(Kiefer Sutherland)
Played by John Novak
Son of Brand, raised in Brand's private shadow of Uxmal, Brennan mastered swords and sorcery long before he arrived in Amber after the war. He was recognized as one of the Knights Commander of the Order of the Ruby and has used that key position to become one of Xanadu's military leaders, with special interest in the Moonrider problem. He grew close to Cambina before her death, but more recently he's been reunited with his former paramour, the Valkyrie Regenlief, and learned that Ossian is their son. In his spare time, Brennan works with his brother Ambrose to decipher Brand's surviving papers in the hopes of learning something to further his own great project: remaking Amber's Pattern.
Do we make the Shadow worlds? Or are they there, independent of us, awaiting our footfalls? Or is there an unfairly excluded middle? Is it a matter of more or less, rather than either-or? A dry chuckle arose suddenly as I realized that I might never know the answer for certain.
-- Corwin, The Courts of Chaos
You wouldn't know what to do with easy things.
-- Cambina
(Maria Bonnevie)
Played by Monica Visinsky
Daughter of Vidar, one of the gods descended from Finndo, and your Aunt Fiona, Brita protected the springs and lakes of her home, Asgard. She arrived in Amber during the interregnum following the Sundering. She has discovered her Family in her Brother Conner and her Cousin Ambrose, learned Sorcery from Nanna Clarissa, perfected the Trump artistry she learned from her Cousin and guardian Reid, and at long last, come into her heritage by walking the Pattern. Mistress of many powers, Brita continues to wander and learn, meeting new people and serving the interests of King Random.
I can take care of my own honor, for he was mine to kill, not yours, had I chosen.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
To me, you just smell like kin of Amber.
-- Brita
(Rosario Dawson)
Played by Arref Mak
Secret daughter of Corwin and Moire, your cousin Celina grew up believing she was a girl from the Seaward kingdoms until she was swept into Rebman court life as Queen Moire's ward. As she learned more about her heritage and the magic of Rebma's mirrors, she was swept into the machinations of Rebman politics. When her lover and former teacher Khela took the Sapphire Throne after Moire's flight from Rebma, Celina was there, and when Khela perished on the Pattern, Celina took the throne herself. Now, buoyed by Conner and her brother Merlin, she seeks to unravel the metaphysics of Rebma and learn how Rebma's Pattern survived when Amber's Pattern broke.
She cast her gaze all about. Her eyes lighted upon me and I would have looked away if I had been able. This was not possible, however, and I returned that gaze in which I read an understanding beyond my own. It was as if she knew everything about me, and in this instant had comprehended all my recent trials--seeing, understanding, possibly sympathizing. For a moment, I felt that I saw something of pity and a strong love reflected there--and perhaps a touch of humor.
-- Corwin, The Courts of Chaos
I am my mother's daughter with all the potentials to be monstrous or regal. Likewise my father is a legend with a reach greater than I can imagine. I do not think you unwise to judge me by the potentials for mayhem I represent. Some days I even think that my parents hope I turn out more dangerous than they are. This does not make for pleasant and quiet reflection.
-- Celina
(Michael Praed)
Played by Rich DiTullio
Your cousin Conner served quietly, without acknowledgement that Fiona was his mother, in Amber's diplomatic corps under both Oberon and Eric. His final posting was to the Rebman embassy, where he was serving as a senior official at the time of the Sundering. During the Regency, he fled Rebma after an investigation caused trouble with the Tritons. He returned to Amber, where he served as a member of the Regency council and a liaison to stranded foreign envoys. After Random's coronation, he adventured for a time before attaching himself once again to Rebma, earning the Rebman paxblade for his efforts in helping Khela fend off Huon. He kept the blade when Celina assumed the crown, and now serves her as one of Rebma's chief envoys while coming to know his unsuspected child, Raven.
Especially then, I answered myself. For who else could be trusted with such power?
-- Corwin, The Guns of Avalon
And Father told me you were a diplomat.
Oh I am. But sometimes you get better results with a crossbow and a kind word than just a kind word.
-- Edan and Conner
(Zoe Kravitz)
Played by Susan Carlson
An adventure-seeker raised by her mother and step-father in the Pearl Islands, Delta wandered the realm in search of money and pleasure until she was kidnapped by the Klybesians. Now she has mastered the Pattern of Rebma, original home of her grandmother Coral, become a guardian of a fragment of the Sapphire of Rebma, and wants to learn more of her new family.
I wanted to be an irresponsible nonentity and just enjoy myself.
