Shadow God
Shadow Gods have insight into time in a way no others in the Realm do, both physical time and conceptual, which is probably why so many of them go mad. Thankfully there aren't a LOT of Shadow Gods, the two species they come from are extremely different in almost every way, from preferred climate to social tolerances, they don't often cross paths.
They are often seers, sorcerers, historians and hermits, preferring deep dark forests to settlements, although some with a bit more God in them have been known to congregate in groups.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Generally humanoid, but stronger. Shadow Gods who reside near locations of strong magic, especially the Gaw, can take on some alternate forms, walking as animals, mist, a mass of unblinking eyeballs, or whatever they choose, if they hew closer to their Vanir parentage.
Growth Rate & Stages
Shadow God age stages take after whichever culture they are raised in, but all things being equal, they lean toward their God side in this regard. They reach full size around 13 years of age, but are still considered in their youth until the age of 16, at 500 they are usually done with their procreation years, and are considered an elder at 1000 years old.
Ecology and Habitats
Like their Vanir ancestors, Shadow Gods are deeply connected to the dark forests and deep green mountains of northern Manegard, and are well suited to blend into them, unable to be seen unless they wish to be. They love twilight most of all, followed by the night, and in many parts of the lands they prefer, true day is dim and rare. Due to their the opposing nature of their ancestors, they can withstand rather extreme temperatures at both ends of the scale, shrug off most of their effects.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They require far less sustenance, especially the animal variety, than many other species, especially the mortals.
Biological Cycle
Shadow Gods are immortal, and so do not age as mortals do. They enjoy a quality somewhere between youthful and ageless for centuries, but after 1000, their features can sometimes appear tautly stretched, and have been desribed as somewhat "pointy."
Additional Information
Social Structure
Shadow Gods tend toward their Vanir side in this regard, largely due to the northern elven culture in which most of them reside. They have little need for social interaction, and tend to live in a transactional manner with each other. They cohabitate in settlements where it is mutually beneficial, especially when they have young offspring or are in the mind to get there with a suitable mate.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Despite the sunny side of their ancestry, Shadow Gods tend to gravitate toward darker places like the northern elven lands of Manegard, and the deeper woods of Alfheim.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Shadow Gods, as all elves, have somewhat heightened perception in hearing and eyesight, less so than Vanir, but far more than the utterly average Gods in such areas. If a particular Shadow God lives in very dark places or underground, they can develop excellent Darkvision.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Like Vanir, Shadow Gods are able to see their lives as a continuum, and are in full possession of their mental faculties by their first year, each Shadow God chooses their own name based on the life path they see for themselves, based on the characters of one or both of their parents, or a combination of the two.
For example, two of the early created Vanir, Daeris Shadowqueen and Gorthon Dreadfell met in the northern woods, and were attracted to the dark powers of the other, and had a child, Daedheleth Shadowfell, who would become a shadow of horror in the Lhing Pass.
Beauty Ideals
Shadow Gods generally take after their Vanir side in this regard, usually attracted to those whose nature is complimentary to their own, so beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.
Gender Ideals
Beyond the biological ability to reproduce with each other, Northern Elves put no emphasis on gender or gender roles, and identify far more with their nature, be it shadow, or twilight, or the wilderness itself.
Relationship Ideals
Straightforward as any in the Realm, if a Shadow God has an interest in someone (usually a Northern Elf of some kind), they come right out say it, offering plainly what they can bring to the equation. This is appreciated by their own kind, generally less so by the other species, who can find their bluntness offputting.
Shadow Gods choose partners for mating and pleasure, not companionship, certainly not long term. A Shadow God in a long-term couple relationship is nearly unheard of.
Average Technological Level
Who needs technology when you have elements of two different kinds of time magic in your blood?
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Shadow Gods are likely to speak Northern Elvish, and while they may know Old Gaardic and Common Gaardic, they sound unnatural doing it. Many Shadow Gods know Darkspeak as well, the underground nonverbal blinking language of the Night Elves.
History
The first Shadow God is thought to have been the child of the first created Vanir, Daechir Shadowlord and the first created God, Faerveren Joy, who met while exploring Ninniach Falls in the early years of the Realm.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Vanir see Shadow Gods as their somewhat basic cousins, while Gods see Shadow Gods as their dark and dramatic neighbors.
Shadow Gods see the Vanir see as respected elders, while they see Gods as their rich and out of touch cousins.
Legacy Beings take on traits of each of their parent species. A single Vanir far back in a long line of Gods will make for a present day Shadow God with mostly sunny, God-like characteristics.
Choose which of your parent species you take after more, then take the Stats and Prime Traits of that parent species, and the Legacy Trait of the other parent species.
Lifespan
Immortal
Average Height
5-7 ft
Average Physique
Shadow Gods take after their Vanir ancestors in this regard, tall and lithe with lean muscle, and occasionally broader with more muscular definition.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Shadow God skin tones range from light to dark, with a violet tint to the shadows, and a golden tint to the highlights of their faces.
Geographic Distribution
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