Lore:Shadow

This article is about the creature. For the constellation, see The Shadow.

A Shadow

Shadows are entities created either by Shadow Magic or by the Daedric Prince Nocturnal. One of the known types of shadows is created is when a victim's shadow is ripped from their body and given sentience with the use of shadow magic. Victims of this process describe feeling a chill before their shadows are separated from them and the shadow then often turns on its former owner and may attempt to kill them or may even take their place.^[1]^[2]

Shadows are a vital part of a person's animus and the victim is severely weakened should they and their shadow be separated. Should they not reabsorb their shadow and instead destroy it, the victim will permanently lose some of their power.^[3] Some believe that without a shadow, a person begins to lose touch with themselves, as thoughts beyond the basic facts of life dissipate until the victim is nothing but a thrall.^[4]

Some of the most powerful beings, including members of the Psijic Order, powerful mages such as Divayth Fyr, or even gods like Sotha Sil, have been shown to be vulnerable to having their shadows ripped out of them.^[2]^[5] These shadows have shown intelligence and can even assume a person's role, as seen in the Second Era when Sotha Sil's shadow took his place. Observation suggests that shadows are colder in personality and more arrogant than their actual counterparts.^[5] Due to their nature, shadows have a weakness to light sources.^[3]

The other type of shadow is created when souls end up in Evergloam: they will eventually end up becoming shadows, and unlike those created by shadow magic, the process is described as being consumed by Nocturnal completely. Their flesh becomes like tar, thus making them beings of pure shadow.^[6]^[7] They are capable of sleeping, though they never awaken fully rested. They also crave the light, but can never enjoy it, as exposure to light will banish and weaken them.^[6] Because of their shadowy nature, their flesh cannot be consumed by the hungry crow daedra inhabiting the Evergloam.^[7]

The souls of the Nightingales that enter Evergloam after death are believed to bring luck to thieves through shadows that come forth from the Twilight Sepulcher through a portal within called the Ebonmere, which is opened by the Skeleton Key.^[8] The Key's ultimate purpose is to keep this portal open, allowing those Nightingales who become one with the shadows to bless thieves with luck and the current Nightingales with powers such as invisibility and the ability to control the minds of others. Without this portal, a thief's luck will diminish until it is nonexistent.^[8]

The artifact Shadowrend requires a warrior who wishes to obtain it to defeat a shadow of themselves.