-- Random, Sign of the Unicorn
(Antonio Banderas) [web page]
Played by Allen Veazey
Son of your Uncle Bleys, your cousin Edan hails from the Land of Peace, where he learned strange fiery magics from the Ifrits of the City of Brass. He proved himself a power in a titanic struggle with Chantico that broke the Shadow of Uxmal, and raised an army of desert warriors against the Klybesians after the death of Reid at the monks' hands. Now he leads them as the Knights of the Lamp against Amber's enemies and works on his great chain of Fire Gates through Shadow, and must learn to spend time with his new son by Hannah.
I closed my eyes, closed them to join her in darkness, to recall for a brief while the world where other messages than light waves took precedence.
-- Corwin, The Hand of Oberon
I am like the fire itself- lawless, dangerous, prone to get out of control if my emotions are not held strictly in check. I have all the subtlety of a nuclear blast.
-- Edan
(Hugh Laurie)
Played by JP Brannan
Your cousin Fletcher, Benedict's son from days long gone, was forgotten by all but your eldest surviving uncles after he departed Amber. Now he has returned, combining mastery of the Pattern and wide experience in Shadow to secure the future of the city he nearly lost forever. And the lost history that he alone seems to remember may be the key to unlocking both the mysteries of Amber and her most dedicated foes.
Seated there at the desk, I commanded a view of the far wall, on which, among other things, hung an antique cavalry saber ... In my mind, I tsked at the shape it was in. I wanted an oily rag and a whetstone, to make it the way it should be once again.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
At Court, I was named Defender of the Faith. It was a job at court principally dealing with spiritual and ecclesiastical matters. In those days people in Amber were more spiritual than they are now, and religious too. Organized religions had a lot of clout back then, which was double-edged sword. Faith, morality, and purpose are vital to civilization.
-- Fletcher
(Bjork)
Played by Karen Alfrey
Born in Texorami, Folly made her name as a musician in a band alongside "Syd Chance", known in Amber as Random; she was taken to Amber in the last moments before the Sundering, and served through the Regency alongside his son Martin, with whom she fell in love. Her bond with Random's Pattern realm has only grown even as she bore Martin's daughter Lorelei. Trained by Dworkin in Trump and metaphysics, Folly struggles to to find nonviolent methods to prevail against Amber's enemies while juggling her complicated family: her cousins, Random, Martin, her great-grandfather Julian, her mother Brij (Julian's granddaughter), and her father, Huon.
I played drums till all hours in a basement spot up the river where the walls sweated almost as much as the customers and the smoke used to wash around the lights like streams of milk. When I was done playing I'd go find some action, women, or cards, usually.
-- Random, describing Texorami, Sign of the Unicorn
Some days I wish we were normal, y'know? The rest of the time, I forget we aren't.
-- Folly
(Alex Rice)
Played by Liz Trumitch
Your cousin Hannah was led toward Amber by the Unicorn, and believes her life has a higher purpose than the one she was serving in her home in Mahkato. She has pinned her belief in a better universe on keeping Gerard in it and getting him well enough to fully serve it. Figuring out how to do that is no easy task, and one that has been complicated by learning about her mother Ysabeau and her sisters Solange and Robin, the arrival of her father and some of her people from the Blue Earth, and her liaison with Edan, whose son she has just borne.
If the Jewel can create a new Pattern, why will it not serve to repair the old one, end our troubles, heal your spirit?
Where is your memory? You know it would be infinitely more difficult to repair the damage than it would be to start over again. Even the Jewel could more easily destroy it than repair it. Have you forgotten what it is like out there? Do you want to go and look at it again?
-- Corwin and Dworkin, The Hand of Oberon
I'm not just going to stop doing things I've done my entire adult life until I've proven there is more danger to it than I already know about.
-- Hannah
(Dev Patel)
Played by Karin Levenstein
Your cousin Harsh was brought up by his aunt and uncle in the shadow of Golconda, and his mysterious origins (his mother fell pregnant unmarried) were covered up. He's always been a bit out of place and had to excel, and in certain circumstances finagle, his way up in Golcondan society and the navy where he serves as an officer. Currently the second-in-command of the GNS Mahtala, a fifty-gun baglah that keeps the Albic and Gallic ships of the line out of Golcondan waters, Harsh has also explored Terra Australis, a history that will serve him well as he sails into the double-dozen seas.
So we set sail the following day. and I directed things from the lead ship. I led us into a storm, and we emerged that much nearer our destination. I led us past an enormous whirlpool, and we were so much to the good. I led us through a shallow rocky place. and the shade of the waters deepened afterward. Their colors began to approximate those of Amber. So I still knew how to do it. I could influence our fate in time and place.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
(John Malkovich)
Played by Blake Moorcroft
Your uncle Eric's son Jerod served on the Regency Council with honor after the Sundering. Since the return of the King, he has adapted to the changes in politics and metaphysics and embarked on a journey to learn the true nature of the Pattern, and of course, himself. The future for Jerod is uncertain as for all, but one he intends to seize. In spite of loss and grief from days long past, he seems to have moved past these, letting them go as new opportunities have presented themselves.
