Foreign Affairs and the Golden Circle

Foreign Affairs

Amber maintains diplomatic relations with dozens of nations in a variety of shadows. The Golden Circle is composed of Amber's closed and most vital allies. Amber's economy depends heavily on trade, and Amber's role as a center of banking and finance give many nations an interest in Amber's stability. This situation gives Amber an interest in the internal workings of many nations, and give many nations an interest in the internal workings of Amber. Amber's senior diplomats are generally members of the nobility, though in practice this is not a product of classism in the Amber's diplomatic corps. While it is natural that scions of nobility may enjoy better educational opportunities that make them better diplomats, it is also true the promising junior diplomats who lack noble status may be knighted as part of being promoted in senior diplomatic positions.

Amber's diplomatic relationships require constant maintenance, and Amber employs a large corp of diplomats. The diversity of ethnic, economic, religious, and social interests with which Amber's diplomats deal ensure that there is almost always at least two or three hot spots Amber's foreign ministry is watching.

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is still in the process of being rebuilt after the Patternfall War. Golden Circle kingdoms who have the patronage of surviving Princes and Princesses got priority when it came to restoring shadow paths. Historically, shadows were admitted into Golden Circle arrangements upon being sponsored (“discovered”) by a Prince or Princess of Amber, and after successful negotiation with the Crown. Princes and Princesses who sponsored given realms were responsible for constructing the shadow path to that Shadow, and received a small portion of the taxes levied on trade coming through that route.