Shadelings

The shadeling condition is a form of Undeath similar to that of Spirits. Creatures affected by the condition, collectively called shadelings, completely lack a corporeal body, with many researchers and scholars believing they are formed from darkness itself. They are primarily found in Carceri, though they've been known to reach The Material Plane and some of the other evil aligned planes.
Shadelings manifest themselves in a relatively humanoid form. Their darkened souls take a rough shape of the original creature they were, with a distinct lack of detailed bodily features outside of their hands. Each finger on their hands ends in a large, glistening black claw, which remains after the shadeling itself is killed.

Transmission & Vectors

The current transmission vectors for shadeling is unknown.

Causes

While the exact cause of becoming a shadeling is unknown, some scholars believe that it is caused in part or in whole by extreme, secret cruelty caused by those who become shadelings.

Symptoms

There are no symptoms to signal that a specific creature will become a shadeling. However, upon death, the creature's body undergoes a massive restructuring. Their flesh, organs, and all softer tissues are rapidly consumed by a black flame like energy that is cold and painful to the touch. This leaves behind a skeleton that permanently oozes a dark, foul odored liquid that seems to dissipate as it touches the ground.

Treatment

Due to the effects necromantic and holy magic has on shadelings, there is currently no known way to treat a creature that has been affected, outside of a Wish spell.

Prognosis

Since the condition only activates after death, and since there is no known cure to the condition, those who are affected are affected permanently, or at least until their undead state is destroyed.

Type

Magical

Parent

Undeath