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

When the Black Road streched from the Courts of Chaos to Amber, it cast its darkness across many lands.
In the land of Thule, a land of honor, power, and pride there was a strange rebellion.

It started with the prophet known as Anakne. He preached that the end of Thule was at hand and that before long Thule would be ravaged by fire and would sink beneath the sea so that none would remember her name.
Predictably the High King ordered Anakne arrested and executed. That was just the beginning.
Soon all the land of Thule was awash in controversy. From the countryside to the capital of Atlas people listened to the words of the prophet and paid them heed. They adopted a philosophy that if Thule is to be destroyed, why worry about honor, live for today, for tomorrow we all will die.
It was a time of riots and disturbuances. Crime rose to an all time high, but there were no armies abroad no central focus to this movement. While the young embraced this new philosophy more, people from all walks of life foreswore themselves and became Anaknedon, the children of Anakne.
Then came the great storm and the Anaknedon wailed and said the end was at hand, but Thule survived, and most those who embraced Anakne were deemed fools and scorned, and the strange rebellion ended.

Or so it seemed.

Between the Pattern of Amber and the Logrus of Chaos are the lesser powers: broken patterns, the ravelled logrii, representations, designs, and wells. Realms of power. Shards.
Amber defeated Chaos in the Patternfall War, but the battle continues.

Now the Shards begin to fall. The realm of Begma is no more.
Slowly the eyes of the other Shards begin to open. Chiare prepares for battle, but most remain blind to the danger.
A small band seeks in the land known as Thule seeks to open other eyes.
While elsewhere others either knowingly or not are about to join them...

[Much here is missing...]

Reed emerges from downstairs, "I have that answer now. Orachulcum is radioactive. It is definitely emitting gamma radiation. I can't tell how strongly without better equipment, but that stuff is hot."

Madrak frowns.

Vance frowns. "Strange. Still, if it was harmful, surely that would have been noticed by now. I believe those of the Orach guild are no more prone to ailments than anyone else of Thule."

Madrak says "Ariadne, how soon do the Anaknedon believe this end will come?"

Merope says, "Actually the people who work in the Orach Guild are known for strange ailments, but it is one of those things that you don't talk about. It would be too close to saying they were morally imperfect so Lir frowned on them."

Vance frowns. "I see. Then the audience with the King becomes even more important." He turns to Reed. "Is there a way to shield the radiation, while still letting the light through?"

Reed says, "No. When my people need to handle the stuff they use three feet or more of rock or metal to shield them. Gamma is hard to shield against, and then there is the problem of secondary radiation.... Reed goes off into more scientific trivia details.

Madrak coughs. "Ariadne, how soon do the Anaknedon believe this end will come?"

Ariadne says, "Soon, less than seven years they say. Perhaps much less. What is radiation?

Jeanette hmms. "There were rumours, when I left England, of research to turn this sort of thing into some sort of bomb..."

Madrak looks at Jeanette. "I pray that they fail, for their own sake."

Reed says, "If you world and mine are shadows of each other, as they seem then the Americans cracked the secret in the 1940's."

Calamus says to Ariadne "Like sunlight that burns you from the inside", his response is distracted as he follows several conversations at once.

Vance says "A harmful byproduct of a substance, that can cause disease. I've seen in before in poorly-constructed artifacts of power, but the source has always been magical in nature."

Jeanette mms. "No one said anything about - strange illnesses, though."

Rex listens closely, but seems to have little to add. Middenriddle looks lost, and Aranor seems posessed of a dignity that belies his odd fashion of dress.

Vance turns to Rex. "My apologies, but we are in the midst of a crisis. Please pass along my greetings to your companions - lodging will be prepared in the event that we stay in Thule."

Reed says, "Human beings have a talent for inventing technology that kills themselves, lead pipe for drinking water, mercury for dies, nuclear fission for power, internal combustion engines for transportaion, chloroflorocarbons to keep our hair in place. If it isn't obviously lethal, we aren't shy about putting it into widespread use.

Jeanette shrugs, "Unlike those who have an eternity, we don't have the luxury of testing an invention to see what its effect will be in a hundred years."

Madrak frown thoughtfully. "I'll need to know about the crystals, as well. And I believe I'd like to hear Rex's story."

Rex smiles, lazily. "Where shall I begin, my friend?"

Reed says, "How about with your new friend here?"

Madrak purses his lips thoughtfully. "Chiare. Or more preciesly, your departure therefrom."

Jeanette's tone is notably cool. "Your... quite precipitous... departure therefrom."

