What do you mean Random's going to be king?

[Tolknor]

Where I am coming from on this stems from a comment made by Corwin about himself and his brothers. I'm paraphrasing here, but it's something like "... for we are all of us, honorable men"

I take this to mean that for all of his pragmatism, if Corwin gives his word he will do his best to honor it. And that he believes the same to be true of his brothers (most of them anyway,*cough* Caine *cough*). Not saying that they don't lie, or that they are trustworthy by any stretch, just that oaths and giving ones 'word' means something to the elders. So when I say "honor-bound" I don't really mean honor in a chivalric sense, so much as personal honor.

I figured that the elders would keep there words for awhile at least since whatever their long term goals might have been under Oberon, and Eric for that matter, were tossed about roughly by the conclusion of the Patternfall War.  

So much new information was learned that some may have known but was not public knowledge.  Dworkin is Grampa?  The pattern downstairs is a shadow?  The Primal pattern can be damaged by blood and wipe out shadow? Dead shadows of yourself make great alibi's?   The Courts of Chaos is the original homeland of the family? Oberon planted a tree? Random had a Kid, Corwin had a kid? Benedict had a kid? Soylent Green is people?!?!

Toss in the new stuff from Merlin's books, however much your game used them, and its a lot of new data to sift through.  Even giving my Elders a 50 year head start was not enough for people who plan scenarios out of centuries.

[RPGPundit]

Where I am coming from on this stems from a comment made by Corwin about himself and his brothers. I'm paraphrasing here, but it's something like "... for we are all of us, honorable men"

He says that, but he proves time and time again that he is in fact not an honorable man, and almost all of his brothers do likewise.

RPGPundit

[Sydius Mendoza]

He says that, but he proves time and time again that he is in fact not an honorable man, and almost all of his brothers do likewise.

RPGPundit

If your definition of honor is based along chivalric lines, then sure. Awfully problematic to apply those standards to god-like beings, most of whom have been born out of wedlock, wouldn't you say?

I have already acknowledged that Amberites will do as they will. I do believe each of them possesses, to some degree or another, a PERSONAL sense of honor. Meaning if they give their word to another Amberite, they may not consider it binding, but it would not be broken lightly. An oath I see as something they would take very seriously when sworn to another Amberite (for anyone else, all bets are off), especially if the Unicorn and/or Pattern are being invoked.

[Taewakan]

I love the thoughts on succession.

In my campaign Random is missing (sound familiar?) and Deirdre's daughter by Despil (who rescued Deirdre from the abyss), Madora, is acting regent and betrothed to Benedict.

I have the Unicorn being the Patron of House Amber.
I agree with the idea that the Unicorn is a powerful Lord of Chaos who took human female form to mate with Dworkin, her favorite pet, follower, worshiper, boy-toy etc.

In my campaign there is a larger story going on - multiverse wide - but there is also a smaller plot authored by Cymnea and a couple of the other disgruntled wives who have been put aside (no spoilers) and a specific demon Lord of Chaos.
Yes, the plot involves zombies. a plague that affects both normal humans and Ranked Lords and Ladies of Amber, but does NOT affect Creatures of Chaos and minor Lords of Chaos.
This makes artifacts much more important.
AND
Of course, anyone with even Basic Shape Shifting can voluntarily reduce their physical attributes to base Amber level or below.
Talk about leveling the playing field!

Of course, modifying attributes down does not do away with the mental aspects of those abilities. Benedict is still the best strategist in the Amber-verse, but Corwin can no longer maintain his extraordinary level of Endurance - not and avoid becoming one of the Undead.

As an aside, where did Flora get Corwin's sword? In theory and according to the Smith of Tir-na Nog'th he should have been able to find it himself... Unless it was hidden somewhen where he could not access it.
Can you say "a cave of blue stones"?

Has anyone else played with the idea of the Smith of Tir-Na Nog'th, who created the pattern sword(s) (and perhaps other items of power)?
The PCs (who have investigated Tir-na Nog'th) know him as Frank. Others call him Vulcan, but what's in a name?

Anyway - thanks for the ideas!