Shadow Realm

### Inhabitants

Shadows, Shadow Dragons, Shadow Dragon Assassins, Humans, Shapeshifters, Wraiths, Apes, Bears, Owlbears, Rats, Wolves, Shadow Demons, Shadow Serpents, Ghosts, Specters, Warlocks and Wizards.

The **Shadow Realm**, is one of the Realms in various cosmological models. Its purpose and characteristics evolved as new cosmologies were formulated.

## Description

The most striking and immediate impression a visitor to the Shadow Realm experienced was the lack of color and light; no sun, moon, or stars adorned the vault of the inky black sky, and all things looked as if the color had leeched out, leaving nothing but black and white, which in the dimness were more like "dark black" and "light black". A light source only illuminated half the distance it normally would, flames and fires put out less heat, and spells that dealt with light or fire were less predictable and prone to failure, whereas shadow spells were enhanced. On the other hand, although it would not illuminate as far, any light source on the Realm could be spotted at a distance of up to ten times its normal range of illumination, such was the contrast to the constant gloom, similar to a star in the night sky. Even a light source that only put out shadowy illumination, like a darkness spell or a lantern burning shadow oil, could be seen up to five times its range of illumination.

## History

The earliest known conscious interaction of the people of Earth with the Shadow Realm was in the time of the Sumerian civilization. In 3500 BC, an unknown archwizard was focused on researching the secrets of the Shadow Realm and plotted to use its dark power to overthrow the head of Sumer. His plans were thwarted by a young adept. Knowledge of the existence of the Shadow Realm was presumably lost with the rise of the Assyrian civilization because it was some two thousand years later. 533 BC, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus rediscovered it and began his study as the final King of Rome after he murdered the sixth king Servius Tullius.

## Rumors

The special and unique nature of this Realm caused not only cosmologists to speculate about its origins, but visitors and Realm travelers as well. Some believed the Realm had spontaneously formed as a Demi-Realm out of the Ethereal Realm.

## Locations

Located almost ten miles below the surface of northwest Fairy Realm, beneath the northernmost peak of theMountains, this was originally a drow city that was captured by shadow dragons in the Year of Shambling Shadows, 221 BC. Under the influence of shadow dragons for hundreds of years, the city was slowly absorbed by the Shadow Realm until their overthrow in 634 AD. Abandoned in the year, 734 AD, the fringe of the Shadow Realm continued to ebb and flow through streets and buildings filled with dangerous shadow creatures. It was reestablished in 1136 AD, as a base for the shadow dragon–blooded assassins.

## Inhabitants

The Shadow Realm was home to a mysterious form of undead called shadows, other "shadow" creatures such as the shadow mastiff and shadow dragon, and a race of humanoids known as shades. In addition to those, there were numerous other inhabitants, such as communities of evil trapped humans, shapeshifters, and wraiths.