Calamus clears his throat following the elegant young woman's statement. "ahh... yeah. I was sort of hoping we'd get to the part where all the politics and Doctor Strange monologue tied in with my interest in seeing certain poles of reality not destroy my homes... again."

Rex nods to Madrak, and then to Reed. "We were in a large cell at first, all together. When they led us to individual cells, I walked through the door of mine, and found myself at home. This is not an unusual occurence; I believe I mentioned my curse. Engela, Aranor, and Middenriddle all came along with me from there. Calamus joined us along the way."

Madrak blinks, as if uncertain how to take this. "You were simply... home?"

Vance does not seem surprised. "Of course."

Jeanette lets Madrak do the doubting for her.

Calamus picks up from where Rex left off, "I noticed Rex and his entourage crossing my path in a way I hadn't run into before, so he and I had a chat. According to him... you folks have similar feelings about the Princes and the Courts. Since I was looking for 'people of like mind', so to speak, and Rex was looking for you... well, we all ended up here.

Calamus adds, "After spending a day cooling our heels with those pillocks in Chiare, that is."

Madrak glances at Vance, and rubs his eyepatch. He shrugs. "It would seem the avalanche has started."

Rex nods to Madrak. "Just like that."

Vance nods. "And those from your homeland, Rex?"

Rex sighs. "It really is bothersome. I had to track you all here, with Calamus' help, and the Karcist Almirant's, once we settled that mess." He turns to Vance. "Aranor is my travelling companion, Middenriddle...does odd jobs for me (Midden beams at the mention of his name), and the Lady Engela was intrigued, and desired to join us...is that right, Milady?"

Madrak chuckles softly. "Well. At least you settled it, Rex."

Rex shakes his head. "Nothing like a good mind-probe. Can't blame them, though."

Calamus mutters something that doesn't remotely sound like agreement on that count.

Madrak shrugs. "Well, to bring you up to date, Vance is trying to arrange an audience with the High King of Thule... and I fear our time is growing short."

Jeanette says "Very short."

Vance says "Indeed. I'm simply waiting on Andra to return. And those accompanying me will need appropriate attire."

Jeanette says "What is appropriate attire?"

Vance smiles. "My wives have a better understanding of fashion than I."

Jeanette nods...

Merope says, "I'm sure we can find a chiton or a peplos to fit you."

Rex says "Wives. Hmmmm; this is an interesting concept."

Jeanette says "If it must be, it must be."

Madrak frowns a little.

Vance nods. "Many have stated such."

Engela doesn't seem to find it amusing.

Jeanette says "Whatever does a peplos look like, though?"

Madrak heaves himself out of his chair, and paces slowly.

[Fast Forward to the meeting with the king]

You are all met by a boat to carry you around the city and close to the royal palace. From there you are led to an audience with the High King Menelius

Calamus nods to Madrak.

Vance introduces himself formally to the King, and awaits an opportunity to begin his tale.

The High King fits his office. He is a large and powerful man with raven dark hair just beginning to show streaks of gray. He has a powerful sense of presence and command about him.
He meets you not in the main court room, but in a lesser room. The kind that has draped alcoves that might or might not house unseen listeners or armed troops.
There are no visible guards visible when he greets you.

The High King says, "Vance, I have spoken with Andra, and she tells me that you bring me ill-tidings."

Vance nods. "I admit the infomation I am about to impart would not be well-recieved by the general populace. But you need to hear it...the survival of Thule is at stake." Vance then begins his tale. When he is finished, he waves forward Madrak and Reed.
Vance speaks of the destruction of Begma, mentions (but does not recite) the prophecy, and tells about the multiple attacks the group has faced. He then says that two he has brought with him have more details about the possible danger.

The High King nods his assent, "What more do you have to add to this tale?"

Madrak lets Reed precede him.

Reed says, "I am a scholar from another realm, and I need to warn you of the dangers of the metal Orachulum. In addition to the light it casts, it spreads a posion to any that draw near it. A posion that can cause sickness, and even harm the unborn causing birth defects and miscarriages.... Reed begins to plunge into more technical details.
As Reed continues, the High King looks more bored than worried.

Vance interrupts Reed as he gets into the technical details.
Vance says "Such a problem should be looked into, but that is not the immediate concern. Reed, what potential problems could resort from a large quantity of this material being stored in one place?"

Reed says, "Most likely nothing but being a worse hazard than it is already. It is remotely possible that by stacking enough of it together you would form a working nuclear pile, in which case it would melt itself down through the ground until it hit the water table, and then there would be a steam explosion and a cloud of nuclear fallout."

