Paradox Logic

A. LIR
Of the peers of Dworkin, none has influenced the course of Amber than Lir. Lir is regarded as the father of Rebma and lord of the Mirrorrealm. From a drop of venom from the Serpent of Chaos were the Mirrors of Lir created, two perfectly aligned Mirrors from which an infinity of mirrors and reflections were created. The Mirrors of Lir lie hidden within the Corridor of Mirrors, and is the source of the power of Paradox Logic.

It has come to light recently that Rebma is actually two cities, each as ephemeral as Tir-na Nog'th. One appears at high tide, and the other at low tide, and in alternation they sustain the Rebmans. With the destruction of one of the Mirrors of Lir, the balance was disrupted, until a new Mirror was recreated. It was also suspected that Paradox Logic may be the key to parallel universes and time travel, though Lir guards the truth.

Of Lir's children, two family branches arose: the Rebman royalty and the Shroudlings.

His known Rebman children: Moins, Moire and Faiella.
His known Shroudling children: Madoc and Rorschach.
Clarissa was revealed to be a future Shroudling descendant of Lir's blood, her real name being Carol (yes, THAT Carol) Lisa Dodgson, daughter of Lewis Carroll. Her future son Matthias by Rinaldo is also a Shroudling. (And that is just the tip of the twisted genealogy iceberg...)

B. SHROUDLINGS
Shroudlings inhabit the Mirrorworld. Their race has been confused with vampires, because of their retractable fangs and their taste for humanoid flesh. However, only those that are evil at heart need to fear their appetites. Shroudlings also have a tendency to adopt a 'pet' humanoid, watching over them from mirrors and reflective surfaces. Some believe it is part and parcel with their understanding of Paradox Logic: the 'pet' is a psychological and emotional mirror that feeds and sustains their The powers of a Shroudling include High Compelling (as per Shadow Knight), which is expressed through their songs to affect others. Most commonly, the haunting songs are used to lull creatures to sleep. They often combine their songs to increase the effect. The other significant power of Shroudlings is their access to the Mirrorrealm through Paradox Logic.

There are many families of Shroudlings. Shroudlings prefer to find mates of the opposite gender among humanoids. Some 'pets' become parents for Shroudling children. Rumours of similarities between praying mantis mating rituals and Shroudling mating rituals are casually dismissed by the Shroudlings.

By nature, Shroudlings are secretive, and will not open the way to the Mirrorrealm for outsiders, since Paradox Logic may be learned by non- Shroudlings, if their mind is quick enough to comprehend the complex mathematics needed to comprehend the mirror equations. The natural enemy of Shroudlings is the Guisel, a race of nearly unkillable creatures that stalk Shroudlings in the Mirrorrealm.

C. THE MIRRORWORLD
Also known as the Realm beyond Reflection, the Mirrorrealm, and other names, one can access the Mirrorworld only with knowledge of Paradox Logic. Once they have understood the mirror equations, they can step through the reflection to the Mirrorworld. Advanced Paradox Logic means that the equations have actually been solved, and a whole new set of powers becomes available to the Paradox Logician. The Reflections are sometimes referred to as Fractal Shadows, but some Paradox Logicians disagree on this point.

The Mirrorworld is an ever-changing matrix of Reflections that are linked together by curves and fractures that one may traverse. Theoretically, one may travel to any other Reflection if they know the proper curves. A journey with curves is faster than a Hellride, taking no more than an hour to go from any one Reflection to another. Again, experience and skill may cut down the travel time. There are also curves and lines that cannot be found unless one knows Advanced Paradox Logic.

Theoretically, a person brought to the mirrorrealm could travel the curves on his own, but they are unable to predict where they end up.

Reflections are analogous to Shadows. However, the composition of any Reflection is whatever is reflected in the generating mirror. Even that has restrictions. An object or location must be reflected within the reflective surface for at least one hour WITHOUT MOVING before it is duplicated. The object will slowly increase in tangibility. It loses its coherence over an hour as soon as the object moves, or if the mirror itself is moved or destroyed. Thus, people are rarely recreated in a Reflection. The Reflected objects may be moved about within the Reflection, but once they are removed from the Reflection (into the real world) or into another reflection, they begin losing tangibility as well. Powers and intelligence are not duplicated, only external form, and of course, the Reflected object is reversed.

