Allies and Antagonists

Your character enters the Amber universe complete with background, family and history.

For a few points you can also arrange to have a range of powerful friends and enemies.

There is the possibility of having staunch allies, fervent antagonists, close companions, bizarre adversaries or even doting relatives.

Allies

Allies are important to every character's survival. Who knows when you might need that little bit of extra support, something that could make all the difference in times of trouble. Friends can be bought (and must then, where applicable, have the history of the friendship written up) as follows.

Friend of the Blood

(Anonymous Amberite or Chaosian Noble)

Cost: 2

Includes all the Elder Amberites, as well as the likes of Merlin, Martin, Gilva, Despil, Luke, and others of the SG's design.

The SG chooses the Friend, and the player can never be sure who it is. Some enemies may pretend to be friendly, and those who feel supportive may act with antagonism to ensure that their weakness is not suspected.

Friend of Importance

(Royalty of Shadows of either Realm, Retainers of either Court, etc.)

Cost: 1

The specifics need to be worked out between the player and SG. Usually the player should design someone for the SG to modify and fit into their campaign setting.

Supernatural Friend

Cost: 1

One ally with unique Shadow-based powers can be designed. The player should come up with a good story as to why and how this friendship or obligation came about.

The ally is built from the Story Elements list. No Power-based abilities are allowed. The points limit is decided by how well the background is developed. About 10 to 20 points is common.

The difference between a Supernatural Friend and a Story Element Follower or Companion is that the Friend's existence and alliance with the PC is far less certain.

Also, the SG has free rein to modify the abilities of the Friend without reference to you. The Friend is under control of the SG and follows their own goals. They may be unwilling or unable to help you when you most need it. They will probably be most helpful in their particular Shadow or area of expertise.

Royal House of Chaos Support

Prerequisite: Blood of Chaos

Cost: 3

The Royal House of Chaos supports you. This may attract enmity from other Houses of Chaos. Generally, you are considered somehow in line for the throne, or in line for important special favours from the throne.

Minor House Support

Cost: 2

Defined as the support of an Amber City noble family, or the support of a Minor House of Chaos, or of a powerful guild in either realm. Fits well with a Friend of Importance, ensuring that they are backed up by their organisation. The player should contribute toward the design of the Minor House.

Antagonists

Enemies can account for only up to -5 points. They can replace small amounts of Bad Stuff for players who are overextended on their character points but don't have a Bad Stuff character concept.

Enmity can only be ended or overcome with exceptionally superior role-play, not just by paying off the points.

Enemy of the Blood

(Amberite or Chaosian Noble)

Cost: -2

The SG secretly chooses an Amberite or Chaosian Noble who will be implacably against the character. The enmity might be known from the outset, or might fester until in manifests itself in the worst of situations.

The SG might even save it up and decide who it is based on the first period of play.

The enmity will probably not be mortal in nature, since most Amberites and Chaosian Nobles can easily kill a player, but will be directed towards thwarting, discrediting, embarrassing, and making the player character miserable.

(Think of it as whole pile of Bad Stuff relating to that person only).

Minor House Opposition

Cost: -2

The opposite of Minor House Support, this is defined as the opposition of an Amber City noble family, or of a Minor House of Chaos, or of a powerful guild in either realm. The player should contribute toward the design of the Minor House.

Enemy of Importance

Cost: -1

The SG secretly chooses an important person in Amber or the Courts of Chaos the character has somehow managed to gravely insult.

Supernatural Enemy

Cost: -1

One unique Shadow being will be designed that hates the character. The player should come up with a good story as to why and how this relationship came about.

See Supernatural Friend for guidelines. The player does not know how many points the enemy cost, nor how the points were spent. They should contribute to the background story.

Monday, August 25, 1997

Suhuy

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