Shadowslain A shadowslain was a unique type of undead monster created from the use of the " shadow shard " , a Shadow Weave artifact . Creation . A shadowslain was born when a creature was exposed to the necromantic magic of the " shadow shard " . If they were a living and corporeal being and lacked the ability to use Weave magic in any form , and could not mentally resist its effect , then they were instantly killed and raised again as a shadowslain version of their former self . However , a being who could use Weave magic was simply injured almost to the point of unconsciousness as their magic was ripped from them , but otherwise survived . Meanwhile , one who commanded Shadow Weave magic was unharmed but could choose to die and become shadowslain . Description . A shadowslain being was swathed in flickering , rippling shadows , and its eyes glowed with a light described as unholy and hate - filled . Otherwise , they looked much as they did in life , but as undead beings they became increased emaciated and decayed to the point of being skeletal . Abilities . A shadowslain carried a potent aura that could drain Weave magic from an arcane spellcaster who stood too close for too long . If they used Weave magic and were caught within 10 feet ( 3 meters ) , then they lost one of the least - powerful spell s currently available to them , though they could at least choose which to lose . As the spell was lost , the shadowslain was healed of any damage , according to the power of the spell . Users of divine magic and Shadow Weave magic , and those who did not use magic at all , were unaffected . The semisolid shadowstuff that cloaked a shadowslain served as a form of armor , helping to turn aside attacks . By bringing shadows with them , it also gave them great ability to hide . Otherwise , a shadowslain gained greater strength , the ability to see in darkness as with both low - light vision and darkvision , and all the benefits and drawbacks of being an undead monster . They were harder for cleric s to turn or rebuke than common undead , however . Being creatures of shadow , they were dazzled in the bright light day . History . Upon being given the " shadow shard " by Esvele Graycastle , the Shar - worshiping black dragon Despayr used its power on his lizardfolk slaves — the surviving members of the defeated Dragonslayer tribe — and even his own half - breed daughter , Ketsarra Shadowscale . They died and became shadowslain , and more powerful undead servants for his will . Thus arose the Shadowscale tribe . Despayr then sent the Shadowscales to make war on the other tribes of the Vast Swamp in the Year of Lightning Storms , 1374 DR . The Shadowscales worked to capture other lizardfolk , of the Sharptooth , Blackscale , and Poison Dusk tribes , dragging them away to be made shadowslain themselves . These victims , now Shadowscales , would return to fight their former kin . Isti - Zar , the banelar naga follower of Cyric who aided the Shadowscales at their warren in the Shadow Swamp , was intensely curious to learn the secret of the rite for creating shadowslain . Ultimately , the threat of the shadowslain was ended when adventurers in service to Mystra cleared out the Shadowscales ' warren in early Eleint of 1374 DR , leaving no more than scattered survivors in the swamp , and defeated Despayr himself , though the fate of the " shadow shard " is unknown . Personality . A shadowslain being was always of evil bent , but other orientations they ' d possessed in life remained unchanged . A shadowslain was not bound to serve the owner of the " shadow shard " . Shadowslain beings kept to the same habits they did in life , even if no longer necessary , but over time they abandoned these . For example , the Shadowscales would retire to their lairs to mimic eating and sleeping , though they had no need to . They kept tools for hunting and trapping , but gave up using them , and not feeling the cold , they no longer bothered to light fires .