What is a Shade?

Shades are neutral dream spirits. Sometimes you will be able to play a shade, a lesser being who isn't very intelligent and doesn't have a lot of power. Shades do not have names, and they generally do not live long. They can possess someone, and then will flee when the person is struck down.

If someone gives you the ability to play a Shade while you are playing your character, you must first wander "off stage" (see: Entering or Leaving Game). Then you may return with an arm band on, indicating to everybody that you are not your character, but are a shade. If you were a wake (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.

A Shade's Behavior

As a shade, most of the time you will be under the control of the person who created 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".

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 reappear 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 Monsters

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.