Shadow Fey - Revision history

66.138.93.94: /* Powrie */ Grammar

2025-11-22T04:16:18Z

Powrie: Grammar

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:16, 22 November 2025
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	====Powrie====		====Powrie====
	The last of the [[sprite]]s/[[pixie]]s of the Arak, the Unseelie-aligned powries are very different beasts to their alven and portune kin. They are, to put it bluntly, little ~~psychoes~~, as is evident from their hornet-like wings, ~~their~~ needle-like fangs, serpentine ~~eye~~, and ~~unhinged, wide-toothed smiles~~. In fact, their ~~mouth~~ twists into such ~~a startling~~ wide and ~~freakish grin~~ in battle that they can afflict onlookers with terror. Vicious little ~~monsters~~ who relish in violence~~, murder and torture~~, powries have the habit of wearing caps stained with the gore of their latest ~~kill~~, which gives them their common nickname of [[redcap]]. They are notoriously foul-mouthed~~, spewing~~ barrages of insults and vitriol at foe and friend alike.		The last of the [[sprite]]s/[[pixie]]s of the Arak, the Unseelie-aligned powries are very different beasts to their alven and portune kin. They are, to put it bluntly, murderous little monsters, as is evident from their hornet-like wings, needle-like fangs, serpentine eyes, and broad grins lined with numerous pointy teeth. In fact, their mouths twists into such startlingly wide and sadistic smiles in battle that they can afflict onlookers with terror. Vicious little varmints who relish in violence, powries have the habit of wearing caps stained with the gore of their latest kills, which gives them their common nickname of [[redcap]]. They are likewise notoriously foul-mouthed and perpetually spew barrages of insults and vitriol at foe and friend alike.

	The primary purpose of ~~the powrie amonsgst~~ the Arak is serving as ~~a thief~~, ~~saboteur~~, ~~spy or assassin~~. They revel in the chance to cause pain and mayhem, and frequently go off looking for trouble if not directed to cause it in the first place. Powries see kindred spirits in those who serve similar roles, and a sufficiently vile and entertaining killer or thief may be transformed into a [[changeling]]~~, in order~~ to serve as back-up muscle for ~~the small yet~~ vicious ~~fey~~.		The primary purpose of powries amongst the Arak is serving as thieves, saboteurs, spies, and assassins. They revel in the chance to cause pain and mayhem and frequently go off looking for trouble if not directed to cause it in the first place. Powries see kindred spirits in those who serve similar roles, and a sufficiently vile and entertaining killer or thief may be transformed into a [[changeling]] to serve a powrie as back-up muscle for his, her, or their vicious schemes or tasks.

	Despite their stature, powries are surprisingly tough. Their sharp fangs carry a venom that causes blindness, they can unleash a deafening scream, and they combine the powers of a 5th level [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)\|sorcerer]]-[[illusionist]] with the trapfinding and sneak attack skills of a skilled [[rogue]]. They can also the form of small, stinging flying insects like wasps, bees and mosquitoes to disguise themselves. Fortunately, although immune to the effects of steel weapons and to electrical attacks, they have no protection against magic and can be harmed effortlessly by weapons made of platinum.		Despite their stature, powries are surprisingly tough. Their sharp fangs carry a venom that causes blindness, they can unleash a deafening scream, and they combine the powers of a 5th level [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)\|sorcerer]]-[[illusionist]] with the trapfinding and sneak attack skills of a skilled [[rogue]]. They can also take on the form of small stinging flying insects like wasps, bees, and mosquitoes to disguise themselves. Fortunately, although immune to the effects of steel weapons and to electrical attacks, they have no protection against magic and can be harmed effortlessly by weapons made of platinum.

	Powrie typically fashion small homes for themselves that resemble wasp nests.		Powrie typically fashion small homes for themselves that resemble wasp nests.
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	====Shee====		====Shee====
	The defining members of the Seelie Court ~~- in~~ fact, Queen Maeve is ~~herself~~ Princess of the Shee - these Arak are the most overtly [[elf]]-like of the shadow fey, appearing as nothing more than extremely tall and slender elves with pale hair, amber eyes, and very light, almost milky-white, skin. The shee adore music, poetry, and performances of all kind, and mostly serve greater Arak society as singers, dancers and other entertainers. Strangely, in AD&D they were also the lorekeepers and historians of the shadow fey, a role that was bizarrely transferred to the portunes in 3rd edition.		The defining members of the Seelie Court (In fact, Queen Maeve herself is Princess of the Shee.), these Arak are the most overtly [[elf]]-like of the shadow fey, appearing as nothing more than extremely tall and slender elves with pale hair, amber eyes, and very light, almost milky-white, skin. The shee adore music, poetry, and performances of all kind, and mostly serve greater Arak society as singers, dancers and other entertainers. Strangely, in AD&D they were also the lorekeepers and historians of the shadow fey, a role that was bizarrely transferred to the portunes in 3rd edition.

