The Shadow is the malevolent half of the duality of forces inherent within the world around those that inhabit the Empire of Fastheld and the Wildlands.
The Shadow is often an enigma in both a literal and metaphorical context; although many are aware of what it does, very few understand what it is. It can be interpreted in a number of ways, through a number of manifestations, depending on personal and collective perceptions, thus remaining perfectly defined and yet utterly undefined at any given time.
A general consensus is that the Shadow is, often without a doubt, a negative force within the world. Indeed, it may be the negative force. While it can be manipulated to promote good, it more often than not has negative consequences and/or effects attributed to it, and is often deemed to be a very evil and dangerous dynamism to be involved with - usually with good reason.
Interpretations
- The Empire of Fastheld universally condemns the Shadow as an agent of great evil and corruption. Although the persecution of those who are Shadow Touched has lessened in recent history, great measures are put in place to ensure that the dark hand of the Shadow cannot manipulate people and events in such a way so as to cause untoward suffering to the citizens of Fastheld. The deeply rooted fear of a second Cataclysm is often cited as both the cause and the reason for this attitude, while well-documented events that have had the Shadow centrally present are adequate justification for this perpetual vigilance.
- The Imperial Wildlanders of Crown's Refuge share the same belief system as their Fastheldian counterparts. However, these Wildlanders believe that while the Shadow may be evil, those who are touched by it are not inherently evil as well. This "benefit of the doubt" attitude is directly the reason as to why Fastheld adopted a Shadow Amnesty policy late in the year 626 ATA.
- Against all convention, the Imperials of the citadel of Ebonhold believe that the Shadow is a tool that is to be embraced and manipulated, rather than one to be feared and contained, and have openly embraced the corruption that such a negative force bestows upon them. This would appear to be a recent policy, however, as hostility from Ebonhold only began late in the year 626 ATA. However, little is known about the machinations of Ebonhold as a whole as those that live there - and, indeed, the citadel itself - have experienced a history rife with flux and upheaval.