Paradox Logic may be used to open a gateway through the generating mirror. However, the aperture is limited to the physical size of the mirror. Objects passing through a mirror retain their velocity. Once opened, a mirror does not close of its own accord and must be shut. Scrying through a mirror does not include an audio component, unless the mirror is open. Bad reflective surfaces provide hazardous Reflections and gateways. Gateways are always bypassable from inside the Reflection into the outside world, unless LOCKED by an Advanced Paradox Logician.

While the mirror is closed, few powers can reach in through to the Reflection. Physical attacks may destroy the portal. Mental attacks and Trump contact is severely limited. Pattern may be used within a Reflection but not through a mirror, though a Pattern Lens will be able to scry into a Reflection. Logrus can reach out of a Reflection, but not into a Reflection. Logrus may be used to scry into a Reflection as well. For specific powers of Paradox Logic, see below.

D. NEW CHARACTER CREATION OPTIONS
Shroudling Devotee [5 pts]
Not necessarily a blood connection, but such a connection is possible. A Shroudling has a fascination with the character, and will manipulate events to save a character. There may be a Shroudling keeping track of the character at all times. A blood connection is required for Advanced Paradox Logic. It is almost impossible to ferret out the identity of your Shroudling devotee.
Paradox Logic [35 pts]
The important attribute for Paradox Logic is Warfare (cunning to unravel the complex equations). Anyone can learn Paradox Logic, without the blood of Shroudlings. However, Advanced Paradox Logic requires Shroudling blood, since there are curves only perceptible to Shroudlings.
Gateways
One may open a reflective surface to enter a Reflection, and close it to entry. However, locking Gateways against egress is only available to Advanced Paradox Logicians.
Peering
You may see into first-level curves to adjacent Reflections. Second- level curves are imperceptible at this level, limiting your speed of travel. Journeys take typically 30-60 minutes from any place to any other place. First-time journeys take the maximum time. You may also see into reality from within a Reflection. Since few magics that don't incorporate Paradox equations into them can penetrate into a closed Gateway, you can get such defense.
Mirror Scrying
Mirror, mirror, on the wall...if you seek something or someone, you may try a Scrying with a reflective surface. Or, if you require an answer to a question, try this instead of a Trump Scrying. Both are rather vague ways of finding out information, but at least you can get a visual.
Advanced Paradox Logic [65 pts]
You must have Shroudling blood, or have Advanced Shape-Shifting to emulate Shroudling physiology. Psyche becomes more important. It also becomes important for you to have a Familiar (aka 'pet'), to concentrate your powers.
Gateway Locking
You can now prevent egress through gateways from inside a Reflection. Other Shroudlings may attempt to unlock, but they are pitted against your Warfare, since they have to unravel your lock equations.
Higher Curves
You now have access to higher-level curves and tangents, enabling faster travel through Reflections. You can now see through second-level curves. Might there be even higher-level curves? Hmm...
Familiar
You establish a great bond with a Familiar. You may find the closest Gateway to the Familiar through intuition. The Familiar enables you to endure certain Paradox effects that would otherwise slowly drive you mad (or worse). Any intelligent humanoid may serve as a Familiar.
Tesseract Equation
You can now generate a Tesseract Equation that can reflect physical and magical energies back to their source after sending them through a minor, artificial Reflection loop. However, this Equation must be generated in a like manner to Pattern Lenses and Logrus. It is generated at the same speed as a Pattern Lens. It defends against intrusions of Pattern, Logrus, and Magic, but Logrus may reach around the shield, which is the size of a man-sized mirror. It must be directed towards the attack, and the attack must be intercepted. It takes a lot of concentration to keep the Tesseract Equation in mind, and is no defense against mental attacks. Psyche and Endurance deter- mine the duration.
Preservation
Objects obtained as Reflections will now last as long as you maintain them. It takes the same effort as maintaining hung spells.
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