Revision as of 16:58, 3 February 2010

What is a Shade?

There are many entities in the Dreaming who do not have a physical body. They are present in the Dreaming but do not have a way to interact with it. These entities are called Shades. There are a few different types of them.

A Shade wanders the Dreaming until it is summoned by a Spell, Ritual or Dream Walk. If given the opportunity, a Shade can possess a Wake and occupy that body. That player now uses the Shade's stats and skills. If the character receives a Death Strike, or remains knocked out for 60 seconds, the Shade will flee the body.

If someone gives you the ability to play a Shade while you are playing your character, you must first wander "off stage" (see: Basic_Rules#Entering_or_Leaving Entering or Leaving Game). Then you may return with a blue arm band on, indicating to everybody that you are a Shade and are not playing your normal character. If you were a Wake when you were summoned, (meaning you weren't playing, or your character is dead for the night, but you're still hanging around as a wake) you may put on the arm band and come into game immediately.

Shades often wear masks.

A Shade's Behavior

Shades do not have names, and they generally do not live long.

As a Shade, most of the time you will be under the control of the person who summoned you. You are not your character, and cannot speak or act on your character's behalf. You must follow any instructions that your creator gives to you. Generally, these must be simple instructions like "follow me", "guard this spot", or "attack this person".

Sometimes your creator will be a ritual or Dream Walk. In this case, you may have more complex instructions.

If you are attacked as a Shade, it does not damage you, but the shade spirit. If you receive a death blow, or lie unconscious for more than 60 seconds, the shade spirit will vanish. At this point, You say "I vanish", and take off your shade arm-band. If you were transformed from your character into a Shade, you may now wander back on-stage as your character.

Your character remembers anything that happened while you were playing a Shade. So if you're trying to keep a secret, you shouldn't say it in front of Shades -- When they return as their character they'll still remember what they've seen and heard.

Monsters

Certain types of Shades, called Monsters, are controlled by destructive forces beyond our understanding. Monsters are hostile, violent, and do not attempt to communicate with Dreams. You will often encounter monsters during Dream Walks. Sometimes you will not be able to begin a Dream Walk without allowing some people to be possessed by monsters.

Most Dreams applaud the hunting and slaughter of monsters. It is thought that the Monster itself contains some of this destructive force. By slaying the monster, one safely disperses that energy. Over time, perhaps the inevitable destruction of the universe can be averted by slaying monsters.

Types of Shades

Shades generally pick a character class and skills. They may not buy Daily skills or choose the Summoner class.

Imps: Imps are the weakest type of monster. They have 2 health. They may pick a class and 2 skills.

Phantoms: Phantoms are as strong as most Dreaming characters. They have 5 health. They may pick a class and 4 skills.

Demons: Demons are powerful monsters. They have 10 health. They may pick two classes and 3 skills from each class.