Golden Circle Shadows


this list is not complete

Format of names:        name used by Amberites / alternate local names
 

K.E.B., Keb/  Kashfa, (Eregnor),Begma

Kashfa and Begma are empires sitting on opposite sides of the same major continent on
the same shadow,  both have a treaty with Amber.   Both empires are culturally expansionistic
and both  want Eregnor the major resource rich, but underdeveloped area roughly at the
centre of the continent.    Kashfa is no longer ruled by Luke who was killed probably by Caine.
Dalt is no longer ruler of Eregnor having been exiled by the elders to distant shadow.  Continous
low level fighting carries on between the two empires,  both employing privateers and guerilla
forces.  Diplomats from Amber spend a lot of time trying to bring peace here.
Hereditary Prime Minister Orkuz of Begma has just died, Prime Minister Designate Izorne is
expected to take power.

 
 

Bass Ro

Dominated for millenia by the mighty, but now increasingly decadent island kingdom of Roj Ko.
In the city of  Harok, the Galend dynasty rules through sorcery.  As part of its treaty obligations
sends its squadrons of  dragons to aid in the defence of Amber.  Bass Ro is based roughly on
an earlier version Moorcock's Elric novels from a time when the Melniboneans were still strong.
The nobility of Bass Ro consider torture of slaves to be fitting hobby,  the daughter of the Bass
Ro ambassador to Amber being expelled back to Bass Ro for this behaviour.

Orth

A world of mighty nation states with 1930's technology.  Three of these signed a joint treaty with
with Amber around a hundred years before.  Alliances have formed between some of the nations,
an arms race is in progress and a major world war looks likely.  Amber diplomats have been sent
to all the nations in an effort to avert the self destruction of an important ally of Amber.

Akhest

Amber's embassy here is at Mirata capital of the largest empire ruled by a hereditary monarch.
The summer here is extremely fierce, and many dwellings are carved out of mountians. Even
some cities with fountains and rich bazaars are mostly underground.  Trade out of Akhest is
mostly on camel caravan.
An arabic mixture of historical arabia and hollywood films like the Thief of Baghdad ( the Korda one).
The sorcerors of Akhest are highly rated, and are famous for their flying carpets.

Also on the same planet but distant geographically, and culturally are two up and coming nations which
both do increasing amount of trade with Amber and cross-shadow.  These and other nations in that
continent,  call their world Tirra.  Londra is the capital of the strongest maritme nation, Brettia.  Parra
the capital of the strongest military nation, Gaullica.  The wizards here are inferior to their counterparts
in Akhest.  Around 80 years ago the steam engine was introduced ( not used in Akhest ) and this
is having a major impact with railways being built and steam-engine powered iron clad ram ships
prowling the seas.
Brettia and Gaullica have just declared war on each other for the fourth time in the last ten years.
Fighting which never really ceases will between naval fleets and land forces in distant colonies.
 

Gaia    ( Mother Earth )   and Pa Han

When most of the civilised nations of the inner sea, and the land of the two rivers were united under
Philip the Great and then his son a Golden Circle treaty was granted to this new and rich empire
whose component nations had long traded with Amber.  The empire fell apart after the death of
Alexander.  the successor states follow a Hellenistic culture.  Representatives from various rulers
and city states meet yearly to talk to diplomats form Amber and discuss trade in general.  Regular
minor wars are fought but these follw agreed rules and accepted customs so there is little destruction
and limited loss of life.  Magic is limited but important.  Gaia has many learned philosophers and
famed univeristies and libraries
.
The civilised nations of Gaia are constantly threatened by a variety of barbarian tribes.
 

On the other side of the world is  Pa Han whose treaty stretches back long before that of  Philip
the Great. The theocratically elected emperor presides over a vast beaurocracy.  Despite its
size the beaurocracy, which picks its members on the basis of various exams, is fairly efficient and
corruption free.  Various rebel groups fight at the fringes these include the warriors of Liang Shan Po
( the Water Margin ).
 

Agardia

Lands of high magic, heroic warriors, and exotic powers.  The great city of  Eternia is the centre of
the N'slorn Empire ruled by the N'Tryne dynasty in whoes blood runs the mystical power the Burning
Sun.  The wizards of Agardia are exceptional and are famed for their alchemical powers for example
creating giant flying dragonflies and wasps to be used as mounts.  Agardia has immense fertility both
in the soil, in the people and the resolution to this all this excess and growth usually lies in war.
Despite regular wars of an apparently devastating nature the cities and lands of Agardia always rapidly
recover.

 

Tersauria    /    New World   ,   The Kingdom of Sauros

The Priests Kings have lost control to the Men of Science  ( MoS).   The MoS intend to drive back
the mighty jungles and control  the dinosaurs.   The MoS use steam trains,  guns, biplanes and airships
, whilst their enemies employ magic and dinosaurs in the service of their god Sauros.  Tersauria has a
strongly cyclical history with a pattern of priests kings being overthrown by Men of Science or others,
the MoS forming nations which eventually  squabble, in this chaos the priests regain control, rule for
many years and then are overthrown again.   Both the Priest Kings and the MoS would denies this
wheel of history but the facts strongly show it occuring every 1-200 years for many millenia.  Diplomacy
in Tersauria is difficult with a need to keep in with both sides without being involved in the war for control.

Findonia    /    The Leagueor The League of Free City States

This shadow once controlled by Findo as an empire centered on the capital city Nezzac.  Nezzac is now
the meeting place for the league and is the location of Amber's embassy.
The league's independant city states are culturally enlightened with patrons sponsoring great artists and
writers.  All of the city states concentrate on cross sea shadow trade bringing them major riches.
The league members all employ mercenary regiments,  the most famous ( and toughest) of these are
the Tardigrade Guard ( a non-human race from another shadow) which protect Nezzac.
 

Gateway

Gateway's name comes from its role as the main trade route between the shadow seas of Amber and the
Great Shadow Sea.  On the northern continent the Crethon League has an ancient Golden Circle treaty with
Amber.  The league also known as the Tree Kingdoms is currently ruled by King Ascalaphos.  With their
great skills the people can derive almost all their needs from trees.   On the southern mountainous coast
many new cities have broken away from the League to form the Federation of Schakensleben controlled
by the brilliant politician Tyr Odilo,  High Rothgard of the Godesti.  The Federation has been condemmed
for its dealings with pirates.
Further south are the equitorial Middlesea Islands which provide refuges and temporary bases for pirates
who attack the shipping on the great trans shadow shipping lanes that run from east to weast in the southern
waters north of the southern continent.
The southern continent is largely frozen and the interior is dominated by strange
snow creatures, ice wizards,  and the beings of the dark underworld.   The northern and eastern coasts
are kept warm by the warm water currents flowing from the shadow seas.  An Amber naval squadron
is based on northern coast.

 
 
 
 

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