Shade, 4e Port (5e Race)
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Shade[edit]
| “ | They are men no longer, having traded their souls to the darkness for power... | ” |
Physical Description[edit]
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| By Ben Wooten |
Shades are vestiges of former people who conducted a ritual and thus became a whole other being entirely. They still hold a strong resemblance for their original form, though the ritual which creates shades strips their body of its former vitality to create a more slender body of shadow. Their eyes become entirely one color, usually black, grey or even a dull purple, and they see very well in the dark. The skin of a shade is usually pale, and their hair becomes completely jet-black. In the darkness, or against firelight or moonlight, their skin seems to shine like a glossy, black surface. They are not known to age thanks normally thanks to their transformation, with some living many times longer than their origin race, and others not aging at all.
Their clothing of choice is often dark and somber, and made of easily mobile material like silk or suede and leather. Their preferred metals are brass and iron. Metal tools and weapons they use are usually coated in a special oil that obscures any reflection or sheen that may impede on their stealth.
History[edit]
Whoever they were, shades are former humans driven to commit themselves to darkness, trading a part of their souls for a sliver of the dark essence of Shadowfell. This dark rebirth ritual, known as the Trail of Five Darknesses, taints their soul and mind to create a new being that is the shade. They become a creature that lives in the darkness, between life and death. Shades are always a choice to become, though some see it to eventually be a curse. Having lost a portion of their souls to the Shadowfell, shades are a vestige of who they used to be, and what fills in the blanks is shadow.
Personality[edit]
Shades are dark in personality as well as in material, due to the grip of shadows on their soul and its effect on their minds. Their emotions are heavily subdued thanks to having lost a part of their soul, so they react minimally and often do not show the same fear as others may, or the same reaction at something grotesque and inhumane. Often, it is paranoia which drove one to try and attain this power, and that has not faded with the metamorphosis. Shades remain cautious and pragmatic beings who wait and watch, only striking when the time is right. Despite their brooding demeanor, shades are also extremely possessive. They will defend what they think is theirs with unparalleled zeal, and those who underestimate them are often sorry.
Shade Names[edit]
Shades usually keep the name they had before their transformation. So their names are usually the same as the human culture which they hailed from.
Shade Traits[edit]
Paranoia-driven people who sold their souls to darkness
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Age. Shades usually live at least twice as long as a human, though there are some who have achieved immortality through further delving into dark magic.
Alignment. They are usually ambitious yet reserved and strike only when threatened, not particularly for good or evil reasons.
Size. Shades have about the same height as humans, but are thinner and weigh less on average. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. 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.
Shadow Origin. The taint of Shadowfell is prominent in you. Your home plane is considered to be the Plane of Shadow.
Practiced Sneak. You are proficient in the Stealth skill. When in darkness, you can add double your proficiency bonus to a Dexterity (Stealth) check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus
One With Shadow. You can attempt to Hide even when you are only lightly obscured or under partial cover by other creatures.
Fleeting Shade. Starting at 3rd level, you can use a bonus action to become invisible until the end of your next turn. You must finish a short or long rest before using this trait again.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice.
Random Height and Weight[edit]
| Base Height |
Height Modifier* |
Base Weight |
Weight Modifier** |
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| 5′ 6'' | +1d8 | 100 lb. | × (1d8) lb. |
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*Height = base height + height modifier | |||
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