Amber FAQ 0. Amber FAQ http://www.ens-lyon.fr/~jcdubacq/amber/whowho.txt Original is here Updated 23/9/93

Ken Crook has added more people from the last book, corrected a few mistakes and added a section on places, terms and miscellaneous info.

Translated 5/5/95

Jean-Christophe Dubacq put this file in HTML format #amber">The Amberites #ancient">The Ancient #chaos">The Chaosians #others">Others #places">Places, terms and stuff #tree">Oberon & lineage "amber"> The Amberites

Benedict (Weapon Master of Amber): Eldest son of Oberon. Tall, dour, thin, long strong jaw, hazel eyes, straight brown hair. Wears orange, yellow and brown. Symbol is a Sunflower.
Bleys: Flaming red hair, blue eyes, bearded, slight chin. Wears red and orange, mostly silk, lots of jewelry. Symbol is an open spell book.
Brand (Supposedly dead, slain by Caine at Patternfall War): Green eyes, red hair, short beard, small. Wears green. Possessed Werewindle, DaySword, burning blade of the Pattern. Underwent the full ritual to become a Living Trump in the Keep of Four Worlds. Symbol is a falling star in a starry background.
Caine (Supposed to be dead, killed by Rinaldo/Luke): Swarthy, dark eyed. Wears black and green. Symbol is a sea-gull against a stormy night sky.
Coral: Daughter of Oberon and the wife of the Begman Prime Minister, Kinta. She now possesses the Jewel of Judgement (Left Eye of the Serpent) within her eye socket. Is married to Rinaldo I, King of Kashfa.
Corwin (Carl Corey, Cordell Fennevall [in France]): Green eyes, black hair. Weighs about 200 lbs. and looks to be 30ish. Wears black and silver. Wields Grayswandir, NightBlade, the moon-sword of the Pattern. Symbol is a silver rose.
Dalt: Blond hair, large, muscular-frame. Wears black and green. Sworn enemy of Amber because his mother was supposedly raped by Oberon while a prisoner. Symbol is a heraldic lion rending a unicorn which he wears as a medallion around his neck. Originally from Eregnor.
Delwin: Son of Oberon and Lora, has twin sister Sand. Wears brown and black. Left Amber long ago. Dark blond hair and green eyes.
Deirdre (Supposedly dead, dragged to the Abyss by Brand in the Patternfall War): Long black hair and blue eyes. Dresses in black with silver. Symbol is a crescent moon. Wore black plate and fought with a battle-ax at the Patternfall war.
Eric (Supposedly dead, killed by Manticore while defending Amber and wearing the Jewel): Blue/black hair, beard, very handsome. Wears red and black. Symbol is a pair of crossed fencing swords in front of a full moon in a totally black sky. His elite soldiers in Amber were called Weir and were shape- changers/lycanthropes.
Finndo (Supposedly killed in service to Amber): He supposedly died in the service of Amber shortly after Osric's demise. Wears green and gold.
Fiona (Fi): Red hair, green eyes, pale complexion like mother of pearl, 5'2". Wears green, lavender, purple. Symbol is a white inverted pentacle with an inverted pentagram within it against a black background.
Florimel (Flora, Evelyn Flaumel): Golden hair, blue eyes. Wears green and gray. Symbol is a lotus flower in front of a partially eclipsed sun. Has several Irish Wolfhounds named Donder, Blitzen, etc. Drinks Irish Mist. Used a bow at the Patternfall war.
Gerard (Protector of the seas of the Golden Circle): Green eyes, black hair, big, fringe beard and light moustache, looks a lot like Corwin but bigger and with a heavier jaw. Wears blue and gray with black. Symbol is a chalice. In the "Black Road War" his symbol is listed as a bronze, three-masted ship.
Julian (Protector of the forests of Arden): Long dark hair, blue eyes, dour expression. Wears scaled white enamel scale armor. Colors are white and black. Symbol is a hunting hawk descending in attack. In the "Black Road War" his symbol is noted as being a Tree.
Llewella: Jade eyes with green hair/skin, typical Rebman complexion. Dresses in gray and green with lavender. Lives in Rebma. Symbol is a dolphin against a watery background. Used a bow at the Patternfall war.
Martin: Son of Random and Morganthe of Rebma. He currently attires himself in punk rock clothing complete with a red-tinted mohawk and plays head-banger music. His symbol is the radiation symbol of our shadow earth.
Merlin (Merle Corey): Black hair, blue eyes, muscular. Colors are gray and purple. Trained in Sorcery and Trump Artistry in the Courts. He has essayed the Logrus and Walked the Pattern. He is now King in the Courts of Chaos. His symbol is an upright pentacle of white within a dark circular background. Currently wears one Spikkard and possesses a second one. Son of Dara Sawall and Corwin.
Osric (Supposedly killed in battle): He killed three of the House of Karm in a vendetta. Osric is acquitted by Oberon at a hearing but is subsequently sent to the front lines in a nasty war and killed. Wears silver and red.
Random (Now King of Amber): 5'6" 135 lbs. Straw-colored hair, sharp nose, small, laughing mouth. Wears orange, red, and brown. His symbol is a small drum set with stick crossed above it.
Rinaldo (A.K.A. Lucas Raynard/Luke): Son of the traitor Brand and the sorceress Queen Jasra. He has undergone the minor power ritual in the Font of Power in the Keep of Four Worlds. Now King of Kashfa. Symbol is a phoenix rising from a flame. Wears green. Very familiar with the Courts since his mother was recruited from a nearby Shadow by Dara.
Sand: Daughter of Oberon and Lora, has twin brother Delwin. Wears pale tan and dark brown. Left Amber long ago. "ancient"> The Ancient Ones
Dworkin Barimen: Small, 5' tall gnarled old hunchback. He is the architect of the Great Pattern and of Amber itself. It is said that he came from the Courts originally. He is the father of Oberon and grandfather of all the other Amberites. Drew the original Amber Family Trumps, inscribed the original Primal Pattern, transcribed the Book of the Unicorn. His symbol is the Pattern itself.
Oberon (Supposedly died re-drawing the Pattern during the: Pattern Fall War) Father of the 'Elder' generation of Amberites. Symbol is the five-sided Crown of Amber.
The Unicorn: Matriarch of the Amberites, and their Goddess. She and Dworkin conceived Oberon, the 1st Amberite. Gave the Jewel of Judgement to Dworkin after 'acquiring' it from the Serpent of Chaos. 'Dictated' a book of religious lore called the Book of the Unicorn.

