Shadowblack

(See the Ebony Abbey, Shadow, and the Shadow Casters.)

The Shadowblack is a kind of curse, or ailment, or power, depending on who you talk to.

*Soulbinder* describes it as not "simply a form of energy; it is potential life devoid of consciousness." (p421)

Kellen slips into shadow from time to time before Soulbinder, but it is only within that volume that he truly begins to understand the bounds of this power. It draws on his angry, cruel, and deprecating thoughts, filling his head with voices that fuel his moods and cause splitting headaches.

In the teachings of the Jan'Tep, it is a terrible blight that infests mages alone, and corrupts a person's soul. It is now more than ever their mission to wipe this plague from the kingdoms, as Kellen Argos' father, Ke'heops, sees this as a force to gather support from the scattered clans he hopes to unify and rule.

But other cultures treat these curious black markings– that do appear under the skin of non-mages as well as trained Jan'Tep casters– with more curiosity than hate, and in some cases, almost pride. It is a part of who they are, but a part that will inevitably destroy them. Even the most disciplined monks know that one day they will be overcome by a demon from the shadow planes who will use their body to its own ends and bring death to those around them.

It has been confused with the twining marks of Obsidian Worms, a parasitic species found in swamps, and this similarity was exploited by the spellslinger Dexan Videris for profit.

There are many levels – ethereal planes – of shadow, and different people's markings come from different ones. Those with similar shadows can communicate telepathically by touching skin to another's marks, sharing thoughts and memories. But it is very rare to find another Shadowblack similar enough for this.

There are various kinds of Shadowblack-wielders (as explained at the end of book 4). By working together, those with different abilities can find roads across continents, or see into the past. The 8 forms are–

#### Imperiasters, Architects of Shadow Forms

A rare form that can shape physical objects from their shadow by force of will. The Abbot is one such.

#### Enigmatists, Unravellers of Secrets

One of the rarer forms, people with Kellen's form of the Shadowblack are able to see into the complex and the hidden, and unlock truths that others would not find. By asking the right questions, they unlock what *might* be. In a way, this is what Kellen does all of the time. When his Shadowblack is active, the world appears to Kellen as covered in crawling, ashy words, explaining the secrets of whatever they appear on.

#### Alacratists, Witnesses of the Past and Present

Shadowblack originates from planes without real space or time, so Alacratists like Suta'rei can see the shadows of people and places past, present, or far distant, and project what they see.

#### Iterantors, Travellers of the Onyx Roads

Azir and his like are able to shape roads, or bridges, through shadow to anywhere in the world. His ability is often paired with Butelios' or that of another member of the group, to give direction to his path. For shadow is complex and twisting, and it takes great care not to become lost or ensnared in its folds.

#### Praemandors, Wielders of Shadow Bands

One of the more common kinds of Shadowblacks, Praemandors can control the black ribbons of their shadows and are powerful and effective fighters. Tournam is the first of these seen in the books.

#### Inspiritors, Awakeners of Sentience

These shadow-workers infuse their shadows with bits of their own spirit, animating and controlling them outside their bodies. For Diadera, these take the shape of tiny flying freckles that can burrow into skin– or brains.

#### Perplexors, Concoctors of Confusion

Also known as foggers, Ghilla and those like her bind shadow into their breath. They create a pure-shadow fog to confuse, choke, or tear to bits an enemy.

#### Lamentarists, Trackers of the Shadowblack

Shadowblacks like Butelios pick up on strong emotions, which create echoes through shadow that can be followed back to their source. Butelios is also able to use his tears to put Kellen to sleep.