Shadar-Kai
Shadar-kai are the elves of the Shadowfell, originally drawn to that dread realm by the Raven Queen. Over the centuries, some of them have continued to serve her, while others have ventured into the Material Plane to forge their own destinies.
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Once shadar-kai were Fey like the rest of their elven kin; now they exist in a state between life and death, thanks to being transformed by the Shadowfell’s grim energy.
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Shadar-kai have ashen skin tones, and while they’re in the Shadowfell, they also become wizened, reflecting the somber nature of that gloomy plane.
Homelands
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The Shadowfell
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Deities
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The Raven Queen
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Enmity
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Followers of Vecna or Orcus
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Affinity
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Generally amicable to most races
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Notable Features
Shadow-touched elves, pale or grayish skin, affinity for darkness and shadow magic, emotionally reserved, agile and stealthy, somber demeanor, skilled assassins and spies, long-lived, omnivorous with preference for simple, hearty foods, unwavering allegiance to the Raven Queen.
Advanced Race Expectations
These particular elves lack sclera and had no visible iris. Their eyes were usually fully black in color and their skin was incredibly pale. Trapped within the Shadowfell with the maddened Raven Queen as their deity, these elves are molded into beings that hunt the Material Plane for souls, trinkets, and otherwise. They are emotionally stunted in many regards, and do not understand the emotional weight that many must go through. Their primary goal is to retrieve whatever errand the Raven Queen sent them on, and they will fulfill it at any cost. Efficient assassins and thieves, the Shadar-Kai are excellent trackers, magic wielders, and collectors.
Height
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​Min: 145 cm (4'10")
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​Max: 180cm (6'0")
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Languages
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Common
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Elvish
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Life Span
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​Adulthood: 100 years
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​Longevity: 750 years​
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Movement
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3 tiles per turn​
Blessing of the Raven Queen
As a bonus action, you can magically teleport up to 3 tiles to an unoccupied space you can see. Usable once per long rest.
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Darkvision​
You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions, negating the Perception and to-hit penalties present at nighttime and in the dark areas of the world.
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Fey Ancestry
You are immune to magical sleep effects.​​
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Keen Senses
Elves are highly attuned to their surroundings. You have proficiency in Perception.
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Necrotic Resistance
You have resistance to necrotic damage.
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Trance
Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that non-elves do from 8 hours of sleep (a long rest).
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Trancing is an intrinsic part of the elven experience, for elves peer back into their past memories to dissect them and learn from them. These memories extend back a century, and it is for this reason why elves are not considered adults until they've aged 100 years, for their trance will include memories of their past elven life within that span.