The following is a list of all major NPCs, including the most recently important of the deceased. Clicking on their name or portrait will lead to a more full description of each.
Prince Arayen
The former Lord of the Castle is a stern and austere man with strict morals and little patience for fools or backtalk. In the past, before the dissolution of the Council and the transformation of Arcadia, Arayen was the de facto leader of the Council of Nine, although such a title carried with it more responsibility than actual power. Currently, he is maneuvering in a sea of changes, confident that his experience and abilities will see him clear, though he is a man torn between preoccupations and a vocal dissident of all the new changes. He spoke against the attempt to repair Amber's Pattern, even if it was, finally, his own Blood Blessing which allowed those present to survive the Shadow Storm that followed and which was intended to make them welcome in the Amber that was born thereof. He is currently trying to hold together a world that is unsure what it should be, to convince the people who look to him that all is well, and to determine the serial murderer of Council Members before it is too late. He believes the next on the list of targets will be himself. In the wake of the turmoil, Arayen left control of the Castle in the hands of his son Absalom and has chosen to carve out a large portion of what used to be Draconis and includes parts of Asherah and Rose Arbor. Currently this area is known as the Patchwork Court.
Arayen is the son of Coral and Merlin, the child the Pattern demanded, and yet he has always felt fortune's fool, powerful anywhere and welcome nowhere. Arayen is a fierce warrior, a fine sorcerer and an able businessman, but he is famous for his tactical genius and for the rumored three blood curses which hang over him and his family.
Arayen is the son of Coral and Merlin, the child the Pattern demanded, and yet he has always felt fortune's fool, powerful anywhere and welcome nowhere. Arayen is a fierce warrior, a fine sorcerer and an able businessman, but he is famous for his tactical genius and for the rumored three blood curses which hang over him and his family.
Queen Coral
Known to be the mother of Prince Arayen with her first husband Merlin, and of Leonard Alemane with King Sethry, Coral is said to have been Queen at one time of Chaos and Arcadia both. She is also rumored to have laid one of the three blood curses on her own son when he imprisoned her in that crystal cavern. In person, she has seemed to be an honorable and open minded woman, who, while she admits to having ulterior motives, has helped the descendants of the Council gain information and power. She has also proved to be inflexible when it comes to her own design and willing to use anyone around her to achieve that, though she has never seemed to blame others for doing likewise (with the above exception). She is a warrior and a tactician with a lot of arcane knowledges and it is rumored she can control weather through her connection and attunement to the Jewel of Judgment. She consistently wears an eyepatch to hide the eye that was once replaced with that same jewel.
After being nearly killed for the second time, she spent some time recuperating in Shadow with Rinaldo and then attempted to retake Amber. Repulsed by Gerard and lacking the strength to oppose him, she went back to Shadow and has been gathering an army, heading toward the Great Wall of Chaos.
After being nearly killed for the second time, she spent some time recuperating in Shadow with Rinaldo and then attempted to retake Amber. Repulsed by Gerard and lacking the strength to oppose him, she went back to Shadow and has been gathering an army, heading toward the Great Wall of Chaos.
Dworkin Barimen
The enigma that is Dworkin eludes all who seek and all who profess who know answers concerning him. He was an artist, a sorcerer, a psychiatrist or a traitor, once from the Courts of Chaos. He rebelled and stole the Serpent's Eye (the Jewel of Judgment) and with it drew the Primal Pattern in Amber. He might have been Oberon's father, might have been the Priest or the lover of the Unicorn.
His actions during the long war were unfathomable. He seemed to play the children of Amber like chess pieces in some massive cosmic game. He tortured Coral, then set up pairs and pairings that made no sense, offered alliances and flew away before battle was joined. He was a stormcrow and he was a lightning rod. But he was never a friend to Amber, or to Arcadia, not after Oberon died.
He helped, albeit mostly because of the kindness and power of Vashan, to fully restore the Pattern as it should be, and not to instill it with all his hate and misery as he had thought to do before Vashan's intervention. But afterward he disappeared, either dead or gone again on the tide. He has not been heard from since.