"chaos"> The Chaosians

Amblerash, Lord Bances: Distant relative of Swayvill and High Priest of the Serpent.
Chanicut, Prince Tubble (Thought to have fallen into the Pit at Swayvill's funeral): Placid, heavy, subtle. Centuries old and very shrewd. Fringe beard, wide and innocent eyes, master of many games.
Helgram, Lintra: Hell-maid who Benedict spend some 'time' with. She cut off Benedict's arm but is then killed by him.
Helgram, Suhuy (Master Of The Logrus): Master/Teacher of sorcery in the Courts. He is the Uncle of Merlin, Mandor, Jurt, and Despil. Quite old.
Hendrake, Duchess Belissa Minobee: Current head of House Hendrake.
Hendrake, Lord Borel: Master of Arms of the Ways of Hendrake. Killed by Corwin during the Patternfall war through dirty fighting. Said to have had two brothers as well as a half-brother and half-sister. Son of Larsus and Belissa Minobee.
Hendrake, Chinaway (supposedly killed by Pattern Ghost of Gerard): Huge chaos warrior said to have a collection of over two hundred skulls of those he's dispatched.
Hendrake, Gilva: Tall, dark-eyed shape-shifting female.
Hendrake, Duke (General) Larsus Minobee: Slain by Julian in the Patternfall War.
Jasra: Sorceress of the Way of the Broken Pattern. She is the mother of Rinaldo I, King of Kashfa, as well as being the ruler of the Keep of Four Worlds. Former wife of Brand. She was once a maid-companion of House Helgram and was taught Sorcery by Dara in Chaos.
Jesby, Prince Rolovians.: Deceased head of House Jesby.
Jesby, Tmer (Said to have been killed by an assassin's dagger): Eldest son of the late Prince Rolovians. Spade beard, heavy brow, sturdily built.
Sawall, Dara (Mistress Of The Logrus): Tall and thin with short brown hair and freckles, dark eyes. Mother of Merlin, Jurt and Despil. Wife of Rim-Duke Gramble Sawall. She has essayed the Logrus and walked the Pattern. Possibly the great grand-daughter of Benedict. Father was of House Helgram, mother was of House Hendrake. Symbol is a circle divided lengthwise, left side black and right side white.
Sawall, Despil: Son of Sawall and Dara. Middle child between Merlin and Jurt.
Sawall, Gramble: Rim Duke of the Courts. Father of Jurt, Despil, and Mandor. Husband of Dara. Stepfather of Merlin.
Sawall, Jurt: Son of Sawall and Dara. Once hunted Merlin with blood vengeance. Has undergone the greater power ritual in the Font of Power in the Keep of Four Worlds. He is now a Living Trump.
Sawall, Mandor: Son of Sawall and Another. Powerful sorcerer from the courts who uses metal balls as a foci. Very dignified and regal. Has white hair and distinguishing/noble characteristics. Symbol is four squares of a chessboard, two black and two white, the white squares diagonal from each other and containing a black pawn in the upper left hand square and a black knight in the lower right hand square all contained within a circle.
Swayvil (Supposedly dead, died of old age/years of poisoning): King of the Courts of Chaos. Said to have died of illness and old age.

