Shadow
Medium Undead · · CR 1/2
- Undead
- Medium
- Tier 1
Ranges across underground, urban, and ruins; Shadow lists at CR 1/2 as a medium undead (chaotic evil). Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 1/2
- Type
- Undead
- Size
- Medium
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Underground, Urban, Ruins
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024), Flee, Mortals!
Ecology
Shadows are undead created from cruel or selfish souls, lingering in places of death where light fails. They cluster in mass graves, abandoned dungeons, and battlefield monuments. Strength-drained victims rise as new shadows, so a single shadow can become a horde over weeks. They are immune to weather, hunger, and sleep, persisting until destroyed by sunlight, radiant magic, or a vengeful cleric.
Behaviour
Shadows hate the living for the warmth they cannot feel. They stalk silently, attacking sleeping victims and isolated travelers. They flee bright light, retreating into walls and floors to wait for nightfall. They have no language, no tactics beyond instinct, and no goals except to drain. A shadow that has drained one mortal becomes obsessed with that experience and will hunt the same kind of prey, even ignoring closer targets.
Origin
Shadows form from selfish or cowardly souls, particularly those who died in betrayal or shame. The transformation is automatic at certain death-sites, not requiring necromancy. Some campaign cosmologies tie shadows to the Plane of Shadow; there, they are abundant and serve as bottom-tier predators. The Shadowfell is full of them, and incursions through Shadowfell rifts often release dozens at once.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Shadow
- What is the challenge rating of Shadow?
- Shadow's challenge rating is 1/2. A party in this band matches a tier-1 group in low-stakes encounters.
- What type of creature is Shadow?
- By creature type, Shadow is a undead, medium size.
- Where does Shadow live?
- The bestiary places Shadow in Underground, Urban, Ruins.