Shannon (250 pt version)

For a lady who spends so much time in the Castle Library, the bookish and quiet Shannon seems to have an amazing penchant for turning up in the wrong place at the right time. Never at the center of the action, she often is seen in passing along the periphery, fading in an almost dreamlike fashion before becoming deeply embroiled in the schemes of her Elders and cousins. Is it just chance, or is there some design in her comings and goings? She appears to be a child-woman filled with wonder at the magic of everything, but there may be more than meets the eye. . .

" I looked at Kyle. 'I think we should head toward their Pattern,' I tapped the spot on the map, 'and see whether this courtyard is consumed by the nothingness." I gave him a wan smile. "It is magical after all.'"

Current Objectives: Shannon is more than she seems, much more. Her seemingly chance comings and goings are not chance at all. She is seen in the library, associated with mirrors, and in several dream segues throughout the Strange Bedfellows chronicles and the supporting stories by her creator, Sarah. It's no great leap to see her as Amber's ultimate voyeur, with several stealthy abilities related to her hallmark habitations. This version shows us her true strengths, the arts of subterfuge and observation. Shannon is, in reality, a skilled and subtle master of Trump and Dream Walking, as well as Mirror Magic, with an impressive Psyche to back up her talents. Oh, and let's not forget a bit of Warfare for those occasions when a well placed dagger is more suited to the occasion, a page taken from her mother's book, it would seem.

" I bent down and slid the dagger from it's sheath. I moved quickly forward, hitting Lorius with a solid blow in the chest before he could react."

Shannon currently seeks knowledge, and on a subconscious level, happiness. Fully half of her dreamy state, her stares into the distance are borne of sorrow. (The rest are naturally to keep tabs on her surveillances.) She's torn between an desire to fit in, even though it be by vicarious observation--afraid to get close to someone again after her sad experiences with shadow folk. (cf., Tyler, "Not Enough Love"), and her thirst for knowledge. Even Shannon may not know her ultimate goal, but she fully intends to be prepared to seize the opportunity when she defines that goal.

"The place was called Lumia, which, oddly enough, had been the name of my anatomy teacher in medical school. The people were virtually infertile, ageless, and peaceful. The time flow had been manipulated to incredible extents, making it possible for little time to pass in Amber while I dined and danced here."

--"Not Enough Love"

Lumia is Shannon's Shadow retreat. Long unused due to painful memories of time manipulation gone awry, it may yet figure in her plans. The Shadow is paid for with her three points of Bad Stuff, which represents the sad side of her nature.

Shannon as a Player in the Amber Court: Shannon does not really seem to be the type to engage in court games of intrigue, but she is not at all unarmed for the contingency. Her resourcefulness and vast stores of information may prove her to be quite a deadly adversary in the Family Game, much more the Queen than the Pawn she seems.

Constant Allies and Enemies: Shannon has often been seen in the company of Kyle, her constant companion of late. That would come as no surprise to anyone who knew that she was the Dream Master who led Kyle to the Broken Pattern, bringing him into Amber, for no other reason than that he was Brand's son, and may be of interest. What may develop between them is a subject of much gossip, and echoes of "Corwin and Deirdre" are heard in the Castle halls. Should Kyle learn of her part in his mother's death, intentional or not, those whispers would undoubtedly have cause to end. Shannon also has an unusual relationship with her stalker and childhood tormentor, Tyler, who was recently caught near the Primal Pattern by no less a personage than Benedict, and summarily lobotomized by Kyle.

Shannon as a Mother: Any child of Shannon's will be loved. And likely so overprotected as to feel somewhat stifled by adolescence, but will be raised with a healthy respect for the magic of the universe, and a reverence for the Pattern and its kin. In all likelihood, such a child would have one of the various Patterns, or more, as a rather eccentric uncle. Life might be quite strange for a child of Shannon, and filled with wonder.

Tips for Role-playing Shannon: Retain a sense of wonder. Never act jaded. Claim to have little experience in martial matters while sliding the tip of your dagger between unsuspecting ribs. Avoid Mother. Take time to stare off into space every now and then, and pass notes to the GM for updates on your spy activities. And always, always Act Innocent.

Shannon, Voyeur Librarian (250 pt version)