"others"> Others

Alice Roth: Bill Roth's wife.
Arkans: Kashfan dupe for Random who he had on the throne.
Bill Roth: Short, heavy, ruddy complexion with graying temples. Official lawyer of the crown, and resident of Shadow Earth.
Bill Roth Jr.: One of Bill's sons who happens to have twin boys.
Captain Thoben: A sailor in Amber's navy.
Carmel: Julian's date at Eric's coronation.
Carmella: Flora's swarthy, mole-flecked, Puerto Rican maid while on Shadow Earth.
Cordell Fennevall: Corwin's name when he was an amnesiac in France.
Cymnea: Probably the first wife of Oberon she was the mother of Benedict, Finndo, and Osric.
Dan Martinez (Supposedly dead, killed by Luke): Man who the Ty'iga possessed and tried to kill Luke.
Deela the Desacratrix: She is the mother of Dalt. Supposedly raped by Oberon after he imprisoned her, she was notorious for burning the Unicorn Shrine at Begma. She was killed leading her troops in battle against Amber after her escape.
Dik: Old man-servant to the court of Amber.
Droppa Ma'Pantz: Midget who is court jester to the throne of Amber.
Dybele: Mother of Flora she died in childbirth.
Faiella: She was a wife of Oberon and mother to Eric, Corwin and Deirdre. Died in childbirth.
Gail: Luke's girlfriend from Berkeley days. Was possessed by the Ty'iga.
Ganelon: Once a trusted military man under Corwin he was exiled by Corwin in Shadow for betrayal. Also, a pseudonym for Oberon as he travels with Corwin.
George Hansen: Neighbor kid of Bill Roth's who the Ty'iga possessed.
Glait: Shaggy-headed female serpent who was a childhood friend of Merlin.
Glemdenning: Benedict's war horse with red and black striping.
Gryll: Demon servant of House Sawall. Sent to bring Merlin back to the Courts for Swayvill's funeral.
Harla: Another 'wife' of Oberon this just didn't work out and they separated by mutual consent; no record of divorce or annulment; no record of marriage either; peculiar since Oberon did for a time refer to her as his wife. No offspring are known from their 'marriage'.
Hugi: Bird (crow) of 'Ill Omen' who Corwin encountered in the 'Borderlands' and was subsequently eaten by him.
James (Jamie): Guard who dispenses lanterns in the dungeon level of castle Amber.
Jaston (Supposedly dead, fell from a balcony...): Deceased King of Kashfa before Rinaldo I.
Jopin: 5'6", stooped, hard of hearing, wears a gray beard. He is the lighthouse-keeper at Cabra (43 miles West of Amber). He was captain of his own ship for 100 years "long ago".
Julia: Merlin's girlfriend from Berkeley days on Shadow Earth. Later revealed to be Mask and to have trained under the sorceress Jasra. At one time in control of the Keep of Four Worlds.
Kergma: Another childhood friend of Merlin, this one a true shape-shifter seldom in the same form or gender.
Kinta: Mother of Coral and wife of the Begman diplomat Orkuz.
Kwan: Chaosian friend of Merlin's killed by Corwin.
Sir Lancelot duLac (Lance): Knight of Avalon found nearly dead and saved by Corwin.
Lir: Deity-like name invoked by Moire "Lir knows where his bones lie".
Lora: Oberon married her in another Shadow while Rilga was still living at her Shrine. Different time-streams, though, tricky to date. She is the mother of Delwin and Sand, the twins.