	Perhaps because of their fondness for art, which even gives them a racial [[Favored Class]] of [[Bard]] (in AD&D every last shee is a 7th level [[Enchanter]] whose victims suffer a -2 penalty on their saving throws against the shee's enchantment spells), the shee are the singular Arak breed most fond of humans. They frequently travel into human lands in order to learn new songs and stories, and whilst they see nothing wrong in making [[changeling]]s out of entertainers, they also often fall in genuine love with them, leading to the birth of [[Half-Fey]] (Shadow) offspring.		Perhaps because of their fondness for art, which even gives them a racial [[Favored Class]] of [[Bard]] (in AD&D every last shee is a 7th level [[Enchanter]] whose victims suffer a -2 penalty on their saving throws against the shee's enchantment spells), the shee are the singular Arak breed most fond of humans. They frequently travel into human lands in order to learn new songs and stories, and whilst they see nothing wrong in making [[changeling]]s out of entertainers, they also often fall in genuine love with them, leading to the birth of [[Half-Fey]] (Shadow) offspring.
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	====Sith====		====Sith====
	The Unseelie counterparts of the Shee, and the Breed to which Prince Loht belongs, the Sith resemble towering elves, taller even than shee, with unearthly pale skin and stark white hair. In contrast to their kin, who are said to be fascinated with life, the sith are fascinated with death~~; fastidious~~, meticulous and aloof, they are capable of methodic cruelty. These shadow fey never shout, always speaking in soft whispers, and whilst not humourless, they embrace morbid "graveyard humor" that most mortals find quite unsettling. Sith make their solitary homes in neolithic-style chambers inside barrows, sometimes planted round with copses of yew trees.~~.. however~~, it's said that sith will only make its home in a place where it has first buried a mortal alive to die, as some kind of twisted fey ~~fung~~ shui. Such places are typically decorated with bones and other grave-site trappings.		The Unseelie counterparts of the Shee and the Breed to which Prince Loht belongs, the Sith resemble towering elves, taller even than shee, with unearthly pale skin and stark white hair. In contrast to their kin, who are said to be fascinated with life, the sith are fascinated with death. Fastidious, meticulous and aloof, they are capable of methodic cruelty. These shadow fey never shout, always speaking in soft whispers, and whilst not humourless, they embrace morbid "graveyard humor" that most mortals find quite unsettling. Sith make their solitary homes in neolithic-style chambers inside barrows, sometimes planted round with copses of yew trees. However, it's said that sith will only make its home in a place where it has first buried a mortal alive to die, as some kind of twisted fey feng shui. Such places are typically decorated with bones and other grave-site trappings.

	Sith are terrible foes to face. In addition to potent spellcasting abilities as if they were a modestly high-level [[necromancer]] (7th level in AD&D, 6th in 3e), they are capable of bursts of blinding speed, which they exploit through the use of their favored weapon, the rapier. They can terrify others with a gaze, and possess the same supernatural luck as their shee relatives. Almost uniquely amongst the shadow fey, they cannot assume the form of animals~~; instead~~, they can physically meld with surfaces by transforming into shadows, which renders them immobile, but expertly camouflaged. They are immune to fire attacks and to the touch of weapons made from steel, but can be undone by weapons made of silver.		Sith are terrible foes to face. In addition to potent spellcasting abilities as if they were a modestly high-level [[necromancer]] (7th level in AD&D, 6th in 3e), they are capable of bursts of blinding speed, which they exploit through the use of their favored weapon, the rapier. They can terrify others with a gaze and possess the same supernatural luck as their shee relatives. Almost uniquely amongst the shadow fey, they cannot assume the form of animals. Instead, they can physically meld with surfaces by transforming into shadows, which renders them immobile but expertly camouflaged. They are immune to fire attacks and to the touch of weapons made from steel, but can be undone by weapons made of silver.