His actions during the long war were unfathomable. He seemed to play the children of Amber like chess pieces in some massive cosmic game. He tortured Coral, then set up pairs and pairings that made no sense, offered alliances and flew away before battle was joined. He was a stormcrow and he was a lightning rod. But he was never a friend to Amber, or to Arcadia, not after Oberon died.
He helped, albeit mostly because of the kindness and power of Vashan, to fully restore the Pattern as it should be, and not to instill it with all his hate and misery as he had thought to do before Vashan's intervention. But afterward he disappeared, either dead or gone again on the tide. He has not been heard from since.
Eris Echidna
Queen Eris ruled Draconis, which was by far the largest area of Arcadia, more than twice the size of any other province. It was well known that she killed two previous Council members in order to subsume their lands into Draconis, and it was suspected that she killed Prince Arayen's wife Prima Darkmoore. Eris' boundless army sought to take over Funland after the Jester became Random once again, but she was stopped by Arayen, Wakerobin and the forces of those who would not stand to see Funland fall to Draconis. She had not been fully defeated and her army still outnumbered those of the defenders when a team sent in to speak to her found her dead on her throne, with her eyes cut out of her head.
Eris was a calculating, ruthless and ambitious woman, temperamental and fond of flattery but intelligent enough to know when she was being lied to. She was known to be a warrior, a general and a sorceress, all of the highest caliber, though not the best in the City at any of the above. Before her death, Eris was known primarily for her inexorable nature and for her uncommon good luck. Luck which ran out ten years ago.
Eris was a calculating, ruthless and ambitious woman, temperamental and fond of flattery but intelligent enough to know when she was being lied to. She was known to be a warrior, a general and a sorceress, all of the highest caliber, though not the best in the City at any of the above. Before her death, Eris was known primarily for her inexorable nature and for her uncommon good luck. Luck which ran out ten years ago.
Darkeyed Faith
Faith was known as the Teacher of Asherah, before the discovery of the Primal Pattern of Arcadia and the re-emergence of the Jewel of Judgment shifted her allegiance inexorably back to Amber. She has no desire to be anything but her own person - autonomous, mysterious and perhaps even unknowable, but she does love her original country and its king, Gerard, in a way she never ever truly loved Arcadia. A casual, sensual woman with a gypsy charm and a trucker's mouth, Faith is mostly considered to be a fortune teller, which is slightly underestimating the finest diviner in the Universe. She is also a keeper of secrets and an artificer of rare skill, able to infuse her own power and that Reality into various objects.
Darkeyed Faith escaped from Arcadia after her attempt on Nadzieja's life while she was walking the Pattern. She fled to Gerard, who took her in and let her help him in his molding and shaping of the new Amber. In two days, she and Gerard will be married and crowned King and Queen of Amber in a joint ceremony.
Darkeyed Faith escaped from Arcadia after her attempt on Nadzieja's life while she was walking the Pattern. She fled to Gerard, who took her in and let her help him in his molding and shaping of the new Amber. In two days, she and Gerard will be married and crowned King and Queen of Amber in a joint ceremony.
Florian the Gentle
In the Arcadia that was, Florian, son of Magdalene, was generally the Summer King, chosen to arbitrate between the different domiciles because their rulers were not allowed to leave their places of control except for a week every solstice. Florian tended to earn this title because he is smart, sociable, charismatic, generous and utterly ruthless without ever letting anyone who doesn't need to know be aware of that ruthlessness.
The new Arcadia is a new landscape for Florian. The curse remains in effect, meaning the titular 'King' or 'Queen' of each season should exist, but after the death of his mother last year, Florian hasn't pushed his nominations the same way he used to. He has other matters on his mind, and while he would never say no to power, a little more looseness to conduct his investigation wouldn't go amiss.
The new Arcadia is a new landscape for Florian. The curse remains in effect, meaning the titular 'King' or 'Queen' of each season should exist, but after the death of his mother last year, Florian hasn't pushed his nominations the same way he used to. He has other matters on his mind, and while he would never say no to power, a little more looseness to conduct his investigation wouldn't go amiss.
