The Umbrinite Phantomstriders
One would question the sanity of any who would willingly travel to Lunahar, the Realm of the Dead, but that is what one group of Elves did when the Elves first traveled out into the lands. They were supposedly made up of the outcasts of society, seeking to be as far away as possible from their kin. They would travel through the extraplanar gateways, and travel to the Realm of the Dead, where they in turn would build a fortress cloaked in powerful shadow magic to hide them from any who sought to hunt them. However, around this time it is said that they were contacted by a strange entity, known as the Shadow Queen, or Umbritha. This Shadow Queen would whisper sweet promises of power to them in exchange for worship, and these elves would accept this offer. So it was that these elves were forever changed into the Shadar-Kai. Their history past this is one steeped in shadow and mystery, but it is said that those other mortal groups who lived in the Realm of the Dead soon knew the sting of their blades as they raided for goods, and they even raided the vast undead kingdoms and empires of vampires, liches, and necromancers. Many have tried to hunt down their fortress and species, none have succeeded. What is known is that in recent years, they have increased activity going into the Mortal Realm, specifically within Nilush and the Forbidden Lands. It seems that this Shadow Queen desires the rare Arcanastone within the Forbidden Lands known as the Varkenite. They use the great Umbral Pathways that connect Lunahar to the Mortal Realm. To use these pathways, the Shadow Queen has her Phantomstriders, who are marked with a rune of shadow, that lets them utilize shadow as a weapon and as a means for teleportation, while at the same time eating at them from the inside slowly. It is considered the greatest honor to be chosen by the Shadow Queen for this most holy cult, and they will bring about the silent blade to all the enemies of their Goddess.
Structure
The Shadow Queen is of course the supreme ruler of the Umbrinites. Under her are the Shade Queen's, who are highly elite warrior cultists who lead the small killbands of the Umbrinites into whatever activities the Shadow Queen demands. Under them are the Warlocks of Burning Shadow, who utilize shadow like fire and other terrifying spells against their enemies. Under them are the Dark Slaughterers, who are said to inherit the teachings of their murderous god and are some of the most vicious and murderous of their group, turning murder into an art form. Next to them are lastly Darkblades, who while the most junior of the Phantomstriders are still highly elite assassins', spies, and killers.
Culture
To be of the Umbrinites is to know a life of pure service to the Shadow Queen. It is also one of danger and knowing that one's end is soon. The Rune of Shadow, commonly known as Shademark, slowly eats at ones soul as they become more and more wraith like. It is considered a great honor to be marked as such, and it also gives back many powers. They are able to utilize the powers of shadow and darkness, and able to travel the Umbral Pathways freely without danger, making it some of the safest extraplanar travel in existence. However some particularly daring Umbrinites will forge pacts with Shadow Demons, literally becoming one with darkness and bleeding black, abyssal nothing when cut and gain power to turn one's shadow against them. They use all these powers to enact the will of the Shadow Queen, being her most trusted assassins', saboteurs, spies, and scouts. They are utterly devoted, and will do absolutely anything in order to further the mysterious goals of the Shadow Queen
Mythology & Lore
The Umbrinite Phantomstriders worship Umbritha, the Shadow Queen. She is the goddess of the Shadar-kai, and considered the goddess of shadow, death, and murder. She is the one who saved those wayward elves in the Realm of the Dead, and has protected and housed them for as long as the Shadar-kai can remember, and in return the Shadar-kai give offering and reverence to her. Her most trusted servants are the Phantomstriders, who in return directly assist in enforcing her will.
