Shadow Walkers (WRR)

__TOC__
: It is with some trepidation that I begin this chapter of the book. Long ago, I swore an oath of loyalty and secrecy to what is known by outsiders as the Guild of Shadows, and there are doubtless some among that order who will consider this essay treasonous. Still, no accounting of the rogues of Toril would be complete without the inclusion of the shadow walker. Of their general abilities I believe I can speak without placing a price on my head, and some of their most facinating and special powers too. Beyond that, I shall make it a point to reveal none of the secrets of the shadow walkers: of their other identities or their political agendas or places where they may be found. Doubtless they keep many other secrets than I shall reveal, for their powers are not altogether apparent, and I am not one of them (as far as you know).
: The shadow walkers take their name from the eldest of their order who called himself the Living Shadow. He is said to have been sired by a creature from the Demiplane of Shadow, but none can say for certain if that is true. Indeed, only those shadow walkers who are indisputably loyal to the Living Shadow have laid eyes upon him, so he may be nothing more than a fabrication. For my part, I think he is quite real, but I may be prejudiced in the matter.
: What is it that makes the shadow walkers most different from the rest of the worldls rogues? On the surface, one might say that it is their use of magic, but in truth there is much more. The shadow walkers are an unusual people who have sworn to use the talents of the thief and the magic of darkness to avenge the wronged and to battle evil. Under cover of darkness, they act as a vigilante force and strike at criminals and wrongdoers who, for one reason or another, have escaped traditional justice.
: This is not to say that they are without flaw. No, the history of the shadow walkers includes several who have attempted to use the powers that we possess for evil, and great destruction followed them wherever they went. These are thankfully rare, however, for the mental disciplines required to master the shadow walkerls talents are found only among those of strong will and good character.
:: — From the journals of Athanial the Wind