Prince Gerard
Gerard is the current Regent of Amber, despite fights with Random over the direction the city should take and the very public conflict with Coral, who believes she should still be Amber's Queen. His name figured widely in popular fairy tales and legends of the golden age of Amber, in which Prince Gerard was known to be the strongest man who ever lived, and rumored to be both honorable and oddly compassionate. Most who have done business with the Gerard of today can attest that he is at least honorable, and that he keeps his bargains. His only goals, as far as anyone can see, are to rebuild Amber and to root out her darkness. He seeks nothing like war or conflict, despite his strength.
Gerard protected Faith after she fled Arcadia, rekindling a love affair from thousands of years earlier. He plans to marry her in two days time, and to crown her Queen of Amber during his own coronation.
Gerard protected Faith after she fled Arcadia, rekindling a love affair from thousands of years earlier. He plans to marry her in two days time, and to crown her Queen of Amber during his own coronation.
Jeneviere
Jeneviere of the House of the Falling Dusk is the Ambassador to Arcadia from the Black Zone of Chaos. She has arrived only a few weeks before, and it is difficult to tell much about her besides that she is polite, has a beautiful voice and seems to understand the customs of Arcadia and Amber despite having never been in these environs before. She will share little about her mission save that she is tasked to speak to the 'King of Arcadia.' Until someone claims to be a King, (and she doesn't seem to think King is a title belonging only to the male sex) she is unwilling to divulge the details of her mission. She is kind and strong and occasionally flirtatious, especially with women. But she is not forthcoming about her business or her intentions.
Leonard Alemane
The Maestro of the Orchestra Pit and the finest musician in Arcadia, Leonard can play any instrument, though his favorite is the violin. Although he wass a member of the Council, and still considers himself to be, despite the deaths and the disappearances, he has no political aspirations and indeed few interests outside of music and sex. Brilliant, his brilliance is that of something broken - all jagged edges and frenetic passion. The changes in Arcadia may be said to have wrought the greatest changes on Leonard, since the willpower he gave up to secure the prison of his despised father has been returned to him. It has not given him any greater ambition when it comes to ruling Arcadia or others, but he is now a teacher and a scholar, a true maestro where he was once only a tyrant and a despot.
All that Leonard cares about currently is the transformation of the Orchestra Pit into a land of true genius and opportunity rather than one of pure cruelty and greed. He isn't so kind a man as to demand that people shouldn't seek a living or try to take advantage of others, but he's getting rid of the slaver gangs and trying to encourage a rebuilding to create places for the disproportionate homeless population. He couldn't give a shit about Amber, and since everyone so far who has died is someone he despised he mostly just expects a lynch mob at his doorstep any minute. He would currently be capable of not smiling at the litany of charges (which he insists he did not commit) but he'd probably smile anyway. Just because.
All that Leonard cares about currently is the transformation of the Orchestra Pit into a land of true genius and opportunity rather than one of pure cruelty and greed. He isn't so kind a man as to demand that people shouldn't seek a living or try to take advantage of others, but he's getting rid of the slaver gangs and trying to encourage a rebuilding to create places for the disproportionate homeless population. He couldn't give a shit about Amber, and since everyone so far who has died is someone he despised he mostly just expects a lynch mob at his doorstep any minute. He would currently be capable of not smiling at the litany of charges (which he insists he did not commit) but he'd probably smile anyway. Just because.
Magdalene the Fair
Widely considered the most beautiful woman in Arcadia, possibly in part because she was so kind, Magdalene was an accomplished healer, musician, artist and lover, and her domain of Rose Arbor was a haven of peace and comfort in which no violence could exist. This was partly because Magdalene was incapable of harming others due to an oath she swore in order to sacrifice something to imprison the Four Beasts in their cavern. Because Gerard loved her, he placed a blessing upon her so that while that sacrifice was in effect, it was also unthinkable even for the worst of creatures to attempt to harm her. Magdalene, who had been a warrior queen, ruthless, calculating and cold, had appreciated the change, and feared the return of her old self when the seals began to break. She had despised even more the return of the old version of herself, and had been uncomfortable around her or any discussion of her.
