Shades, Ravessian Guard
Created to Serve
The Shades of Ravessus are a strange and mysterious set of creatures. While their forms resemble those of humans, and some speculate that they once indeed were, it cannot be denied that Shades are much more than what humans can comprehend. Shades command within themselves a great power to wield the primal elements of blood, light, and darkness. Indeed, Shades were named Shades because of their preferred command of darkness which is used to shroud themselves in shadow at all times. Shades rarely speak, having been created to serve their king, Cicero, the Craven King or whoever sits the throne of Ravessus. Many believe that these creatures were created by the RuneWitches to serve the new Ravessian king, while others believe they came to him from the blighted lands, byproducts of The MagiBlight Plague, that recognized Cicero's rite of rule as the last remaining heir of the Spurius household.
Terrifying Foes
While many outsiders view the Shades with some trepidation, it is with good reason that they do so. Shades command strange and great powers, they are utterly and completely loyal to the king of Ravessus, and they speak very little. Those who have heard a Shade utter even a single syllable have said it is cold and quiet, like a deathly whisper, and that all joy and life seems to leave the room with their very utterance. Arcanists and scholars have also noted that their very presence seems to disrupt the flow of magic and lumina as well. The weapons they carry with them at all times, weapons of writhing smoke and dancing darkness, have been called Shade Blades and are much feared and coveted. One cut from a Shade Blade wards off natural healing, forcing the injured party to seek healing from a cleric, or paladin though there is one account of a druid managing to heal the wound inflicted by a shade blade. Shades seem capable of moving through darkness at will, passing into a world between worlds if you will, disappearing into one pool of darkness and reappearing in another as if stepping nearly instantaneously across the distance. This effect seems to only work for short distances, though stronger Shades, called Umbrals, have been known to step across recorded distances as great as five hundred feet.
The most dangerous fact, however, regarding Shades lies in the fact that they are capable of emitting an aura of despair and lethargy. This aura is a potent one, capable of setting even the most level-headed warrior on edge. This aura has been used to subdue rebels, force surrenders, and even intimidate the enemies of the King of Ravessus. The Shades are, and appear willing to forever remain, the most loyal and dangerous servants of the Craven King. While speculations haunt their very existence and purpose of their arrival, they continue to serve with strength and unquestioning loyalty.
Capital
Alternative Names
The King's Shadows, ShadowBorn,
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Decorated/Honored
Head of State
Head of Government
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Neighboring Nations
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