Shadowdancer: Advanced Class
While all rogues take advantage of the dark, and unaware opponents, few do so with the absolute lethality of the Shadowdancer. These masters of darkness are adept at blending in with the shadows and striking before any are even aware of their presence, then immediately fading away into the darkness from whence they struck.
Manipulating the shadows takes arcane talent, but in the end, the blade is what accomplishes the goal: the sight-unseen removal of targets of high value, and a clean escape.
A number of Shadowdancer Powers reference attacking “from behind.” In order to count as an attack from behind, the Shadowdancer must have one foot on the back side of a line created by the target’s shoulders and must strike with a hand that is also behind that line. This includes projectile and thrown weapon attacks. “From behind” Powers will always be usable against targets that are helpless or willing. An attack that must come “from behind” which doesn’t for some reason, does nothing at all: not even a single point. Often, an attack will begin as an attack “from behind” but will end up being a normal attack (the opponent turns, the attack hits the wrong target, etc.). In this case it is up to the Shadowdancer to let the target know not to take any damage or Effects.
Warning: Many of the Skills and Powers listed below are contingent on the character having ready access to the “Insubstantial” condition. Be aware that this class will not function correctly without it. These Powers are listed as [Insubstantial] for easy reference.
Class Level | Utility Powers | Basic | Advanced | Veteran Powers | Class |
1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | The Gloaming |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Intangible, +1 Base Maximum Spikes |
3 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 0 | Ephemeral |
4 | +1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | +1 Base Spike Damage |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shadowborn, Ephemeral II, Voidreaper |
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 1
Incantation: Focus Quick 100
Call: “Heal Full by Darkness”, “Cure [Condition] by Darkness.”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Heal, Cure
Once per Long Rest, if you Focus for a Quick Count of 100 in hiding where (as far as you can tell) no enemies can see you, you may call “Heal Full by Darkness.” You may also Cure one Condition of your choice with “Cure [Condition] by Darkness.”
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 2
Incantation: None
Call: “Counter: Intangible”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Immediate
Accent: Darkness Effect: Counter
While you have the insubstantial Condition, you may expend a Spike to Counter a Damaging Effect that has the qualifier “to Insubstantial.”
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 3
Incantation: None
Call: “Counter: Ephemeral”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Counter
Once per Long Rest, while you have the Insubstantial condition, you may Counter an Effect that would remove your insubstantial Condition. This Power may be used twice once the character has five class-levels of Shadowdancer.
Note: This cannot be used when you are the one ending the Condition.
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 5
Incantation: RP: Quick 30
Call: “Refresh 1 Spike by Darkness”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Immediate
Accent: Darkness Effect: Refresh
While the character believes they are in full darkness, not simply a shadow, the Shadowdancer may gather strength from the very fabric of Darkness itself. Roleplay gathering motes of strength from the darkness for a Quick Count of 30 to Refresh one Spike.
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 5
Incantation: None
Call: None
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Immediate
Accent: Darkness Effect: None
When the Shadowdancer leaves an insubstantial state, they double the Spike damage they would do on an attack from behind with the first weapon attack they make of any kind after no longer being Insubstantial. If the first attack they make is not a Spike or is not from behind this Power is wasted until the Shadowdancer goes Insubstantial again.
Incantation: None
Call: “Refresh by Darkness”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Immediate
Accent: Darkness Effect: None
The Shadowdancer may expend a Basic or Advanced Rogue or Shadowdancer Power to Cast Umbral Fade (provided they have access to it otherwise). If the Shadowdancer expends a Power in this way it does not Refresh until their next Long Rest regardless of its normal refresh.
In addition, when Short Resting the Shadowdancer may expend a Novice or higher Spell-slot to Refresh a Martial Power that was used to grant them the Umbral Fade Power from above.
Incantation: None
Call: “Counter, Shadowfall”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Counter
The character can Counter the damage and Effects from one fall.
For Example: Avana, climbing across a narrow ledge, slips and falls forty feet to the sharp rocks below, normally taking 10 damage and a Disable to both legs. Instead, she calls “Counter, Shadowfall” and takes no falling damage or Effects instead.
