Monday, June 5, 2017

Pale Shadows

A shudder through the silence crept
And death athwart the noonlight swept…
Graves closed round my path of life,
The beautiful had fled;
Pale Shadows wandered by my side,
And whispered of the dead.’


Pale Shadows
No. Enc.: 1d4
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90' (30') [Cannot traverse areas of magical Darkness]
Armor Class: 7
Hit Dice: 2
Attacks: 1
Damage: Special
Save: MU2
Morale: 10

Special: Cannot be Turned. Can only be struck by Blackened/Darkened or magical weapons or spells. Darkness destroys them.

Pale Shadows are encountered occasionally near the Jumbles and certain disreputable shrines, sometimes within the Glowfield, but mostly they are to be found within the White Orchard. Fragile, ephemeral things, they are sometimes confused with figments, oneirical fragments or other such sorcerous residue. In truth they are more akin to phantasms or very weak hauntings, only barely meriting mention among the rolls of the undead, Pale Shadows are most often dismissed as minor nuisances, easily ignored or dealt with by even the most incautious adventurer. But perhaps it would be worthwhile to listen to these whispering, wandering spirits who recount the deeds and exploits of those long gone and forgotten.

The Book of the White Glyph is purported to include spells for binding Pale Shadows into carved ivory lanterns and other such objects so as to encourage the spirits to focus upon specific deeds and particular long deceased individuals.

Fantomists are known to pay a small bounty for Pale Shadows delivered to them intact and unharmed...but they never explain precisely how they intend for this to be done, preferring it to be left to those who already know how to accomplish the task before revealing any of their trade secrets.

Some Wanderer families will barter good silver or salt for a set of candles that somehow seem to attract the attention of Pale Shadows...as well as other things. Their only words of warning are to never, ever under any circumstance take these candles into the White Orchard, let alone actually light one there...


Source of Inspiration: Noon, by Sarah Helen Whitman.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for your comment. We value your feedback and appreciate your support of our efforts.