Editing Shadow Lore (section)

== History ==
The tale of the Shadows is long and still unclear in many respects. There are indications that some Shadows, particularly those of the more powerful Panumbris and Umbris types, predate the conversion of Ilservian into Bael'Zharon. Scholars believe this indicates the force that empowered the Hopeslayer has sought the conquest of Dereth for a far much longer time than is commonly known.<ref name=Bestiary>2001/10 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary]]</ref>

=== Grael's Rebellion ===
The first confirmed transformation into Shadows was that of [[Grael]] and his companions. Grael was a warrior of a tribe of [[Ruschk]] in the north of the Kingdomw of [[Haebrous]], who called themselves Mukkir.<ref name="Book of Xik Minru" >2005/09 - [[Under Cover of Night]] - [[Book of Xik Minru]]</ref>In the fifth year of the reign of [[Braletain]] of [[Haebrous]], Grael's tribe is slain and Grael is taking captive to serve as a slave in the gladiatorial pits.<ref name=AccountMukkir>2005/08 - [[Friend and Foe]] - [[Account of the Spear of Mukkir]]</ref><ref name=GraelRebellion>2005/08 - [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Grael Rebellion]]</ref> As time led on, Grael gathered an army of slaves, fought their way from the pits<ref name=AccountMukkir>2005/08 - [[Friend and Foe]] - [[Account of the Spear of Mukkir]]</ref> and savaged the kingdom for three days<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref> Because the slaves did not have any magical capabilities, and the Haebrous forces did, the Rebellion was suppressed quickly.<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref> Grael managed to flee<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref><ref name="Book of Xik Minru" >2005/09 - [[Under Cover of Night]] - [[Book of Xik Minru]]</ref>, together with four other survivors, the brothers [[Farelaith]], [[Baranaith]], [[Hiranaith]] and [[Korogaith]].<ref name=BitterWinter>2005/12 [[Through Sacrifice, Strength]] - [[Our Bitter Winter]]</ref> Grael sought the help of "Darkness" to fight the Haebrous.<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref><ref name=ElderSpiritsTable>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Elder Spirits Tablet]]</ref>

One night, [[Farelaith]] woke up, and found Grael and his brothers caught in some sort of dark magic.<ref name=BitterWinter>2005/12 [[Through Sacrifice, Strength]] - [[Our Bitter Winter]]</ref> Grael seemed to undergo his transformation willingly, and swore oaths with the "Dark that speaks".<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref> [[Farelaith]]'s brothers were wrapped in darkness and started screaming.<ref name=BitterWinter>2005/12 [[Through Sacrifice, Strength]] - [[Our Bitter Winter]]</ref> The three brothers now serve, turned into Shadows and having lost their name, in the [[Temple of Stirring Shadows]].<ref name=ShadeDialog>2005/12 [[Through Sacrifice, Strength]] - [[Shade of Farelaith#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> Grael learned "to move within the Dark that walks and learned to devour the light" of the Empyreans.<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref> According to the [[Falatacot]], Grael is, because he is not "pure-blood", i.e. [[Empyrean]], incapable of wielding the full power, and a flawed and imperfect vessel for the energies of the Living Darkness. Grael however, possesses something that no [[Empyrean]] does: a transcendent and transforming rage, a heart filled with the kind of pure, perfect hate which made him a perfect conduit for  the powers of war and destruction and despair. He could serve as an experimental subject for the "Dark Ones". They wrapped him in thorns, in a mantle of Living Darkness and gave him life everlasting within the Darkness, and they tought him to bring True Death and how to extinguish the light of creation.<ref name="Book of Xik Minru" >2005/09 - [[Under Cover of Night]] - [[Book of Xik Minru]]</ref> The "mantle" however,was not originally meant for him, slipped out of the grasp of the [[Nameless]]. He took the Gift, enslaved others as he had been enslaved, and fled from [[The Elder Spirits]] as he fled from his own slavemasters.<ref name=ElderSpiritsTable>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Elder Spirits Tablet]]</ref> Grael, now called the Black Spear of the [[Kemeroi]], went on to the north. The place he chose to sleep was an isle north of [[Vissidal]] Isle.<ref name=KirielDialog>2006/06 [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Kiriel Shadowborn#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> He fell asleep in a realm that was forbidden to the Shadow. The Black Spear is of the Shadow, but drifts outside of the domain of Shadow.<ref name=ElderSpiritsTable>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Elder Spirits Tablet]]</ref> His presence, "dreaming songs of rage"<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref>, covered the island in Shadow, and the isle soon came to be called the [[Dark Isle]]. Those [[Falatacot]] who followed the Old One, [[N'cthail]], took a chance and used ancient seals to sink the isle below the waves. It was their hope that none would ever wake Grael and that this world would be free of him forever.<ref name=KirielDialog>2006/06 [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Kiriel Shadowborn#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>


