Have you ever been walking at night and seen a strange figure? Someone who wasn't doing anything suspicious, but still gave you the shivers? Maybe they were standing over a grave at odd hours, or gesturing in a way that could have an unusual religious ritual. Or maybe they were just walking, silent as the night itself. Chances are, you saw a Shadowcaster.
Shadowcasters draw on light magic from the old system, using gestures to manipulate it, and believe that words are easily wasted and twisted. They are heavily concerned with the balance of opposites in the world, which is why they focus their magic on the absence of light, rather than its presence. They also believe that dusk and dawn are the best times to work magic because this is when light is in balance in the world. They also focus on the balance of growth and decay, believing that their duty is to keep the world in balance.
Training
Though Shadowcasters may train their children in the art of Shadowcasting, the group is not usually made up of blood families. They do, however, seem to have similar dispositions. Shadowcasters tend to be quiet and introspective people--good listeners who move in the background, but do not care much for the spotlight. Though I am not entirely clear on Shadowcaster recruitment and training, I believe that they find people who are of similar disposition and slowly introduce them to the idea. A person who is interested in learning the art may practice as much or as little before giving up or moving on. As a result, there is a wide range of ability when it comes to Shadowcasters. Though most learn as adults, or perhaps in their late teens, there are no rules on the age at which a person learns Shadowcasting. Shadowcasters may train under or practice with any other Shadowcasters they meet, openly sharing knowledge. Shadowcasters are wary, however, of who they teach their magic to. They believe they were called to a higher purpose, and that if their magic falls into the wrong hands (like those of a
Scavenger ) that it may be used for the wrong reasons.
Structure
Oddly Shadowcaster have a similar structure to Scavengers. That is to say, they have very little structure at all. The Shadowcasters are united not by a governing body, but by a shared purpose. Therefore, though they generally act independently, Shadowcasters in the same location may form small groups which work together. These may have a leader or be fully democratic. Shadowcasters also collect and trade information like Scavengers, though they are far less likely to backstab and steal what they want. Information is usually openly shared because Shadowcasters believe that this shared knowledge helps them with their higher purpose. They also don't seem to have drastically different factions the way Scavengers do.
Location
Not only do Shadowcasters lack central locations, but they are frequently travelers, brought to where they think they are needed most. Shadowcasters often go to places where they find people in need, or where they think balance needs to be restored. Many of them are clergy members, of a variety of religions, or as people who assist families with death. They often live amid diverse populations and work to make sure that people's religious or cultural wishes are met, especially in regards to final religious rites. Other Shadowcasters find work as police, social workers, and counselors, and they frequently start or become involved in charitable organizations, traveling as needed for these roles. Where you find a charity, you are sure to find at least one Shadowcaster, usually someone who is working directly with people and drawing no attention to themselves.
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