Shadar-kai

Shadar-kai, also known as shadow fey, were a race of shadow-like humanoids connected to the Plane of Shadow.

Description
Shadar-kai were humanoid and usually slightly taller than average humans. They had gray skin and dark eyes. Shadows on their bodies or clothing always seemed to be deeper and darker than shadows elsewhere. Many shadar-kai carried body piercings and tattoos.

Shadar-kai were subject to the "Shadow Curse": When shadar-kai were stunned or knocked unconscious, part of their soul was sent back to the Plane of Shadow. A shadar-kai missing parts of his or her soul was weakened. The curse made shadar-kai bitter and prevented many from staying on the Prime Material Plane. The Shadow Curse could be prevented by a gal-ralan, an iron armband with needles that kept the the shadar-kai's soul and body connected but also caused constant pain.

Shadar-kai on the Prime Material Plane often carried blackstone runes, which allowed the bearer to plane shift to and from the Plane of Shadow and the Prime Material Plane.

Personality
Because of their belief systems, shadar-kai generally had no fear of death. Most shadar-kai believed that their death was foretold and impossible to change. Shadar-kai were often seen as cold and pitiless to outsiders. They generally detested other fey.

Society
Shadar-kai lived in settlements in the Shadowfell, where their society was meritocratic and based on power and prestige of deeds.

Combat
Shadar-kai preferred to use their speed and agility in combat. Therefore, they typically wielded light weapons and were particularly known for fighting with spiked chains. Spellcasters typically favored shadow magic and illusion spells. Shadar-kai were skilled at sneak attacks and were often able to hide in plain sight.

Shadar-kai used their ability to shadow jaunt in order to teleport a short distance away. When they did this, they reappeared in a (temporarily) wraithlike state.

History
According to one origin theory, the shadar-kai were always adept in shadow magic. Long ago, they made a pact with powers in the Plane of Shadow in order to become the supreme race. They failed, however, but became inextricably connected to the Plane of Shadow.

According to another theory, shadar-kai were in fact the result of the Spellplague, which transformed some Netherese or the children they gave birth to into shadelike creatures. These creatures were called shadar-kai and were considered a miracle from Shar. Prince Rivalen Tanthul even devised a ritual to change a human into a shadar-kai.

Locations
The largest settlement of shadar-kai in Faerûn lived in Ikemmu in the Underdark. Shadar-kai made up nearly half of the slaves in Chaulssin and were also found in Gloomwrought.

Notable shadar-kai

 * Ashok
 * Chanoch
 * Cree
 * Ilvani
 * Natan
 * Sithierel
 * Skagi
 * Thieraven
 * Traedis
 * Uwan
 * Vedoran

Appearances

 * Novels:
 * The Captive Flame
 * Unbroken Chain
 * Unbroken Chain: The Darker Road
 * The Adversary
 * Brimstone Angels: Lesser Evils
 * Sword of the Gods: Spinner of Lies


 * Adventures:
 * Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave


 * Computer games:
 * Neverwinter
 * Dungeons & Dragons Online™: Shadowfell Conspiracy™