Shadow Ascendant class

# RPG Class: Shadow Ascendant

### Description

"The Forgotten Shadow is a powerful religion that sweeps through the Forsaken. A devotee may throw off the shackles of her zombielike body, becoming one with the Shadow. Those who succeed become shadow ascendants." - Horde Player's Guide, Pg. 63

Shadow Ascendants represent the epitome of the shadow within the Cult of the Forgotten Shadow. Chosen champions of the infinite void of darkness, shadow ascendants devour life itself as silent arcane assassins. These absolutely loyal zealots of the cult can come from all walks of forsaken life, though many were lightslayers, priests, or assassins before their ascension.

Most forsaken revere the ascendants as perfection, having embraced their undeath to its fullest potential. They act as prophets within the Cult of the Forgotten Shadow, and normally hail from its highest ranking members. Imbued with the raw essence of shadow magic, they are granted terrible, miraculous abilities. Among the Horde as a whole, ascendants act as nigh-invisible spies and assassins.

It is also possible for trolls to become shadow ascendants, via a deep connection to a loa of death. Because of this, many lesser loa will go out of their way to avoid ascendants, and greater loa will note their presence as dangerous. This applies to the normal forsaken ascendants as well.

### Powers and Abilities

Shadow Ascendants have the following innate abilities:

* Become totally invisible while within shadows or in darkness.
* Strikes from an ascendant will wither at the soul of their opponent, draining their life force to feed and restore the ascendant.
* Capable of walking on, up, or around any surface as though it were flat ground, including walls, ceilings, and slipper surfaces.
* Can only be struck by weapons and spells that can strike ghosts and spirits.

Shadow Ascendants are easily among the best spies and assassins within the entirety of the Horde, and arguably, all of Azeroth. Their innate skills make them nearly impossible to detect, even to a skilled warrior staring directly at the ascendant. With the ability to remain invisible indefinitely while within shadows or darkness, and due to their spiritual nature and not making noise, without the aid of holy spellcasters or a powerful diviner, pinpointing the exact location of an ascendant you are aware of is still difficult.

Despite this, ascendants are quite frail, and if struck, will normally retreat without hesitation. While capable of using weapons, most do not, and armor serves little purpose for them. They possess the ability to drain the energy from living creatures, restoring their own unholy vitality in the process. Furthermore, the shadow ascendant possess the ability to jump between shadows at will, even into those of their enemy.

[Mastery] The truly skilled and devout ascendants learn dark rituals and magics that ensure nothing escapes their sight. An ascendant may be gifted True Sight after undergoing some form of impossible trial or challenge of the shadows.

### Notes and Other Information

The Shadow Ascendant is a Progression-only class. While most RPG classes are Restricted, and some are limited, you must actively RP the process of your characters total and absolute devotion to the Cult of the Forgotten Shadow.

Shadow Ascendants are limited to Undead within the Cult of the Forgotten Shadow only.