Copyright ©1998 Jonathan Cardon
Amber DRPG is Copyright ©1991 Erick Wujcik

"What use is prophesy?"
"If it is a completely accurate guide to the future, and there is no way to change the outcome of future events, then you can not avoid it."
"If the future can be changed, then any prophesy must be unreliable, and a prophesy which is avoided is deemed to be inaccuate."
"Those who study prophesies often find the words of prophets to be vague and confusing, and those who look upon a prophesy from the outside, may see only that it failed to come true."
"However, to those who live through it, prophesy may be difference between survival and oblivion"
"Such is the case of the prophecies of the Shards..."

Some guards come and take Sunfall away for questioning.

Vance has been awake for a while, sitting at the end of the main room's only table.

"*The group is being held prisioner in the Sorceror's City in the Shadow of Chiare on suspicion of murder. Sunfall has been taken away for questioning."
"*All PCs and Reed are currently in the same suite of rooms."

Jeanette walks over to sit with Vance, after meditating for a few minutes.

Vance glances up. "Hello, Jeanette."

Madrak might be asleep. He might not.

Rex sits on the floor, pondering the nature of prisons and imprisonment.

Jeanette nods quietly. "You've been here before..."

Vance nods. "A long, long time ago." He is quiet for a moment, before saying to the room. "Everyone, gather round. I would rather have done this with Sunfall here, but we may not have time for this later."

Rex rises, approaches Vance, and sits beside Jeanette.

Reed snaps the book he was writing in to a close, and comes over.

Madrak opens his eyes.

Jeanette nods, and quiets to listen...

Vance looks to each of the group in turn. "There is a long and difficult road ahead of us. Some of you have sought me out, while the rest of you have followed for your own reasons. Before we continue down this road, I must ask something of each of you."

Rex raises his eyebrows, a little, as though to say, 'Oh, really?', but says nothing.

Madrak frowns slightly, says nothing.

Vance says "Now...I have been quite forthcoming. I have told you what the threat is, with all the specifics known to me. I placed myself at great risk to bring as close to Begma as we got. And yet, most of you have not been as forthcoming. I know a few things about Madrak, and Rex stepped in when I had exhausted myself on the boat. Otherwise...I know nothing about you. And each of you bear power, whether within or carried. I ask each of you to reveal that power to me, as I have revealed my powers and knowledge to you."

Rex looks away, and seems saddened.

Vance says "I realize such a revelation may not be easy. But you witnessed the attack yesterday...and that is only the beginning. If we are to succeed, I need to know our assets."

Rex sighs. "It is a very long, and very unpleasant story. I do not think you want to know it, yet I cannot simply lay bare my 'powers', as you call them, without relating how they came to pass...I will not dissect them so."

Vance says "Well, we know you have some ability to travel through Shadow, as a start. I'm not asking for a lot of detail...but I do need to know."

Rex looks Vance in the eye. "I do not believe I am travelling these 'Shadows', as you call them, at all. The Gods killed me for my crime, threw me in the Underworld, and cursed me with madness, which deludes me into thinking I can effect reality by force of will. Everywhere I 'travel' with this cursed 'power' is, I'm sure, a different part of the Dead Lands, filled with a cast of spirits to play the roles of inhabitants, to help in the vengeful Gods' torments."

Vance considers Rex's words, but does not immediately reply.
Vance * wonders if he should speak, or wait for someone else...

Krinac *Notes that most of the people present seem to be watching Vance, apparently this is his show for now.

Vance says "You said you were referred to me by a beautiful Princess. Why bother, if I am but a potential instrument of torment?"
Vance rubs the bridge of his nose, as he waits for a reply.

Rex laughs, bitterly. "Anything is better than where I was, for hundreds of years. I rejoiced when I 'escaped', thinking I had outwitted the Gods themselves. Only they could be so cruel as to set all this up, so that I might amuse them with my folly...and I believed it to be real."

Madrak says "Why do you believe it to not be real?"

