Copyright 2009 Wizards of the Coast

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We already saw the basic lore of shadar-kai back in [Let’s Read the Monster Manual][2], and the Monster Manual 2 brings a few more stat blocks for them.

This is where they add the lore about Shadar-kai seeking extreme sensations to stave off the soul-draining malaise of the Shadowfell. As I said in the original post, I prefer to ignore this bit. If you want to add it in, the book also mentions that offers of novel and/or intense experiences tend to be well-received when one negotiates with shadar-kai.

In this book we get paragon-tier Shadar-kai, which one can usually meet in the Shadowfell proper. They retain the MM1 signature traits (low-light vision and the Shadow Jaunt ability), and get a new gimmick in the form of a new status effect they can inflict: shrouded in gloom. A victim who is shrouded in gloom takes a -2 penalty to attacks and gains only half the benefit from healing effects. This seems to always be a “save ends” condition. Their ground speed is 7.

Lastly, the new stat blocks presented here were named by someone who decided that simple descriptive names like the “Warrior” and “Witch” of the first book weren’t nearly goth enough. Let’s check them out.

Shadar-kai Blacksoul

Blacksouls are spellcasters specializing in harmful shadow-based magic. They’re level 14 Controllers with 138 HP, and all their attacks are spells. Corrupting Blackfire is a basic melee attack that deals fire and necrotic damage; Shadowbolt is a basic ranged attack that deals necrotic damage; and Shadowburst (recharge 6+) deals necrotic damage over a wide area. All three also shroud the target in gloom on a hit.

The blacksoul’s ultimate attack is Corrupt Soul, which targets Will and dominates (save ends). It can only target victims who are shrouded in gloom.

Shadar-kai Dawnkiller

This absurd edgelord is a Level 14 Lurker with 106 HP. They carry a pair of kukris whose strikes shroud the target in gloom and can also be used to perform a shade strike that does the same damage and blinds instead. Their Shadows of the Raven Queen trait gives them bonus damage against targets who can’t see them.

Dawnkillers likely alternate shade strikes and basic attacks, focusing on a single PC. They pair really well with the spellcasters from this entry, providing an extra source of “shrouded in gloom” so their buddies can use their ultimate attacks earlier.

Shadar-kai Gloom Lord

Gloom Lords are spellcasters of the same tradition as blacksouls, with a slightly different spell selection. They’re Level 14 Artillery with 108 HP.

Their basic attacks are the same, and their special technique is named Shadowcage. This is an at-will ranged attack that targets the Reflex of a creature shrouded in gloom. It deals necrotic damage, restrains the target, and prevents it from moving more than 2 squares away from its original position until it passes a save to clear all of these effects.

Sharar-kai Painbearer

They’re not in pain, they bring the pain to you. Painbearers are Level 15 Skirmishers with the Leader keyword and 144 hP. They wear leather and wield spiked chains.

Their basic attack is named shadow chain, which does damage and shrouds in gloom as usual. They can also perform a Shadow Dance that allows them to shift their speed and make three shadow chain attacks against different targets along the way. Each attack after the first deals an extra 2d6 damage for every previous attack that hit.

That’s the Skirmisher part. The Leader part comes from two other abilities. The first is a Shadow Weft aura (5) that allows shadar-kai allies within to shift 1 square after they hit with a melee attack. The second is Shadow Boon, a reaction that allows an ally within 10 squares to re-roll an attack they just missed.

Sample Encounters and Final Impressions

I’m surprised we didn’t get a stat block that was literally named Shadar-kai Edgelord.

Typical shadar-kai combat encounters will be either agains the villainous sort that consorts with undead, or the morally ambigious yet antagonistic sort that swears fealty to the Raven Queen. A more complex encounter might find the PCs aiding the latter against the former. Either sort of shadar-kai might be riding nightmares, because of course they would.

We get two sample encounters here:

  • Level 13: two dawnkillers and a painbearer accompanied by a bodak. Undead-loving villains.

  • Level 14: A blacksoul, 2 gloom lords and 2 painbearers. A team where every member is a brooding loner, Kamen Rider-style.