=== Empyrean Shadow War ===
Three thousand years ago, during the invasion of the town of [[Daralet]] by [[Yalaini]] soldiers, a man of the village of [[Daralet]] named [[Ilservian Palacost]], could endure no more the abuses of the village's elders. Iservian's son, [[Avoren Palacost]], was deprived of access to food or water, resulting in his death, and the subsequent unfocused aggression of his father<ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref><ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> Ilservian was run out of town, though not before he vowed to find the edge of the darkness that hung over the eaves of the earth.<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>
He did not depart alone. His closest friends accompanied him. [[Elithra of Daralet|Elithra]] the mage, Ler Rhan the scribe, [[Omadin]] the farmer, [[Ferah]] the warrior and [[Isin Dule]] the friend of Ilservian since childhood. A small group of sympathizers also joined them. <ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> They wandered far into the endless frigid mud of the wastelands, vainly seeking light. At last Ilservian called to the darkness in anger. But there was no answer. Ilservian pressed on, growing weaker, shouting his fury and anguish into the wind and rain. And then, something answered. <ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>

[[Ilservian Palacost]] gave himself over in service to an ancient, nameless power of darkness and madness. He became known as [[Bael'Zharon]], the "Slayer of Hope" in the language of Asheron's people.<ref name=TownNetworkPainting>2010/06 [[Shifting Gears]] - [[Shadow (Town Network Painting)]]</ref>

Four hundred years later, Ilservian returned, transformed by some dark power<ref>[[AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary#Shadows]] </ref> into [[Bael'Zharon the Hopeslayer]]. This was called the [[Empyrean Shadow War]]. He led an army of shadow that brought death and madness in its wake. No force could stop it as it consumed armies and whole villages down to the last man, woman and child.<ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref> While investigating the events, whole armies disappeared, and [[Lord Atlan]] was reported being ripped apart. <ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref><ref>2000/02 - [[Shadows of the Past]] - [[Imperial Missive]]</ref>

Ilservian's followers were changed into Shadows. The first Shadows, then, were Empyrean, corrupted by the same force of chaos that empowered Bael'Zharon. These Shadows fought a vicious war against the ancient Empyrean and nearly destroyed them. Only the actions of the Yalain Mage Council and Asheron saved the race from absorption or destruction. Three of the companions of [[Ilservian Palacost]], [[Isin Dule]], [[Ferah]] and [[Ler Rhan]] survive the [Empyrean Shadow War]], two ([[Omadin]] and [[Elithra of Daralet]]) are slain.<ref name=TownNetworkPainting>2010/06 [[Shifting Gears]] - [[Shadow (Town Network Painting)]]</ref><ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> <ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref><ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> During the final imprisonment of the Hopeslayer, the council was slain, the earth was scorched in a 3 miles radius. A place today called [[Obsidian Plains]]<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>The trap set for the Hopeslayer burst into six fragments, but the Empire was only able to recover five. The last piece was never seen again by living eyes. That should have been the end of the tale, save for the [[Gelidites]].<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>

