In my 2nd campaign I had a NPC - Felina (not her true name) that was Guardian of the Forest Nedra (?titeg) I'm sure I'm not the only one to come up w/ that, however, to add flavor to the Amber world it should be populated by it's Dukes, dutchesses, Barons, high ranking clergy, etc. However I have it as if it is like Asgard, unobtainable unless the routes of shadow were known, guided through, or one of the power had the ability to do so. Forest Nedra simply continues past Arden, but is NOT part of Amber proper or it's central 'essence', it is a vast Shadow just adjacent to it. Also across the waters, just adjacent to Port Amber, I have a realm which is in the Golden Circle i created to be like a city of heroes. Conan, Zelliger, Aragorn, Thor, Whatever god-like beings/epic heroes want to can go there and have fun, drink, be merry, (Where's Mary?) adventure near-by, or get hired out, plot-threads abound. (ala D&D style). If you picture (as stated above in the other post) that Amber is inaccessible except for those ALLOWED or those WHO CAN, it doesn't matter how close you get to it. It's rules of travel allow for one extremely strong defense.
I came across a sourcebook for Llankmarr (AD&D) w/an awesome map and great ideas. this is the port city of the gods/heroes that I encorporated in it.
It has an awesome blank city map that you can fill in the blanks and use for reference. It also gives Amberites a nearby place (under the golden realm rules and loyal to Amber - but peopled w/the occasional NPC that may floor your lower to mid level PC) - (as many have thought, CAN Thor travel shadow? is he tough here AND there?) Yes in my campaign, and a horde or so of others throughout Shadow that would rather go to the 'order' side of things to adventure than Chaos.
Though it may shock & dismay your Amberite to get roundhouse kicked through a tavern wall, (depending on comparative stats) by some non-Amberite... it may fit the story better to know it was done by some NPC who turned out to be some epic Beowulf type. Doesn't mean he's better. Means he's a challenge, what's wrong? scared?
OK...
anyone want my list of Amber Noble Houses and breakdowns?
look for my Chaos houses posted in the Chaos thread. (Likewise I use the Stormbringer sourcebook for the part of the Chaos Black Zone.
(Man, I miss playing... come-on Chicago Amberites... where are you?
!!!!