Homebrew Shadar-kai Species Details

"Who would have known that elves could be so cruel, besides the drow?”  Fae snarled, remembering his imprisonment in their caves. This was not what the members of the Order had expected when they were sent to the Raven Empire. They stood now upon the huge mountain jutting from the heart of the Empire itself.  

The ground was grey, ash being picked up by the wind and creating the effect of a swirling, liquid terrain. The horrible sound of ravens cawing was distinctly heard, and yet, there were none visible. At the base of the mountain stood the Raven Palace, home to Her Majesty, the Raven Queen. It was a black, desolate castle, spires piercing the air high above the miserable city. Guarded by a dark wall and hundreds of Shadar-kai warriors, the message was clear: stay away. 

— Malir Lianodel, first member of the  Order of the Arcane

Shadar-kai are the rare mix of two kinds of elf: a normal elf or eladrin, and an elf the Mark of Shadows. Outcast by most societies, they have built a society around the Raven Queen, a goddess of dark magic, and her palace. They will do anything for their Queen, and there have never been any betrayals.

Dark Magicians

The magic that shadar-kai get from their elven side is tainted---and therefor, strengthened---by the Mark of Shadow side. Though many choose the path of physical combat, some shadar-kai choose magic, pulling power and energy from the shadows they dwell in. 

Shadar-kai have dark grey skin, often tattooed with images of ravens or dark symbols. Their hair is grey with streaks of black, even at birth. Shadar-kai, like all elves, have no facial and little body hair. They enjoy fancy clothing in black or grey colors.

A Timeless Perspective

Shadar-kai can live to almost 800 years, their dark magic enhancing even their life span. Unlike other elves, this does not keep them from being greedy; they will take what they wish, more than often offering it to the Raven Queen. They will follow any order from her, even if it clearly means their death. When carrying out her orders, they allow nothing to stop them, killing anyone who stands in their way, whether that be innocents, enemies, the occasional friends, or family. They rarely---almost never---make friends outside of the shadar-kai society, and when they do, they are quick to betray or kill them if it is to the benefit of the Raven Queen.

DISDAINFUL AND UNAPPRECIATIVE

Shadar-kai, surprisingly, see some potential in other races. However, they only see it in the ones with power, or the ones that won't hesitate to kill. 

Normal Elves. “They are fools. They focus on the beauty of the world, not its flaws. And so, they get nothing done.”

Eladrin. “I admire the eladrin for their knowledge, secrecy, and power. They do not hesitate to kill if it is for the Greater Good, and they have magic the exceeds even ours. If only they could step back and see how the world really is---then we could have some change.”

Drow. “The drow are the closest thing you can get to the greatness of the shadar-kai. They follow a godly Queen, they live, outcast, in the shadows. But they, unlike us, are not as loyal; they follow their Queen because she would curse them if they didn't."

Humans. "All that haste, their ambition and drive to accomplish something before their brief lives pass away—human endeavors seem so futile sometimes. But then you look at what they have accomplished, and you realize that they are a stronger force than we think. And they don't seem to realize that they're destroying the realm. 

 

Shadar-kai Names

Unlike other elves, shadar-kai have one name throughout life, unless they become one of the immortal Assassins of the Queen. They have adult elven names.  

Shadar-kai Traits

Your shadar-kai character has a variety of natural abilities, the result of their mixed elven heritage.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Although elves reach physical maturity at about the same age as humans, the elven understanding of adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass worldly experience. An elf typically claims adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live to be 750 years old.

Alignment

Elves love freedom, variety, and self-expression, so they lean strongly toward the gentler aspects of chaos. They value and protect others’ freedom as well as their own, and they are more often good than not. The drow are an exception; their exile into the Underdark has made them vicious and dangerous. Drow are more often evil than not.

Size

Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and have slender builds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 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.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Gift of the Shadows

When you make a Charisma (Performance) or Dexterity (Stealth) check, you can roll one Intuition die, a d4, and add the number rolled to the ability check.

Shape Shadows

You know the minor illusion cantrip. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this trait.

Slip Into Shadow

You can use the Hide action as a bonus action, even if you have no cover or if you’re under observation. Regardless of whether you succeed or fail, once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied, and their songs and poems are famous among other races. Many bards learn their language so they can add Elvish ballads to their repertoires.