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Message: <blockquote data-quote="kookalouris" data-source="post: 4497999" data-attributes="member: 23872">I have a few extra moments so let me ask, what mundane shadow do you want your characters to think that they are from?The requirements are...<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The world must be relatively safe, perhaps even dull so that the contrast of discovering the more exciting shadows, especially the canon shadows, will be more wonderous.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The family should have some knowledge of the medieval/celtic/norse/Shakespearean flavorings that Zelazny used as influences, even if that is not the dominant culture of the shadow that they call home.  This will help explain why the characters will feel more at home in Amber (if they do, they might not).</li> </ul><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The various links to other shadows contained within the family homestead must have an 'mundane' explanation as to keep cover.  This implies some kind of fantastic museum/library/bookstore location near home.</li> </ul><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The orphans will be quite numerous, home-schooled, and generally kept from feeling too much a part of the mundane world around them (they have a greater destiny, as far as their guardians are concerned, which will be realized earlier than anyone expects).  In our modern society, this implies something other than average, middle-class society.  The orphans can be aristocracy (which can afford to raise a family as they see fit), an alternative community (which is too different to assimilate with the neighbors) or poor (who simply can't afford to send the kids to school).</li> </ul>As different levels of magic and technology work in different shadows, there is no ONE shadow that would be perfect training grounds for the orphans, so think what sensibilities you wish the orphans to have.Possible Shadows:Shadow Earths:  The world we know.  It is familiar and the Amber Chronicles started out the same way...<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Now, near a major city.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    1970, New York state, the exact same way Nine Princes of Amber started.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Victorian Britain, Victorian aristocracy of the British Empire would have similar sensibilities to the Princes of Amber.  Also, this evokes the Wonderland riffs in the books.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Swashbuckling France, similar to New Avalon and the musketeer feel of Amber.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">     Elizabethan Britain, There are many Shakespearean references in Zelazny.  Such characters would feel at home in Amber.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Beowulf-era Britain:  the norse and celtic mythologies would work well for these folks.</li> </ul>Other shadows:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Tiers, a world based on Phillip Jose Farmer's World of Tiers, by Zelazny's unashamed admission, the main inspiration for the Chronicles of Amber.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Ariel, an Elizabethan world where local superstitions and myth are real, especially anything Shakespeare dreamed up.  Think 7th Sea.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Tintagel, A world where the Arthurian myths are real, along with the other legends from the Age of Chivalry.  Think Pendragon</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Albion, a steampunk world where Wonderland would seem at home.  Think Castle Falkenstein/Space:  1889</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">    Arcadia, Mythic pre-revolution France, think the mood of Brotherhood of the Wolf.</li> </ul>    These are only ideas and musings.  I heartily encourage any other suggestions and look forward to feedback...</blockquote>

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