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 2
Incantation: None
Call: “Refresh Spike”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Immediate
Accent: None Effect: Refresh
After spending so much time flitting among the shadows, the Shadowdancer can find within the umbral realms motes of strength they can rejuvenate themselves with. Upon entering an Insubstantial state, the Shadowdancer automatically refreshes one Spike.
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 2
Incantation: None
Call: None
Target: Self Duration: Passive
Delivery: None Refresh: None
Accent: None Effect: Grant Eldritch Accent
While all Shadowdancers have connections to the umbral realms, those gifted with the arcane from a Source can simply choose to never close that connection, leaving a conduit to channel power from at all times.
When gaining this Power, the Shadowdancer may choose to use the Darkness Accent anywhere a Power would allow the substitution of an Eldritch Accent.
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 3
Incantation: None
Call: None
Target: Self Duration: Passive
Delivery: None Refresh: None
Accent: None Effect: None
The Shadowdancer may immediately select a Basic Power from the list of Shadowdancer Basic Powers and learn it.
Incantation: RP a quick prayer, incantation, or invocation to the Umbral Weave of at least 15 words.
Call: “Short Grant [+/- 1] Dark Territory”
Target: Self Duration: Short Rest
Delivery: None Refresh: ShortRest
Accent: None Effect: Grant Dark Territory
The darkness of the night is but a mere shadow to the all-encompassing void that is the maelstrom, but that does not mean they are ill-acquainted. Reaching into the Umbral Weave, the Dark’s taint may be subtly altered to suit the whims of the Shadowdancer.
Note: Use of this Power during crafting will not otherwise disrupt or affect the crafting process or ritual, however, adding to the Dark Territory (“Short Grant +1 Dark Territory”) will automatically make the process require a marshal.
Requirement: Shadowdancer Level 5
Incantation: None
Call: “Counter Final, Umbral Abyss”
Target: One Attack or Effect Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Event
Accent: None Effect: Counter
While the Dark is omnipresent, Darkness is not, oft erased by the light of the sun, moon, and torch. Nevertheless, the absence of light has its uses against the Maelstrom when wielded appropriately.
Once per Event, when all other defenses would not protect the Shadowdancer, they may call a Counter against a single attack or Effect with the Maelstrom Accent that targets the Shadowdancer. This Power may not be refreshed by any other Power, and may only be used once per Event, regardless of other Power or item interactions.
Note: While normally this defense would not be effective if the user were vulnerable to Maelstrom, this specific Power nevertheless provides protection for a single instance. However, should the attack also have the tag “Final,” this defense will not work,
Incantation: None
Call: “Quick Grant Insubstantial by Darkness”
Target: Self Duration: Special
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Grant Insubstantial
While in contact with a building, the Shadowdancer may attempt to pierce the defenses of that building, allowing them entrance or exit. While touching a door or other similar building entrance, the Shadowdancer may call “Grant Insubstantial” and enter or exit the building. The Shadowdancer can manipulate the door or similar entrance. This Insubstantial Condition ends when the Shadowdancer is no longer touching the door, completes a Slow 30 Count, or becomes Helpless.
Note: This ability will pierce Havens and other such building defenses, however, Enhanced Havens will still prevent entry.
Incantation: None
Call: “Shadowstep”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Focus Quick 100
Accent: Darkness Effect: None
The Shadowdancer may become briefly as light as a shadow to traverse seemingly impossible distances.
In any situation where it can be done safely (for the player, not the character) the Shadowdancer may make a single leap that is the length of one leap and then three more steps. The player can take one leap and then an additional three steps (both feet must be on the ground at once for each step) to get to the location that the character is leaping to. Alternatively, the Shadowdancer can make a vertical leap to reach something six feet above her head.
If the Shadowdancer is Insubstantial when this Power is used, they instead may take five steps after the leap, and the Refresh is reduced to a Quick 30 (not Focus).