=== Portal Year Era ===

Since then, the Shadows have captured and corrupted many humans into members of their ranks.<ref name=TownNetworkPainting/> One of the first Isparians known to be turned into a Shadow was [[Hamud ibn Rafik]], a member of the [[Shagar Zharala]] on [[Ispar]] and founder of the [[Tenebrous Edge]] on Dereth.<ref>2000/02 [[Shadows of the Past]] - [[The Fallen Master of Shagar Zharala]]</ref><ref>2000/02 [[Shadows of the Past]] - [[Precepts of the Tenebrous Edge]]</ref><ref>2000/04 [[Thorns of the Hopeslayer]] - [[A letter to Devana]]</ref><ref>2000/05 [[Heroes' Respite]] - [[Hamud's Last Testament]]</ref>

There is strong evidence that the [[Order of the Raven Hand]] is involved with the Shadows. One of there victims is [[Bewren]], who was turned into a shadow after being betrayed by his brother.<ref>2003/12 [[Waking From the Abyss]] - [[Bewren's Journal]]</ref><ref>2003/12 [[Waking From the Abyss]] - [[Jaeget's Journal]]</ref><ref>2003/12 [[Waking From the Abyss]] - [[Proselytic Shadow#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>

It is known from historical records that in the last war, the Shadows similarly twisted several [[Gromnatross]] -- the adult form of Dereth's [[Gromnie]]s -- into the [[Shadow Spire]]s.<ref name=TownNetworkPainting/>

==== The Fourth Sending of Darkness ====
Thousands of years later, after the [[Olthoi]] drove the [[Empyrean]]s off of the planet,during a digging by the [[Gelidites]], a young mage named [[Frisirth]] found a beautiful, sparkling crystal. The locals called it “Great Work”. A human expedition slaughtered the Gelidites, and destroyed their “Great Work.” So, the Isparians were unwittingly duped into freeing [[Bael'Zharon]] from his crystal prison.<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> Thus in Portal Year 11 began the [[Fourth Sending of Darkness]]. The Shadows attacked from all sides, the Hopeslayer roamed the land, and the rivers ran red. <ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref> 

Ilservian's surviving friends became corporeal once more and raised the [[Shadow Spire|Thorns]], using them to alter the patterns of magic in the world. Ferah, by now called Black [[Ferah]], and Ler Rhan attacked the Isparian population and kidnapped some of them for individual trials. <ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>
The Shadows launched their invasion during the [[Thorns of the Hopeslayer]] patch. Their armies poured into the Direlands under the leadership of general Black [[Ferah]]. After being defeated a few times, she moved her command post into one of the [[Shadow Spire]]s where she was overwhelmed after a coordinated attack of the Isparians.<ref name=HistoryDerethV>2000/05 [[Heroes' Respite]] [[General History of Dereth Vol. V]]</ref> The invasion of Ler Rhan's forces started in [[A'mun Desert]]. Unlike [[Ferah]], he elected to directly establish his headquarters in the Spires. After he was slain there, he moved on to the plains in the Aluvian-settled regions of Dereth. Again, he was tracked and defeated. Once more he moved, into the Spire found in the [[Blackmire Swamp]]. Once more he fell. The conquered Spires held keys to the [[Nexus Crystal]], which was defended by an army of Undead and Shadows (See als [[Nexus Shadow Armor Quest]]). <ref name=HistoryDerethV>2000/05 [[Heroes' Respite]] [[General History of Dereth Vol. V]]</ref> 

