Shade

Shades are what happens when events twist an otherwise harmless spirit into a cruel mockery of its former self, most often the result of them passing through a Black Gate. The creatures that are twisted in this way become visible as shadowed forms that are visible to the naked eye. They have an insatiable hunger for the living and will attack any mortal they see without hesitation, assaulting them relentlessly and draining their lifeforce entirely, leaving the husk behind which in turn twists the spirit of the slain individual as yet another shade, leading to an overwhelming pandemic of hungry Shades if not corrected quickly enough. To date only rumors of this type of event exist, but the threat is real and one that should be watched for.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Shades have a distinct appearance as shadowy entities. Their bodies lack the normal solidity and definition of living beings. Instead, they appear as dark, wispy figures, with their forms constantly shifting and undulating like smoke or shadow. The anatomy of Shades is ethereal, with their bodies composed of dark energy or malevolent essence. This composition allows them to pass through physical barriers effortlessly and move silently, enhancing their predatory nature. To sustain themselves, Shades possess a means of draining the lifeforce from living beings. This could be through touch or proximity, as they assault their victims relentlessly. The exact method might involve tendrils of dark energy extending from their forms to leech the life essence from their prey, all depending on the shade itself, as there are oddly unique qualities retained within each one.
When a Shade successfully drains the lifeforce of a mortal, it leaves behind a husk. This husk is the remnants of the once-living individual, now devoid of life energy. The transformation process involves the twisted spirit of the slain individual becoming a new shade, contributing to the overwhelming pandemic of hungry Shades.
Unlike spirits that may remain unseen, Shades become visible to the naked eye. This visibility is a result of the twisted events and the passage through a Black Gate, marking them as a supernatural threat that can be identified by those who are attuned to such occurrences.

Ecology and Habitats

• Spiritual Realm Habitat: Shades primarily inhabit the spiritual realm, a parallel dimension that exists alongside the physical world. This ethereal plane is characterized by its shadowy landscapes and is home to various other supernatural entities. Within the spiritual realm, Shades navigate through darkened landscapes that mirror key locations in the mortal world, but with an eerie and distorted quality.
• Temporal Anchors: Temporally anchored locations serve as critical points connecting the spiritual and physical realms. These anchors are places where the barrier between the two planes is thin, facilitating the crossing over of Shades. These anchors often coincide with sites of great suffering, tragedy, or malevolent energy. Examples might include abandoned buildings, ancient ruins, or locations with a history of dark rituals.
• Crossing Over: Shades utilize temporal anchors as portals to cross over from the spiritual realm into the physical world. The process of crossing over is triggered by specific conditions, such as a surge in negative energy, an alignment of celestial events, or the unwitting actions of the living. Black Gates, mentioned previously, could be one such mechanism facilitating the crossing over, allowing Shades to enter the mortal realm and unleash their hunger.
• Interactions with the Living: Once in the mortal realm, Shades interact with the living in a predatory manner. Their primary goal is to feed on the lifeforce of mortals, leaving behind husks and contributing to the propagation of their kind. Shades may exploit vulnerabilities in individuals, targeting those with unresolved traumas or weakened spiritual defenses. The living might sense their presence through feelings of dread, chilling cold, or glimpses of their shadowed forms.
• Haunting Grounds: Certain locations become haunting grounds, where Shades congregate and are more likely to be encountered. These areas are often marked by an accumulation of dark energy and may include places where significant atrocities occurred. Haunting grounds serve as epicenters for the overwhelming pandemic of Shades, where the spiritual and temporal energies intermingle, creating a conducive environment for their manifestation.

Behaviour

Shades are relentless predators with an instinctual drive to feed on the lifeforce of the living. Once they cross over into the mortal realm through temporal anchors, they actively seek out potential victims. Their predatory nature is fueled by an unending hunger, leading to relentless pursuit and attacks on any mortal they encounter. They are known for haunting specific locations, especially those with dark histories or heightened spiritual energy. They stalk their prey, often remaining hidden in the shadows or within the spiritual realm until the opportune moment to strike. This behavior adds an element of psychological horror as individuals may feel a constant sense of being watched or pursued. They are cunning in their approach, targeting individuals with unresolved traumas or weakened spiritual defenses. They exploit emotional vulnerabilities, feeding on fear, grief, or despair to weaken their prey further. This predatory strategy allows them to maximize the lifeforce they extract. Shades are drawn to places with heightened negative energies, such as sites of great suffering, tragedy, or malevolent rituals. These locations serve as temporal anchors and haunting grounds, creating an environment conducive to their manifestation. The presence of Shades may exacerbate negative energies in an area, creating a feedback loop that sustains and strengthens them.
After successfully draining the lifeforce of a mortal, Shades leave behind lifeless husks. The twisted spirits of the slain individuals are transformed into new Shades, contributing to the overwhelming pandemic. This cycle perpetuates the threat, making it crucial to address Shade activity swiftly to prevent the exponential increase in their numbers. In haunting grounds or areas with a high concentration of Shades, they may exhibit a sort of mob mentality. Multiple Shades might coordinate their attacks, overwhelming individuals or communities. This collective behavior makes them a more formidable threat, especially if their numbers continue to grow.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

• Void Sight: Shades can see clearly in low-light or complete darkness. Their vision is not hindered by the absence of light, allowing them to navigate the spiritual realm and haunting grounds with ease. 
• Spectral Awareness: Shades have an innate awareness of spiritual energies. They can sense the presence of living beings and other supernatural entities, making them effective hunters in the spiritual and physical realms.
• Emotional Resonance: Shades are highly attuned to the emotions of the living. They can sense fear, grief, despair, and other intense emotions, which act as beacons guiding them to potential prey. This emotional resonance helps them locate individuals with vulnerabilities to exploit.
• Ephemeral Hearing: While not relying on physical ears, Shades can perceive ethereal sounds and whispers in the spiritual realm. This heightened sense allows them to eavesdrop on conversations, detect the movement of living beings, and respond to auditory cues.
• Lifeforce Detection: Shades possess the ability to detect the presence and intensity of lifeforce. This enables them to identify individuals with rich and potent life energies, guiding their predatory instincts toward those who can provide a substantial meal.
• Shadowmelding: Shades have the ability to merge with shadows, becoming virtually invisible in dimly lit or shadowy environments. This allows them to stalk their prey unnoticed and adds an element of surprise to their attacks.
• Temporal Sensitivity: Shades are sensitive to temporal fluctuations and the thinning of the barrier between the spiritual and physical realms. They can discern when temporal anchors are becoming more accessible, signaling opportunities for them to cross over into the mortal realm.
• Corrupted Intuition: Shades may have a corrupted form of intuition, allowing them to anticipate the movements and actions of the living. This intuition aids them in ambushing unsuspecting victims and evading attempts to repel or banish them.

Scientific Name

Spirit