A shade does not belong to a singular, defined race; rather, they can originate from any living race, retaining the physical characteristics of their original form.
Shades are entities that can arise from individuals of any living race. When a creature becomes a shade, its physical body undergoes a transformation, becoming composed of memory instead of flesh and blood. Despite this fundamental change in composition, the shade's appearance, behaviors, and even how they feel to the touch remain remarkably similar to those of their original race from before they were risen.
This means that a shade does not represent a new, distinct race. Instead, the "race" of a shade is a direct reflection of what they were prior to their transformation into a shade. For example, if a human transforms into a shade, they will still appear and behave with human characteristics, albeit as a being composed of memory. Similarly, an elf that becomes a shade will retain elven features and traits.
Key Characteristics of Shades Regarding Race:
- Diverse Origins: Shades are not limited to a specific racial group; they can stem from virtually any existing living race.
- Retained Appearance: A shade's physical form, actions, and even tactile feel closely mimic their original race. This allows for shades to embody the appearance of various races, such as orcs, dwarves, or elves, depending on their source.
- Compositional Change: While their outward presentation is consistent with their original race, their bodies are fundamentally different, being composed of memory rather than conventional biological material like flesh and blood.
Examples of Shade Origins:
| Original Race | Appearance as a Shade |
|---|---|
| Human | Human-like Shade |
| Elf | Elven-like Shade |
| Dwarf | Dwarven-like Shade |
| Orc | Orc-like Shade |
| Goblin | Goblin-like Shade |
The essence of a shade is defined more by its unique state of existence—a body of memory—than by a new racial classification. Their racial identity is intrinsically linked to their past.
