*A book be found in the academy library. Open and unfinished, the book is available for anyone in the academy to see*


On The Shadowplane, Shadowdancing, Shades, and Shadovar

Question: What is the Shadow Plane?

“It is the toxic plane of darkness and power. It is the hidden place that hates the light. It is the frontier of worlds unknown” (Manual of Planes, 60)

The Plane of Shadow is a dimly lit plane that, for the most part, resembles and overlaps the Material Plane. It shares many of the same traits as the Material Plane, but also has some distinctive differences. The shadow plane is an infinite place of low light, devoid of color, and ever shifting. The plane does not lean one way or another in favor of one element, but rather enhances spells of darkness, or of shadow origin, and suppresses light based or effect spells. Despite having these characteristics, the Shadow Plane contains a number of inhabitants, both humanoid, undead, and plant life. (Manual of Planes, 59-60)

Distortion Effect – While the Shadow Plane closely resembles the Material Plane, terrain features are distorted and shuffled from the way they would be viewed on the Material Plane. A person traveling to a specific spot on the Shadow Plane would see a dark version of the place they left on the Material Plane but the landscape would quickly change more drastically as they left their point of entry. (Manual of Planes, 63)

Toxicity Effect - Unlike the Ethereal Plane or the Astral Plane, the Plan of Shadow contains sufficient food to sustain inhabitants.The food, however, is typically dark and/or dripping with black blood. The water is ichorous and thick and standing water is often poisoned beyond potability. The essence of the plane is toxic to non-natives but inhabiting the plane for several years does not pose a threat. However, if one inhabits the plane for several decades, the person or creature begins to subtly change, adopting certain abilities and vulnerabilities, to adapt to their new environment. (Manual of Planes, 62)

The Darklands – There are certain areas in the Shadowplane where the darkness exceeds that of simple shade or lack of light. These areas are known as the Darklands and are areas infused with negative energy. It is undetermined what the source of this negative energy is, some believe it either bleeds over from the Negative Energy Plane, or gathers as a result of beings of negative energy residing in these areas. These areas sap travelers of their strength but are easily identified and avoided. (Manual of Planes, 64)

The Legend of the Shining Citadel – This legend contends that the Shadowplane was artificially created by an ancient creature with the power of a deity. Once only a demi-plane, the Plane of Shadow now has at its center an enormous citadel of color and light. To power this citadel, followers of the creator sap the light, color, and life of the rest of reality. This is what has created the current state of the Plane of Shadow. None have ever found The Citadel but those who never return from voyages deep into the plane are said to have found it. (Manual of Planes, 64)

Question: How do I travel to the Shadow Plane?

Vortexes – The way to reach the Shadow Plane that requires the least amount of skill or foreknowledge would be to find a vortex that connects the Material Plane to the Shadow Plane. The vortices spawn randomly in places of shade on the Material plane and typically last upwards of six days before fading away. However, some vortexes have been known to naturally, or with help, become stabilized and become actively traveled gateways to and from the two planes. These vortexes are the base for the spells known as Shadowstep (similar to Shadow Walk). (Manual of Planes 60-61)

Shadowstep – Shadowstep is a spell used by Shadowdancers to travel from a shaded area in the Material Plane to the Shadow Plane which is then traversed for a distance and the traveler is recalled back to a shaded area in the Material Plane. (Fun facts, while appearing to be instantaneous, traveling the Shadow Plane in such a manner presents a normal speed of 42MPH on the Material Plane) While this spells is incredibly useful, there are certain restrictions that apply to its usage. (Manual of Planes, 60-62)

One can only Shadowstep:

In a straight line

From one observed (in your field of vision) location to another

Out of a shadow, other than your own, of which the surface area is at least half of your own surface area, into another shadow meeting the same requirement

Through open air, not passing through any objects

From the Material plane, to the Shadow Plane, back to the Material Plane (it, for all purposes, cannot be initiated while on the Shadow Plane)

And lastly, you have the skill (taught) to control the jump

A novice will find that he/she can only initiate so many jumps as compared to a master who can jump greater distances and more timers per day. Shadowstep requires a fair deal of knowledge of the working of shadow and therefore is only observed being used by Intermediate or Master classed Shadowdancers. If any of the conditions mentioned above are not met, the jump will most likely end in death.

Question: What is a ShadowDancer?

“Operating in the border between light and darkness, shadowdancers are artists of deception. They are mysterious and unknown, never completely trusted but always inducing wonder when met.

Rogues, bards, and monks make excellent shadowdancers. Fighter, barbarians, rangers, and paladins also find that shadowdancer abilities allow them to strike at their opponents with surprise and skill. Wizard, sorcerer, cleric, and druid shadowdancers employ the defensive capabilities inherent in the prestige class to allow them to cast their spells from safety and move away quickly. Despite their link with shadows and trickery, shadowdancers are as often good as evil.

Shadowdancers often work in troupes, never staying in on place too long. Some use their abilities to entertain. Others operate as thieves, using their abilities to infiltrate past defenses and dupe others. All shadowdancer troupes maintain an aura of mystery among the common folk, who never know whether to think well or ill of them.” (Dungeon Master’s Guide, 194-195)

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Characters:

Fel'Brin - I am one with the shadows

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Guys I play:
Finng Meras
Joshua Steel
Daniel Makie
Celub Elubmiire
Tristan
Len'ionel