Dark Shadow Manipulation

 

Dark Shadow is a strange dark smoke bound to the user's pact mark. It is hidden inside the mark and cannot be seen or interacted with while dormant. When the user wills it, the smoke emerges from the pact mark and moves according to their will. The user can shape it into different forms and condense it until it becomes physically solid. When no longer needed, Dark Shadow dissolves back into smoke and returns to the user's pact mark.

Dark Shadow is deeply connected with the user's emotions. Strong emotions may cause the smoke to become more powerful, but they also make it harder to maintain control over it. The exact forms and abilities depend on the user's bond with the pact.

Raven Suit. Dark Shadow can surround the user in a lightweight raven-like form designed for mobility and exploration. It enhances movement without creating weapons or granting flight unless specifically allowed by another feature. The form is primarily defensive and mobile rather than offensive.

Wolf Suit. Dark Shadow can form a larger, more aggressive wolf-like suit around the user. This form is designed for close combat, grappling, and physical restraint. Its increased aggression makes it harder to control, especially when the user is experiencing strong emotions. If control is lost, the Wolf Suit may act against allies or other nearby creatures. The DM determines when a loss of control occurs.

Enchanted Arrows. Dark Shadow can temporarily coat arrows with hardened shadow. The user must provide normal arrows; Dark Shadow does not create ammunition. The shadow coating disappears after the arrow is fired or after the effect ends. The exact additional effects of an enchanted arrow depend on the specific ability being used and require DM approval.

Any specialized combat, defensive, movement, or magical effects granted by these forms are separate abilities and are subject to the DM's approval.

 

 

Shadow Companion

At 3rd level, you gain a supernatural bond with Dark Shadow that allows you to manifest a single spectral raven companion known as the Shadow Companion.

The Shadow Companion is primarily used for scouting, observation, and simple tasks. It can fly independently, keep watch, investigate areas, retrieve small objects, and interact with simple parts of the environment. It is a weak combatant and is not intended to replace you as a primary source of damage.

Direct Control. You can temporarily take direct control of the Shadow Companion and perceive the world through its senses. While controlling it directly, you become Blinded and Deafened with respect to your own body until you release control.

Sacrificial Strike. You can command the Shadow Companion to sacrifice itself by rushing toward a creature and releasing its stored Dark Shadow energy. The raven disappears immediately after the attack and dissolves into dark smoke. Once this ability is used, you cannot use it again until you finish a Long Rest.

Water Weakness. Large amounts of water disrupt the Shadow Companion's form. If the raven becomes soaked or is exposed to a significant amount of water, Dark Shadow is disrupted and the companion dissolves into dark smoke and disappears.

The Shadow Companion remains connected to you through your supernatural bond. Strong emotions may make the connection more difficult to maintain.

Level 7: Raven Suit

At 7th level, your bond with Dark Shadow allows you to manifest the Raven Suit, a layer of dark shadow that covers your body and gives you the appearance of a large, spectral black raven. Its shape resembles a raven's feathers, wings, and silhouette, with shadows constantly shifting around you.

The Raven Suit is mainly designed for exploration and movement. It allows you to move more quietly, navigate difficult terrain more easily, climb and reach hard-to-access places, and move through the environment with greater agility.

The suit provides only limited protection and does not greatly improve your attacks. Its offensive abilities are weak, making it better suited for scouting, mobility, and escaping dangerous situations than direct combat.

The Raven Suit is temporary and remains under your control. Strong emotions can still make Dark Shadow more difficult to control.

Shadow Arrows

At 11th level, your connection to Dark Shadow allows you to infuse your arrows with supernatural shadow energy. These enchanted arrows still deal their normal weapon damage, but the shadow around them adds a small supernatural effect.

The shadow energy is unstable and does not significantly increase the arrow's damage. Instead, it can briefly hinder, distract, or unsettle a creature struck by the arrow, depending on the situation.

The effect is temporary, and only a limited number of arrows can carry Dark Shadow at a time. Strong emotions can make the shadow energy harder to control.

Level 15: Dark Wolf Form

At 15th level, your connection to Dark Shadow reaches its most dangerous form. You can manifest Shadow Wolf, a powerful layer of supernatural shadow that surrounds your body like a living suit of armor. The armor takes on the appearance of a large spectral wolf, with dark, fur-like shadows, glowing eyes, and shifting energy moving across its surface.

Shadow Wolf greatly enhances your physical abilities and combat potential, making you faster, stronger, and more dangerous in close combat. The armor responds directly to your movements and emotions, allowing you to fight through it as though it were an extension of your own body.

Shadow Wolf cannot be activated through calm emotions. It requires an intense emotional surge such as fear, rage, grief, desperation, or an overwhelming need to protect someone. Once activated, you must make a control check determined by the DM.

Perfect Result. You maintain complete control over Shadow Wolf. The armor responds exactly to your intentions, allowing you to use its full power without turning against you or your allies.

Good Result. You maintain partial control. The armor follows your general intentions, but its movements and attacks may become more aggressive or unpredictable.

Poor Result. Your control begins to slip. The armor may ignore some of your commands, attack unintended targets, or cause unnecessary damage.

Very Poor Result. Dark Shadow overwhelms your control. Shadow Wolf becomes dangerously unpredictable and may attack nearby creatures, including your allies. In extreme situations, it may seriously injure or even kill them.

Because of its overwhelming power, Shadow Wolf is extremely risky to use. Its strength comes with the constant danger of losing control, especially when emotions are at their strongest.

Exhaustion. When Shadow Wolf ends, the immense strain placed on your body leaves you severely exhausted. You are unable to move, take actions, bonus actions, or reactions for a number of turns determined by the DM while your body recovers.

Water Weakness. Large amounts of water disrupt Shadow Wolf. If you become completely soaked or are exposed to a large amount of water, the armor is forcibly dispelled. When this happens, you become Stunned for a number of turns determined by the DM.