Until the [[To Raise a Banner of Flame]], the Spires moved over the landscape, but their army and their generals remained unseen.<ref name=HistoryDerethVIII>2000/08 [[Taste of Twilight]] - [[General History of Dereth Vol. VIII]]</ref> The Spires of Ferah and Ler Rhan's Spires attacked [[Cragstone]] and [[Arwic]].<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> Ler Rhan's forces invested [[Anadil of Shakrassekor|Anadil]]'s garrison at the [[Fenmalain Vestibule]], but the battle ends indecisive, partly due because [[Isin Dule]] withheld his forces.<ref>2000/09 [[Twilight's Gleaming]] - [[Shadow Dispatch]]</ref> Before any action could be taken by the divided Shadows, the Isparians interfered again and destroyed all three of the Vault Crystals.<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> After five of the [[Soul Crystals]] were destroyed, only the [[Shard of the Herald]] kept [[Bael'Zharon]] imprisoned.<ref name=PY1112LttP>2000/12 [[The Child of Daralet]] - [[Announcements - 2000/12 - The Child of Daralet#Letter to the Players]]</ref> The destruction of the 6th and last Crystal, the Shard of the Herald, took place with help of the generals Black Ferah and Ler Rhan and their Isparian allies. 
The Shadows of Ler Rhan disturb the parlay of the forces of the [[Empyrean]]s, the [[Virindi]] and the Shadow faction of [[Isin Dule]], and the Senechal of Chalicmere, [[Steward of Chalicmere|Lord Amarand]] perishes.<ref>2001/04 [[A Reign of Stone]] - [[Scrawled Note (Aerbax Laboratory)]]</ref><ref>2007/10 [[Masked Memories]] - [[Delving into Claude's Mind#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> 
In the month of Frostfell, P.Y. 11, a desperate alliance formed between [[Asheron]], the [[Virindi]], the undead [[Dericost]], [[Isin Dule]], and the Isparians.<ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref>  After the second time the Hopeslayer is defeated, the Shadows retreat.<ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref> [[Ilservian Palacost]] is finally weakened and his physical form destroyed, however, [[Ferah]] and Ler Rhan] are not. [[Isin Dule]] retreats to "somewhere in the lonely wastes".<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> Bael'Zharon was driven off of this plane of existence but he was not destroyed.<ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref>

==== Activities on Caul ====

The first mention hereafter of Ler Rhan is during the [[Mirror, Mirror]] event. The island of [[Caul]] undergoes a radical change due to experiments of [[Aerbax]] in cooperation with Ler Rhan, also referred to as "The Mirror". Aerbax discovered an “Energy Source”.<ref name=EnergySource>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Energy Source]]</ref> where it found a companion <ref name=EnergySource/> which it called its Mirror.<ref name=Destructions>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Destructions and Beginnings]]</ref><ref>2003/11 [[Visions in the Darkness]] - [[The Mirror]]</ref> It was later revealed that Aerbax's Mirror was [[Ler Rhan]], and the Energy Source was a [[Kemeroi]], one of the great evil beings hidden deep within the world, which further twisted it towards Shadow and destruction.<ref name=PackAerbax>2008/05 [[Introductions]] - [[Pack Aerbax]]</ref>Together, they were responsible for taking over Caul Island from the [[Directive]] and the once Virindi dominated island now shows a strong Shadow influence. Not only did the island physically change (ridges becoming higher and more pronounced, and the plateau in the middle changed into a crater, Caulcano), but also the flora, and for all, the fauna.<ref>2004/01 [[Mirror, Mirror]] - [[Announcements - 2004/01 - Mirror, Mirror#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref name=Destructions/><ref name=EnergySource/><ref>2003/11 [[Visions in the Darkness]] - [[Visions in the Darkness#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref><ref name=CaulOverhaul>2004/01 - [[Mirror, Mirror]] - [[Announcements - 2004/01 - Mirror, Mirror#Teaser]]</ref>
For some time Aerbax and [[Ler Rhan]] were rather inactive, with their only major activities on Dereth being the creation of the creatures which now populate the [[Valley of Death]], such as the shadow-touched Virindi<ref>2007/10 [[Masked Memories]] - [[Shadow-touched Virindi Paradox Kill Task#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> They used the Energy Source to augment creatures and Virindi to new strengths.<ref>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Announcements - 2003/01 - The Slumbering Giant#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2003/02 [[That Which Is Ours]] - [[Announcements - 2003/02 - That Which Is Ours#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2003/03 [[A Perfect Paradox]] - [[Announcements - 2003/03 - A Perfect Paradox#Teaser|Teaser]] </ref> <ref name=Destructions/> <ref name=EnergySource/><ref>2007/10 [[Masked Memories]] - [[Virindi Paradox Kill Task#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> Some were less successful than other, like its experiments on Mosswarts (referred to as "croakers").<ref>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Research Notes: Mosswart]]</ref>. The experimentations on Shadows however, were more promising.<ref>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Research Notes: "Children of Darkness"]]</ref>

