Homebrew Shadar-Kai Race Details

Cold of heart and dark of eye, passion burns still within these people of shadow and deep winter.

Shadar-kai, also known as shadow fey, are a race of human-like fey connected to the Shadowfell; long ages spent there have shaped them into a zealous, harsh people. They see themselves as agents of the Raven Queen and bringers of the righteous end to complacency, stagnation, and life itself. Lore of the “shadow curse” propels them to combat the apathy and gloom of their home plane with a passion that most would identify as grim, even cruel. Embracing strong emotions and peak experiences, they use pain to keep their focus. Among shadar-kai, the strong of body and mind excel and become legends, the weak molder to dust, passing into eternity unremembered.

Shrouded in Shadow

Wraith-like, the shadar-kai seem to draw in shadows around their lithe builds, standing slightly shorter than humans. Their complexion ranges from alabaster to dark gray with eyes that are black and lustrous, lacking any white or clear pupil. Their similarly drab or raven black hair is often died and worn in a variety of elaborate styles. While dull in appearance, they like clothing, jewelry, and weapons that are dark and exotic, decorated with splashes of bright color. They are usually found with tattoos, piercings, and scarification, covering their entire bodies.

Shadows Striving for Legend

The Shadowfell saps living creatures of creativity and the will to live. Not immune to this depression, lore of a shadow curse that drains the will to live and fills the hearts with melancholy and utter sadness is pervasive throughout shadar-kai society. It is believed that those who are overtaken by or who voluntarily surrender to the ennui curse are transformed into shadow-like undead horrors. When such a shadar-kai dies, their bodies are transformed instead into a wraith, while their souls are doomed to be lost in the dark depths of the Shadowfell forever.

To combat the curse, shadar-kai embrace living with gusto, the limits of pleasure and pain distracting them from their dreary surroundings. They welcome difficult tasks, as well as physical and emotional extremes, as a way of life. They learn to channel the darkness around them rather than allowing that darkness to consume them. This struggle defines them as a people and influences every aspect of their culture. These practices, told to be born out of necessity, became traditions over countless generations.

Out of the power and prestige of great deeds, shadar-kai society is meritocratic and a study in pushing boundaries, seen as cruel and pitiless to outsiders. Because of this and their devotion to the Raven Queen, shadar-kai generally have no fear of death, most believing their death is foretold and impossible to change. Their love of battle is so great that they spend most of their time training, sparring, and in search for personal glory so that when they fall, stories of their great deeds will grant them a form of immortality. They ignore comfort and safety, which they consider banalities, continuing to fight even if they are on the verge of death. They are never known to break their word. They do not make promises lightly but when they do they absolutely do not break them. They will kill, steal, and maim to keep their word.

The Raven Queen

The Raven Queen is the spinner of fate and the patron of winter. She marks the end of each mortal life, and mourners call upon her during funeral rites in the hope that she will guard the departed from the curse of undeath. As a result, most shadar-kai try to punish those who defy fate, however impossible it may be for anyone to truly know what fate holds.

The Raven Queen is a fair mother, though not a sentimental one. When the shadar-kai called upon her in ancient times, she answered; she still does. Through the pact with the Raven Queen, each shadar-kai is an instrument of death and fate. While she spares little love, she also never demands the love or worship of her children. Regardless of other beliefs they may hold, she demands only that shadar-kai observe the pact by keeping her commandments:

- Hold no pity for the dying, for death is the natural end of life.
- Bring down the proud who try to cast off the chains of fate; you must punish hubris where you find it.
- Destroy the cults of Orcus, for the Demon Prince of the Undead seeks to claim the Raven Queen's throne.

Names

Shadar-kai will occasionally take names from humans or elves, but much more frequently take names of heroes or great warriors that they revere.

Male names: Albrek, Ashok, Baden, Chanoch, Codren, Drizzt, Emul, Horiam, Hutahn, Ioan, Lucyan, Mahahn, Natan, Niku, Petru, Razvahn, Ryder, Serbahn, Shathys, Sithierel, Skagi, Teodahr, Thieraven, Traedis, Vasylay, Vedoran, Zahar.

Female names: Afyn, Anka, Baenrae, Bahnka, Codruta, Doru, Dyon, Floahr, Ghita, Helayna, Ilvani, Ioana, Jenit, Katryn, Lucya, Markella, Nadya, Olra, Quelanna, Roduka, Sahyeh, Tabita, Yalda, Zyna

 

Shadar-Kai Traits

The Shadar-kai rejoice in battle and have shadowy abilities that are associated with their home in the Shadowfell.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

A Shadar-kai reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and generally live until they die from their extreme life or fade away centuries after their birth with natural lifespans similar to that of elves.

Alignment

Shadar-kai society is rigidly based on the power and prestige of great deeds with most not fearing death and living for the moment. Unlike many of their fey kin, however, Shadar-kai lean strongly towards law in their devoted service to the Raven Queen.

Size

Shadar-kai range from under 5 to 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Random Height and Weight
            Base                                      Modifier
Height          Weight               Height          Weight
   4ʹ8ʺ              90 lb.                 +2d8"          ×1d4 lb.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Superior Darkvision

Accustomed to the dim, colorless Shadowfell, you have superior darkvision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Devoted Doomspeaker

You have proficiency in the Intimidation and Religion skills.

Shadar-kai Weapon Training

You have proficiency with the whip.

Shadar-kai train from birth to master the spiked chain, granting them proficiency in the custom attack exotic weapon. The spiked chain has a reach of 10 feet and is versatile, providing 1d6 damage when used one-handed and 2d4 damage when used two-handed. The exotic nature of the spiked chain makes it nearly impossible to master for non shadar-kai.

Equipment

Name	Cost	Damage	Weight	Properties
Martial Melee Weapon
*Spiked Chain	15 gp	1d6 piercing	5 lb.	Finesse, reach (10 ft.), versatile (2d4), exotic

Winterkin

Due to your connection to the Raven Queen, you can reroll one failed death saving throw. You regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.

Shadow Jaunt

As a bonus action on your turn, you move like a wraith and teleport up to 15 feet to an unoccupied space you can see, appearing ghostly and translucent. Until the start of your next turn, you gain resistance to all damage. You regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.

Touch of the Raven Queen

You know the cantrip chill touch. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for it.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice.