Shadowfell

The Shadowfell, also known as the Plane of Shadow, was one of the Inner Planes of existence. It emerged as a result of balancing the creation of Echelon via the four Elemental Planes.

Characteristics of the Shadowfell

Like the Feywild, the Shadowfell was not merely adjacent, but coterminous with the Material Plane. Unlike the Feywild, the Shadowfell was a bleak, desolate place with almost no color, and very little light. There was no sun, moon, or stars to adorn the inky black sky. Everything was muted and plain, alternating between "dark black" and "light black". Magic worked on the Shadowfell as on the Material, except for spells that were specific to light and darkness. Spells that created light were only half as effective, and spells that enhanced darkness had their effects amplified.

The Shadowfell was seen as an "echo" of the Material Plane, though not every geographical change or manmade construction was perfectly reflected.

The plane was incredibly dangerous due to its inhabitants, but also because of its pervasive, ever-oppressive gloom. A traveler spending any length of time in the Shadowfell was subjected to extreme psychological stress; depression and ennui could eventually overwhelm even the stoutest of minds.

Inhabitants

Undead "shadow" creatures walked the plane freely, usually the result of lost souls becoming trapped there via the Ethereal Plane. In addition to those, there were aboleths, cloakers, and shadar-kai, a race of humanoids resembling albino elves.