[[Ferah]] is responsible for the creation of the [[Shadow Stone]]<ref>2006/08 - [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Varetha#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> During the [[A Perfect Paradox]] event, she orders a raid on [[Anadil's Tomb]] to steal the pieces of the [[Staff of the Nomads]]. Her forces obtain one of the pieces and hide it in the [[Lightless Catacombs]]. Forces loyal to Anadil relocate the other piece to the [[Abandoned Observatory]].<ref>2003/03 [[A Perfect Paradox]] - [[Note (Abandoned Observatory)]]</ref><ref>2003/03 [[A Perfect Paradox]] - [[Note (Anadil's Tomb)]]</ref>

The three generals, [[Ler Rhan]] and [[Black Ferah]] on one side, [[Isin Dule]] on the other, concentrate their activities on [[Caul]], where Isin Dule keeps a close eye on the whereabouts of the other two. <ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref><ref>2006/01 [[Reprisals]] - [[Instructions (Shriveled Lump)]]</ref><ref>2006/02 [[A Change in Tactics]] - [[Instructions (Shadowfire Stone)]]</ref> To that goal, Isin Dule raises a Shadow Spire on Caul.<ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref>

==== The War of Blood and Shadow ====

The Shadows become active again during the [[The War of Blood and Shadow]] Story Arc. 

During this arc, the disappearance of the armies of the [[Viamont]] and [[New Aluvia]] on what is now known as the [[Shadow Marsh]] occurred. Many of the forces were turned into Shadows, some willing, some unwilling <ref>2006/03 [[Down Twisting Paths]] - [[Lore of the Dark Spiral]]</ref><ref>2006/03 [[Down Twisting Paths]] - [[Lord Marsan's Log Book]]</ref>

This was caused by the release of dark powers, because both the [[Raven Hand]] and [[Dardante]] tried to summon [[Grael]] and get him under their control.<ref name=BoundFalatacot>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Bound Falatacot Fragment]]</ref><ref name=ShiningRunesRollout>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Announcements - 2006/04 - Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands#Rollout Article]]</ref><ref name=ElderSpiritsTable>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Elder Spirits Tablet]]</ref> Also, High Archon [[Lucane Kraest]] of the [[Raven Hand]] got a vision of a presence of a being not unlike his master, the Hopeslayer. and in the hope to find an ally or a puppet to control, he destroyed the first of the crystals, hidden by the Dericost in the [[Nightmare Gate]] on [[Caul]].<ref name=KraestJournal>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[Journal of High Archon Kraest]]</ref>

Isin Dule finds out about the activities of the [[Raven Hand]], notably [[High Archon Kraest]], trying to summon [[Grael]] and orders his forces to interfere.<ref name=IsinInstructions>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Instructions]]</ref> Some members of the [[Raven Hand]] have willingly embraced the Shadow and joined Isin Dule's cause. <ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref> Others, such as [[Archon Merille]] he does not trust.<ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref>

The summoning of Grael did not go as planned<ref name=DarkestTeaser> 2006/06 - [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Announcements - 2006/06 - From the Darkest Depths#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref>, and both [[Pontifex Maegris]] and [[Count Dardante]]'s main assistant, [[Archmage Aigonne]], were turned into shadows.<ref>2006/06 - [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Grael's Summoning Chamber#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> The experiments with Grael having gone awry, Grael became now [[Dardante]]'s master instead of the other way around. <ref> 2006/08 - [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Shattering the Dark#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref>. Dardante, being corrupted by Grael, was turned into a Shadow. 

