The shadows in Odyssey of Unchance are very important. The shadows
close to Amber
are strong, their contents and people are almost immune to probability
manipulation and are
resistant to psyche manipulation. Without its allies Amber would
lose not only its outer
defences but also a great many armies near equal to that of Amber itself.
Diplomacy may be
the true power of Amber. Amber does not seek direct control
nor does it prop up weak
rulers, instead it allows shadow nations to reinvigorate themselves
by changing leaders
and then making new treaties with them.
The first category of shadows are those known as the Strong Shadows
are divided into the
Golden Circle in which at least one nation has a treaty with Amber
and the Iron Shadows
which no-one has a treaty though there may full diplomatic links.
[The number of these will be around 25 but I haven't finalised
this]
The next category are the Firm Shadows, made up of those shadows
close to Amber, but
not generally classified as strong as the Strong Shadows, and shadows
which have been
fortified by Amberites or other real beings.
[ Probably around 200 of these, so I certainly wont be writing up all
of these ]
Beyond those lie in the Weak / Outer / Drift (choose your favourite
adjective) Shadows.
Easily to manipulate or destroye by any one real.
[ The numbers as the strength of reality declines towards zero are
probably infinite. And
if the numbers are not infinite then they are effectively so]
Within the weak shadow lie Shadows of Power which have unique or highly
unusual
features such as broken patterns. Naturally small in numbers
and naturally great in
importance.
Beyond even those, in certain directions, lie the Courts of Chaos
and the Abyss. In this
campaign the courts are a long travel time away. As a rough indicator
a pattern initiate
with 20 psyche travelling from Amber, on the quickest route which goes
past Ygg , to the
Courts would take at least a month, without a lot of hellriding.
This doesn't mean that the
Agents of Chaos are not in and around the Golden Circle trying to break
down Amber's
alliances and bring well...chaos.
Another way of categorising shadow is in terms of trade.
Its important to note that stuff from distant shadow is regonisable
to experienced merchants
who correctly don't trust it not to fall apart in within the strong
shadows. You can't flood the
market with gold brought from distant shadows it just won't be accpeted.
The core trade shadows number about 10.
The main trade networks cover about 25 shadows.
Connected on distant shadows and long caravan routes are around 100
shadows.
Odyssey of Unchance Contents back to buying shadows OR Golden Circle Shadows