Rex sighs. "I thought I had escaped. That was almost too good to be true. Then came the beautiful Princess...(sighs again)...She _was_ too good to be true. That should have warned me; I should have grown suspicious. Have you ever known something too good to be true, to actually be true? I thought not. I was too caught up in it all to notice. Then came our meeting, and I gained a Purpose. Then, in the storm, I had an opportunity to Make a Difference. Everything had come together, I was working for the common good, I was _living_...then it all came apart, and I lost us half the crew, and wasted our journey. Only the Gods could be so cruel; it was then I realized their ruse."

Rex stands, and shakes his fist at the ceiling. "I know your hand! Send me back...I will not be your jester!"

Madrak says "Perhaps, Rex, we were meant to come here before we reached Begma."

Rex gestures angrily as he speaks...it's very Shatner.

Vance frowns. "I will not debate the truth or falsehood of your beliefs. It suffices to know that you have powers over Shadow, and that you apparently don't know your full capabilities - or don't trust them."
He turns to Jeanette. "I sensed what you bear from the moment we first met. Care to tell us about it?"

Rex looks at Madrak. "Did you, spirit, not claim to be a priest? Help me convince Them I have seen through their evil scheme."

Madrak says "I am a priest whose gods are silent, Rex. It has ever been thus, for me."

Jeanette mmms softly. "It is a much kinder tale than your unfortunate friend's... A century ago, when my country was threatened by war, a great lady came to us, a saint, a witch, no one knows exactly what... But she was the finest warrior ever to be seen."

Vance sits back, listening.

Jeanette says "She lead us to victory over our foes, and set the royal family upon their throne. It is from her that the tales of Amber and her Princes were handed down through my own family, and this..."
Jeanette indicates the brooch she wears with one hand. "From the Lady, to my grandmother, my mother, and me. She gave it no name, but said only that it would grant us - who had opened our home to her - a measure of the power she bore, and protect us."

Vance says quietly, "Its power seems similar to my own."

GM: The power that Vance summoned has turned toward you. It is something like the feeling you are being watched. You probably wouldn't even notice it if you hadn't been standing a few feet away when he invoked the effect.

Jeanette mms, inclining her head slightly. "I do not know your power, Sir, only what I have seen of your use of it."

Vance says "Speak of the brooch, then. I will demonstrate my power at the conclusion of our conversation, if you wish."

Jeanette nods again. "I have learned to use it to amplify my will, allowing me some measure of control over the forces which surround and make up the reality of our worlds, the power common men refer to as 'magic'."

Vance says "Are you an accomplished sorceress, then?"

Jeanette shakes her head... "I would not lay claim to mastery of the art. Only to knowledge of it."

Vance says "A dabbler, then. Still...you are well-travelled. Can you walk unassisted among what the Amberites call Shadow?"

Jeanette says "I am able to sense the natural weaknesses in the walls, and seek the paths already existing. That is all."

Rex nods to Madrak, unsurprised. "Fitting. They send me a priest who speaks to no Gods. You prove to me that I am in the Underworld. Hades, if you are listening, I curse you from the depths of your realm!"

Vance frowns again at Rex's outburst. In the air between the two, a circular pattern of light appears, turning like a slow pinwheel. Smoke-shot tendrils of yellow light extend from it, gaining slack.
"Rex, your beliefs are your own. But, if you cannot control them, I can show you a power that is undoubtably equal to these Gods that you repeatedly curse. Do we understand each other?"

Reed starts at the apparation, and then fumbles for a device on his tool belt.

Madrak studies Rex for a long moment, then Vance. "You are unwise to make threats when trying to build trust, Vance."

Rex immediately collects himself, and turns to Vance. "Interesting. Perhaps you would like to learn about Entropy firsthand...but you won't. Instead, I'll suffice it to say that your threat of power betrays your lack of personal fortitude to solve your interpersonal dilemmas with other than force."
Rex suddenly winces as though in pain, and his mouth twists in a grimace of distaste. He narrows his eyes to slits.

Vance says "If I am but an instrument of your torment, Rex, then victory through force is inevitable. No, I am simply trying to get your attention - I cannot have a raving madman guarding my back in the days to come. A madman, perhaps - we are all insane to the perspective of at least one other in the universe."

Jeanette sighs, softly, and crosses her legs under her. Her eyes turn to Rex, and she frowns...

Vance glances to Madrak. "Besides, I offered a demonstration to Jeanette."

