Shadow

Shadows are Fey creatures born from the dim light and whispered secrets that linger in the corners of the Court of Long Shadows. Their forms are ever-shifting, appearing as dark, humanoid silhouettes that ripple and distort like ink spilled across the ground. Though they possess a vaguely humanoid shape, their features are indistinct, with no discernible faces, only twin pinpricks of cold, glowing light where eyes should be. Their movements are unnervingly fluid, as though they glide rather than walk, effortlessly slipping through cracks, between tree branches, and across uneven terrain. Shadows are semi-corporeal, able to pass through narrow spaces and vanish into darkness, making them nearly impossible to pin down or capture.
Shadows thrive in places where the light struggles to reach, feeding off the fear, doubt, and unspoken thoughts that linger in the minds of those who wander too close to the veil of darkness. They are masters of stealth and misdirection, able to move silently and remain unseen even in the faintest gloom. Their presence is often felt before they are seen—a sudden chill in the air, a flicker in the corner of one’s vision, or the unsettling feeling of being watched. Shadows can meld with natural darkness, making them perfect scouts, spies, and assassins for the Court of Long Shadows, where secrecy and intrigue are paramount.
Though they are not inherently malicious, Shadows are creatures of mystery and ambiguity, bound more by curiosity and the pursuit of hidden truths than by any sense of morality. They often serve as messengers and informants for the Court, observing from the shadows and gathering knowledge that is whispered back to their masters. However, some Shadows are drawn to the emotional turmoil of mortals, lingering near those whose hearts are weighed down by grief, guilt, or fear, feeding on the fragments of despair that radiate from such souls.
In the Court of Long Shadows, Shadows are not merely inhabitants—they are an extension of the court itself, reflecting the elusive and ever-watchful nature of its rulers. Though they rarely speak, when they do, their voices echo like distant whispers carried on the wind, sending chills down the spines of those who hear them.