Shadow Walking

Lore & Background

The practice is heavily guarded by those who wield it for political gain or assassination. While the Lady possesses immense magical power, her agents typically utilize different methods, making true Shadow Walkers distinct markers of opposition. They are feared because they can bypass physical fortifications entirely, appearing behind walls to strike without warning. This unpredictability makes them a nightmare for conventional armies like The Black Company.

In Their Own Story

The campfire crackled, casting long, dancing shapes against the tent canvas. Jumper shifted his weight, eyes narrowing as the firelight seemed to deepen unnaturally in one corner of the room. There was no sound of footsteps, only the sudden displacement of air. From the pool of blackness beneath the table, a figure coalesced, armor gleaming wetly in the torchlight. He held a dagger that had not been there a heartbeat prior.

Reader's Guide

Shadow Walking demands a source of darkness substantial enough to conceal the caster's form completely within its depths. Practitioners must visualize their destination with absolute clarity, often requiring prior knowledge or direct sight of the target location before stepping through. The transition is instantaneous but physically taxing, leaving users drained and vulnerable upon arrival in the new space. Carrying heavy equipment through the shadow veil is notoriously difficult; weapons may pass through, but armor often weighs down the spirit during transit, slowing the emergence. Interruption mid-step can result in permanent entrapment within the darkness itself, a fate worse than death for many mages. Only trained specialists or those gifted by dark patrons possess this skill naturally without extensive study. The Lady's forces sometimes mimic similar travel methods, though true Shadow Walkers often serve darker masters like the White Face. It is primarily a tool of assassination and espionage rather than battlefield movement due to these risks. Large groups cannot travel together without risking collision in the void between places, making it ideal for lone agents striking from nowhere.

Did You Know?

• Shadow Walkers often leave no physical trace behind them upon departure.
• The magic is ineffective in areas bathed purely in magical light or holy wards.
• Some users report hearing voices of those lost in the shadow realm during transit.