Shadar-kai, also known as shadow elves,[2] are are a subrace of elves that live mainly in the Shadow Realm.
Description[]
Appearance[]
Shadar-kai share their pointed ears and their elegance with the rest of elvenkind, but the gloomy influence of the Shadowfell also affects their appearance: their skin tends to be very pale, with ashen tones.[3] They can also have pointed teeth.[4]
Abilities[]
In addition to the abilities shared by all elves, as playable subrace shadar-kai have the following abilities:
- Ability Score Bonus: In addition to the +2 Dexterity all elves usually get, shadar-kai get +1 Constitution.[5]
- Necrotic Resistance: Shadar-kai have resistance to necrotic damage.
- Blessing of the Raven Queen:[6] Shadar-kai are able to teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space, and if they reach 3rd level, after doing so they become ghostly for a few seconds, becoming resistant to all damage. Some shadar-kai can only do this once between long rests,[5] while others are able to use this ability several times per day.[7]
History[]
After the primeval elves were created in the Fey Realm by Corellon the Arch Heart,[8] some of them stayed in the Plane of Faerie, while others traveled to the world of Exandria, in the Material Plane; the ancestors of the shadar-kai, however, went to the Shadowfell, and the influence of that plane changed them, becoming more different than the rest of their kin. Moreover, they received new powers from the Matron of Ravens,[9][5][10] the goddess of death whose realm, Letherna, was also in the Plane of Shadow.[11]
The shadow elves formed societies in their new home, and created some settlements, including Obleris.[12] A young shadar-kai, Prism Grimpoppy, abandoned this place in 833 PD and joined the Cobalt Soul of Emon;[13] although ten years later, after going on adventures during the apogee solstice, she decided to become an independent researcher and criminal to help her new friends.[14][15]
Notable shadar-kai[]
Official art of Prism Grimpoppy (with Mother and Dynios), by Hannah Friederichs.[art 2]
- Prism Grimpoppy, a wizard and an apprentice for the Cobalt Soul.[16][17]
Trivia[]
- Following Critical Role's tendency to use original terms for different elements from Dungeons & Dragons, shadar-kai are called "shadow elves". Similarly, eladrin are called "fey elves".
- It's very possible that shadow elves were among those early followers of the Raven Queen in the Shadowfell that obeyed her not only out of fear, but also out of love and respect.[18]
- Shadar-kai seem to be very implied in the celebration of the Night of Ascension in the Shadowfell,[19] likely due to its connection with their protector, the Matron of Ravens.
References[]
- ↑ See "A Long Walk of Reflection" (3x62) at 1:27:30. Laudna started speaking to Prism in that language assuming she would understand her.
- ↑ See "Crisis of Faith" (3x61) at 1:06:19.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast, Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, p. 31.
- ↑ See "Somewhere Out There" (3x59) at 1:44:35.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 See D&D: Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes, 5th ed., p. 62.
- ↑ Also called Shadow Elf Step. See "Crisis of Faith" (3x61) at 1:06:20
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast, Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, p. 31.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, pp. 13–29.
- ↑ See "Crisis of Faith" (3x61) at 1:07:09. Prism, a shadow elf, has the teleporting abilities of the shadar-kai, and she called upon the Matron of Death when she used it.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast, Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, p. 31.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 24.
- ↑ See "Faith or Famine" (3x60) at 0:24:14.
- ↑ See "Somewhere Out There" (3x59) at 1:59:58.
- ↑ See "A Haunted Past" (3x63) at 3:31:42.
- ↑ See "Reunited" (3x64) at 3:44:04.
- ↑ See "Somewhere Out There" (3x59) at 1:44:35.
- ↑ See "Crisis of Faith" (3x61) at 1:06:20. Prism has the teleporting abilities of the shadar-kai.
- ↑ The Chronicles of Exandria - The Legend of Vox Machina Volume II, p. 150.
- ↑ See "Reunited" (3x64) at 2:31:58.
Art:
- ↑ Depiction of a shadar-kai from Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, p. 31. This page contains unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Wizards of the Coast Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
- ↑ Official art of Prism Grimpoppy (with Mother and Dynios), by Hannah Friederichs (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
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