Also known as The Shadowfell
A kingdom far to the south of Solace, home to the only known Portal leading to the alternate plane known as the Underdark.
Elves known as the Shadar-Kai once forsook the god Corellon for Lolth, and then again forsook Lolth for Corellon. They have come to be called The Nightshade Kingdom, also known as Shadowfell. The Shadar-Kai guard against the Underdark's intrusion. Karnifax warns us to be weary of parlay with the Shadar-Kai, for they may change their dispositions toward us several times. The Golden City of Elves, in turn, guards our world against the Shadar-Kai (they do NOT like being called "Forsaken").
Shadar-Kai are in a constant struggle to avoid becoming Nightshades, but those who succumb are forced to stay within the Nightshade Kingdom for the rest of their lives, perhaps eternity. Their final duty is as guards for the nightshade kingdom.
A Magistery party will be making the long trek to the Nightshade Kingdom on Elitia Priveneris (6/6/346) in order to investigate and enter the portal to the Underdark. This time, we bring the fight to them. (see Game-Summaries:7/14 Recollections)
The Eternal Order encountered The Nightshade Kingdom and the Plane of Shadows on a Mission to the Underdark (see Game-Summaries:7/14 Recollections).
The Fortress of Memories edit edit source
The central pyramid within The Nightshade Kingdom is the home of The Raven Queen, and is known as the Fortress of Memories. The center of the fortress guards the Portal of Nightmare, it is said to connect several planes and depending on a number of unknown factors the portal will transport you to various places. The Eternal Order used this portal to go to the Underdark.
The Fortress of Memories is also home to the enigmatic Labyrinth and Well of Souls
The Plane of Shadow edit edit source
The Plane of Shadows, is a dimension of darkness and shadow. Academically, the Plane of Shadow is the nebulous space between the Astral Plane and the Material Plane, and is often referred to as the "Plane of Belief."
The Plane of Shadows overlaps the Material Plane in much the same way as the Feywild. Aside from the colorless landscape, it appears similar to the Material Plane. Landmarks from the Material Plane are recognizable on the Plane of Shadows, as pseudo-inverted reflections that are functions of age and impact, a literal representation of the belief people have in the monuments and landmarks in the material plane.
The Shadowfell edit edit source
There are places where the veil between the Material Plane and the Plane of Shadows is so thin that creatures can walk from one plane to the other. Shadow crossings form in gloomy places where spirits or the stench of death lingers, such as battlefields, graveyards, and tombs. The Shadowfell is an infamous crossing between the plane of shadow and the material plane, and is home to both the Shadar-Kai and The Raven Queen. The Shadowfell itself centers around The Nightshade Kingdom.