Lord Bayle: Minor noble of Amber, most noted as a vintner, maker of Bayle's Best and Bayle's Piss.
Lord Chantris: Noble of Amber who was at the Patternfall War and witnessed the death of Brand and Deirdre.
Lord Feldane: Noble of Amber who was at the Patternfall War and witnessed the death of Brand and Deirdre.
Lord Rein: Noble of Amber who was an ally of Corwin during the interregnum.
Lorraine: Corwin's love-interest in the 'New Avalon'.
Meg Devlin: Married woman who the Ty'iga possessed and slept with Merlin.
Moins (Supposed to be dead, Old Queen of Rebma): She is the mother of Llewella and one-time ruler of Rebma during the 'old days' of Oberon's rule.
Moire (Queen of Rebma): Sea-'elven' queen of the under water reflection of Amber, called Rebma. She gave Corwin 'refuge' during the interregnum and allowed him to walk Rebma's Pattern to regain his memories. She keeps the key to Rebma's Pattern with her.
Morganthe: Daughter of Queen Moire of Rebma who fell in love with Random and later committed suicide when he left her. She is the mother of Martin.
Morgenstern: Julian's legendary war horse. Trained to hate Corwin.
Nayda: Daughter of Orkuz, of the Begman delegation. She was possessed by the Ty'iga prior to her death. The Ty'iga now is trapped in this body.
Old John: Mercenary soldier and emissary for Random to Kashfa.
Orkuz: Begman diplomat sent to Amber to meet with Random about Eregnor and Kashfa.
Paulette: Mother of Random and Mirelle. She was quite high-strung and ended up committing suicide. She was most likely from our own Shadow Earth. After her death Oberon had her body lain in State for 10 days as a memorial.
Rhanda: Shadow girl Merlin played with as a child. From Wildwood.
Rick Kinsky: Julia's old boyfriend on Shadow Earth.
Rilga: She is the mother of Caine, Julian, and Gerard. She aged more rapidly than most of Oberon's wives and finally retired to the Shrine of the Unicorn spending the rest of her days as a recluse.
Roger: A guard in the dungeons of Amber near the Pattern Room.
Rolf: An Amber castle guard.
Scrof (Supposedly dead, killed by Merlin): Guardian set at the end of the 'wormhole' gate in Julia's apartment.
Sharu Garrul: Shadow sorcerer who once controlled the Keep of Four Worlds. Now is imprisoned as the 'Guardian of the Fount'.
Star: Corwin's horse.
Tiger: Merlin's horse, black and orange striped.
Vialle (Queen of Amber): 5'1", slim, brunette, fine featured and soft spoken. She is the wife of Random she is the blind sculptress that he was forced to marry in Rebma but has since grown to love. She is adept in the healing arts and has uncanny perception despite her disability (able to use Trumps). Her symbol is of crashing waves.
Victor Melman (Supposedly dead, killed by Merlin with Primal Chaos): Minor Shadow Sorcerer who tried to sacrifice Merlin. Trained by Jasra.
Vinta Bayle: Caine's woman, daughter of Lord Bayle.
Will: An Amber castle guard.
Ygg: Sentient tree which marks the boundry between Amber and Chaos. Planted by Oberon long ago a staff of it was used by Corwin when creating his Pattern.

