Tir-na Nog'th questions

[Otha]

(crossposted from the Amber mailing list)

Okay, so in preparation for the Phases of Tir-na Nog'th game, I'm
re-reading Corwin's visit to Tir and I notice a few things that seem,
on the face, inconsistent, or at least curious, and of which I have
(in my limited experience) seen little discussion:

1> Corwin says that visiting Tir is something that any Prince of Amber
with a problem is likely to do.

2> Corwin says that Greyswandir has power there because of a special
magic - it was forged on the steps on Kolvir.  He uses it to interact
with Tir's Lorraine, and of course in the fight with Benedict.

3> Corwin reacts strongly when he sees Lorraine embrace a figure whom
we can only assume is a phantasm of himself, and likewise he reacts
strongly when confronted with a phantasm of Deirdre.

Let's leave out the "Corwin is Lying" aspect, at least for the time being.

So this leads me to questions:

Do other Amberites have the ability to interact with the phantasms of
Tir-na Nog'th, via some other artifact or technique? Is the power that
Corwin has in Tir unique?

If Corwin's ability is unique, then when other Amberites visit Tir, is
it merely a picture show for them, something that they cannot interact
with, and as such is it any less valuable to them?

If Corwin's ability is not unique, then what methods might an Amberite
use to interact with the phantasms of Tir-na Nog'th?  Does Oberon
grant each of his children some method for interacting with the
phantasms of Tir-na Nog'th?  Only his most favored ones?

Why does Corwin react so strongly to the phantasms?  He knows,
certainly, that these are things not as they are, but as they might
have been.  Is he inexperienced in the ways of Tir-na Nog'th, that is,
has he visited but few times before?

I ask these questions not for definitive answers, but for what your
thoughts and ideas about what the answers might be.

[Crispy262]

Do other Amberites have the ability to interact with the phantasms of
Tir-na Nog'th, via some other artifact or technique? Is the power that
Corwin has in Tir unique?

If Corwin's ability is unique, then when other Amberites visit Tir, is
it merely a picture show for them, something that they cannot interact
with, and as such is it any less valuable to them?

If Corwin's ability is not unique, then what methods might an Amberite
use to interact with the phantasms of Tir-na Nog'th?  Does Oberon
grant each of his children some method for interacting with the
phantasms of Tir-na Nog'th?  Only his most favored ones?

Why does Corwin react so strongly to the phantasms?  He knows,
certainly, that these are things not as they are, but as they might
have been.  Is he inexperienced in the ways of Tir-na Nog'th, that is,
has he visited but few times before?

I always thought that in general the ghosts of Tir-na Nog'th could not interact with the Amberites and vice versa.  There was an exception of the Phantom Smith, who forged Corwin's blade.  The sword granted Corwin the ability to interact with the ghosts of Tir.

Even without being able to interact with the ghosts, Tir could still provide an Amberite with valuable clues of current events.  Since the realms mirror each other somewhat, there could be things revealed to someone by witnessing the picture show.

Corwin likely reacts strongly to them because he cares about the people involved.  Her loss seemed to have affected him greatly and it is possible he truly loved her.

I have used Tir similar to the Hall of Mirrors when I have GM'd games in the past.  Often there can be a clue found, but it is likely to be obscure or misinterpreted.

Just my $.02.