Incantation: None
Call: “Grant Insubstantial to [Object]”
Target: One Object Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: Touch Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: None Effect: Grant Insubstantial
Among the limitations of the Shadowdancer’s intangibility, is the inability to interact with the physical world in meaningful ways, however, as masters of this artform, some rules can be bent, while others broken. Knowing which and how is the art of the master.
Once per Short Rest, while insubstantial, the Shadowdancer may designate an unattended physical object they would normally be able to pick up (were they not insubstantial) and make it part of their current insubstantial Condition, allowing them to pick it up, manipulate it and otherwise interact with it as if it were in their possession when they were initially granted their insubstantial Condition. The object’s insubstantial Condition ends (like all other carried objects) when it is separated from the character or the character’s insubstantial Condition ends.
Incantation: None
Call: “Counter, Shadow”
Target: One Weapon Attack Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Special
Accent: None Effect: Counter
The Shadowdancer is so at home in the intangible shroud of the dark that even when they re-emerge into the normal world, they draw with them some of the protection of their former insubstantial state.
When the Shadowdancer leaves an insubstantial state, they gain a number of Counters versus Weapons equal to their Shadowdancer class-levels that must be used each time the Shadowdancer takes a Weapon attack until they are used up. If the defense is forgotten or otherwise not used, the charge is lost.
Incantation: None
Call: None
Target: Self Duration: Passive
Delivery: None Refresh: None
Accent: None Effect: Grant Resistance
While insubstantial, should the Shadowdancer trigger a trap, they may call “Resist” and negate the original Effect, instead taking one damage and losing the insubstantial condition.
Incantation: None
Call: “Short Weakness by Darkness”
Target: Individual Duration: Short Rest
Delivery: Weapon (Melee) Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Weakness
Casting forth darkness unto others, the Shadowdancer is capable of diminishing the vision of those around them, causing their attacks to become ineffective. The Shadowdancer may call “Short Weakness by Darkness” with a Melee Weapon Attack.
In addition, If the Shadowdancer gains the insubstantial Condition for any reason this ability immediately refreshes.
Incantation: None
Call: None
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: None Effect: Obfuscate vs Expose
Drawing the Darkness around them, the Shadowdancer can elude even the most persistent of hunters. The Shadowdancer gains a single Obfuscate vs Expose.
Incantation: None
Call: “Dispel Insubstantial”, “Grant Insubstantial”
Target: Self Duration: Slow 60
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: None Effect: Dispel, Grant
While insubstantial, the Shadowdancer is reasonably assured of safety, but unable to interact with the world. However, with enough practice, the Shadowdancer can momentarily return to the physical world, and then retreat to the safety of their insubstantial state.
While insubstantial, the Shadowdancer may activate this Power, Dispelling their insubstantial state for up to sixty seconds, allowing them to interact with the world normally. Upon the end of the Slow Count, or when the Shadowdancer wishes, they will return to their previous insubstantial state (“Grant Insubstantial”), along with whatever remaining duration the previous insubstantial condition had.
Incantation: None
Call: “Short Berserk by Darkness”
Target: Individual Duration: Short Rest
Delivery: Weapon Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Berserk
Calling upon the horrors that lurk in the minds of mortals, the Shadowdancer can cause their foes to see nightmarish illusions in place of friend and foe alike.
Immediately after losing the insubstantial Condition, the Shadowdancer gains a single charge of “Short Berserk by Darkness.” Should the Shadowdancer complete a Short Rest, become Helpless, or use any other Power, this charge is lost.
Incantation: RP Q30, crafting a weapon out of shadow
Call: None
Target: Self, Object Duration: Instantaneous, Long Rest
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Grant Accent, Rebuild
When necessary, the Shadowdancer is capable of crafting the tools they need from the raw darkness that surrounds them. The Shadowdancer may select a currently wielded weapon and call the Darkness Accent with all attacks made with that weapon until the end of a Long Rest.
In addition, if the wielded weapon is broken (Shattered, etc), Rebuild it. The Rebuild on the weapon is permanent.
