Shadow Weave

The Shadow Weave is a force of magic similar to the Weave, said to lie in between the strands of the Weave. If the Weave is a loose mesh permeating reality, the Shadow Weave is a pattern formed by the negative space between the Weave's strands. It provides an alternative conduit and methodology for casting spells. These strands are typically negative energy that signifies undeath or dark magic. The Shadow Weave actually was created by the Forsaken God known as the Shatterer as a means to pollute the Weave with negative energy and dark magic crippling the mages over time leaving them with arcane scars from excessive use of magic or in some cases drawing the dark power from the Shadow Weave for the mage to lose their minds. Drawing magic from the Shadow Weave is very addicting and will corrupt a mage slowly making them delve deeper into the dark arcane. Some Curses (Curse Magic), Garufan magic, Void Magic, demonic and other dark rituals all draw from the Shadow Weave. There are some people that are born with the ability to manipulate the Shadow Weave allowing them to cast dark magic.

Shadow Weave users have many advantages. First, they can ignore disruptions in the Weave. A Shadow Weave effect works normally in dead magic or wild magic zones. Skilled Shadow Weave users are able to cast spells that are extraordinarily difficult for Weave users to perceive, counter, or dispel and they are able to create their own magic.

Shadow Weave users also suffer from some but heavy disadvantages. First, The Shattterer has full control over the Shadow Weave and can isolate any creature from it or silence it entirely without and harm to itself. Second, the secrets of the Shadow Weave are disquieting and injurious to the mortal mind as those that attempt to use it will become more addicted to it and will tread dangerous paths. Third, While the Weave serves equally well for any kind of spell, the Shadow Weave is best for spells that sap life or muddle the mind and senses. Finally the more familiar a mortal becomes with the secrets of the Shadow Weave, the more divorced they become from the Weave. An accomplished Shadow Weave user can work spells that Weave users find difficult to detect, dispel, or counter, but the Shadow Weave users also becomes similarly unable to affect spells worked through the Weave and will slowly lose their ability to connect with the Weave leaving them only able to cast dark magic.