The Shadow

**The Shadow**, also called The Shadow Veil, is a alternate plane on which some campaigns in the World of Io take place. A twisted place of darkness and death, it functions as a prison for the tormented souls of the Astari, banished there as a result of the Nova. No being wishes to remain in The Shadow, as the plane gnaws at the mind and soul alike, causing its denizens to warp into monsters and lose themselves to madness. Despite this, The Shadow still tempts those who seek to use its latent power of darkness for their own means, no matter how dangerous and foolhardy this course of action might be.

## Appearance

The Shadow is a twisted place of torment where most natural laws don't apply. Much of this landscape is blanketed in an abnormal darkness, which obscures much of the Veil from its inhabitants and visitors. When it can be seen, it appears as a colorless assortment of disconnected landmasses suspended above a eternal chasm of shadow. These landmasses are barren, covered in a greyish-black soil with the occasional dead tree or thorns to adorn the setting. Pits of black ooze reminisced of tar cover several parts of the Veil, entrapping any that try to cross. As a dark reflection of Io, there will often be segments of the Shadow that are similar to places on Io.

## History

The Shadow Veil was first came into being as an byproduct of the Jupiter Incident, along with its sister plane the Astral Veil. The Shadow became a black mirror of the Prime Plane, a place of death and nothingness forever shrouded in darkness. When the Astari people of Io were annihilated by the Nova, their souls were imprisoned in the Shadow, though fragments splintered off into the Astral. In this shadowy wasteland, the aberrancy and isolation of their new home gradually warped the mind and spirit of these fallen Astari, imbuing them with its magic as it tormented them. However, some of the Astari kept the better part of their faculties despite their transfiguration. One such figure, a former leader of Astari society, rallied many of his people under his banner. Adopting the name "The Deep One", he established a hierarchy of Shadows, uniting them under a singular purpose: to break free of this tenebrous hell and reclaim their home from its new occupants.

The Shadow may be cut off from the Prime Plane, but its influence has be felt across Io. Knowledge of its existance is sparse and disjointed, mostly in the form of legends and hearsay circulating in frindge groups such as the Holy Order of Lux and the Circle of Arileth. The Holy Order of Lux also has an interesting adage; that when a place has not seen light for over a year, the barrier between Io and the Shadow weakens and shades can shift out of their prison. This theory seems to hold some weight, as seen by the presence of the shades in Coalsand Factory No. 21 and the Deep One in the darkest reaches of the ocean. Most, if not all, engagements with the Shadow have ended poorly for those involved. One such incident in Old Asmodia some 821 years before Phase 2 resulted in the destruction of an entire town, when a mage's experiments with the Shadow's magic went awry. Similarly, the legendary city of Krakesque fell to ruin when its incumbent Warmaster struck a deal with the Deep One. Despite the devestation caused in these instances, it has not stop certain indivudials, like warlocks, from seeking the twisted power of the Shadow to further their own ends.

## Notable Locations

Like the Astral, The Shadow is a Veil that overlaps with Io. As a result, it occasionally shares features with the Prime Plane, though they are often warped beyond recognition. Little of the Shadow has been explored as it is difficult to traverse and whole areas are separated from one another. From what little has been seen, there are a few notable landmarks in this bleak environments

### Brin's Tower

This dilapidated tower stands alone on an island of rock, surrounded by darkness on all sides. The tower is the only refuge of a formerly mad scholar named Brin, who has occupied the ruined dwelling for an uncertain period of time. The tower and it's sole occupant are located within the territory of a very powerful and terrifying Shadow known simply as Vile.

### The City Lost to Shadow

A ruined town stands out among the barren wasteland of the Shadow. Within this forgotten settlement, husks of lost souls linger, aimlessly and listlessly passing the time within this twisted place. North of the tower, a large crater can be seen, littered with debris from whatever caused it to come into being.

### Tar Lake

An enourmous body of the Shadow's signature black ooze spans this area, its extent unclear due to the surrounding darkness. This lake appears to be a regular haunt of the Deep One's servants, who use it to bathe potential dealmakers and oathbreakers from Io, infusing them with the power of Shadow while draining them of life.

## Campaigns

The following campaigns and events take place in The Shadow Veil.

# **Curious Curios**

## Etymology

The word "*shadow*" has many meanings. It is usually defined as a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface. However, the word can also be used to refer to ominous oppressiveness or sadness and despair, or to a weak or inferior remnant of something.

## Mechanics

*Main article: Technical Details*
The world of Io is a heavily homebrewed setting with many experimental mechanics working at the same time. As an example, there are mechanics that apply only to certain campaigns, and there are mechanics that can be or are shared between multiple campaigns.

## Trivia

* The Shadow was first seen by in the campaign "Eye of Asmodia", where the freedom fighters accidentally found themselves lost in this unnatural place.
* Warlocks with the Great Old One patron derive their powers from the Shadow, sometimes independently of an actual entity providing them power.