To Rebuild the weapon, the Shadowdancer must RP for a Quick 30 fixing the weapon. This can be done once per Short Rest.
Incantation: None
Call: “Charged”
Target: Self Duration: Short Rest or Until Used
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: None Effect: Grant Plus Spike Damage
The Shadowdancer may expend an Arcane Spell slot to give their next Spike +2 damage for a Novice slot, +4 damage for an Adept slot, or +6 damage for a Greater slot. This Power may only be used while Insubstantial, but persists even after the Shadowdancer is no longer Insubstantial.
In addition, This Power immediately refreshes when the Shadowdancer becomes Insubstantial.
Incantation: None
Call: None
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: None Effect: Special
When the body and spirit of the Shadowdancer is between worlds, this uncertain state can be exploited to leave behind the ills of less-benign substances that would taint the being of the Shadowdancer.
When returning to a substantial state (such as being Cured or Dispelled of an insubstantial Condition), the Shadowdancer may also rid themselves of the ills of Corrupted Alchemy.
Incantation: None
Call: “Counter, Shadowform”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous, Slow 60
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: None Effect: Counter, Grant Insubstantial, Cure
When dealing with the unexpected, the Shadowdancer can call upon the safety of the darkness when all other options might fail them. If the Shadowdancer would otherwise be affected by the Effect or Damage of a Trap, they may Counter that Effect by calling “Counter, Shadowform.”
If they so choose, they may then also call “Grant Insubstantial to Self.” If they do, they must begin a Slow 60 but otherwise may act normally. At any time before or at the end of the Count they may call “Cure Insubstantial to Self.” If the Slow Count ends and the Shadowdancer is still insubstantial, they are forced to call the Cure above.
Incantation: RP Focus Q100, concentrating on the shadows of the objects they wish to perceive.
Call: None
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous, Passive
Delivery: None Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: None Effect: Grant Insight, Grant Sight
While everyday objects and people take great measures to conceal the reality of themselves, few pay attention to have their shadow-selves dance about them. The Shadowdancer is aware that where the mask of light is often impenetrable, the shadow self is all too eager to spill its secrets.
The Shadowdancer may, if a creature or object is casting a significant shadow, choose to scrutinize this shadow and ask it a simple question, sure that the answer will be true. After completing a Focus Quick 100, the Shadowdancer may ask a question per the skill “Insight” to a Marshal. This ability is refreshed when the Shadowdancer exits the insubstantial condition.
In addition, at night, or when entirely in shadow, the Shadowdancer gains the Sight Perk, or if they already have Sight, Sight Beyond Sight is granted instead.
Incantation: RP: One minute of conversation.
Call: “[Name or Description] Obey by Darkness: Tell me a secret you think I’d be interested in.”
Target: Individual Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: Verbal Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Obey
While the Shadowdancer’s tricks are often confined to the physical, the dark reaches of the mind often have corners themselves where even deeper shadows lie. While out of combat, the Shadowdancer may engage a prospective target in conversation. Should they do so, they may probe the depths of their target’s mind, causing the target to bring forth a small bounty of possibly useful information.
Note: While this method’s effectiveness is profound, the aftermath may be significant, as the target will be fully aware of the effect of this Power, and the information will be spoken aloud, for all to hear.
Incantation: None
Call: “Counter, Umbral Image”
Target: One attack by Ranged Weapon or Packet Delivery Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: None Effect: Counter
Umbral Image is a Counter to any attack made with a Ranged Weapon or Packet delivery. Upon being struck with such an attack the player should Call “Counter, Umbral Image.”
In addition, If the Shadowdancer gains the insubstantial Condition for any reason this ability immediately refreshes.
Incantation: Focus Quick 100
Call: “Grant Short Rest by Darkness”, “Heal to Full by Darkness”, “Cure [Condition] by Darkness”
Target: Self Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: None Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Grant Short Rest, Heal, Cure
While unable to see the sun and while no part of their body is in direct sunlight, the Shadowdancer may quickly prepare themselves for the situation at hand. The Shadowdancer, while entirely in shadow, may complete a Focus Quick 100; if they do so without being interrupted, they may complete a Short Rest immediately, Heal to full, and Cure any Condition or combination of Conditions on themselves.
