The Shade Court is a mysterious group, often thought to be a clandestine group of enforcers for the Faewild's High Court. Exact details about their purpose or origin remain unknown, though their presence in the Faewild and beyond is often enough to give even the most experienced of adventurers pause.
Structure
The Shade Court is comprised of a number of individuals, known as Vestiges, that each have control over a separate division of the Court's army. As of 4,735 AB (6E 20), there have been four confirmed Vestiges, though the true number of Vestiges operating at one time is estimated to be around twenty. The Vestiges, like the court itself, tend to keep to themselves, isolated from the rest of Faewild society.
The Shade Court's army itself is comprised of thousands of Shade Knights, each wearing identical uniforms, save for the detailing on their masks. The masks themselves are similar to theatre masks, either depicting a smile or a frown, paired with lifeless black eyes. The rest of the uniform is comprised of dark fabrics and armor plating crafted from ebony and
vantus chitin, and is often enchanted with illusory properties allowing the wearer to appear invisible at will.
Recruitment
The Shade Court's "recruitment" methods have become a legend within the Faewild, as they have been known to abduct and brainwash individuals they view as "worthy" of becoming a Shade Knight. The masks worn by each Shade Knight traps the wearer's soul within it, replacing it with a quasi-soul. These quasi-souls are entirely obedient to their commanding Vestige, carrying out orders with no regard for personal survival. Should the mask be removed by anyone other than the Knight's Vestige, the soul is shattered, killing the Knight.
The Court's recruitment tactics has, in recent years, led to pressure on the High Court to cut ties with their shadowy counterpart. Their continued reliance on the Shade Court for handling matters the High Court would rather avoid has begun to be seen as endorsement of their methods, a claim the High Court vehemently denies. Yet, despite ample opportunities to do so, the High Court has yet to sever their connection to the Shade Court, and have even begun utilizing them to silence dissidents.
