Shadow Fey

The Shadow Fey are a rare and enigmatic offshoot of the Fey, adapted to the oppressive gloom of The Shadowfell. Unlike most creatures who fall victim to the plane’s soul-leeching despair, the Shadow Fey thrive in its darkness — not corrupted by it, but transformed.

These fey maintain the grace and mystique of their brighter kin, but are cloaked in shadows both literal and metaphorical. They walk the fine line between beauty and menace, joy and sorrow, never truly one or the other.

Long ago, during a forgotten age, a splinter group of Fey fled the tumult of The Feywild and sought sanctuary in the Shadowfell. There, under the pale moons and black suns, they wove powerful soul-wards and glamour bindings, protecting their minds and magic from the plane’s corruption.

Rather than fall into oblivion like most, these Fey evolved, drawing strength from shade, sorrow, memory, and silence. Over time, their forms grew elegant and lithe — reminiscent of elves — their skin shadowy and eyes gleaming with the light of dying stars.

Some say the first Shadow Fey were created by an Archfey who was exiled for her obsession with death and stillness — others claim they are the children of twilight itself, born between dusk and oblivion.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Fey

Genetic Descendants

• Lunar Elf
• Pallid Elf
• Umbral Human
• Wyrd Gnome

Scientific Name

Feaus Feaus Umbralus

Geographic Distribution

• The Shadowfell

Discovered by

Nyxara, The Veiled Twilight

BoET

Shadow Fey

FEY

Shadow Fey Traits

Size: Medium (5-6ft)

Speed: 30ft

As a Shadow Fey, you have these special traits.

Darkvision

Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Keen Senses

You have proficiency in the Perception skill.

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Trance

Shadow Fey don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.

Shadow Fey Weapon Training

You have proficiency with the rapier, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.

Path of Shadows

When in darkness, dim light, or a shadow large enough to cover your body, you can cast the misty step spell. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Sunlight Sensitivity

You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in bright sunlight.

Traveler in Darkness

You have advantage on any Intelligence (Arcana) check to learn about a particular shadow road and how it functions.