Incantation: None
Call: “[X] to Physical by Darkness”
Target: Individual Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: Weapon Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: None, only damage
While being insubstantial can be a great boon to the Shadowdancer, it can be difficult to have the necessary impact upon the world or one’s target when in such a state. With concentration, the Shadowdancer can momentarily manifest a weapon that affects the normal world, and then vanish back to safety.
Once activated this Power allows the character to, once per Shadowdancer class-level, while insubstantial, expend a Spike to call their normal Spike damage with the Qualifier and Accents “[X] to Physical by Darkness”, where X is the Shadowdancer’s current Spike Damage. Neither the Qualifier nor the Accent may be altered.
Incantation: None
Call: “Death by Agony”
Target: Individual Duration: Instantaneous
Delivery: Weapon Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: Agony Effect: Death
Attacking with a melee weapon from behind, the Shadowdancer can expend a Spike to do an attack that attempts to simply kill the target outright. If this attack is Prevented it will Refresh immediately when the Shadowdancer becomes Insubstantial.
Incantation: RP Slow 30, Inscribing a personal rune on a location.
Call: “Immune, Shadow Duplicate”, “Grant Insubstantial”, “Dispel Insubstantial”
Target: Self Duration: Special
Delivery: None Refresh: Short Rest
Accent: None Effect: Counter
After inscribing a personal rune, the Shadowdancer disconnects their shadow from themselves creating a duplicate form they control. This new form is barely there, and easy to disrupt, but as long as it exists, the Shadowdancer perceives the world through it.
In effect, the Shadowdancer disappears and is replaced by this duplicate - once the duplicate takes any Effect that does not have a Target of Self the duplicate is Dispelled, calling “Immune, Shadow Duplicate” to the Effect that caused the disruption, and the inhabiting spirit is whisked back to the rune: the character becomes insubstantial and must immediately return to the rune, and there call “Dispel Insubstantial to Self.”
Incantation: None
Call: “Grant Shadowform”
Target: Self Duration: Special
Delivery: None Refresh: Immediate
Accent: None Effect: Grant Resistance, Vulnerability
Shadowdancers most often prefer to leave some portion of themselves within the physical world, allowing them to interact in the most basic of the levels with the world, even while protected. However, some are willing to allow themselves to become more fully immersed in the faded world of shadow.
While insubstantial, the shadowdancer may activate this Power, and take on a more ephemeral form consisting of:
These Effects continue until the current insubstantial condition ends.
Incantation: None
Call: “Short Grant Insubstantial by Darkness”
Target: Individual Duration: Short Rest
Delivery: Melee Weapon Refresh: Long Rest
Accent: Darkness Effect: Grant Insubstantial
The “common” Shadowdancer is well versed in manipulations of their own form, but forcing it upon others is a power known to few. With a blow, the Shadowdancer can cause another to fade into the etheric plane, trapped for a time, unable to return of their own accord, save for the due process of time.
To use this Power, the Shadowdancer must approach their target and successfully make contact with a valid melee weapons strike - once they have done so, they may call “Short Grant Insubstantial by Darkness.” If necessary, the Shadowdancer must be able to explain the condition to the target, or this Power has no effect, and is instead refreshed.
Incantation: None
Call: “Short Root and Silence by Darkness” “[Name or Description] 2 Darkness to Rooted”
Target: Individual Duration: Short Rest
Delivery: Melee Weapon, Verbal Refresh: Short Rest / Immediate
Accent: Darkness Effect: Root, damage only
The Shadowdancer may swing “Short Root and Silence by Darkness” delivered with a melee weapon. The Shadowdancer may then call “[Name or Description] 2 Darkness to Rooted” at-will on targets they believe are still rooted by Obtenebration.
In addition, this Power refreshes whenever the Shadowdancer uses any Power with the [Insubstantial] tag or Casts the “Umbral Fade” Spell.