Vance ahems. "In less technical terms, please. Can this hazard you speak of be artifically induced?"

Reed says, "With the right compounds, concentrations, and techniques, yes it can, and to be less technical the result would be that tens if not hundreds of square miles of land would be rendered uninhabitable for on the order of ten thousand years.

Vance looks to the King. "My power is enough to destroy a city. My enemies have destroyed an entire world. And the danger Reed speaks of can be caused by one person with access to enough orachulum and the proper knowledge.

The High King looks bored still, "I am not overly concerned about the dangers of Orachulum. I would like to hear more about Begma though. Tell me more about how an entire realm came to be destroyed."

Vance looks to Madrak.

Madrak studies the High King intently with his single eye. "Begma held within it a source of great power, what Vance and others have called a Broken Pattern. It was absorbed or destroyed by the Pattern of Amber, and the process consumed those intiates of its secrets and the kingdom itself in fire."

Vance says "As I recall, Madrak, you stated that the one you met tried to call upon his powers, and was consumed from within. Correct?"

The High King says, "I see, and why would Amber destroy Begma, who is their long time ally and member of the Golden Circle, instead of some other realm like Kashfa?"

Vance says "Because the Broken Pattern in Begma was the strongest of them. Kashfa would have been next, but I was able to alert them to the danger."

Madrak says to Vance, "Correct." He looks at the High King again.

The High King asks, "And was it before or after you alerted them to this danger that Rinaldo decided to kill Lord Caine of Amber?"

Vance says "After."

The High King says, "You must think me awfully naive, you are not the only ones who can walk between the worlds, nor the only ones to have contacts in Amber or Rebma. The reports I have received show no action on the part of Amber. Can you explain that?"

Vance says "Amber is not unified. You know as well as I that the Princes feud among one another."

Jeanette says "No action upon the part of the armies of Amber, perhaps. But there are other forces than armies at work here."

Madrak says "Begma was betrayed."

The High King says, "Do you have proof of that?"

Vance says "What proof would you ask for?"

Madrak says "It was my task to tell the Queen of Kashfa, Coral of Begma, that I had seen her brother die. Before she sent me on my way, she wept, and said she had been betrayed by an agent of Amber."

The High King says, "I seem to hear the same players emerging again. Isn't Begma the traditional enemy of Kashfa, not Amber?"

Jeanette says "Regardless of the exact source, is it not obvious that steps must be taken to prevent it from happening here?"

Madrak says "A marriage alliance was made, with newly crowned King Rinaldo of Kashfa."
Madrak says "This is not about politics, it is about power and avarice without limit."

The High King says "I hear vague threats, rumors, and on that basis you would have me do what? Confront Amber? I can very much see where a prince of Amber could gain by raising up the Broken Patterns against Amber. The Lords of Order do not care how many people die for one of their distractions.""

Madrak says "I would have you take precautions, to prepare to defend the Watery Flame from agents of Chaos or Order."

Jeanette says "Or of Kashfa, Begma, or... wherever."

The High King says, "I have indeed taken such precautions, in fact just yesterday my guards found someone in the chamber, someone with no visible means of entry, and like you she is fond of speaking of vague threats. Allyna, would you join us please."

Allyna pushes aside a curtain, timidly entering the visible area of the hall.

Madrak says "Your precautions are inadequate."

Vance frowns. "If you wish, I can provide a demonstration of what threatens Thule. It would have to be outdoors, though, by the shoreline."

The High King says, "Really, I have four Fire Crystals mounted in the water over the Watery Flame, and at all times there are people to man the crystals. Those four can turn the water into a boiling froth in a very short span of time. NO ONE will reach the Watery Flame without my permission and live."

Allyna shudders at that image.

Vance says "Inadequate. I could destroy all four crystals with but slight preparation, along with those guarding it. And, as I have said, my enemies have a greater power."

The High King says, "Vance, I would like to see your demonstration, and perhaps you should listen to Allyna's tale, both of the danger to her realm, and as to the means of her arrival."

Vance nods. "Then I will listen, and we will speak after she has finished."

Allyna bites her lip, and sketches an overly hasty bow. "I've been sent from Ebeer, in hopes of finding some aid-- Some way to escape the dreadful prophesies that have been given there more and more frequently."

Madrak studies Allyna as she speaks, rubbing at his eyepatch.
Madrak sigh gravely. "More prophecies. Are you familiar with Ebeer, Vance?"

