Shadowfell

Echo of Angwizest

The Shadowfell, also called the Plane of Shadow, is land leeched of color, a place of toxic darkness that hates the light. The sky is a black vault with neither sun nor stars, and the landscape reflects a twisted imitation of Angwizest. Although it was once a nexus of positive magical energy known as the Dawnlands, a ritual by a powerful mage during the Age of Arcanum drained the plane of life and light magic. It now exists primarily as a wasteland, with the sole exception of Letherna, the fortress of black ice where The Raven Queen holds court. What remains has been corrupted, unnatural even by Shadowfell standards, and thirsts for blood.

Shadow Crossings

Similar to fey crossings, shadow crossings are locations where the veil between the Material Plane and the Shadowfell is so thin that creatures can walk from one plane to the other. A blot of shadow in the corner of a dusty crypt might be a shadow crossing, as might an open grave. Shadow crossings form in gloomy places where spirits or the stench of death lingers, such as battlefields, graveyards, and tombs. They manifest only in darkness, closing as soon as they feel light’s kiss.

Domains of Dread

In remote corners of the Shadowfell, it is easy to reach horrific demiplanes ruled over by accursed beings of terrible evil. The best known of these is the valley of Barovia, overlooked by the towering spires of Castle Ravenloft and ruled by Count Strahd von Zarovich, the first vampire. Beings of the Shadowfell called the Dark Powers created these domains as prisons for these “darklords,” and through cruelty or carelessness trapped innocent mortals in these domains as well.

Alternative Name(s)

The Plane of Shadow

Type

Dimensional plane