Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 karazhan Aug 19, 2008 9:31:02	Well this was bound to happen, 4.0 Shadar-Kai now exist in the realms. They are the new favored servants of the Shades and breed true with one another. The Shades also now have a ritual to transform any human into a Shadar-Kai as well. You thought Mystra and her Chosen were OP and used too much? Try Shar with her own Empire of Shade, Shadar-Kai servants, 12 Princes of Shade, cells of Dark Moon Monks, and the Kir-Lanan. While each group is interesting to read about and I think will lead to great adventures.... Overexposure anyone?
#2 merrikcale Aug 19, 2008 9:42:33	This is not exactly coming out of left field. You have the Shades, you have the shadar-kai in the MM and we know they will make them a PC race in some future PHB so................
#3 markustay63 Aug 19, 2008 10:00:21	Shaded Shadowy Umbral darkness Shades Showing shapely shadows surreally. I think if I read the word 'shadow' one more time, I'm going to scream. :headexplo Considering how many of us complained endlessly about the Shadovar in 3e, isn't it just amazing that these guys made the entire setting revolve around this crap? So much for listening to the fans. I heard about a mythical company that listens to its fans, and even recruits their input on projects... what was the name of that company again... ? ;)
#4 lord_karsus Aug 19, 2008 11:09:21	Overexposure anyone? -Many have cited it before. -As to the introduction of Shadar-Kai...Does it really matter? What's another (somewhat) obscure and limited race? It's not like...Shadar-Kai now make up 90% of the world's population. THEN, I'd be a bit more cynical concerning their introduction.
#5 nova_head Aug 19, 2008 11:17:24	-As to the introduction of Shadar-Kai... /snip Shadar-Kai are not new. They are in 3.5 Fiend Folio.
#6 sith_lord_v Aug 19, 2008 11:19:12	Shaded Shadowy Umbral darkness Shades Showing shapely shadows surreally. I think if I read the word 'shadow' one more time, I'm going to scream. :headexplo Considering how many of us complained endlessly about the Shadovar in 3e, isn't it just amazing that these guys made the entire setting revolve around this crap? So much for listening to the fans. I heard about a mythical company that listens to its fans, and even recruits their input on projects... what was the name of that company again... ? ;) That would be Paizo.
#7 lord_karsus Aug 19, 2008 11:29:47	Shadar-Kai are not new. They are in 3.5 Fiend Folio. -Into the setting in a "active" manner, they are new.
#8 ninjakangaroorat_dup Aug 19, 2008 11:41:46	What about the Shadar Kai that live in the shadowfell? Do they all worship Shar as well? Core Shadar-Kai worship The Raven queen which would make them worshippers of Kelemvor, kinda odd!
#9 merrikcale Aug 19, 2008 11:43:29	I expect the Shadar-kai will eventually get a big push. We know that shadow is a power source that will be used in the future, probably a future PHB. We also can bet that there will be a Shadow Power book at some point. The Shadar-kai will be the focus of all that for sure
#10 markustay63 Aug 19, 2008 11:47:41	-Into the setting in a "active" manner, they are new. Actually, they go all the way back to 2e, and have been ret-conned several times since (they were Shadow-Elves originally, and then Fey).
#11 lord_karsus Aug 19, 2008 11:51:12	Actually, they go all the way back to 2e, and have been ret-conned several times since (they were Shadow-Elves originally, and then Fey). -Again, in an "active" manner in the setting.
#12 leiril Aug 19, 2008 12:01:31	Shadar-Kai are not new. They are in 3.5 Fiend Folio. In the Web Enhancement 3 (City of Wyrmshadows) to Dragons of Faerun Shadar-Kai were slaves and servitors of the Jaezred Chaulssin. So they were in the Setting of FR in 3.5 also. But there was also told somewhere that they were a diminishing race and then it was told that they try to get rid of their shadowy heir, so why should they even go further and make an alliance with a race wich brings them even more to the Plane of Shadow and create new ones?
#13 suin_bahhar_02 Aug 19, 2008 12:39:11	The shadowfey versions I kinda liked. But I really like the new Shadar-Kai. I have no problems including them in the current realms as well. The Raven Queen has tremendoes appeal to me aswell, so I am inclined to introduce her as tme most ambitious one of Kelemvors servitor angels and patroness of the Shadar-Kai.
#14 markustay63 Aug 19, 2008 12:45:28	If I use them at all, they will remain Shadowfey in my game.
#15 lord_karsus Aug 23, 2008 22:37:27	-Fey tainted/influenced by Shadow is at least a breath of fresh air. What others are there? Unseelie Creatures? Gloamings? The Humans tainted/influenced by Shadow bit is getting a bit cliched.
