The Shadow

Residing deep in the minds of individuals is a repressed part of their psyche known as a 'shadow'. Also known as the 'Id', the 'shadow' represents an element of themselves that is hidden because it subconsciously contradicts the front-facing persona they put on in public, has been forcefully repressed by the oppression of others, or because the individual knows that aspect of themselves would be rejected by society...be it for better or worse.

While a shadow is usually just a theoretical or metaphorical concept, certain magics may cause it to manifest and take form; perhaps a spirit possesses in the individual and shapes its form on their host's shadow, or is born as a result of a ritual. Sometimes otherworldly agents may help draw the shadows out of chosen individuals who are destined to change the world. Regardless the method, most of the time when this happens, the individual tries to fight this manifestation, unwilling to accept their hidden desires. However, those with incredible willpower will end up embracing their shadow, allowing it to manifest and grant them its power.

The appearance and nature of a shadow is a deeply personal thing, and varies between individuals. Sometimes they will manifest as altered versions of the individual, representing the element of their psyche they’ve been suppressing. Sometimes they will appear as a conceptualised version of someone the individual knows, such as a loved one or even an adversary that represents an element their repressed psyche. Other times they may appear as magical creatures or monsters, conceptual versions the individual has of a deific figure, or a common archetype found in stories and literature. While not always the case, some individuals may give their shadow a name to strengthen their personification of it.

A shadow is not necessarily evil; rather, it is a part of a person’s psyche that they have been in denial of. Likewise, a shadow does not always have to be something contradictory to their usual nature, but could be a more extreme version of their existing one. Some examples of individuals with a shadow and the form they manifest could be:

• A meek youth who is constantly bullied or a slave who is held captive may have bitter, vengeful thoughts towards their oppressors. Their shadow may manifest as a strong, idealised version of themselves, a figure of justice come to bring salvation such as an angel or a knight, or a terrifying monster that would wreak vengeance on their enemies.
• A priest bound to celibacy or a young woman who is expected to wait for marriage before intimacy may secretly hold lustful desires. Their shadow could manifest as a hyper-sexualised version of themselves, a person who is the object of their desire, or a creature associated with lust such as a succubus or a dryad
• A law keeper - such as a lawyer or town guard - may feel they are not going far enough in their pursuit of justice and wish to undertake more extreme measures to capture and punish evildoers. Their shadow could manifest as a divine avenger, a self-personified idea of a god they worship, or - should their desire for justice come from more twisted desires - a fiendish beast.
• A member of a violent race or society wishes to live a more peaceful life, or even reform their people into something more noble. Their shadow could manifest as a loved one who was killed and spurred their change, or a creature associated with peace such as a unicorn.
• A self-serving politician or local crime lord may have grandiose aspirations that go beyond their current reach of power towards greater rulership; perhaps even world domination. Their shadow could manifest as a narcissistic and idealised version of themselves, a creature associated with greed such as a demon or a bloated animal, or a tyrannical king adorned in imposing armor.
• A seemingly kind and law-abiding citizen is secretly a psychopath who manipulates others to their own selfish ends. Their shadow could represent their dual nature, such as a mask-wearing performer, or could even be fluid in nature, representing their conscious awareness and meticulous control of their own dark impulses. 

Mastery of one’s own shadow enables them to manipulate the hearts and minds of others, bringing forward their own shadows and to use them against an unwilling individual. Those with noble intent may seek to undo the social systems or taboos that caused the repression of their inner self, whilst those with more selfish desires will use their powers to break and manipulate others for their own gain or profit.

Expanded Spell List

The Shadow lets you choose from an expanded list of spells when you learn a warlock spell. The following spells are added to the warlock spell list for you.

Shadow Expanded Spells

SPELL LEVEL	SPELLS
1st	command, disguise self
2nd	calm emotions, detect thoughts
3rd	phantom steed, spirit guardians
4th	compulsion, phantasmal killer
5th	modify memory, seeming

Bonus Cantrips

At 1st level, you learn the message and vicious mockery cantrips. They count as warlock cantrips for you, but they don’t count against your number of cantrips known.

