Bestiary

Smouldering Shadow- by T.A. Saunders ©2010 v1.0

Stats

Description Smouldering Shadows, due to their seemingly two-dimensional natures, are difficult to identify from a distance and all but undetectable in low-light environments. At a glance resembling the desultory shadow of a humanoid, closer examination reveals the notable absence of anything to cast it and grainy shifting of its decal across the ground. In actuality, though, they are comprised of innumerable blackened particulates possessed by the souls of the disintegrated.

Lore Scarcely found beyond sites of mass murder and devastation dealt by Radiance, to see one Smouldering Shadow is a good indicator as to the presence of more. Left behind in the aftermath of Radiant baths, these shadowy stains are all that remains of the bodies of the victims, animated by their deranged souls.

Smouldering Shadows are completely immune to corporeal damage, even from enchanted sources. Clever utilization of magic can temporarily scatter the particles comprising their bodies, but they will reform in time. The only permanent solutions to dispersing these revenants the hazardous purification or exorcism and immediate interment of their remains, or the discerning of their mortal names by a Medium; repetition of the names can disrupt them and assist in their passage to the Crossroads.

Though their shadowy grain crawls slowly across the ground, when congregating in groups the mere presence of them can cause flammable objects they pass to smoulder angrily, and simply approaching such a cluster can cripple an unsuspecting victim to the point they are unable to outpace the demented spirits' sluggish encroachment. To be slain by a Smouldering Shadow is, unless the corpse is extricated prior to being reduced to ashes, to become one and join their marauding posse in unthinking search of whomever killed them.

While in theory still sapient due to the lingering presence of a soul, the agonizing state in which they exist leaves much to be desired in terms of coherence. They are incapable of speech in their natural state, but can listen to -- or at least detect the emotion behind -- spoken word. If able to differentiate the speaker from whomever killed them, which is problematic due to not being able to think of much beyond revenge, they will generally cease hostilities. This lack of hostility does nothing to remedy the involuntary smouldering of their surroundings. However, such peaceful resolutions become increasingly difficult when encountering them in groups, as their collective negativity clouds what remains of their sanity and comprehension.

Beyond being occasionally utilized by particularly diplomatic Necromancers or Mediums, Smouldering Shadows are of little use in undeath and similarly finite use when dispersed, although some Seers may see fit to use the motes left behind in their cleansing to light torches, lanterns, and bonfires that are unnaturally long lasting: if kept lit somewhere dry and without powerful winds to snuff them out, a flame fed their ashes may last an eternity.