
products, berries, mushrooms and ceramic materials. Corilaine is still
believed to be ruled by Derrick, though the named ruler is Lord
Sebastian.
Deiga - A Golden Circle kingdom located far to the east of Amber
across the Eastern Sea. Deiga is a small island kingdom known for its
seafood and tobacco, and for its rather formidable navy, which has
historically aided Amber in times of need. Deiga is currently ruled by
Regents for William of House Wayreth, the orphaned son of Nathaniel and
Emma.
The Eastern Marches - The area of land to the northeast of
Amber, further east than the Lightouse of Cabra, on the coast of the
Eastern Sea.
Eregnor - A Duchy located between Kashfa and Begma. Since the
destruction of Kashfa, Eregnor has become a dark and dangerous place, home
to all manner of vile creatures. It has also become known as the refuge
of those Chaosian soldiers who survived the Abyss War and the
Reconstruction. A single village exists within Eregnor, called
Quotidian.
Faeilla-Bionin - The Stairway to Rebma, located on a beautiful
coral beach some seven leagues northeast of Mt. Kolvir, past the
Lighthouse of Cabra. A giant staircase, which has an enchantment laid
upon it to keep gravity and breathing for surface dwellers, it descends to
an archway that marks the territory of Rebma. On each side are pillars
atop which are flames which glow and keep the water warm. The stairs
themselves are made of some type of white marble shot through with pink
and green.
Garnath, Valley of - A valley southeast of Amber, adjacent to
the Escarpment, which is the southern mouth of the Bay of Cabra. During
the Patternfall war the Black Road ran through the Valley of Garnath and
extended as far as Kolvir.
Ghenesh - A former Golden Circle kingdom, notable in history
only in that it was there that the Moonriders were thwarted so many
centuries ago. Located south of the Valley of Garnath and east of Begma,
Ghenesh is currently ruled by Lady Morgana of House Cezare. Ghenesh is a
temperate Shadow with abundant farmland, and so its major export is food
and grain.
Grove of the Unicorn - Grove in the Forest of Arden, where
Oberon first sited the Unicorn.
Isles of the Sun - A cluster of Islands located due east of the
Lighthouse of Cabra, just a few miles distant from the shores of the
Eastern Marches.
Kashfa - A former Golden Circle kingdom. Kashfa was ruled by
Queen Jasra, and its capital city was Jidrash. A few months before the
Abyss War, Kashfa was consumed by the Abyss. Where it once existed is now
only a rift...a dark sea of nothingness inhabited by foul creatures. No
one chooses to go there.
Kolvir - A mountain in Amber, seat of the Pattern and of
Newcastle, the castle built upon the ruins of Castle Amber.
LeDorne - A Golden Circle Shadow located northwest of Baylesport
on the coast of the Western Sea. LeDorne is a rather large Shadow that
encompasses a variety of temperate regions. The Shadow is ruled by Queen
Maeve of House LeDorne. LeDorne's chief exports are spices, glass, steel
and porcelaine.
Mordentia - A Golden Circle Shadow to the northwest of Forest
Arden, due west of Corilaine. A densely forested and mountainous region,
Mordentia is ruled by Duke Laoric of House Thessela. The climate in
Mordentia is cooler than Amber, and the primary exports for this Shadow
are stone, steel, and gemstones. Trade to and from Mordentia goes through
LeDorne by way of the River Morin, which connects in LeDorne to the
Western Sea at the coastal city Besancon. The capital of Mordentia is
Levenbrook.
Mu - Personal Shadow of Gawain, adjacent to Rebma, and similar
to Rebma in a great many ways. Entry into Mu is nearly impossible, save
when Gawain extends his invitation.
Newcastle - Home to the royal family of Amber, built over the
ruins of Castle Amber on Mt. Kolvir.
Primal Amber - The seat of the Primal Pattern, the foundation of
all of Amber. Primal Amber is inaccessible via Trump, Magic, Logrus and
Pattern, though it may be possible to reach it by teleporting from the
center of the Pattern...should Blethius wish it. After the conclusion of
the Abyss War, Fiona kept Primal Amber sealed off from everyone, and she
resided there in solitude. It remains to be seen if Blethius intends to
do the same.