Magdalene focused in the years before the Pattern's repair on healing and restoration, hoping to make up for the crimes of her past and to avoid the ghosts of the past. After Amber was restored, she made a brief attempt to reconnect with Gerard, and then returned to Rose Arbor, where she seemed focused on a task having to do with healing potions but which she would not explain even to her closest relations and most trusted allies. Four years ago, she was found dead just outside of Rose Arbor, and her ears had been removed.
Magdalene focused in the years before the Pattern's repair on healing and restoration, hoping to make up for the crimes of her past and to avoid the ghosts of the past. After Amber was restored, she made a brief attempt to reconnect with Gerard, and then returned to Rose Arbor, where she seemed focused on a task having to do with healing potions but which she would not explain even to her closest relations and most trusted allies. Four years ago, she was found dead just outside of Rose Arbor, and her ears had been removed.
Magdalene the Vicious
She came from a mind trap that Melchior made for Sethry: a constant torturous loop to hold his psyche in suspension outside of his body in order to protect Arcadia from the threat he afforded, both living and dead. When that tower was made real, so too, was the memory of Magdalene from thousands of years before, before her sacrifice. Eventually, that memory made real found a way to become truly Real, to have the Blood of Old again.
After that, and after walking the Pattern, she carved out a small part of Arcadia in what used to be Draconis, but she is on the lookout always for the Council and their emissaries or this new threat, sure that they want her dead and that anyone who would kill a harmless Magdalene wouldn't ignore one with all her old teeth and an ambition to climb as far as she can before she falls.
After that, and after walking the Pattern, she carved out a small part of Arcadia in what used to be Draconis, but she is on the lookout always for the Council and their emissaries or this new threat, sure that they want her dead and that anyone who would kill a harmless Magdalene wouldn't ignore one with all her old teeth and an ambition to climb as far as she can before she falls.
Melchior
The greatest sorceror and teacher of magic in Arcadia, King Melchior has made his land of Elysia a mecca for those seeking to learn how to protect themselves and those who seek enlightenment. He is a good man, if arrogant and self-obsessed, one who uses his own resources for the betterment of Arcadia as a whole and seeks to transform the Council so that it may do the same on a grander scale. He is caring, multi-talented and very cool. On the other hand, he considers his goals and his research of primary importance, so even friendships take a back seat to work. What work, you ask? Why, lifting the curses on Arcadia, of course.
Despite everything that has changed, Melchior has not, and nor has his confidence nor his goals wavered. He is excited about the return of Amber, about the potential for further alliances and interests, to have others he can talk to about powers and possibilities, about the world that can be. He would still like to break Sethry's curse though now that he has learned only a Blood Blessing can effectively counteract a Blood Curse, he merely seeks someone willing to do so, and has turned the scientific portion of his mind on to combating and controlling the Shadow Storms.
Melchior does not trust any incarnation of Sethry and is still quite distrustful of Nadzieja, Madeline and anyone who has helped the now real memories he once trapped. While he is far too fair a man to actually seek any sort of retribution for their actions in defense of their science, he is still actively working to recapture Sethry.
Despite everything that has changed, Melchior has not, and nor has his confidence nor his goals wavered. He is excited about the return of Amber, about the potential for further alliances and interests, to have others he can talk to about powers and possibilities, about the world that can be. He would still like to break Sethry's curse though now that he has learned only a Blood Blessing can effectively counteract a Blood Curse, he merely seeks someone willing to do so, and has turned the scientific portion of his mind on to combating and controlling the Shadow Storms.
Melchior does not trust any incarnation of Sethry and is still quite distrustful of Nadzieja, Madeline and anyone who has helped the now real memories he once trapped. While he is far too fair a man to actually seek any sort of retribution for their actions in defense of their science, he is still actively working to recapture Sethry.
Random
Random was the only person with knowledge of the Jewel of Judgment who willingly agreed to have such knowledge removed from his brain. The process had never been tried and in so doing completely eradicated all his sense of control, family and love. He believed he could love at the time, but once he was made to walk the Pattern and realized what horrors he had inflicted on his own flesh and blood he couldn't remain in Arcadia. Only his son Nightingale's insistence on continuing relations kept him in the loop at all, which is how Coral managed to convince him to repair Amber's Pattern. He saw it as a way to make up for some of what he had done with half of his brain and jumped on the chance.