	One strange aspect of the sith is who they take as [[changeling]]s~~; in~~ an act that can almost be seen as merciful, the sithkin are made almost exclusively from those who have been left alone and heart-sick by death. Such souls may spend an eternity as ~~the~~ sith~~'s dogsbody~~, but, in the face of such grief, it isn't entirely unkind.		One strange aspect of the sith is who they take as [[changeling]]s. In an act that can almost be seen as merciful, the sithkin are made almost exclusively from those who have been left alone and heart-sick by death. Such souls may spend an eternity as drudges for their sith masters, but in the face of such grief, it isn't entirely unkind.

	<gallery>		<gallery>

66.138.93.94: /* Portune */

2025-11-20T18:26:55Z

Portune

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:26, 20 November 2025
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	They have been known to quietly infiltrate the homes of mortal healers in AD&D, where they may, depending on their opinion, offer education or attempt to make a [[changeling]] out of that unfortunate worthy. In 3rd edition, it's stated that opening a dialogue with a portune is not impossible, but it is tricky; the mortal must ensure the portune feels completely safe, then call out to it despite its use of a reptile form disguise, and then allow the portune to light on their shoulder; their voices are so soft that it's almost impossible for them to be heard if they aren't speaking into a person's ear.		They have been known to quietly infiltrate the homes of mortal healers in AD&D, where they may, depending on their opinion, offer education or attempt to make a [[changeling]] out of that unfortunate worthy. In 3rd edition, it's stated that opening a dialogue with a portune is not impossible, but it is tricky; the mortal must ensure the portune feels completely safe, then call out to it despite its use of a reptile form disguise, and then allow the portune to light on their shoulder; their voices are so soft that it's almost impossible for them to be heard if they aren't speaking into a person's ear.

	Inoffensive by nature, portunes have only one real weapon; wounds inflicted by their bite attacks can only be healed by either powerful magic ~~- like~~, limited wish or better - or by the portune who bit that person in the first place. They are immune to wooden or stone weapons (AD&D vs 3e again), and also to fire, but can be readily harmed ~~despite their fey resilience~~ by copper weapons. In AD&D, anyone attacking a portune must save vs. spell or be afflicted by a Fumble spell, and they can cast Healing sphere spells as if they were 5th level [[cleric]]s. IN 3e, they lose the former trait, and their spellcasting is downgraded to that of a 2nd level [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)\|sorcerer]].		Inoffensive by nature, portunes have only one real weapon; wounds inflicted by their bite attacks can only be healed by either powerful magic (i.e., limited wish or better) or by the portune who bit that person in the first place. They are immune to wooden or stone weapons (AD&D vs 3e again), and also to fire, but can be readily harmed by copper weapons. In AD&D, anyone attacking a portune must save vs. spell or be afflicted by a Fumble spell, and they can cast Healing sphere spells as if they were 5th level [[cleric]]s. IN 3e, they lose the former trait, and their spellcasting is downgraded to that of a 2nd level [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)\|sorcerer]].

	Portunes are all but exclusively members of the Seelie court, as their compassion and pacifistic nature precludes them from joining the Unseelie. In 3e, they often serve and attend shee, which furthers their status as opposites to the powrie.		Portunes are all but exclusively members of the Seelie court, as their compassion and pacifistic nature precludes them from joining the Unseelie. In 3e, they often serve and attend shee, which furthers their status as opposites to the powrie.

66.138.93.94: /* Fir */ Capitalization.

2025-11-20T18:01:49Z

Fir: Capitalization.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:01, 20 November 2025
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	Firs are almost unique amongst the Arak in that their depiction changes markedly between editions. The basic premise of their nature as the Arak's [[artificer]]s, fascinated by precision engineering, mechanics, clockwork and related fields of study, remains the same, but the implementation very much differs.		Firs are almost unique amongst the Arak in that their depiction changes markedly between editions. The basic premise of their nature as the Arak's [[artificer]]s, fascinated by precision engineering, mechanics, clockwork and related fields of study, remains the same, but the implementation very much differs.