Allyna says, "In the land of Ebeer, the Seers have been prophesying death from beyond the Spheres with... tremendous urgency."
Allyna says, "The seers who have these visions... They offer little hope of averting this disaster, and even less information about its nature. I-- I have little to offer."

Madrak says "Do they say what form this disaster will take?"

Allyna rubs her hands together, nervously.
Allyna shakes her head in the negative.

Madrak nods. "It is much the same with some of us. Homelands are threatened. The cause is not obviously external in some cases, but neither is it entirely natural."

Allyna says, "I-- It would be appropriate for me to offer such aid as I am able in preserving other lands. If only in hopes of winning assistance for my own. I had no idea that this threat was--widespread."

Madrak says "Nor did most of us, it seems."

Madrak glances at Vance. "And I believe we can make use of all the aid we can gather, at this point."

Jeanette nods. "These are the times most often referred to as desperate, when all will have to stand together."

Vance nods, and turns to the King. "It is important that you understand the power Thule and the other lands with Broken Patterns face. Do you have an old warship, about to be taken out of service? I will require something of that nature for the demonstration."

Allyna continues her oration, what passes for her story. "His Majesty wished me to speak also about the method by which I arrived. And this may be the greatest aid I can offer."

High King Menelius says, "We don't have so many warships that we can spare them, but I'm sure we can find a merchant vessel that you can destroy, and you should hear how Allyna arrived."

Madrak nods to Allyna. "Go on."

Vance nods, and turns back to Allyra.

Allyna bites her lip, at the attention brought to bear on her. After a moment, she regains her courage and explains. "I have arrived here by means of a thing called an Image, from another world entirely. I have some limited skill in creating these Images."

Madrak glances at Vance, then back to Allyna. "Might we see one?"

The High King says, "Trumps, Vance, she can draw trumps. Now will it do more good if we just sit and defend ourselves? or would it be better if the Broken Patterns started to talk to each other, so that we could act in concert?"

Allyna pulls a small card from inside one of her sleeves, and offers it to Madrak. "Be careful not to look too-- Trumps?"

Madrak takes the card carefully. He blinks. "Cold," he mutters, and peers at it, front and back. "Fascinating."

Vance hmms. "Both."

Madrak offers the card to Vance or Jeanette, if they're inclined to look at it.

Jeanette takes it for a look...

Vance glances at the image on the back, briefly.

The High King says, "I suggest that you take Allyna with you on your journey, and that she distribute some of her artwork about the other broken shadows, to those that you can convince there is a valid danger."

Madrak murmurs his thanks to Allyna, then turns toward the High King. "Your Majesty?"

Vance looks to Allyna. "What do you base your 'Images' on? Such working traditionally are backed by initiation in one of the greater powers."

High King Menelius looks at Madrak, "Yes?"

On one face of the card is a simple design, intertwined lines of grey, brown, and yellow surrounding a rose. On the opposite, a strange image: What looks like a Pattern, or broken pattern, somewhat idealised, and distorted, as if seen through water. The lines of the image shine with a bright silvery color. The space between is a deep and comforting green.

Madrak hesitates, then continues. "There is one more thing... I fear death is coming to Thule. I wish I could say how or when, but I do not know, only that it is coming. If there are any preparations that can be made for such an unknown calamity; be it an attack, or natural disaster... I suggest they be made, quietly."

Allyna looks quizzically at Vance. "I don't know what you speak of."

Vance frowns. "Have they ever proven unreliable to you?"

Allyna says, "In what fashion?"

High King Menelius says, "We have a problem in that regard, a political problem, there are many who would light the altars to Lir and see them fed night and day, there are others who feel that our doom is already upon. There are many changes I would like to work upon Thule, but for now it is important to move quietly and with confidence. I have made what prepartions I can, but I will try to make more.

Madrak nods. "I do not envy your position, Your Majesty, but at least our warning has not fallen on deaf ears. Thank you."

Vance says to Allyna, "Failure to function...or worse. I have heard of deaths occurring due to Trumps backed with a lesser power."
Vance turns back to the King. "If you can arrange that vessel, we can reconvene tomorrow for the demonstration."

The High King says in a voice that cuts through the little discussions, "And I want something from all of you. You say there is a danger. Tell me what, tell me how, tell me who. Give me something to act against."

Madrak sighs, and nods. "When we are able to do so..."

Vance says "If it were as easy as pointing to something, we wouldn't have a problem. Arrange what is needed for my demonstration, and I will show you why."

The High King nods, "It shall be done, until then you may remain here as my guests. Thule has problems enough, I can guard the watery flame, I can prepare for disaster, but unless you have more than words, I will worry about Thule."

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