SHADOW DANCER – 5e stats

Medium humanoid (elf, shadar-kai), neutral

Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13)
Speed 30 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	16 (+3)	13 (+1)	11 (+0)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Cha +4
Skills Stealth + 6
Damage Resistances necrotic
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Elvish
Challenge 7 (2900 XP)

Fey Ancestry. The shadow dancer has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put the drow to sleep.

Shadow Jump. As a bonus action, the shadow dancer can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. Both the space it teleports from and the space it teleports to must be in dim light or darkness. The shadow dancer can use this ability between the weapon attacks of another action it takes.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The shadow dancer makes three spiked chain attacks.
• Spiked Chain. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or suffer one additional effect of the shadow dancer’s choice:
  • The target is grappled (escape DC 14) if it is a Medium or smaller creature. Until the grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the shadow dancer can’t grapple another target.
  • The target is knocked prone.
  • The target takes 22 (4d10) necrotic damage.

DESCRIPTION

The shadow dancer is a type of elf shadar-kai, an offshoot of elves bound to the Shadowfell after the Raven Queen, whom they serve, fell. The shadow dancer can emerge from shadows to ambush their prey, attacking them from all angles with a flurry of entangling chains that hold fast and corrupt the flesh. When their quarry is helpless, they dispatch it and then loot the corpse for trinkets, particularly anything colorful and lively to gaze at after they return to the gloom of the Shadowfell.

The shadow dancer wears studded leather armor and a mask of wood or metal to conceal their face. They have pale hair and skin with a deathly pallor. They are neither benevolent nor malevolent, though they are not inclined to follow rules. They are loyal to the Raven Queen and her agents, but they also seek out new experiences and sensations in the world of light.

COMBAT

The shadow dancer is a skilled and agile fighter, using their ability to teleport between shadows to gain advantage over their foes. They can use this ability at will, thanks to a blessing from the Raven Queen. They also have darkvision, resistance to necrotic energy, and immunity to charm and sleep magic.

The shadow dancer’s preferred weapon is a spiked chain, which they wield with deadly precision. They can use their chain to grapple and restrain their targets, as well as inflict necrotic damage with each hit. The shadow dancer can also use their chain to perform special attacks, such as tripping, disarming, or toppling their enemies.

The shadow dancer is not afraid of death, but rather embraces it as a part of the cycle of life and rebirth. They believe that dying in battle is a worthy fate, and that they will be reborn in the Shadowfell with new memories and experiences. They do not fear pain, but rather seek it out as a way of feeling alive.

HABITAT / SOCIETY

The shadow dancer lives in the Shadowfell, a dark and gloomy plane of existence that mirrors the world of light. The Shadowfell is ruled by the Raven Queen, a mysterious and powerful deity who oversees the transition of souls from life to death. The shadow dancer serves the Raven Queen as a warrior and an emissary, carrying out her will and delivering messages across the planes.

The shadow dancer is part of a larger group of elves known as the shadar-kai, who were once normal elves but became corrupted by the Shadowfell’s influence. The shadar-kai have lost much of their connection to nature and magic, and instead rely on shadow magic and technology. The shadar-kai are divided into clans, each with its own leader and agenda. The shadow dancer belongs to one of these clans, but they also have a degree of autonomy and individuality.

The shadow dancer often travels to the world of light, either on missions from the Raven Queen or out of curiosity and boredom. They enjoy exploring new places and cultures, as well as collecting souvenirs from their travels. They are especially drawn to places where shadows are abundant, such as forests, caves, or urban areas. They are not hostile to other races or creatures, unless they are enemies of the Raven Queen or interfere with their goals.

ECOLOGY

The shadow dancer is a rare and elusive creature, seldom seen by most people. They have a low impact on the environment, as they do not need much food or water to survive. They feed on small animals or plants that grow in the Shadowfell, or on whatever they can find in their travels. They do not have a fixed home or territory, but rather move around according to their whims or orders.

The shadow dancer has few natural predators or allies, as they are adept at avoiding or fighting off threats. They sometimes encounter other shadar-kai or creatures native to the Shadowfell, such as shades, wraiths, or nightwalkers. They may cooperate or compete with them depending on the situation. They also occasionally cross paths with adventurers or explorers who venture into the Shadowfell or encounter them in the world of light. They may ally with them if they share a common goal or enemy, or attack them if they pose a threat or an opportunity.

The shadow dancer reproduces by mating with other shadar-kai or compatible races. They do not form lasting bonds or families, but rather view their offspring as potential allies or rivals. They do not raise their children themselves, but rather entrust them to their clan or leave them to fend for themselves. The shadow dancer’s lifespan is unknown, but it is speculated that they age slowly due to the Shadowfell’s influence.