	In AD&D, firs resemble pale [[sprite]]s whose fingers are extremely long and thin, tapering to needle-like points, and who have the ability to transform into hedgehogs. They have a manic-depressive sort of mentality, resulting in them switching between two different phases of mentality; an intent working phase when they labor nonstop and a ruminating stage when they meditate on their next project. Unusually, their diet is influenced by their alternate form; though they tend to skip meals except grabbing a bite of whatever's on offer when in their working phase, in meditative mode. ~~they~~ prefer slugs above all else but will also eat grubs, worms, bugs, and other such small fry. Inoffensive by nature, firs rely on traps, clockwork-based [[Animated Object]]s or even small [[golem]]s to defend themselves and their lair, and will usually flee whilst their guardians defend them. If absolutely forced to fight, firs can induce confusion with their mind-bending rambling diatribe about theories, designs, engineering principles and so forth, as well as the ability to charm people who meet their gaze. Immune to attacks from stone weapons and to the cold, a final weapon in the fir's arsenal is their ability to cast spells of the creation and guardian spheres as 5th-level [[cleric]]s. Ironically for a species that tends to work with such metal frequently, firs are supernaturally vulnerable to tin.		In AD&D, firs resemble pale [[sprite]]s whose fingers are extremely long and thin, tapering to needle-like points, and who have the ability to transform into hedgehogs. They have a manic-depressive sort of mentality, resulting in them switching between two different phases of mentality; an intent working phase when they labor nonstop and a ruminating stage when they meditate on their next project. Unusually, their diet is influenced by their alternate form; though they tend to skip meals except grabbing a bite of whatever's on offer when in their working phase, in meditative mode. They prefer slugs above all else but will also eat grubs, worms, bugs, and other such small fry. Inoffensive by nature, firs rely on traps, clockwork-based [[Animated Object]]s or even small [[golem]]s to defend themselves and their lair, and will usually flee whilst their guardians defend them. If absolutely forced to fight, firs can induce confusion with their mind-bending rambling diatribe about theories, designs, engineering principles and so forth, as well as the ability to charm people who meet their gaze. Immune to attacks from stone weapons and to the cold, a final weapon in the fir's arsenal is their ability to cast spells of the creation and guardian spheres as 5th-level [[cleric]]s. Ironically for a species that tends to work with such metal frequently, firs are supernaturally vulnerable to tin.

	So, how did 3e change this? Well, a lot of the core details remain, such as their resilience and their ability to cause confusion. However, 3e firs now come in two varieties, based on courtly allegiance. Firs of the Seelie Court, commonly called Tolly-Knocks, resemble pale-skinned, long-haired human babies with long, thick, pointed claws instead of fingernails. Firs of the Unseelie Court, commonly called Gremlins, also resemble claw-fingered human babies, but much uglier, and completely hairless. Both retain their original AD&D version's fascination with engineering, but the purposes they put it to differ; tolly-knocks prefer clockwork devices of all sorts, whilst gremlins like making traps, weapons and explosives. This manifests especially in their combat tactics; tolly-knocks tend to lead armies of animated toys in their defense, whilst gremlins are more likely to rely on cruel traps and explosive "surprises". Both versions can change into the shape of rodents, with tolly-knocks preferring mice and hedgehogs, and gremlins favoring rats. Tolly-knocks can charm person with their gaze, whilst gremlins instead cause fear.		So, how did 3e change this? Well, a lot of the core details remain, such as their resilience and their ability to cause confusion. However, 3e firs now come in two varieties, based on courtly allegiance. Firs of the Seelie Court, commonly called Tolly-Knocks, resemble pale-skinned, long-haired human babies with long, thick, pointed claws instead of fingernails. Firs of the Unseelie Court, commonly called Gremlins, also resemble claw-fingered human babies, but much uglier, and completely hairless. Both retain their original AD&D version's fascination with engineering, but the purposes they put it to differ; tolly-knocks prefer clockwork devices of all sorts, whilst gremlins like making traps, weapons and explosives. This manifests especially in their combat tactics; tolly-knocks tend to lead armies of animated toys in their defense, whilst gremlins are more likely to rely on cruel traps and explosive "surprises". Both versions can change into the shape of rodents, with tolly-knocks preferring mice and hedgehogs, and gremlins favoring rats. Tolly-knocks can charm person with their gaze, whilst gremlins instead cause fear.

66.138.93.94: /* Brag */ Grammar.

2025-11-20T17:53:14Z

Brag: Grammar.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 20 November 2025
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	Earning their respect, though, is not without its risks; like all Arak, in their own twisted minds, the greatest demonstration of that respect is to offer a mortal the "gift" of immortality as a [[changeling]]. Bragkin spend the rest of eternity assisting brag in their labors.		Earning their respect, though, is not without its risks; like all Arak, in their own twisted minds, the greatest demonstration of that respect is to offer a mortal the "gift" of immortality as a [[changeling]]. Bragkin spend the rest of eternity assisting brag in their labors.

