Shadar-kai

Shadar-kai are an offshoot of elves bound to the Shadowfell and their goddess, the Raven Queen.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Shadar-kai speak Common and Elven.

Culture and cultural heritage

It is believed that the origin of the shadar-kai dates to the failed attempt by the Raven Queen to ascend into divinity. Although their exact motivations remain largely unknown, it is
The queen's followers, who called themselves shadar-kai, firmly believed that their queen was capable of reunifying the elven pantheon and the sundered elves. However, due to the interference in the ritual by evil wizards, the ritual was corrupted into a curse that siphoned the queen and her followers into the Shadowfell, forever keeping the shadar-kai's souls bound to their increasingly mad and grief-stricken queen.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Shadar-kai are mournful and joyless. They are neither benevolent or malevolent, though they are not inclined to follow rules.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Shadar-kai in the Shadowfell look like withered, almost corpse-like elves, with wrinkled skin and swollen joints; on other planes they appear more youthful. Their their skin has a deathly pallor no matter the location. They prefer to wear cloaks and veils. They often wear masks to conceal their faces.

Encompassed species

• Elves