Who's Who In Amber
by
Kenn Crook
© 1993
**NOTE** If you read all of this there are at least a few plot spoilers
for the books, be forewarned...
The following are 'most' of the names from both Amber series.
I have included information from the Amber Visual Guide as well. Also I've
included some of the information from the forward by Roger Zelazny which
appeared in the Combat Command book, titled "Roger Zelazny's Nine Princes
In Amber, The Black Road War" by Neil Randall. This gives info on some
of Oberon's wives as well as mentioning Mirelle, Random's sister who died.
That's where the Visual Guide got this info, BTW. The 'colors' for
the various Amberites were done for the 1988 Amber Board game and copied
in both the "Black Road War" and the Visual Guide.
Updated 9/23/93: I have added more people from the last book, corrected
a few mistakes and added a section on places, terms and miscellaneous info.
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 into 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 &
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 assayed 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.
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.
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-
Alice Roth
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' also its name.
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
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
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
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, 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 randomlyappears
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
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
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.
PARTIAL LINEAGE OF OBERON AND FAMILY-
(Children of Oberon total 47 including illigitimates...)
Dworkin-Unicorn
Oberon-Cymnea
|
|
Oberon
Benedict-Osric-Finndo
Oberon-Deela the Desacratrix
Oberon-Rilga
|
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Dalt
Caine-Julian-Gerard
Oberon-Lora
Oberon-Faiella
|
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Delwin-Sand
Eric-Corwin-Deirdre
Oberon-Clarissa
Oberon-Kinta
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Fiona-Bleys-Brand
Coral
Oberon-Moins (Rebman Queen)
Oberon-Paulette
|
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Llewella
Random-Mirelle
Oberon-Dybele
Oberon-Harla
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Flora
None Known
Benedict-Lintra (Hellmaid)
Corwin-Dara
||| (Great Grand-Daughter)
|
Dara?
Merlin
Random-Morganthe
Dara-Duke Sawall
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Martin
Jurt-Despil
Random-Vialle
Benedict-Gaea
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Paul
Terra
Brand-Jasra
Llewella-Lyric
|
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Rinaldo (Luke)
Gil