When Isin Dule cannot prevent Grael from being summoned, he calls in the help of the Isparians to rise the [[Dark Isle]].<ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[From the Darkest Depths#Soul Crystal of the Dark Isle|Soul Crystal of the Dark Isle Live Event]]</ref> and to prevent the [[Dark Isle]] from being sunk again.<ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Raising Grael's Island#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> During [[Toward Ancient Shores]] patch, he opens the way to the [[Dark Isle]]<ref>2006/07 - [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Lanaith#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>, the "island where Grael once slept".<ref>2006/07 - [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Toward Ancient Shores#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref>

Preceded by invasions of the Derethian towns by Shadows during the [[From the Darkest Depths]] patch<ref>2006/07 [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Announcements - 2006/07 - Toward Ancient Shores#Letter to the Players|Letter to the Players]]</ref><ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Grael's Shadow Lieutenant#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>, a breach was made for Grael's main contingent near [[Arwic]], lead by the [[Makkar]].<ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Shadow Breach Quest#Lore & Dialog]]</ref><ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Translation of the Torn Letter]]</ref>

[[Grael]] was finally defeated by splitting him in three aspects by destroying the [[White Totem]] on the [[Halaetan Isles]] (Ruschk Aspect)<ref>2006/08 [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Splitting Grael (Low)#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>, the [[Black Totem]] on [[Caul]] (Shadow Aspect)<ref>2006/08 [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Splitting Grael (Mid)#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>, and the [[Abyssal Totem]]  on [[Dark Isle]] (Mukkir Aspect)<ref>2006/08 [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Splitting Grael (High)#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>. [[Oswald]] brought the [[Ordina Rossu Morta]] and [[Whispering Blade]] together to fight against Grael.<ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Announcements - 2007/09 - Dark Materials#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref> Queen [[Elysa]] and King [[Varicci II]] decided to cooperate and slay each one of those aspects separately.<ref>2006/09 [[Come What Follows]] - [[Come What Follows#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref><ref>2006/08 [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Solclaim#Unique Globals]]</ref>

==== [[Favored Sons]] ====
[[Ler Rhan]]'s experiments instigated by [[Aerbax]]<ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Translated Shadow Artifex Shard]]</ref> resulted in the creation of a Prodigal Shadow Child by the name of [[Kirienne Palacost]].<ref name =PulsatingLump>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Translation of the Pulsating Bony Lump]]</ref><ref name=Scrap>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - Description of [[Scrap of Shadow Essence]]</ref><ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Shadow]]</ref>

Another of their actions was the establishment of an imposter of [[Lord Kresovus]] in [[Linvak Tukal]]<ref>2007/04 [[Strange Sightings]] - [[Bur Recall Quest#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> and the alteration of Lugians into Shadow [[Lugian]]s <ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Hidden Note]]</ref> and therefore, indirectly, the kidnapping of [[Balor]].<ref>2005/02 [[Infiltration]] - [[Coda]]</ref><ref>2005/02 [[Infiltration]] - [[Balor's Rescue#Lore & Dialog]]</ref><ref>2005/02 [[Infiltration]] - [[Announcements - 2005/02 - Infiltration#Teaser]]</ref> The [[Shadow Kresovus]], the Prodigal Lugian, was discovered and the real [[Lord Kresovus]] was rescued from the tunnels below the fortress city of Linvak Tukal. Balor's pelt was found below the city, but the fate of the beast was still a mystery. <ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Lugian#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>

==== Joining the Ranks of the Isparians ====
[[Isin Dule]] finds a way to remove the "taint" from those following him by studying the work of [[Aerbax]]. [[Asheron]] sends him one of his Lifestones, and the Shadow faction of Isin Dule joins the Isparian people. <ref>2010/04 - [[Shedding Skin]] - [[Announcements - 2010/04 - Shedding Skin#Teaser]]</ref><ref>2010/04 - [[Shedding Skin]] - [[Shedding Skin#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref><ref name=CharCreation/><ref>2010/06 [[Shifting Gears]] - [[Letter From Home (Shadow)]]</ref>

The UMBRAEN and PENUMBRAEN are a people born from the other Isparian heritages, who sought to join with the chaotic powers of the Shadow, and were then transformed into the Umbrean or Penumbraen. Those who have undergone the transformation into Umbraen or Penumbraen have forgotten and released their pasts into the winds. They are children of the Shadow, now and forever. Most Umbraen and Penumbraen come from the followers of the Shadow, [[Isin Dule]]. Isin Dule only asks that his new children embrace the chaos and potential they have been given, and use it to raise themselves to greatness. What follows is in Isin Dule's own words to his children.<ref name=CharCreation>2010/04 [[Shedding Skin]] - [[Character Creation/Racial Lore#Shadow]]</ref>