Rex chuckles, his eyes involuntarily widening as he does, revealing silvery pupils. His eyes are ablaze; see the madman in his gaze. "Very well, Vance. You have had your demonstration, and my attention is yours. I will cease my railing at the Gods, at least out loud, in your presence."

Vance nods, apparently satisfied. The rotating pattern slowly fades from view. He glances back to Jeanette. "That is my power - that of the Broken Pattern, and the dark well that lies within."
Vance then turns to Reed. "Like Jeanette, your power is carried, rather than held within. Your instruments of measuring, perhaps? Or is it something more."

Rex loses his grimace, his face slacks back to normal, and his eyes fade to their normal dark hue.

Reed has been looking at a small cylinder like object and waving it about. Watching it with an intense look of concentration.

Jeanette sighs softly, and closes her eyes, trying to calm herself perhaps...

Vance says "Ahem. Reed?"

Reed starts, "Oh, I'm sorry, you were asking about my instruments. I'm afraid that these can only take measurements."

Rex closes his eyes, sits back down, and grits his teeth.

Vance says "That may still be useful. How sensitive are they, and how broad is their detection capability?"

Reed says, "As an on/off detector, they have a range of several kilometers depending on the strength of the disturbance. I'm still working on refining the diagnostic sensors. Right now they are more cued to measure dimensional flux, than anything else."

Vance nods. "I will remember that." He then turns his gaze to Madrak.

Rex covers his eyes with his hands, leaving space between his fingers. He tilts his head back, as though to rest.

Jeanette and Rex begin staring at each other.

Vance pauses for a time, before he finally says, "Madrak, I do not ask you to confide your past to us. My question is simply this - do you have any power that you are willing to call on in a time of need?" His gaze flickers over to Rex.

Madrak looks at the others. "Perhaps we should wait until the others have finished their examination of one another, and I have their full attention."

Rex glances away from Jeanette, looks at the cylinder again, and nods to Madrak.

Vance nods, distractly, and watches Rex and Jeanette until Rex looks away. He then turns back to Madrak.

Jeanette remains silent and unmoving, the entire time.

Vance seems to give a slight nod to Rex as he turns back to Madrak.

Madrak plants his staff on the ground and heaves his bulk out of his chair. "Look at me. What do you see?"

Rex looks at Madrak, closely. He drops his hands; his pupils are silver again.

Vance's eyes narrow slightly, as his gaze moves across Madrak's great girth.

Madrak lifts his staff fractionally, and lets it slip and strike the ground, the lamps in the room all guttering at once, dimming the light in the room briefly. "What do you see?" he asks again, deep voice rumbling.

Vance says "Suffering. Death. And...peace."

Rex nods. "A halo of shadowy after-images surrounds you."

Madrak turns his lone eye on Reed, then Jeanette.

Reed shrugs, "Hard for me to tell if you are doing anything with all the energy Vance and Rex are putting out."

Vance glances over to Reed. "Ah. Pardon me." He waves a hand casually at the air in front of him. "Better?"

Rex raises one eyebrow, grins at Reed, albeit a rather sickly grin, and relaxes a bit. His eyes fade to normal, once more.

Reed eyebrows raise at something on his instruments, "Yes that helps. Hmm, as far as I can tell the only power source nearby is Jeanette's broach. If you are doing anything Madrak it doesn't show up on my instruments."

Madrak nods to Reed, and looks at Jeanette again. "And what do you see, my lady?"

Jeanette looks up, meeting Madrak's eye...

Madrak meets Jeanette's gaze without blinking.

Jeanette whispers, softly, "I see the devil."

Rex raises both eyebrows. "Hm."

Madrak purses his lips, then looks away, leaning on his staff.

Vance gives a slight smile. "It is fortunate that I am not a superstitious man, then. Now, let us turn our attention to the problems at hand. There has been an attack, a death, and the revelation of a prophecy. These events concern us all."

Madrak straightens, after a moment, looking into the flames of one of the lamps. "You neglect your answers, Vance, and that is unlike you..." He sighs. "I am drawn to those who linger at death's door. I can sense the approaching darkness. I can ease their pain, in those final moments, but I cannot turn it back."

Vance says "My answer was short...but correct, apparently."

