Shadow Weave
Encyclopedia
In the Forgotten Realms
campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
, the Shadow Weave is a force of magic that is the inverse and opposite of the Weave
. The Shadow Weave does not originate from Mystra
, but from the dark goddess Shar. A spellcaster
who wants to manipulate the Shadow Weave must either worship Shar, or permanently lose a piece of his or her mind. A shadow adept is a spellcaster who specializes in using the Shadow Weave.
The Shadow Weave is best suited for dark magic that drain life or muddle the mind and the senses, but less suited for magic that manipulate energy or matter. Spells from the schools of Enchantment, Illusion and Necromancy are enhanced, while those from the schools of Evocation and Transmutation are impaired. The Shadow Weave is also superior for fueling spells that create darkness (spells with the darkness descriptor), while it is impossible to use it to create light of any kind (spells with the light descriptor).
Since the Shadow Weave is a separate force of magic, it is not affected by areas of dead magic or wild magic within the Weave. It is harder for a Weave user to perceive, counter or dispel spells created by using the Shadow Weave, but at the same time it is also harder for a Shadow Weave user to affect spells created by using the Weave. Any magic item created using the Shadow Weave is a Shadow Weave item and affected by the same benefits and limitations as a Shadow Weave spell.
In the computer game Neverwinter Nights 2
the Guardian of Illefarn
was supposed to be bonded to the Weave. Because Netheril nearly destroyed the Weave with their attempt to ascend to godhood, he was forced to turn to the Shadow Weave, and became a creature of darkness, destroying Illefarn.
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, the Shadow Weave is a force of magic that is the inverse and opposite of the Weave
Weave (Forgotten Realms)
In the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms, the Weave is the fundamental force of both arcane magic and divine magic, from which spellcasters draw their strength. It permeates the world, comparable to aether, the mystical substance....
. The Shadow Weave does not originate from Mystra
Mystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
, but from the dark goddess Shar. A spellcaster
Spellcaster
A spellcaster in role-playing games refers to a creature capable of casting magic spells.See also:*Mage *Magician , a practitioner of magic as portrayed in works of fiction...
who wants to manipulate the Shadow Weave must either worship Shar, or permanently lose a piece of his or her mind. A shadow adept is a spellcaster who specializes in using the Shadow Weave.
The Shadow Weave is best suited for dark magic that drain life or muddle the mind and the senses, but less suited for magic that manipulate energy or matter. Spells from the schools of Enchantment, Illusion and Necromancy are enhanced, while those from the schools of Evocation and Transmutation are impaired. The Shadow Weave is also superior for fueling spells that create darkness (spells with the darkness descriptor), while it is impossible to use it to create light of any kind (spells with the light descriptor).
Since the Shadow Weave is a separate force of magic, it is not affected by areas of dead magic or wild magic within the Weave. It is harder for a Weave user to perceive, counter or dispel spells created by using the Shadow Weave, but at the same time it is also harder for a Shadow Weave user to affect spells created by using the Weave. Any magic item created using the Shadow Weave is a Shadow Weave item and affected by the same benefits and limitations as a Shadow Weave spell.
In the computer game Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2 is a computer role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Atari. It is the sequel to BioWare's Neverwinter Nights, based on the Dungeons & Dragons pencil and paper fantasy role-playing game...
the Guardian of Illefarn
Illefarn
Illefarn is a location in the fictional Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons and Dragons, on the continent of Faerûn.- General :What is now called the Fallen Kingdom used to be the grand elven kingdom of Illefarn , a forest stretching from the present-day Kryptgarden Forest to the Trollbark Forest,...
was supposed to be bonded to the Weave. Because Netheril nearly destroyed the Weave with their attempt to ascend to godhood, he was forced to turn to the Shadow Weave, and became a creature of darkness, destroying Illefarn.