With a new sister revealed and a daughter who should have never come to pass, the lens of Jerod's vision is now clearly one of Family and Realm first ... a vision he intends to seize as one would expect of a Prince.
While the possibility that I am lying to you is foremost in your mind, I give you my word that I am not.
-- Eric, The Guns of Avalon
Jerod has a talent for biting off more than he can chew. When he gets the experience to back up his ambitions, he'll be formidable. I'd rather have him on my side than among the opposition.
-- Martin
[L]et us be direct because it is what I prefer.
-- Jerod
(Suzuka Oghu)
Played by Jennifer Jones
Misao is the child of Kimiko, Lady of Hikariguni, and the heir to that realm in due time. They were sired by Lucas, who taught them the basics of Trump before abandoning them and their mother as the war and disruptions prevented his easy return. Having been kidnapped and escaped from the Klybesians, Misao has stepped into the larger universe, but is still finding their place in it after discovering more about their father and mother.
Something seems to have affected the Trumps themselves, is what it is. And I never knew of anything that could do that.
Well, they are not guaranteed one hundred percent, according to the manufacturer.
-- Corwin and Random, Sign of the Unicorn
We have a saying in Hikariguni. Shigata ga nai. What can't be helped must be endured. We will get through this.
-- Misao
(Kim Rosendahl)
Played by Kris Fazzari
DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH
When Martin came of age, because he was of the blood of Amber, he determined to walk the Pattern. He is the only one of my people to have succeeded. Thereafter, he walked in Shadow and I have not seen him since.
-- Moire, Nine Princes in Amber
(Leonard Whiting)
Played by Olof Dahl
Your cousin Ossian arrived in Amber at the time of the Sundering. A Trump Artist and student of Brand, Ossian was initially met with suspicion, but committed himself to the Regency Council. Since the coronation, he has worked as an agent of Amber and Xanadu, and discovered much about his own history: that his parents were Brennan and the Valkyrie Regenlief, and that he was stolen at birth and put into an orphanage by the Klybesian Order, which he has committed himself to destroy.
...Dew, like drops of mercury on the finely sanded petals and stems in the garden by the walks...
-- Corwin, describing Tir, Sign of the Unicorn
Now, he's someone who might be dangerous if he put his mind to it, but in itself he's too focused on his artwork. Which is fortunate for him. I've noted that he seems to have a lack of some of the more basic moral aspects of life. It's why I consider him to be a potential Brand in the making
-- Jerod
I was trained by my grandfather. Although he probably was a competent sorceror, he didn't teach me that.
-- Ossian
Oh, and remind me to tell you about the volcano.
-- Random
(Christina Hendricks)
Played by Kris Kunkel
Your cousin Paige was deeply involved in the late war; she rescued her father, your Uncle Bleys from his fall off Kolvir, trained Merlin in the art of Trump, and served honorably on the Regency Council. Since the coronation, she has claimed the Wardenship of Broceliande, the great forest of Xanadu, where she raises her twin children by Daeon, and forges a force of Rangers from disparate refugees from Amber and incomers from Shadow. All the while she schemes how to save her children from their paternal ancestor: the great Dragon of Arden.
They were almost lifelike in appearance, the Greater Trumps ready to step right out through those glistening surfaces. The cards seemed quite cold to my touch, and it gave me a distinct pleasure to handle them.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
But I'm a dabbler. A bit of Trump, some probability tricks and shadow-shifting, making sacrifices to forest guardians in the spirit-realm. Anything to keep my hand in, but Father keeps reminding me that I don't excel at much of anything save making Trouble.
-- Paige
(Brooke Ence)
Played by Darren Hennessey
Penthelisea, known as Pen to her friends, was born to Myrina, a refugee who sought sanctuary in Pontus from Queen Thalestris. Despite the mystery of her birth and background, Pen has become a beloved sister among the Amazons: a helpful assistant, an encouraging friend, a strong competitor, and a leader who asks nothing of her warriors that she would not do herself. Having earned the Ironwood Bow of Dodonna for her bravery and leadership in stopping an invasion of Pontus, Pen proved her legendary strength by stringing it unaided. But the glory and honors Pen has earned are dimmed by the questions of why Myrina fled Pontus not long after Pen came of age and what Myrina has been running from.
There was that air of vitality about her which is attractive in ways different from mere comeliness.
-- Corwin, The Guns of Avalon
I'm so sorry. I've read about Kings before, of course, however, there have only been three that I've ever met. All were would-be invaders of my homeland. One was drowned in front of what was left of his army by my mother. Another was set aflame and catapulted over a cliff, also in front of his broken troops, by my Queen, and I personally shoved a spear through the skull of the third Conqueror-to-be, who succeeded in murdering many of my friends. I was enraged and did some things that I'm not proud of, and I was not myself for some time.