Madrak says "When I can, I fulfill the final requests of those whose deaths I witness." He looks at Rex, then away, "None of them leave me unchanged.""
Madrak says "My presence in Begma was inevitable, perhaps." He glances at Jeanette, "and I have been called the devil before."

Vance nods. "As have I. Shall we move on?"

Madrak nods. "As you will." He sags into his seat heavily, sighing.

Vance's gaze passes over the entire group. "The creature that attacked us yesterday - it is my belief that the Karcist escorting us was its first target. Does this match your assessment of the attack?"

Madrak says "Perhaps. But it hardly paused, and seemed focused on Sunfall after we counterattacked it."

Vance says "Which leads me to believe that it was sent to hinder us. First to remove a source of information that was an easy target, and then Sunfall. And both the Karcist and Sunfall knew the prophecy she related to us last night..."

Jeanette says "Perhaps it was set to protect something spoken of in that prophecy?"

Madrak says "I find myself wondering how it came to be within the chambers, as well as why... but taking the why, first... The prophecy would seem to be the common information. The Karcist spent his final breaths to be certain Vance would ask after this prophecy."

Vance shows a slight smile that has no hint of amusement in it. "Indeed. I have spent much time analyzing the prophecy. I believe I have solved roughly half of it, with Madrak's help."

Reed says, "I heard part of this, but Jeanette was dozing at the time, and Rex had retired. Perhaps it would be best to repeat the prophesy and then give your interpretations."

Madrak nods, and takes a small book from his pocket, turning the pages until he finds the one he is looking for. "Shall I go through it, then?"

Jeanette says "Please do."

Vance nods.

Madrak nods, and clears his throat.
Madrak says "Leaves of tea, starry sky,
what force connects, you and I?
Rune find. Empty throne.
Walls weaken. Demons roam.
Crown find. Walls restore.
Heaven war, open door.
Fall sun, demon gain."
Madrak says "Home lost, future fame."

Vance nods to himself, as he listens.

Madrak pauses. "I believe the first two lines are part of the prophecy's ritual form. The others, I suspect, speak of events here in Chiare, where the prophecy was made."

Vance says "Leaves of tea, starry sky - both means of telling the future."
Vance says "And you've guessed that 'fall sun' could mean Sunfall."

Jeanette says "Or, specifically, her death."

Madrak says "I suspect we have arrived either just preceding, or in the midst of, some sort of crisis in Chiare, one which Sunfall may play a key role in. Without her here, I lack information...so I'll continue."
Madrak says "Bride of eye, stand alone.
Trust another, ravage home."
Madrak says "I believe this to be Queen Coral of Kashfa, whose homeland was Begma. Her brother Daemon died there, but set me on my current path. She wears an eyepatch that conceals something...something unlike anything I've encountered before, and when I told her of Begma's fall, she blamed herself, for trusting an agent of Amber, and the Pattern."

Vance hmms. "I agree with your assessment. The following passage seems to refer to her husband."

Madrak reads, "Puppet dances, trusting tool."
"Throne awaits, obediant fool."

Vance says "He is the pawn of his mother, Jasra. Which does not mean he is to be ignored...far from it. He is the son of a Prince of Amber."

Reed asks, "Which one?"

Madrak frowns. "That leaves Jasra's motives of particular interest, then..." he murmurs.

Vance says "She's always wanted Kashfa. The populace was...dissatisfied with her rule. And she has an interest in the Broken Patterns. But, we can speak of that after the prophecy is read."

Madrak nods.
Madrak says "New builder, chases rings.
Twin guards, brother schemes."
Madrak shrugs.
Madrak says "Dead king, ambition burns.
Wolf son, alliance spurns."

Vance says "I believe I know this one."
Vance says "One of the Broken Pattern lies in the land of Weirmokken. Eric, the now-dead King of Amber, had a son by one of the Weir. They are shapeshifters, with wolven forms. And they have become dissatisfied with Amber since Eric's death and the battle in Chaos."

Madrak hms. "Interesting," he mutters, then moves on.
Madrak says "Shattered mirror, void master.
Gathers shards; averts disaster."

Vance says "Void master. Master of the Flaw. Myself."

Jeanette mmms softly, at that, but says nothing.

Madrak says "Cursed mirror, fallen stone.
Dark to see, dark to own."
Vance glances over to Jeanette, looking at her brooch.