Actualised Self

Starting at 1st level, your pact with your shadow grants you greater mastery over your self-image and your confidence. Choose one out of the following skills: Deception, Intimidation, or Persuasion. If you are proficient in your chosen skill, you gain expertise in it (your proficiency bonus for that option is doubled). You may choose one more of these skills at 6th level and another at 10th level.

In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Deception

You gain expertise in deception.

Intimidation

You gain expertise in intimidation.

Persuasion

You gain expertise in persuasion.

Summon Shadow

Starting at 6th level, you may give a creature a glimpse of your shadow. As an action, you summon a manifestation of your shadow that looms above your physical form. While visible by normal sight, your shadow's manifestation is merely an illusion, and thus attacking the Shadow will have no affect. Each creature of your choice that sees your shadow's initial appearance must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw equal to your spellcasting DC or become frightened as long as they can see your shadow. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to this feature for the next 24 hours.

You must maintain concentration to keep your shadow visible, as if you are concentrating on a spell. The shadow remains visible for one minute or until you lose concentration. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Masquerade Broken

Starting at 10th level, you gain the ability to see others’ true selves as you’ve seen yours. You may use an action to make an Insight check with a DC equal to 8 + the targeted creature's deception modifier. If you succeed, you catch a glimpse of the creature’s own hidden shadow as a mental projection only you are able to see. The shadow will appear in a form akin to their deepest secrets and personality traits they’re hiding, much like your own shadow. The DM determines the appearance and nature of the target's shadow; it will not be as detailed or fleshed-out as your shadow, but you will be able to glean enough to determine its nature. As with your own shadow, the shadow is not necessarily evil; rather it is a side of the individual they don’t want anyone seeing.

The shadow may sometimes speak, but it will not respond to any interactions, acting as if you aren't there; rather, it may say a phrase or word associated with their actions (for example, a shadow that appears scared may beg 'please don't hurt me', while a shadow born from a bad memory may repeat something scathing that was said to the individual which caused that insecurity). Depending on its nature, it may lash out and seem like it is striking you, but as it's merely a mental image, it cannot harm you.

The shadow only appears for six seconds, giving you enough time to discern its nature before it vanishes. The targeted creature is unaware of you being able to see it, nor the existence of the shadow, let alone its nature. Since this shadow is a psychological manifestation, you cannot attack, harm, or move it; attempting to do so will make it look like you are attacking the real creature to creature itself and others around you.

This feature cannot be used to target beasts or constructs. The DM may also determine it may not work against certain creatures; usually those that lack higher cognition and the ability to self-identify (such as mindless undead like zombies).

You may use this feature once, and may only attempt to target the same creature with it once every 24 hours. You regain the use of this feature after a short rest.

Change Heart

Starting at 14th level, you force your enemies to confront their shadows and come to terms with them. You can cast geas without expending a spell slot. The spell may only be used to force the target creature to commit an action that will reveal the nature of their shadow to others. Some examples of how this would play out include:

• a seemingly-normal townsman who is secretly performing vigilante murders may confess their actions to the local law enforcement
• a cheating spouse may reveal their affair to their partner and the true reasons they were unfaithful
• a palace servant who bites their tongue against a corrupt, tyrannical king may admit their disdain and/or flee their post to join a known rebel force
• an orc who secretly rejects the savage ways of their tribe may either admit their opinions to their fellows, or simply run away in hopes of seeking a new life
  

The effect of this trait only lasts one day before the creature is no longer compelled by the effect. However, coming to terms with their repressed desires and personality traits may force a more cognisant and willing change upon them, though it is not always guaranteed.

As with the Masquerade Broken feature, this feature cannot be used to target beasts or constructs, and the DM may also determine it may not work against creatures lacking higher cognition.

You may only use this feature once on a creature every 24 hours, and once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.