Shadowfell

The Shadowfell, also known as the Shadow Plane, was one of the planes of existence in various cosmological models. Its purpose and characteristics evolved as new cosmologies were formulated. It existed as sort of a counterpart to the Feywild, as it was equal and opposite in the sense that it was a bleak, desolate place full of decay and death.

Description

The most striking and immediate impression a visitor to the Plane of Shadow 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 plane 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.
Some areas on the Plane of Shadow seemed to have an affinity with negative energy through the presence of life-draining undead such as shadows, ghosts, and vampires. These "darklands" had a minor negative-dominant trait and unprotected visitors immediately felt the life force being sucked from their bodies—unless they exited the darkland quickly, all that was left of them was a pile of ash. Someone with protection from negative energy could stop and admire the utter desolation in an otherwise forlorn landscape, and perhaps make the acquaintance of the truly inimical undead.
Material Plane locations such as desecrated burial mounds, haunted battlefields, and places of extreme death could lead a person to accidentally teleport into the Shadowfell. Some sages suggested that, as the full moon is associated with the Feywild, the new moon is associated with teleporting to the Shadowfell from the Material Plane. The Shadowfell was somewhat more difficult to get to through magical means, as 'traditional' planar teleportation magic did not seem to work, however the Shadowfell could be accessed through the Ethereal Plane.
Air, water, and food existed on this plane, supporting plants, animals, and some humanoids adapted to the shadow environment. Visitors could survive indefinitely if they were willing to endure thick, foul-smelling water, food that tasted of ash, and a pervasive nip of cold in the air. A visitor could never feel warm, would often hear or sense the presence of things that weren't there, and could never shake the feeling of being watched. It was a constantly unsettling place. Over time, exposure to the Shadow Plane altered living things, increasing various traits and abilities but also some vulnerabilities. Emotions and the ability to experience them seemed to fade over time for those imbued with shadowstuff.

Inhabitants

In many people's minds, the Plane of Shadow has very strong ties with undead and for good reason. The Shadowfell appeared to a be conduit of decay and 'negative' energy which caused the creation of many of the undead that exist within the Shadow Plane.
This is not to say that there were no living creatures in the Shadowfell, although the extent to which they were original or native to the Plane when it first came into being is still hotly debated. The Shadar-kai are descended of the followers of Swynwyr who became trapped on Plane of Shadow long ago. They have become infused with its essence and have black hair and no pigmentation in their skin. Shadar-kai often serve as middlemen for planar travelers and are the most populous race in their realm. Despite their origins being varied, the will of Swynwyr led to all Shadar-kai to have elvish features.

A group of adventurers approaching a fortress in the Shadowfell

Gravity: Normal
Time: Normal
Alignment: Unaligned

Alternative Name(s)

The Shadow Plane

Type

Plane of Existence

Positive Metal: Iron
Negative Metal: Carbon
Tuning Pitch: A (440Hz)