	If motivated to join battle, brags are quite dangerous. Surprisingly nimble, which gives them an uncanny ability to dodge attacks, they also hit like an angry bear - worse, anyone struck by a brag can be temporarily driven mad, overwhelmed by an unshakable delusion that they are, in fact, a horse. Fortunately, this wears off after 24 hours. Brags can also induce sleep in anyone who meets their gaze. They cannot be harmed by weapons made of wood, and are likewise immune to temperature-based attacks - ice and cold in AD&D, fire in 3e. However, they do have one key weakness: perhaps because of their symbolic tie to horses and mules, weapons made of leather can pierce their supernatural resilience, meaning one can ~~quite literally~~ flog them to death with a horse whip.		If motivated to join battle, brags are quite dangerous. Surprisingly nimble, which gives them an uncanny ability to dodge attacks, they also hit like an angry bear - worse, anyone struck by a brag can be temporarily driven mad, overwhelmed by an unshakable delusion that they are, in fact, a horse. Fortunately, this wears off after 24 hours. Brags can also induce sleep in anyone who meets their gaze. They cannot be harmed by weapons made of wood, and are likewise immune to temperature-based attacks - ice and cold in AD&D, fire in 3e. However, they do have one key weakness: perhaps because of their symbolic tie to horses and mules, weapons made of leather can pierce their supernatural resilience, meaning one can outright flog them to death with a horse whip.

	<gallery>		<gallery>

66.138.93.94: /* A Diffuse Race */ Grammar clean-up.

2025-11-20T17:26:04Z

A Diffuse Race: Grammar clean-up.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:26, 20 November 2025
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	===A Diffuse Race===		===A Diffuse Race===
	As with the normal [[Fey]], the Arak come in many different shapes and sizes, each with its own particular focus and its own role to play in the greater Arak society. But, at the same time, the Arak are still one race at core; not only do they readily interbreed, but infant shadow fey resemble no specific species - they transform into a distinctive breed when they reach maturity, and may not take the same breed of either of their parents. The "Nine Breeds" listed here are simply the most common manifestations of Arak adulthood, and there are ~~literally~~ countless others; [[Van Richten's Guide]] to the Shadow Fey even contains specific rules for creating new kinds of Arak.		As with the normal [[Fey]], the Arak come in many different shapes and sizes, each with its own particular focus and its own role to play in the greater Arak society. But, at the same time, the Arak are still one race at core; not only do they readily interbreed, but infant shadow fey resemble no specific species - they transform into a distinctive breed when they reach maturity, and may not take the same breed of either of their parents. The "Nine Breeds" listed here are simply the most common manifestations of Arak adulthood, and there are countless others; [[Van Richten's Guide]] to the Shadow Fey even contains specific rules for creating new kinds of Arak.

	Social and mental roles for each breed are most extensively detailed in the Shadow Fey VRG.		Social and mental roles for each breed are most extensively detailed in the Shadow Fey VRG.

imported>Administrator: 20 revisions imported

2023-06-22T16:02:20Z

20 revisions imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:02, 22 June 2023
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imported>Administrator: 1 revision imported

2023-06-19T03:41:59Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 03:41, 19 June 2023
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1d4chan>Nubnuber: /* Sith */

2022-07-19T14:39:16Z

Sith

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:39, 19 July 2022
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	sith Shadow Rift.png		sith Shadow Rift.png
	Loht Shadow Rift.png		Loht Shadow Rift.png
			loht Servants of Darkness.jpg
	sith.jpg		sith.jpg
	~~loht Servants of Darkness.jpg~~
	</gallery>		</gallery>

1d4chan>Nubnuber: /* Sith */ Added image from Servants of Darkness

2022-07-19T14:30:47Z

Sith: Added image from Servants of Darkness

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:30, 19 July 2022
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	Loht Shadow Rift.png		Loht Shadow Rift.png
	sith.jpg		sith.jpg
			loht Servants of Darkness.jpg
	</gallery>		</gallery>

1d4chan>Nubnuber at 22:08, 4 November 2021

2021-11-04T22:08:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:08, 4 November 2021
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	~~{{dnd-stub}}~~
	~~{{NeedsImages}}~~
	In '[[Dungeons & Dragons]], "Shadow Fey" can refer to either of two races; a race of [[monster]]s from the [[Ravenloft]] setting, or a playable race from the [[Midgard]] setting.		In '[[Dungeons & Dragons]], "Shadow Fey" can refer to either of two races; a race of [[monster]]s from the [[Ravenloft]] setting, or a playable race from the [[Midgard]] setting.