"places"> Places, terms, miscellaneous

Abyss: Area of the Courts of Chaos which is so violently chaotic that supposedly no corporeal beings can survive. This is where Brand and Deirdre fell.
Arbor House: Estate of Lord and Lady Bayle, nobles of Amber.
Arden Forest: Primeval forest outside of Amber whre Julian and his Ranger's are known to patrol.
Avalon: Shadow where Corwin once ruled. It was later destroyed in some way, but a Shadow of it came to be ruled by Benedict.
Avernus: Shadow where Bleys and Corwin recruited furry troops to aid in the seige upon Amber.
"Ballad of the Water Crossers": Amber merchant navy song attributed to Corwin.
Baylesport: Port for the family Bayle.
Begma: Major Kingdom in the Golden Circle.
Black Watch: Protection set upon an individual by a House when a vendetta or other danger to them is imminent.
Bloody _______'s: Restaurant in Death Alley where excellent seafood may be found. The name changes often due to its proprietor's
Book of the Serpent Hung upon the Tree of Matter: Bible of the Ways of the Serpent.
Byway: Minor 'branches' of a major Way. There are 8 byway residences to Sawall.
Cabra: Area of land 43 miles west of Amber. A small island upon which stands a lighthouse. Jopin, the ancient sea captain, dwells there and runs the lighthouse.
Cathedral of the Serpent: Huge amphitheater with frozen fire banisters and other fire-furnished additions. At the very edge of the Pit.
Cycle: Term used for time-keeping in the Courts. Perhaps a 'month'?
Dalgarry: Jurt Sawall's personal residence in Chaos.
Death Alley: Rough part of Amber city near the docks.
Dr. Bailey: One of Corwin's doctors upon Shadow Earth.
Dr. Brandon Corey: Alias of Brand upon Shadow Earth.
Eregnor: Land which Kashfa and Begma have constantly warred over.
Faiella-Bionin: Stairway leading down into Rebman, the underwater reflection of Amber.
Fire Gate: A way-exchange in Shadow near the Courts. High promontory of white stone beneath a black sky, beside a black sea. Two semi-circles of pale flame form parentheses here. At least 14 towers out in Shadow can be seen and the shadow viels are so weak there that these may be walked to normally.
Fortress Gantu: Jasra's personal residence in Chaos.
Greenwood Private Hospital: Upstate, east-coast hospital where Corwin was being kept at the beginning of the Chronicles.
Grove of the Unicorn: Green grove upon Kolvir where the Unicorn has been sighted.
Hall of Mirrors: Seemingly divinatory area of Castle Amber which randomly appears to various individuals.
Heerat: Both Benedict and Martin and travelled to the trade city which seemed rather mexican in appearance. Said to be where the Techys dwell.
Irish Wolfhounds: There are 6 of these creatures which Flora owns, each named after one of Santa's reindeer.
Jidrash: Capital of Kashfa.
Jones Falls: Area where Benedict held off the Moonriders of Ghenesh.
Kashfa: One of the major Kingdoms of the Golden Circle.
Keep Of Four Worlds: Nexus of four elemental Shadows in collision. Now guarded by Sharu Garrul this is where Brand undertook the ritual of Power which gave him the Living Trump ability. Later, Jurt Sawall undertook a similar process. The Keep is controlled by Jasra.
Lorraine: Shadow of Avalon where Corwin met Ganelon and got the jeweler's rouge for his second attempt to gain Amber's throne. Contained the fairy ring where the Black Road manifested itself.
Mandorways: Residence of Mandor Sawall. Said to contain vast labyrinths.
Maze Of Art: This is within House Sawall. A large, labyrinth-like collection of art gathered by Gramble.
Pit Of Chaos: Area where crazed chaos bungee-jumpers dive in hopes of retrieving artifacts. This area is inhabited by non-corporeal creatures such as the Ty'iga.
Plaza at the End of the World: Concourse near the Pit of Chaos made of wide avenues and four large buildings.
Porter Sanitarium: Place in Albany, NY where Corwin was placed under the care of Dr. Brandon Corey.
Rebma: Underwater reflection of Amber ruled by Queen Moire.
Red-Gold Serpent: Symbol emblazoned upon the deceased Swayvill's clothing.
River Oisen: Large river which borders the Vale of Garnath and runs through Arden and into the sea.
Texorami: Random's shadow which as a good place for jazz and gambling.
Thelbane: Massive, glassy needle of Chaos where the King resides upon the very edge of the Abyss.
Tir-na Nog'th: Amber's reflection in the sky. Ghost-city of dreams and images it is only visible when the moonlight is upon it. Three steps carved from Kolvir are the only part which is solid during total darkness or in daylight.
Turning: Term used for time-keeping in the Courts. Refers to the color of sky. Mentioned were Redsky, Whitesky (morning?), Bluesky (evening, supper?). Seems to be divided into quarter-turnings.
Valley of Garnath: A great, green vale south of Amber and east of Arden forest. It is bordered on its southern side by the river Oisen. It is also visible from Cabra.
Way of the Serpent: State religion of Chaos.
Ways of Anch: Gramble Sawall's second stead at the very Rim.
Wildwood: Shadow near the Courts where Merlin played in a cemetary as a child and met the girl Rhanda.

"tree"> Partial lineage of Oberon & family (Children of Oberon total 47 including illigitimates...) Dworkin-Unicorn Oberon-Cymnea | | Oberon Benedict-Osric-Finndo Oberon-Deela the Desacratrix Oberon-Rilga | | Dalt Caine-Julian-Gerard Oberon-Lora Oberon-Faiella | | Delwin-Sand Eric-Corwin-Deirdre Oberon-Clarissa Oberon-Kinta | | Fiona-Bleys-Brand Coral Oberon-Moins (Rebman Queen) Oberon-Paulette | | Llewella Random-Mirelle Oberon-Dybele Oberon-Harla | | Flora None Known Benedict-Lintra (Hellmaid) Corwin-Dara ||| (Great Grand-Daughter) | Dara? Merlin Random-Morganthe Dara-Duke Sawall | | Martin Jurt-Despil Brand-Jasra | Rinaldo (Luke)

Jean-Christophe Dubacq "mailto:jcdubacq@ens.ens-lyon.fr">(jcdubacq@ens.ens-lyon.fr)

Last-modified: Thu, 03 Jul 1997 09:09:27 GMT