Although he would have liked more input on the new design of Amber (Since his psyche helped create it) he didn't truly want to rule it and therefore stepped aside for Gerard willingly. He couldn't stay long, however, since he was bored of politics and distrustful of Faith. So he bowed out and returned to his townhouse in Shadow.
Although he would have liked more input on the new design of Amber (Since his psyche helped create it) he didn't truly want to rule it and therefore stepped aside for Gerard willingly. He couldn't stay long, however, since he was bored of politics and distrustful of Faith. So he bowed out and returned to his townhouse in Shadow.
Rinaldo
First seen in the company of Coral in Shadow, Rinaldo is something of an enigma to all but those who have spoken to him at length. To them, he seems open, affable, pleasant and unusually eager to answer questions. He has no interest in harming Arcadia, and in fact, regards it and most of the Council with amusement and a little concern. He is clearly a master manipulator and sorcerer and a few surmise that he may be a second Trump Artist, perhaps one more willing than Faith to teach the art to others.
He has shown to be exceptionally willing to aid those of the Old Blood who he met either in the Hall of Mirrors or elsewhere, though his loyalties seem very conflicted, given that he is protective of Coral and yet is rumored to be a sibling to Sansovino and Tamora.
Future revelations reveal that Rinaldo has favored every side at all at one point or another but willingly gave up being a Council Member of Arcadia when this was the only Real Kingdom simply because he was bored of being trapped in one place. In the past ten years, he has set up a school of a sort, for one or two students at any given time to learn Trump and Sorcery.
He has shown to be exceptionally willing to aid those of the Old Blood who he met either in the Hall of Mirrors or elsewhere, though his loyalties seem very conflicted, given that he is protective of Coral and yet is rumored to be a sibling to Sansovino and Tamora.
Future revelations reveal that Rinaldo has favored every side at all at one point or another but willingly gave up being a Council Member of Arcadia when this was the only Real Kingdom simply because he was bored of being trapped in one place. In the past ten years, he has set up a school of a sort, for one or two students at any given time to learn Trump and Sorcery.
Sansovino
The Master of Tir Na Nog was a subtle and complicated man, charming and debonair, at ease in all company, effortlessly interesting and always appearing slightly bored. He was a creature of somewhat subtler games than the Jester, except for the one for which he was famous - offering a choice between three cups - one which he said brings instant death, one immortality, and one perfect happiness. Sansovino was also famous for the women and men who fell hopelessly and helplessly into obsessive love for him, from which some have died for a lack of reciprocation. As far as skills go, he was known to be a master alchemist and a keeper of ancient knowledge. More than that was never known.
Recent events unearthed that Sansovino more than anyone was both taken advantage of by the limitations brought about by the sacrifices made, and asked to safeguard and protect the secrets of Arcadia. He had been keeping watch over both the Pattern and the powerful prisoners of the Council, and his sadistic streak had manifested itself during his role as jailer.
Only a month ago, Sansovino was found dead, his tongue cut from his mouth. This death breaks the original Pattern by a full year, which has led to some worry and suspicion from those in power who fear for their own lives.
Recent events unearthed that Sansovino more than anyone was both taken advantage of by the limitations brought about by the sacrifices made, and asked to safeguard and protect the secrets of Arcadia. He had been keeping watch over both the Pattern and the powerful prisoners of the Council, and his sadistic streak had manifested itself during his role as jailer.
Only a month ago, Sansovino was found dead, his tongue cut from his mouth. This death breaks the original Pattern by a full year, which has led to some worry and suspicion from those in power who fear for their own lives.
King Sethry Alemane
The first and only man who was truly King of Arcadia, Sethry is held in fear or revulsion (or both) by most of the Council, and most especially by his son Leonard. An intense, arrogant man, Sethry is nonetheless capable of being charming and seeming gentle and even reasonable. He tends to speak quietly and react with sudden snakelike violence. His known skills involve immense martial and melee capabilities, hypnotic gaze, manipulation and mind control.
