Shadow

**[This page is not to be edited by anyone with Revenant17's permission]**

Shadows are malevolent creatures from the Nightmare Realm that have been corrupted by an unknown anomaly, turning them into warped versions of themselves. They are the ones responsible for creating the Afflicted.

Their collective goal is to kill all live in the universe so that they can claim it as their new home, where they can manifest into physical beings, and escape from their home dimension.

They appear to share a connection to the Coactive Species, while they are subservient to Nightmares, often acting as their servants/soldiers.

## Kait's Notes

*These creeps are former humans, the ones who inhabited the Nightmare Realm before it was the Nightmare Realm.*

*Still, can't help but feel bad for all of them. None of them asked to be turned into these things.*

*These are what Alex and I would have become if we weren't Nightmares, not a pleasant thought to have.*

*Anyway, the real threat that comes from them is the fact that they possess people to turn them into monsters, you know, the Afflicted?*

*And there's no real way to stop them from doing so, and there's no cure. So, if you're possessed, you're screwed.*

*You can't even kill them, well, not in this current situation anyway. Might have to do some more digging into that.*

*Just... watch your back, alright?*

## Abilities

**Malleable Forms/Transformation and Transmogrification:** Shadows can bend their body and limbs at unnatural angles, sink into the ground, form weapons and tools out of their forms, and alter their physiology to suit their needs.

**Regeneration:** Shadows can quickly regenerate lost parts of their body on the offhanded chance they are injured. There are a few things they can not regenerate from as easily (such as a Nightmare).

**Possession:** A main staple of the species, Shadows can possess humans, overtaking their bodies and turning them into Afflicted. The Shadow remains in control until the form expires. Though rare, they are some Shadows that are so skilled at possession, that they can control their host and masquerade as them without turning them into an Afflicted, although there is still a limit as to how long they can do this.

**Phasing:** Shadows can phase through physical objects, such as walls, floors, and ceilings. They can even make physical attacks move right through them without injury, as though they aren't really there.

**Duplication:** To be added

**Dimensional Travel:** Shadows can travel from the Nightmare Realm to alternate dimensions (mostly the current universe they are invading). They can not do it often since it takes a lot of energy, and they need to find a host quickly, or else they will return.

**Host Empowerment:** During the host's transformation into an Afflicted, they gain increased strength, durability, stamina and speed. Shadow's can also do this for hosts that aren't turning as well.

## Physical Description

Shadows, being human once, look like their past selves. As their name suggests, they are creatures who have a dark appearance, lacking skin pigmentation, and most distinguishing features. They do have glowing eyes which seem to vary in color from person to person, and mouths that only appear visible when open. They often have disturbing smiles.

When having a physical form, they look like their human counterparts, even mimicking clothing. Although they often keep the smile, and have dark eyes with glowing iris, and black pupils.

## Behavior

Shadows have the same personality, mannerisms, and traits of their human counterparts, however, they all share the same bloodlust and desire to escape from their home. They are cautious when near their human versions, as to not arouse suspicion.

Shadow's do not seem to have any problems with killing their human selves either via murder, or turning them into an Afflicted.

## Types

**Standard Shadow:** Often having a slim appearance with a disturbing smile and glowing eyes, this is the most common type of Shadow. They often cross into the alternate universe's to turn people into Afflicted. Their personality can vary, but it is often a twisted version of the human version. Some Shadows can have non-human features, such as horns, tails, or spikes.

**Physical Shadow:** The ultimate goal of the species, Physical Shadows are the result of Shadows crossing into the physical world and gaining new forms. These Shadows look almost exactly like a human, more specifically, the human they used to be, and their human counterpart in the neighboring universe. The only difference being that they possess dark eyes with glowing iris that vary in color with dark pupils, depending on the individual. These creatures also possess powers that they did not have before, leading the few who have seen this type of Shadow to consider them an evolved state.

## Known Shadows

Sangeras

Erzomek

Alex Kura (disguised)

Kait (disguised)

Shadow of Roon

Shadow of Alterra

## Weaknesses

Shadows have no known weaknesses as they are not physical beings, however, they don't tend to cross into the physical world unless their human counterpart is dead. Plus, when an Afflicted dies, the Shadow controlling it is sent back into its dimension.

Physical Shadows, however, can be killed for good. While it does require more effort than killing a human, it is possible. When a Physical Shadow dies, their body disintegrates, leaving nothing behind and making them impossible to revive.

Shadows are also not immortal, over centuries, they will corrode and die for good.

For Physical Shadows, their most notable weakness is fire. Burning them, or using a incendiary weapon is the best way to kill them.

## Gallery

Shadow Concept Roon Artwork.pngA Shadow interacting with a Human (image provided by Just Roon)Static-assets-upload4247121655287126120.webpRed-eyed Shadow (Art by Gav)Static-assets-upload14011169094522129956.webpOrange Shadow (Art by Gav)Static-assets-upload209628924525594700.webpBlue-eyed Shadow (Art by Gav)Giphy (3).gifAn idea of the smoke effect (also, duplication)
## Trivia

* Many Shadows are referred to using nicknames instead of their traditional birth names. A notable exception to this custom is Kait.
* Shadows are based off of Doppelgangers from folklore, as well as Demons.
* There are rumors that animal Shadows exist as well, this is unconfirmed however.