-- Pen.
(Sarah Connolly)
Played by Sarah Williams
Your cousin Raven disguised herself as a man to join the Royal Navy. During the war, her ship was lost and she assumed the captaincy to find her way home. Now entangled with the Royal family, she has learned that her father is almost certainly Conner, making her the least likely of the redheads, and that her mother Scarlett has had another son of the royal blood. With a native Amberite's suspicion of the royals, Raven is learning her place in a family that for the most part still doesn't know she's a woman.
We passed ghost fleets, the ships of Gerard, as we sailed--the Flying Dutchmen of this world--that world, and we knew we were coming near. We used them as reference points.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
Raven seems solid, but he's young. He's got first-order common sense.
-- Martin
How do you feel about having a daughter that's been passing as a man most of her life instead of a son?
-- Raven, to Conner
(Renee O'Connor)
Played by Leslie Lightfoot
Robin is the daughter of Ysabeau, raised by Julian among the Rangers as if she were his own. He trusted her with many dangerous missions, including investigating the Black Road -- a mission that left Robin's mind with troubles she still suffers from. But the love of her fair of firelizards and her cousin Vere keep her steady and anchored. Her first love is Arden, but her feelings for Vere pull her toward the family she otherwise fears.
... I'd had a head injury, and I was well aware of my own desires. The mind is a funny place. I do not even trust my own. Could it be that I had manufactured the whole business? A lot had happened since.
The price of being an Amberite, I suppose, is that you cannot even trust yourself.
-- Corwin, Sign of the Unicorn
Stupid men! Stupid words!
-- Robin
(Anya Taylor-Joy)
Played by Ian Ng
Rowen, daughter of Whisper-of-Death, was raised in the court of Count Vadis, with the Count as her foster-father in the absence of her mother. Having surpassed the children she grew up with, and even her brother Reynart, Rowen has come to maturity as an outsider at the court. Now she has learned that her late sister Cambina was more connected to the legendary realms of Amber and Rebma than she thought, and that she herself is kin to the deities and heroes she spent her childhood learning about.
I saw it happen, though only in shadow. They dropped to all fours and the moonlight played tricks with their gray garments. Then there were the six blazing eyes of our stalkers.
I impaled the first wolf on my silver blade and there was a human howl.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
(Tatiana Maslany)
Played by Simone Pharoah-Metcalfe
DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH
We were driving on a bare, dirt roadway through a cathedral of enormous trees. It seemed to go on forever and ever. I felt safe in the place.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
(Omar Sy)
Played by Scott "Stormy" Whitney
DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH
They were men with green hair, purple hair, and black hair, and all of them had eyes of green, save for one fellow whose were of a hazel color. All wore only scaled trunks and cloaks, cross-braces on their breasts, and short swords depending from sea-shell belts. All were pretty much lacking in body hair.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
(Lorena Andrea)
Played by Adam Easterday
DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH
So I shuffled and spread them all out before me In the proper manner. Then I read them, and I saw that bad things were in store for the entire family; and I gathered them all together then.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
(Emily Kavanaugh)
Played by Jason Fryer
Tricksey is the memory of Shadow Tyrell: not the gleaming spires of the elite but the lower city where the dregs live. A crow-girl, she remembers the stories of the abandoned, those who fell between the cracks, while having forgotten her own. Having found her way to Xanadu, she has learned she was the daughter of your cousin Daeon in his divine persona of Jethro, and seeks to learn more about her Amber parentage.
But I was feeling kind of funny. Most of these troops were destined to die. I was the agent responsible for much of this. I felt some remorse, though I knew the difference between Shadow and Substance. Each death would be a real death, though; however, I knew that also.
-- Corwin, Nine Princes in Amber
We gods. We mercurial. We mischief and mayhem. Vanity and venom... But what of those bound by time? Our reflections. Our waking dreams. Our walking desires? What price they pay? What Family do for them?
-- Tricksey
(Chris Hemsworth)
Played by James Myers
Your cousin Vere was raised a warrior prince in the Isles of the Dannan, homeland of his grandmother Queen Rilga, despite his wish for the life of a scholarly explorer. Now, with the Isles destroyed, he must find a cure for his father Gerard's lameness and help his beloved Robin end the war in Arden so they can settle together and build the life they desire.
I brought my emotions to heel. One by one, you must deal with those things that come to hand, I told myself. That is all. Divorce the feelings from the speculations, or at least provide for separate maintenance.
-- Random, Sign of the Unicorn
I call myself a son of Gerard, and yet the simple approach never occurred to me.
-- Vere