Similar Merlin of Amber, Corwin of Amber, Ganelon, Oberon | ||
Dworkin Barimen is a fictional character in Roger Zelazny's The Chronicles of Amber, a fantasy book series.
Contents
Fictional biography
Dworkin hails from House Barimen in the Courts of Chaos. After obtaining the Left Eye of the Serpent of Chaos (what would eventually become The Jewel of Judgment) through methods unknown, he fled into Shadow and met the Unicorn of Order. With her help and using the Eye, he inscribed the Primal Pattern, giving form to Amber. Oberon, first king of Amber, is reportedly the child of Dworkin and the Unicorn.
Children
In the Dawn of Amber series, many of Dworkin's other children are introduced:
Role in stories
Throughout the ages, Dworkin stayed in court as an advisor and teacher of the power of Trumps, with frequent absences to places unknown. His students include some of Oberon’s many children: Bleys, Brand, and Fiona.
When the Primal Pattern of Amber was damaged, Dworkin went mad, since the pattern was a reflection of his own mind. He proposed the destruction of the Pattern (and thus, Amber and all the shadow alternate realities it cast) and then to create a new undamaged one. Deemed to be dangerous and unstable, he was imprisoned by his son, Oberon. At least, that was the intent; Dworkin proved quite capable of leaving his prison. During Corwin’s imprisonment in the Amber dungeons, Dworkin helped Corwin escape using a Trump of Cabra Lighthouse he drew on the dungeon wall.
In popular culture
Computer programmer Felix Croes uses "Dworkin" as a pseudonym, referring to Dworkin Barimen, and named his MUD software platform Dworkin's Game Driver.