#16 Diffan Aug 24, 2008 1:08:06	Shaded Shadowy Umbral darkness Shades Showing shapely shadows surreally. I think if I read the word 'shadow' one more time, I'm going to scream. Considering how many of us complained endlessly about the Shadovar in 3e, isn't it just amazing that these guys made the entire setting revolve around this crap? So much for listening to the fans. Here ya go MT, figured you need it--- :P, J/K I've been one who actually liked the return of the Shade Enclave. They were willing to work with who-ever to get the job done and that shows me they mean buisness. I also like the "shadowy" style they run with. The Shadar-Kai were something that really interested me in 3.5 (espically with the Cormyr: Tearing of the Weave campaign) and I've been wanting to use them or play one for quite some time. The whole shadow theme doens't really seem that boring as well and adds some refreshment to the Realms instead of the old, re-hashed Cult of the Dragon, Red Wizard, or Zhentarim plots I've seen in the past.
#17 lord_karsus Aug 26, 2008 23:16:01	I've been one who actually liked the return of the Shade Enclave. -I also enjoyed the return of the Shade Enclave. Still do, to a degree. But, rather than accept that that bird has flown, and focus on something else for now, the horse is a bloody pulp.
#18 Dark_Wizard_02 Aug 26, 2008 23:32:47	Do they still favor the Spiked Chain like in 3e. That was the only thing that kept me from loving them as a concept. The spiked chain just doesn't feel shadowy to me (personal opinion, I know it can be argued six ways to sunday ... seven ways to shieldmeet?). If I recall the Shadar-Kai were one of the Fiend Folio design teams attempt at the next Githyanki (of original Fiend Folio fame). Each contributor were challenged to great one monster with the same apppeal as the Gith. Some of the others were the Kaorti (easily adapted to the realms via Imaskari origin) and the Ethergaunts (sp? ancient civilization that escaped into the ethereal, not hard to work into the Realms either).
#19 lord_karsus Aug 27, 2008 23:07:40	Do they still favor the Spiked Chain like in 3e. That was the only thing that kept me from loving them as a concept. The spiked chain just doesn't feel shadowy to me (personal opinion, I know it can be argued six ways to sunday ... seven ways to shieldmeet?). -What would you consider 'shadowy'? Personally, I can see it as a shadowy weapon. Swinging it so fast, the ball and chain seem like a dark blur. A little poetic there, almost, but...
#20 rinonalyrna_fathomlin Aug 28, 2008 12:36:51	Well this was bound to happen, 4.0 Shadar-Kai now exist in the realms. They are the new favored servants of the Shades and breed true with one another. The Shades also now have a ritual to transform any human into a Shadar-Kai as well. You thought Mystra and her Chosen were OP and used too much? Try Shar with her own Empire of Shade, Shadar-Kai servants, 12 Princes of Shade, cells of Dark Moon Monks, and the Kir-Lanan. While each group is interesting to read about and I think will lead to great adventures.... What's really funny is that Shar is considered to have "few allies" according to one of the recently featured WotC articles.
#21 rinonalyrna_fathomlin Aug 28, 2008 12:39:15	I don't mind the Shades, myself, I just dislike their apparent prominence in the setting.
#22 Dark_Wizard_02 Aug 28, 2008 21:44:45	-What would you consider 'shadowy'? Personally, I can see it as a shadowy weapon. Swinging it so fast, the ball and chain seem like a dark blur. A little poetic there, almost, but... Like I said, I anticipated my opinion could be argued. As for my opinion of 'Shadowy,' I always imagined exotic blades (not unlike the wild look of the shadow walker from Unapproachable East, even though she was holding an arrow), for much the same reason you said. It's blurry only when swung and well defined when not. A sharp edge reminds me of shadows, since they appear 2D. It also doesn't help that I find the Spiked Chain odd in an unfavorable way. One question to the board, what intelligent races are indigenous to the Plane of Shadow?
#23 lord_karsus Aug 28, 2008 21:51:13	It's blurry only when swung and well defined when not. A sharp edge reminds me of shadows, since they appear 2D. -Makes sense. One question to the board, what intelligent races are indigenous to the Plane of Shadow? -Why not create a new thread for a new topic? :P
#24 Dark_Wizard_02 Aug 28, 2008 22:10:51	-Why not create a new thread for a new topic? :P That's a good idea. I guess you're not the archwizard for nothing. :P
#25 thecasualoblivion Aug 28, 2008 22:17:26	To me, the Shadar-Kai were just too good of an idea to ignore. The concept they came up with for the 4E Monster Manual, while not to everyone's taste, simply is too appealing to a significant part of the D&D playerbase. Its like the Half-Dragon template or other exotic races in 3E. People just liked them and shoehorned them into games because of it. They are just finding a place for something people playing the game would demand the inclusion of. In the end, the Forgotten Realms is part of the D&D game.
#26 Dark_Wizard_02 Aug 28, 2008 22:23:31	Well it's quite obvious of all the new creatures they designed for Fiend Folio gunning for the title of the new Githyanki, the Shadar-Kai came out on top.
#27 lord_karsus Aug 28, 2008 22:23:40	That's a good idea. I guess you're not the archwizard for nothing. :P -Indeed... In the end, the Forgotten Realms is part of the D&D game. -And, at the same time, a separate fantasy world. The two are joined in a symbiotic link.