The true Sethry, or at least his body, is imprisoned currently by Melchior, in a place no one has yet discovered. His psyche had been imprisoned separately from his body in order to protect the city of Arcadia and to hedge bets regarding whether killing his body or his mind would actually destroy the Pattern. After his psyche was reincarnated through the will of his daughter Nadzieja, Sethry bided his time, using those instruments and allies he had while he remained mostly powerless. The success of the blood infusion to the new Magdalene along with walking the Pattern allowed him to copy the same feat and become at least Real enough to shift Shadow.
Shadow-Sethry is currently trying to form alliances and get his hands on artifacts. Most people believe his long game involves ruling Arcadia, despite the fact he always reiterates that he merely wishes to be a part of the Council.
The true Sethry, or at least his body, is imprisoned currently by Melchior, in a place no one has yet discovered. His psyche had been imprisoned separately from his body in order to protect the city of Arcadia and to hedge bets regarding whether killing his body or his mind would actually destroy the Pattern. After his psyche was reincarnated through the will of his daughter Nadzieja, Sethry bided his time, using those instruments and allies he had while he remained mostly powerless. The success of the blood infusion to the new Magdalene along with walking the Pattern allowed him to copy the same feat and become at least Real enough to shift Shadow.
Shadow-Sethry is currently trying to form alliances and get his hands on artifacts. Most people believe his long game involves ruling Arcadia, despite the fact he always reiterates that he merely wishes to be a part of the Council.
Tamora Darkmoore
Tamora Darkmoore, or Tamora Skinshifter as she is sometimes called because of her ability to change her shape, is the only Council member to take the name of her region. The Empress is a creature of legend - a nightmare whispered behind locked doors at night or chanted to the rising sacrificial smoke and screams of the altars. In person, she is direct, forceful and passionate, practical and straight-forward about the things she does. She leads the Hunt of Darkmoore, which hunts the most dangerous of prey, be it monster or man. Tamora is known to be the finest fighter in Arcadia, but also to have little patience for teaching others, even if one was brave enough to seek her out. The breaking of the seals upon those once imprisoned has mellowed Tamora somewhat but barely given her any more interest in the politics of Arcadia or in anyone outside of her immediate family. She has sworn immediate vengeance upon whoever killed Sansovino, and refuses to agree to any terms in which, should this person's identity be revealed, she does not fight them to the death.
Tamora remains Tamora, even as the world around her changes and disintegrates. Darkmoore has become slightly less terrifying since her personality has changed, but blood remains the key to its power, and Tamora remains among the most gifted in Arcadia at drawing blood.
Tamora remains Tamora, even as the world around her changes and disintegrates. Darkmoore has become slightly less terrifying since her personality has changed, but blood remains the key to its power, and Tamora remains among the most gifted in Arcadia at drawing blood.
Ties
Very little is known of the mysterious tailor to King Melchior, a man who is quiet, unassuming, and competent, and yet seems to know things, to understand secrets that others only guess at. He goes only by the moniker 'Ties' which seems to refer to the magical threads which lace along his arms. Sorcerers can tell that the only reason for such a braiding is to cut off magical powers.
Ties has served Melchior for as long as anyone can remember, is intelligent and sharp with a bright sense of humor. Nonetheless, despite his seemingly harmless demeanor, he is as old as Arcadia and he may have bided his time in restraints long enough.
Ties has served Melchior for as long as anyone can remember, is intelligent and sharp with a bright sense of humor. Nonetheless, despite his seemingly harmless demeanor, he is as old as Arcadia and he may have bided his time in restraints long enough.
Velucide
The most recent queen of Atlantis under the sea, Velucide is the most mysterious of the recently escaped four, and only one whose tracks seem to have completely disappeared. Strong intelligence indicates that she may have returned to Atlantis, or to a Shadow near to where it once existed, but she has not been spoken to for more than a few words at any given time and her motivations are unclear. She is known to be a siren-like creature, good at sorcery, conjuration and exploiting the weaknesses of others.
She has been seen in the Hall of Mirrors, so she must have some sort of scrying ability, and some interest in current events. Much beyond that is hard to tell.
She has been seen in the Hall of Mirrors, so she must have some sort of scrying ability, and some interest in current events. Much beyond that is hard to tell.