THOUGHTS ON SHADOW PATHS


As far as I can see there are two ways in which shadow paths, particularly those leading out from Amber, could work:


Which of these two options is actually the case is really a matter of personal preference in any given game setting. I personally prefer the second option, because I like to have shadows varying significantly one to another.


With the second option, there is also the question of how the ability to detect and traverse shadow paths actually works for non-Amberites.

My preference for this would be for the 1-point creature and item Power, 'Follow Shadow Path', to be something which can be learnt (or indeed self-taught, if one is sufficiently motivated) as if it were an intrinsic power (which would cost a character 10 points), with the pre-requisite requirement that it also needs a Psyche of at least Amber ranked. This Power would allow sea captains and the like to be able to sense the location of shadow paths (around Amber, anyway), and move themselves and their vessels along them. This would probably also be quite tiring for them.


Note that the fact that non-Amberites can learn to sense shadow paths does not mean that they can then go on to learn the 2- and 4-point Shadow Movement Powers ('Follow Shadow Trail' and 'Seek In Shadow') as intrinsic abilities - I see them as very different things, which, in general, creatures and so on must be born with, and which are very rare at the Amber end of the universe.


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