Rebma - Rebma is one of the three First Shadows cast by the
Primal Pattern and has a functional, though mirrored, Pattern. The Castle
was a mirror image of Newcastle, though altered as befits an underwater
realm. Rebma's recovery following the Abyss War was long and painful, for
the legions of the Abyss had polluted Rebma so thoroughly that it was
uninhabitable for two years. Then, just when Rebma finally seemed to be
back on its feet, tragedy struck again and the populace was
destroyed/absorbed by Thule. Currently Gawain's son Brand is slated to be
coronated as the next King of Rebma. He will have his work cut out for
him trying to repopulate the city once more.
Sento - A Golden Circle Shadow occupying the northern coast of
the Eastern Sea, northeast of the Eastern Marches. Sento is really little
more than an extensive area of temperate grasslands populated by nomadic
herdsman. The primary export of Sento is livestock, and though the
majority of the populace of the Shadow live rather simple lives, the
capital city of Norn d'Sark is actually very civilized. Sento is ruled by
Baron Timeus of House Sento.
Tir-na Nog'th - Amber's reflection in the clouds. Once believed
to only exist in the light of the full moon, it has since been discovered
that the entirety of Tir-na Nog'th travels through Shadow. By using
specialized magic, one can Shadow shift with the city and thus have no
risk of being stranded in Shadow by its movement. After the death of the
members of House Barimen, the castle disappeared, only to be later
recovered by Cerridwen when she turned seventeen years of age. As its
queen, Cerridwen was able to travel through the Abyss using the magic of
Tir-na Nog'th. Unfortunately, Cerridwen was fully an Amberite and showed
a great deal of reticence about allowing anyone to enter her
demesne...unless he or she had something worthwhile to offer the Queen of
Tir-na Nog'th. Since Cerridwen's regression to childhood, no one else has
laid claim to the Tir.
Tulloch - A Golden Circle Shadow east of Ghenesh, on the coast
of the Eastern Sea and the Dark Sea. Tulloch is only nominally a Golden
Circle Shadow, as it is a rather desolate region with little to export.
Tulloch is all that remains of a greater civilization, long since thrown
into decline. Though the houses of Tulloch do swear fealty to Amber, they
generally regard Amber as a young upstart, lacking the rich traditions of
their own culture. Tulloch is ruled by a council of the heads of the
various noble houses.
The
Courts of Chaos
A map of the Courts of Chaos is now
available.
Anch - Known as the Ways of Anch, this Shadow is one of several
Shadows governed by House Sawall.
Cainsmarsh - A swampland to the southeast of Gravenhage rumored
to be haunted by the ghosts of dead Chaosians.
Cardiff - Ways of Hendrake, currently ruled by Mason Hendrake.
Cardiff lies to the south of Donegal, and is known for mining of precious
metals and gems.
Cerelaine - Ways of Amblerash, currently ruled by Baalam
Amblerash. Cerelaine lies on the far side (east of) Gravenhage.
Isle of Corinth - The main port of the Courts of Chaos found the
Isle of Corinth, off the shore of Skeltland. The Port of Corinth is the
main gateway of travel toward outlying Shadow and Amber and is known for
its fishing and seafaring. Corinth is ruled by a minor house, but
historically has been strongly influenced by House Chanicut.
Donegal - Ways of Minobee, currently ruled by Rhees, the
daughter of Belissa Minobee. Rhees was appointed Duchess of Minobee by
Shaenan after he returned from Inferno. Donegal is known for its
handicrafts and tapestries.
Firegate - A fiery gateway that connects the Courts of Chaos to
outlying Shadows. The Gate serves as a magical stopping point and provides
instant one-way transport to a number of Shadows. To operate it, one
merely need look to the lit towers across the sea beyond the gate, focus
upon one, and step through the gate. At present, many of the towers are
unlit, as many of the links to Firegate have yet to be re-established.
