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: Choose 2:  Deception, Intimidation, Perception, Stealth, Survival.

Tool Proficiencies: Choose 1:  Disguise Kit,  Herbalism Kit, or Poisoner's Kit.

Languages: Undercommon.

Equipment: A set of traveler's clothes, a dagger, a transparent clyinder of shadow with no opening, a pouch containing 10 gp, and one of: Disguise Kit,  Herbalism Kit, or Poisoner's Kit.

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
1	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.
2	I can't allow myself to stay in one place for too long. They might find me if I do.
3	I don't cry. No one can see me cry. Crying is weakness. Crying could get me killed.
4	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.
5	I grew up too fast, so whenever I see children, I try to give them the light I never had.
6	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.
7	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.
8	I'm desperate: if I think for even a moment that I can trust you, I'll throw myself at you.

d6	Ideal
1	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)
2	Freedom. Now that I'm out of that hellhole, I'm not letting anyone hold me back. Not now, not ever again. (Chaotic)
3	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)
4	Nihilism. 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)
5	Silence. I've spent my life never knowing if I'd wake up to my village being burned. Ideals are good, but don't let them hurt anyone. (Neutral)
6	Refuge. If someone wants to drag me back to the Shadowfell... well, I won't go down without a fight. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	Every contract has fine print. I never agree to anything unless I'm absolutely sure it won't bite me in the ass.
2	I've spent my entire life around dark, unholy magics. As off-putting as they are to others, I have to learn as much about them as I can.
3	Where I'm from, what was considered "natural" completely depended on what Domain you were in. I must find a place to call home.
4	I will do anything to avoid contact with denizens of the Shadowfell.
5	No matter how off-putting it may be, I will never stop paying homage to the Dark Powers. It is necessary for the safety of all.
6	I escaped by hitching a ride with the Dark Carnival and that incurred a debt I must repay quickly.

d6	Flaw
1	By escaping the Shadowfell, I have done what Darklords cannot. I am a golden god!
2	I hold on to things long past usefulness. You just never know when you might need that moldy hardtack.
3	I never forget my enemies. I may forget why they angered me, but I never let go of my rage.
4	I'm a bit of a doormat. When a Darklord rules your home, the only way to survive is to obey without asking questions.
5	I had an addiction that took away my nightmares. Now that I'm out of the Shadowfell, I'm looking for anything to fill that void.
6	I do not take any decision lightly, so if I have decided it is so, it must be.