A few general notes - this writeup assumes one of the Broken Patterns closest to Amber has been walked. Should
the character have walked one further away, it is suggested additional Bad Stuff be taken, defined as the added
danger of the Dark Well. This can be noted on the character sheet by a seperate number, if desired. Only the imprint
of the Broken Pattern closest to Amber is retained, and, since the Broken Pattern draws power from the true version
in Amber, the initiate will not be unduly affected by destruction/assililation of the one that they walked.
Merlin and Jasra, talking about which Broken Patterns are traversable:
"They must degenerate from shadow to shadow. Where do you draw the line and say, 'Beyond this broken image
I will not risk breaking my neck'?"
"I see what you mean. You can work with perhaps the first nine. I've never gone farther out. The first
three are best. The circle of the next three is still manageable. The next three are a lot riskier."
The Broken Pattern gives a limited version of the Pattern's power over Shadow. Since the initiate walks the imperfection in the Broken Pattern, rather than the normal method of following the lines, the character also gains the imprint of the break, known as the Dark Well. This 'Flaw' is constantly present when the initiate is utilizing Broken Pattern. It shifts about, can appear anywhere at a moment's notice, and is as small as a hair-fine crack or as large as a chasm. To fall into it means death, and thus the initiate must remain vigilant. Avoiding this fate is one of the hazards of the art, though it is not a true danger as long as the proper precautions are taken.
Jasra, speaking of the Dark Well:
"The flaw in the Pattern. It follows you through Shadow. It is always there beside you as you travel, sometimes
as a hair-fine crack, sometimes a great chasm. It shifts about; it may appear suddenly, anywhere - a lapse in reality.
This is the hazard for those of the Broken Way. To fall into it is the final death."
Shadowwalking is done in the same fashion as Pattern, altering portions of the environment until the desired Shadow is reached. Travel is significantly slower than that of a Pattern initiate, mainly due to the care taken in its use. The Royal Way is possible, but largely useless, as the initiate cannot afford to relax while Shadowshifting. Hellriding is basically impossible, as the speeds involved leave little time to avoid the Flaw, should it appear.
Merlin and Jasra, speaking of Shadowwalking:
"And how do you travel among Shadows?"
"Much as you do - as I understand it," she said. "But the break is always with you."
Unlike normal Pattern, there is no sentience capable of filling in the gaps when searching for a poorly-defined target. Indeed, the flaw tends to lurk in these gaps, so it it very important for the initiate to be precise when searching for something, whether it be creature, item, or a Shadow of Desire. The Broken Pattern also has a limited range. Since it shares only a tenuous connection with the true Pattern, and no 'Primal' image of its own, the closest one can get to Amber is the shadow of the Broken Pattern that the initiate has walked. Reaching that shadow is, for the initiate, as difficult as reaching Amber itself.
The normal additional benefits of Shadowwalking with Pattern are limited, as well. Leading others slows the initiate, and the added concentration required distracts the initiate from watching for the Flaw, making Shadowwalking progressively more dangerous for each person led. Probability manipulation within a Shadow is beyond the reach of the initiate. Whether this is due to the Flaw or simply because the Broken Pattern is not truly sentient is unknown.
By concentrating on the image of the Broken Pattern, a defense can be manifested that strengthens the initiate's existence, protecting mind and body from hostile powers. This defense is nearly as strong as the one generated by the Pattern, but has a tendency to draw the Flaw, often requiring the initiate to lower the defense at undesirable moments.
Finally, contrary to Pattern Imprint, the Logrus has no special susceptability to Broken Pattern, producing a tingling sensation rather than a violent backlash when manifestations of the two powers touch. Thus, the initiate does not gain the protection from Logrus use that a full Pattern initiate has.
Merlin, using Logrus tentacles against Jasra's Broken Pattern tendrils:
They struck the yellow tendrils, casting them away to be thrown back upon their pattern. I felt a tingling sensation
in my forearms as this occurred.
An Adept of the Broken Pattern has gained a deeper understanding of the Flaw. Not only do they function more like traditional users of the Pattern, but they also have discovered some Logrus-like abilities. At this level of use, the Flaw is more of an inconvenience than a true threat, though it still is dangerous to the unwary or reckless.
Jasra, speaking of Julia:
"She learned to summon the image of the Broken Pattern and use it for magical sight and the hanging of
spells. She learned to draw raw power through the break in it. She learned to find her way through Shadow--"
Travel with the Broken Pattern becomes easier, approaching the standard travel rate of normal Pattern users, if not quite as fast. Hellriding becomes possible, although still dangerous. Where a normal Pattern user could be injured by one mistake, the Adept could be killed instantly by the Flaw. The Royal Way still requires vigilence, though the danger is minimized enough to use it in relative safety, at least for short trips.
Merlin and Jasra, speaking of the Way of the Broken Pattern:
"Sounds like something dangerous from the Amber end of Shadow."
"I can't fault your geography," she said. "But it is not all that dangerous if you know what
you're doing."
As the Adept knows the Broken Pattern to be drawing power from the true version, it is possible to travel even to Amber, focusing on the Broken Pattern as if it were whole. This is risky, as the Dark Well can spontaneously reappear at the most inconvenient of times, and thus travel must be undertaken slowly and with great care.
Merlin, speaking to Jasra:
"I understand what you are saying," I replied, "but you must realize that the broken Patterns
are drawing their power from the real one?"
Like the Logrus, the Adept can call up a lens, which can be used for magical sight and spotting other esoteric phenomena . This vision is accurate, but, like other uses of the Broken Pattern, must occasionally be discontinued in order to avoid the Flaw. The lens itself appears similar to that manifested by an advanced initiate of the Pattern, though it is somewhat cloudy and distorted. The lens can be used as a shield just as a Logrus lens can, though, as always, the Dark Well can be drawn to such an active use of the power, requiring the Adept to discontinue its use as inconvenient times.
Merlin, using Logrus against Jasra:
Then, using my right-hand extension as if it were a blade, I struck at the now-wavering pattern as if it were
a shield.
The lens can be used to 'rack' spells, as well, though this is not without its risks. The danger of the Dark Well lies in any spell racked on the Broken Pattern, a constant danger to the spellcasting Adept. To avoid this hazard, an extra lynchpin is put in place to check for the presence of the Flaw, and safely defuse the spell should it be present. A spell racked on the Broken Pattern will last several days, perhaps a week or two, before being corrupted in this fashion. Active use of the Broken Pattern tends to be the determining factor - the more the Adept uses their powers, the more likely it is that this will occur.
Merlin and Jasra, speaking of the flaw:
"It must lie within all your spells then also, like a booby trap."
"All occupations have their hazards," she said. "Avoiding them is part of the art."
Manipulatory energies similar to those manifested by the Logrus can be created by the Adept, and can be used for much of the same tasks. They appear as tendrils of smoke-shot yellow light to magical sight, and can remain hidden from normal sight until they are manifested physically. Unlike those used by a Logrus Master, the tendrils cannot search through Shadow, and are thus limited to the Adept's immediate vicinity. Note that since the Broken Pattern does not share Logrus' vulnerability to Pattern, it is in fact more useful against the royalty of Amber.
Merlin, being attacked by Broken Pattern tendrils:
There were four big ones, and they came on slowly, probing. When they were within several yards of me they halted,
gained slack, then struck like cobras.
© 1996-2001 Casey McGirt