Gantu - The personal Shadow of Dara Helgram, which lies between
Gwynedd and Sawallways. Gantu is actually the name of the fortress that
dominates this otherwise uninteresting bit of land.
Golgotha - Cumulative term for the hell Shadows which lie on the
edges of the Courts of Chaos. The great majority of these hells were
formed by Mandor, including Inferno.
Gravenhage - A forest which rivals the vastness of Arden,
Gravenhage is nothing short of a bosk of nightmares. The forest lies
generally east of Sawallways and Gwynedd.
Gwynedd - A Shadow of high magic and the ancestral home of House
Helgram, Gwynedd is currently ruled Dara Helgram Sawall. Gwynedd lies just
north of Sawallways.
Inferno - A Shadow hell created by Mandor. Stylized after the
Judeo-Christian Hell, it serves as a storage place for those who have
irritated Mandor. During the period following the Abyss War, Prince
Shaenan found himself stranded here, but escaped with the aid of
Leviticus. Among it's more inconvenient features, the time flow in this
Shadow is greatly slowed, such that much time passes outside the Shadow
while one is trapped here.
Mandorways - The personal Shadow of Mandor of Sawall. When
Leviticus closed off Sawallways at the beginning of the Abyss War, he
indirectly closed access to Mandorways, as it is only accessible through
the Ways of Sawall, leaving the Shadow untouched. Mandorways remains
impossible to enter, save by Shaenan Sawall.
Meath - Ways of Jesby, currently ruled by Stead Jesby, son the
Emperor Despil. House Jesby, previously the weakest of the major houses of
Chaos gained much in recent years through its close ties with the ruling
house. Meath is mostly comprised of rolling hills and farmland, and is
south of Thelbane and Sawallways.
Pit of Chaos - The upper reaches of the Abyss on which the
Shadow and castle Thelbane lie. The borders of the various Shadows are
impervious to Abyss, save for the Pit. There can one enter the Abyss and
journey to farther Shadows, through the aid of Abyssal Demons. Note that
the Abyss does not really link to any of the other conjoined Shadows in
Chaos (save for Sawallways), nor does it expand into the Shadows, nor send
its minions forth into Chaos.
Rial - An underwater realm located off the coast of Cerelaine.
The royal family of Rial are shapeshifters and a minor Chaosian house, yet
most of the Shadow residents of Rial are limited to life in the water.
Sawallways - Noteable Shadow of the Court of Chaos, ancestral
seat of House Sawall, currently ruled by Lord Shaenan Sawall. Due to the
actions of Shaenan, Sawallways has become 'occupied' by the creature known
as Leviticus, and is now essentially a living Shadow. It is impossible to
enter the Shadow without Shaenan's express permission. The Ways of Sawall
lie to the west of Gravenhage, and east of Thelbane. Recently, Sawallways
was destroyed...its links to the Courts severed. It drifted into the
Abyss, taking much of the heritage and history of Chaos with it.
Skeltland - Ways of Chanicut, currently ruled by Sarah Chanicut,
wife of Delwin, is directly north of Gwynedd, and borders Gravenhage to
the west. Skeltland is known for its temperate climate and vinyards.
Thelbane - Shadow and castle; The ancient seat of power in
Chaos, now ruled by Despil. Thelbane is located at the edge of the Pit and
is adjacent to Sawallways, Gwynedd, and the Ways of the Logrus.
Ways of the Logrus - Formerly known as Suhuyways, the Ways of
the Logrus are located deep in the caves under Sawallways, and are home to
the Spider. Currently sealed off at Lord Shaenan's command.
Infinite Shadow
Arcana - Once the Shadow known as Mellisondra, it was
transformed by Gawain and Edgar into a major pole of reality based around
the Magic Circle.
Arnok -
The Shadow hell in which Caine was imprisoned during the Abyss War by
Llateri. The only exit from this Shadow is via the Broken Pattern, which
will not work for full Pattern initiates. Here, Caine met a woman named
Felicity and had a child named Aelric.