Madrak says "The gem is a deathbringer."

Jeanette turns to look at Madrak, blinking... "What?"

Madrak says "There is a certain aura that hangs about it, and you."

Jeanette says "My mother and grandmother died, bearing it. In battle."

Vance says "Another couplet falls into place. Continue, Madrak."

Madrak ahs. "There may be a certain cost to doing so, then."
Madrak nods to Vance. "Runes burn; fires dance.
Demon killer, Chiare's chance."

Vance says "Sunfall, almost certainly."

Jeanette smiles, "And who slew the demon last night?"

Madrak nods.
Madrak says "Wells toll; prisoner king.
Power claim, silence ring."

Vance says "I have a suspicion about that, though I am not certain. And he is close at hand."
Vance's gaze flickers momentarily to Rex.

Jeanette says "'Prisoner King'...?"

Rex shrugs.

Madrak frowns, but continues.
Madrak says "Faerie found, love earns.
Life serves, heart learns."

Jeanette mmms. "Someone is supposed to fall in love with an elf?"

Vance says "I have been to the Alfar realm, where those known to mortals as the Fey dwell. More than that, I cannot discern."

Madrak says "Death angel, brother seeks.
Justice finds, avenges meek."

Vance simply watches Madrak, waiting.

Madrak shrugs. "Yes, well. I did find Coral's brother before he died, and his last wish was for justice."

Vance nods. "The passage fits you. Let's go on."

Jeanette nods...

Madrak says "Young hero, grows wise.
Finds truth, open eyes."
Jeanette glances at Reed...

Vance hmms. "I would say Sean, only because I feel those who have come to me all have a part in the prophecy, and that is the passage that most fits him."

Madrak nods. "I agree."
Madrak says "Genius fool. Power borrow.
Map makes. Finds sorrow."

Vance looks to Reed. "Have you borrowed the tools that you bear?"

Reed reluctantly says, "My original tools could only access a limited subdomain of the entire universe. I studied under others, and these are a product of their work, not my own. So essentially they are borrowed."

Madrak nods thoughtfully, then continues. "Mad moonchild, power seeks. Fate serves; balance keeps."

Vance says "The moonchildren of Ghenesh."

Jeanette glances, pointedly, at Rex.

Madrak says "Skull of ash, eye of snake,
blood of fire, destiny make.
Leaves of tea, starry sky,
what force connects, you and I?"

Vance says "Snake could mean the Serpent that those of Chaos bear on their banners, and Chaosians bleed fire."

Reed says, "If we have deciphered it correctly, what does that give us? There are abundant hints of doom, but there are no clues as to how to avert it. What good is the prophesy?"

Madrak considers. "It tells us the identity of the Shards that may be gathered to face the great powers."

Jeanette says "Gathered they have been. What do we do next?"

Vance says "It tells us where to go, Reed. Many of the passages refer to worlds that contain one of the Broken Patterns."

Reed smiles, "I certainly won't argue going there. How else can I get my map done? Wouldn't want to miss out on finding sorrow."

Madrak says "Perhaps your map will help us determine our next step, despite the ill-omened phrase."

Jeanette says "What are the broken patterns, precisely?"

Madrak looks to Vance.

Vance takes in a breath. "The Broken Patterns are the reflections of one of the founding powers of the universe - the Pattern of Amber. They extend deep into Shadow, degenerating in power as they extend outward. Yet, the variations of Shadow can enhance them, as well. You can work with perhaps the first nine. The first three are the easist to manage, the second three are managable, with the risk rising in the third set of three. I've seen roughly a dozen, though past the first nine their power is not worth the risk.

Jeanette nods... "So, they make a sort of ring, or set of rings, about the Pattern?"

Vance says "I don't think you can place them in such precise terms, Jeanette. It is simplest to visualize Shadow as a line between Amber and Chaos. Each Broken Pattern is a point on that line. The distribution of Broken Patterns may have changed slightly, with the destruction of Begma. Begma contained the purest reflection of Amber's Pattern."

Jeanette says "NMmm."
Jeanette says "I don't know. The ring images in the prophecy... and we know it's already 'collected' one item."