'Folk remember the dark times, when destruction roamed the land. They think of war... death... torment. They blame those of us who walk in the shadow, call us evil. But we are not. We were deceived by the one who ruled us. To understand us, you must first understand him. Hopeslayer, they call him. Bael'Zharon, the fallen lord. He craved power, and gave himself to chaos. His obsession nearly destroyed the world. The shadow's path runs along the sword's edge. On One side, untold strength. On the other... madness. The Hopeslayer strayed - and fell. Look on his face, and swear: I will not follow.' <ref name=CharCreation/>

==== The Tou-Tou [[Shadow Invasion Quest Chain|Shadow Invasion]] ====

During the [[Hidden In Shadows]] patch, a [[Shadow Spire]] appeared near the town of [[Tou-Tou]].<ref>2011/03 [[Hidden In Shadows]] - [[Announcements - 2011/03 - Hidden In Shadows#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2011/03 [[Hidden In Shadows]] - [[Shadow Communication#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> This was the starting point of a new wave of Shadow activity, led by [[Ler Rhan]] and [[Black Ferah]], both now in their true forms, and not as aspects.<ref>2011/04 [[Dark Deliveries]] - [[Announcements - 2011/04 - Dark Deliveries#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2011/06 [[Stirrings in the Dark]] - [[Announcements - 2011/06 - Stirrings in the Dark#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref> Though it seems their goal is to bring back [[Bael'Zharon]] to the surface, this was merely a test of theories.<ref>2011/06 [[Stirrings in the Dark]] - [[Fate of Bael'Zharon#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>. In fact, they are collecting information on the ley lines around Tou-Tou in the hope of bringing the Hopeslayer on for a prolonged time, to defeat [[Isin Dule]] and to spread the corruption all over Dereth.<ref>2011/07 [[Shifting Shadows]] - [[Shifting Shadows#Ulgrim Rumors|Ulgrim Rumors]]</ref><ref>2011/07 [[Shifting Shadows]] - [[Announcements - 2011/07 - Shifting Shadows#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref> The Shadows started the attack [[Tou-Tou]] and many of the townsfolk decide to evacuate.<ref>2011/08 [[A Rising Darkness]] - [[Announcements - 2011/08 - A Rising Darkness#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2011/08 [[A Rising Darkness]] - [[Shadow Assault#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> The siege of Tou-Tou succeeded and the town, and the inhabitants that stayed behind, was corrupted and pulled toward the shadow<ref>2011/09 [[Loss]] - [[Announcements - 2011/09 - Loss#Teaser]]</ref>. The remaining townspeople were turned into shadows, be it weak and unwilling.<ref>[2011/09 [[Loss]] - [[Tou-Tou Blockade]]</ref><ref>2011/09 [[Loss]] - [[Jeweler Lo Dai-Ou (Creature)#Notes]]</ref> The event culminated in the reappearance of the Hope-Slayer, and its subsequent defeat by the combined forces of [[Asheron]], [[Isin Dule]], the golem [[Deewain]] and even [[Ulgrim]] left his favorite drinking spot to give a wack or two with his sword. The forces of Ler Rhan and Black Ferah retreated, though the town of [[Tou-Tou]] remains devastated and occupied by the shadow forces and their leaders will keep trying to collect crystals to keep trying to summon the Hopeslayer.<ref>2011/10 [[Cloak of Darkness]] - [[Announcements - 2011/10 - Cloak of Darkness#Teaser]]</ref><ref>2011/10 [[Cloak of Darkness]] - [[Stop the Rebuilding#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>

=== Rulers ===

There are only three Shadows known by name. [[Ler Rhan]] and [[Black Ferah]] are “generals” in the service of Bael'Zharon. They are extremely powerful entities that do not seem to fully exist in our world. Instead, they send aspects of themselves into Dereth. [[Isin Dule]] was once a fellow Shadow general, but rebelled when his master was freed in P.Y. 11. When Bael'Zharon was defeated, he exiled Dule and his forces from the ranks of the “true” Shadows. <ref name=Bestiary/>