Shadow

What are Shadows?

Everyone experiences a situation now and again (or more often) where some part of their mind comes up with a bad idea that would be fun. Spending too much money, cheating on a test, telling a lie, playing hookie….. People are able to think these ideas and decide whether or not to take action from these ideas. A shadow is similar to that part of our brain, but it is also very different. It is a completely separate entity with thoughts and feelings of it’s own, but it resides in the mind and soul of a wraith.

A shadow is the part of a wraith that is trying to pull them into oblivion. It is always there, whispering in the ear of the wraith when the psyche is in control. Sometimes those whispers are ignored, and other times the psyche takes the bait and follows the suggestions. There are times when the shadow takes complete control, either through a power, or through a buildup of angst to the level where the shadow overpowers the psyche. When the shadow is in control temporarily, that state of being is known as Catharsis.

Shadows work against the psyche. They come in several general themes, but always work counter to the goals of the psyche. Some possible archetypes are: Abuser, Anarchist, Deserter, Director, Freak, Id, Leech, Maggot, Martyr, Merchant, Monster,Surgeon, Opium-Eater, Parent, Perfectionist, Pusher, Rationalist, Revolutionary, and Scapegoat. Each shadow will be as unique as the psyche they cohabitate with. This list is a starting off place, but not the only options. Usually the shadow comes close to being the opposite of the personality of the psyche, as that is usually the most destructive to the wraith.

The shadow gets louder when the wraith increases his or her angst through the use of powers. The more often a shadow takes control of the wraith, the easier it is to sway the psyche and take control again. The end goal for the shadow is to take over completely and turn the wraith into a specter, and ultimately end up in Oblivion. The wraith will never return from Oblivion.

From the shadow’s perspective, the path is leading to the best possible outcome. The shadow is helping. Oblivion is where the wraith should be going. The struggle for control is filled with passionate belief that this is true and right, from both sides.

What are Specters?

Specters are wraiths that have their shadows in control full time. The psyche of a specter has no more say, as the battle has been won.

That being said, the psyche doesn’t disappear completely. If a power is used, such as psyche lock, on a specter, the psyche comes back in control for a period of time with the memories of all he or she has done while the shadow was in control. When this happens, the psyche often experiences tremendous emotional pain for all that was done in his or her shared body.

A specter often tries to encourage other shadows to come forward in other wraiths. For that reason, along with their value when forged into oboli, wraiths and specters are usually automatic enemies.

How do Shadows Interact with the Physical Realm? Unlike wraiths, shadows do not have any inherent way to interact with the physical realm. They do not have gauntlet sight unless it is purchased in a shadow power tree.

Since wraith/shadow players need to eat, all wraiths/shadows have the ability to pick up food and beverages that they are going to eat or drink, even if they don’t have gauntlet grasp. They can also walk through any unlocked door, as a way to represent being incorporeal.

How Shadows Work? In our system, each wraith player is responsible for creating their own shadow. It is usually an internal game, little bits of bad advice coming from an internal, yet individual voice, separate from the main wraith/psyche.

When the shadow is in charge, there is a personality change. All the dark, selfish urges that the shadow possesses are at the forefront. The shadow is in charge completely and will do what it pleases until the psyche takes over again through using all energy, or from the use of a power.

There are certain powers that wraiths use that give angst. When the level of angst gets to 10, a wraith enters Catharsis. That is when the shadow is in control. Certain powers also put a wraith immediately into Catharsis. These are the times when a wraith player shifts the personality of their character to the shadow personality. It is important to have a fleshed out concept for the shadow just as much as the psyche of the wraith.

Becoming Oboli Some wraiths have the power to forge other wraiths and specters into oboli. An obolus, or a piece of an obolus, can be exchanged with other wraiths as money, or can be turned into magical items.

Since the main form of money is made up of wraiths, it is common for wraiths to distrust each other, at least upon first meeting. When a wraith finds a specter (one whose shadow has taken over permanently), that wraith will often take down the specter to turn it into money.