Vance says "I identified references that tie into six of the nine, through either places or notable people in those lands. Thus, I think our first priority is to go to each in turn, checking for problems with the power source there. It will also give Reed the opportunity to place each on his map."

Madrak glances at the door. "Assuming we are allowed to leave."

Reed notes, "To complete the map we may have to go to Amber, and there are other places of power."

Vance says "Perhaps. But these are the ones I know about. If one of you has another power source that we can go to, by all means, speak up."

Reed says, "There is the Briarwood, Sean's home."

Madrak says "There are the Houses of Life and Death. It has been a long, long time since I was in the realms they hold influence over."

Vance says "The Briarwood, I believe, is one of the distant Broken Patterns. I have no idea how Sean survived the ordeal, but he bears the mark."
Vance says "And, Madrak, I am definately interested in seeing these Houses you speak of."

Madrak says "It may be a longer trip than the others"

Vance nods. "I'll keep that in mind."

Madrak says "I have only some small skill with travelling from one world to another. And I do not know what sort of reception I would receive."

Rex says "And there is my prison, Nadir. It's a dive, but there is a Power there, if you wish to call it such."

Vance says "If it is a target of Amber or Chaos, we must go there at some point, and see if it can be safeguarded."

Madrak looks at Reed, then Jeanette.

Jeanette says "How can such things be safeguarded against the very source of their existance, though?"

Vance says "These powers have a life of their own, Jeanette. Amber and Chaos have to do more than snap their finger to absorb them - I am certain a ritual of some sort is involved."

Madrak says "If we are careful, we may be able to learn more about that from Coral."
Madrak says "Reed, Jeanette, are there powers in your homelands that might be targeted, as well?"

Jeanette shakes her head... "Though we could, perhaps, claim an ally in one of Amber's princesses... if we could find her. The Lady who saved my people."

Madrak hms. "Do you know her name, or face? I hate to journey to Amber without knowing whom to seek out."

Jeanette says "Her face.... I have seen an old portrait. She had black hair, like night, and she was tall and beautiful... she bore an axe, enchanted, and wore silver armor that no arrow or bullet could penetrate."
Jeanette says "Her eyes were the color of the sea."

Vance frowns. "If the rumors are true, you will not find her in Amber."

Jeanette says "What rumors?"

Madrak glances at Vance. "Oh?"

Vance says "I questioned several of the soldiers that returned from the war with Chaos. The Amberite who supposedly betrayed his family, Prince Brand, died in that final conflict. But in the moment of his death, he caused the downfall of Princess Deirdre. The descriptions I have of her match the one of whom you speak."

Madrak closes his eye. "Pity."

Jeanette sighs, looking down. "Downfall..."

Madrak exhales softly. "My sympathies, Jeanette."

Jeanette sighs... "She was... a hero... she saved us all."

Vance nods. "She died in battle. From what I've heard, that is the way she would have preferred it."

Jeanette nods... "I would... see the spot, at some point."

Rex nods. "An honorable death."

Madrak says "Perhaps you'll have your chance, Jeanette. We do not know where our travels might take us."

Vance says "It is at the very footsteps of Chaos, Jeanette. And it is an unhospitable land, where only shapeshifters can truly thrive. But, our travels may eventually lead there. Who can say?"

Jeanette says "I say what I say. I hear what I hear."

Madrak leans on his staff. "I think I will retire for a time... I used certain narcotic concoctions to sustain me at the pumps, and they take a greater toll every time they are used, it seems." He stands slowly.

Jeanette nods... "I must... think on this."

Rex nods. "Rest well, Madrak the Mighty, or as well as you may. I will do the same..."

Vance nods. "Hopefully, Sunfall will have returned by the time we reconvene."
Vance stands. "As for myself - there are certain things I must ponder."

Madrak nods.

Jeanette nods, and walks over to her bed, sitting...

Madrak says "My thanks, Rex. Rest well."

Rex nods to Madrak.

Madrak says "Jeanette, many people find my words cold comfort, but if you wish to talk sometime..."

Vance turns, and heads to his room.

Jeanette says "Perhaps."

Madrak mutters something to Vance, as well, as he makes his way to his room.

Jeanette says "And Vance... I would like to talk to you. I would know how it happened..."

Vance glances back to Madrak, and nods.

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