Much like the Feylost are wanderers from the Feywild, you as a Shadowlost are an escapee from the Shadowfell. Perhaps you were a servant of the Raven Queen, sent out into the Material Plane to do her bidding. You could be from Barovia, pledging a life debt to the Vistani in return for them escorting you out of the Mists. Or maybe you are a former Darklord, depowered and rapidly losing grip on your memories. Whatever the case, you have spent a significant portion of your life surrounded by darkness, and the deepest part of you knows that it wants to take you back.
- Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation and Survival
- Tool Proficiencies: Thieves' Tools
- Languages: One of your choice of Undercommon, Infernal, Abyssal, or Deep Speech
- Equipment: Thieves' tools, three trinkets (each determined by rolling on the Horror Trinkets table), a set of traveler's clothes, and a pouch containing 8gp
Shadowfell Visitor
Whenever you're sound asleep or in a deep trance during a long rest, a spirit of the Shadowfell might pay you a visit, if the DM wishes it. Determine the spirit's form by rolling on the Shadowfell Visitor table. No harm ever comes to you as a result of such visits, which can last for minutes or hours, and you remember each visit when you wake up. Conversations that occur with a visitor can contain any number of things, from messages and insights to nonsense and red herrings, at the DM's discretion. Such conversations are always conducted in a language you can understand, even if the Shadowfell Visitor can't speaking that language normally.
| d8 |
Shadowfell Visitor |
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1
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Shadar-Kai
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2
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Vistana
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3
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Ghost
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4
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Lycanthrope
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5
|
Hag
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6
|
Vampire
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7
|
Lich
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8
|
Shadow Dragon
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Feature: Fire-Forged Family
The Shadowfell is a notoriously harrowing place, but you are not the only one to survive it. Even across different Domains of Dread, the experiences are universal, and bonds are formed and strengthened by adversity. Shadowfell natives see you as one of their own, and are less likely to be hostile towards you (unless you give them reason to be). In fact, if you are kind to them, they may even try to protect and aid you.
Suggested Characteristics
Due to the hardships your people have endured, you are likely a hardened veteran. If you are outside of the Shadowfell, you are probably unprepared for kindness and lightness, as you have always had reason to expect the worst. Above all, however, is your refusal to be dragged back to whence you came.
| d8 |
Personality Trait |
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1
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Sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, I feel like I can see someone staring at me. When I turn around, however, nobody's there.
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2
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I can't allow myself to stay in one place for too long. They might find me if I do.
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3
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I don't cry. No one can see me cry. Crying is weakness. Crying could get me killed.
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4
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I've been told that I'm too cynical, that I make every room a little bit darker. That's fine by me--it keeps me safe.
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5
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I grew up too fast, so whenever I see children, I try to give them the light I never had.
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6
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I tend to be unchanging in my ideas. If any idea of mine were bad, it would've been beaten out of me a long time ago.
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7
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I tend to have an innate sense for knowing when something bad is about to happen. No matter how minor that bad thing is, I'm always proven right.
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8
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I'm desperate--if I think for even a moment that I can trust you, I'll throw myself at you.
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| d6 |
Ideal |
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1
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Code--In a ruthless world, you live by your code to keep yourself sane. Betray that, and you lose who you are. That won't be me. (Lawful)
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2
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Freedom--Now that I'm out of that hellhole, I'm not letting anyone hold me back. Not now, not ever again. (Chaotic)
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3
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Redemption--The Shadowfell is a horrible place that forces good people to do horrible things to survive. Now that I've escaped, I can finally be a hero. (Good)
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4
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Hopelessness--I don't know if I have a soul or not, but if I do have one, it's surely damned. It's better not to care anymore, so I don't get hurt. (Evil)
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5
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Silence--I've spent my life under the constant bickering of Darklords, never knowing if I'd wake up to my village being burned. Ideals are good, but don't let them hurt anyone. (Neutral)
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6
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Refuge--If the Dark Powers want to drag me back to the Shadowfell...well, I ain't going down without a fight. (Any)
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| d6 |
Bond |
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1
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Every contract has fine print. I never agree to anything unless I'm absolutely sure it won't bite me in the ass.
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2
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I've spent my entire life around dark, unholy magics. As off-putting as they are to others, for me? They feel like home.
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3
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Where I'm from, what was considered "natural" completely depended on what Domain you were in. I'll always relate more to the unnatural.
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4
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Whenever I meet someone else from the Shadowfell, I'm caught between running for the hills and pledging my life to them.
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5
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Most people here find it strange that I still pay homage to the Dark Powers and the Vestiges. Trust me--by doing it, I'm protecting you.
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6
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I escaped by briefly hijacking the Dark Carnival. Even though I've left, my body is still Twisted from my time there.
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| d6 |
Flaw |
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1
|
By escaping the Shadowfell, I have done what Darklords cannot. I am a golden god!
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2
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What? Me, a hoarder. Of course not! You just never know when you might need that moldy hardtack!
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3
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I never forget my enemies. I may forget why they angered me--that happens pretty often, actually--but I never let go of my rage.
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4
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I've been told that I'm a bit of a doormat, but I don't mind. When a Darklord rules your home, the only way to survive is to obey without asking questions.
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5
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I used to be addicted to a substance that took away my nightmares. Now that I'm out of the Shadowfell, I'm looking for something--anything--to fill that void.
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6
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I am unchanging in my opinions. I do not take any decision lightly, so if I have decided it is so, it must be.
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