Avignon - Personal Shadow of Adam. Very similar to the France
during the reign of Louis the Sun King. At the beginning of the Abyss War,
Avignon became sanctuary for those fleeing Chaos and Amber. Some of the
people who lived there included Florimel, Despil, Rowan, Lylesberg, Bleys,
Stead, Elinore, and Adam. Despil and his family returned to Chaos with the
aid of Cerridwen shortly after the surviving Amberites were returned to
Amber.
Contré-Mu - A relection of Mu, where a Shadow of Gawain
named Gwin is revered as a god-figure and called the 'Sewer of Chaos'. His
children became gods and their conflicts shaped the destiny of
Contré-Mu. During the time of the Reconstruction, Princess Katrina
found herself stranded here...an unpleasant time as she was reviled within
the mythos of this Shadow.
Earth - Shadow Earth, a major Shadow, due to the number of
Amberites who have spent time there. Earth is known as Florimel's
territory, and given her recent personality changes, most Amberites fear
to tread there.
Ellipsis - A high-tech Shadow near Earth that is often
frequented by Lady Emma. Ellipsis is Emma's personal Shadow, and she tends
to vacation in Orleans, which refers specifically to the estates and
surrounding areas inhabited by Emma, located in the region known as
Centre. It is a land in the thick of the jazz and early swing era, replete
with flappers and gin mills...with all the improvements technology has to
offer.
Keep of Four Worlds - The intersection of four elemental
Shadows. It contains the Firefountain, a vast source of magical energy. In
fact, the Firefountain could best be described as a sort of stationary
spikard. The Keep of Four Worlds is currently joined to the cluster of
Shadows surrounding Mellisondra.
Mars Colony - A high-technology Shadow set in the year 2894 AD.
The actual Mars Colony of this Shadow is dominated by a very Luddite
philosphy, the result of a long series of wars that devastated Earth. But
there are still those who esteem technology, and as such his world is very
divided into technology haves and have-nots, with the lower class
belittling the very technology that the upper class uses to control and
manipulate them. Lord Shaenan was born and raised in this Shadow, and it
was here that he first encountered Mirelle.
Mellisondra - Home Shadow of Meridian. A strange world ruled by
four castes based upon the four elements; a land of high sorcery.
Meridian's researches gave Mellisondra its own reality, when he caused it
to house a greater power known as the Magic
Circle. It was eventually transformed into the realm known as
Arcana.
Noire - A prohibition-era version of Shadow Earth, in which Emma
found herself trapped following the conclusion of the Abyss War. Strangely
enough, the Shadow also possesses analogs of the various Amberites that
were important to Emma's history. Charles DeQuehen (Caine) is a mob boss
there, as is Sandra Balducci (Sand). Sol (Meridian) and Nicky (Nix) also
live there, and aided Emma briefly when she lived there.
Paris - Former home to Corwin's Pattern; now a wasteland. Paris
in unique, however, in that it houses one of the few remaining, functional
Broken Patterns.
RLW 1289 - A
high-technology Shadow adjacent to Earth. In this world, intergalactic
travel was developed relatively early on. Maximillian, Katrina, Elizabeth,
and Emily were raised in RLW 1289; it was here that Bleys and Elizabeth
met and were married. Mirelle and Benedict have also spent time here; and
Princess Meredith found herself trapped here during the
Reconstruction.
Sanctuary - A Shadow that once belonged to Princess Meredith,
destroyed by her own hand before the Abyss War. Sanctuary was a
high-Pattern Shadow inhabited by all manner of fantastic creatures.
Spindlekeep - Primal Plane that holds the Spindle, it belongs to
Melanie Chanicut.
Ulteria - A prison
Shadow constructed shortly before the Abyss War. Its creator and its
purpose is as yet unknown.
Ygg - The tree that marks the boundaries between Logrus and
Pattern, planted by Oberon originally. Ygg is unique in that it is the
only linear point between Amber and Chaos. Anyone journeying between those
two places will eventually pass through the Shadow inhabited by Ygg,
though the individual may or may not actually see the Ygg tree.
All text on this page is © 1997-2004 by Matthew Richardson and Kris
Fazzari.
Last modified on May 12, 2004 by Kris Fazzari.
