> [!infobox] > # The City of Perpetual Twilight > ![[Shadarloth.png]]<span style="display:block;text-align:center;">[[Shadarloth.png|Show to Players]]</span> > ###### Information > | | | > |---|---| > | **Type** | City | > | **Government** | Oligarchy Council | > | **Judicial** | Shadow Tribunal | > | **Monarch** | Circle of Five | > | **Aliases** | - Heart of Shadow<br>- The Last Market<br>- Hub of Sorrows | # Overview Shadarloth stands as the Shadowfell's largest and most cosmopolitan city, built upon a massive plateau of black stone that rises from the center of a vast lake of liquid shadow. The city serves as the primary trading hub and neutral meeting ground for the plane's various factions, where temporary truces allow for commerce and diplomacy. Its unique position makes it one of the few places in the Shadowfell where different groups can coexist, albeit uneasily, creating a melting pot of shadow creatures, refugees, undead, and planar travelers. Unlike many Shadowfell locations, Shadarloth exists in its own unique geography with no direct Material Plane counterpart. # Geography The city sits atop an enormous obsidian plateau that rises nearly a thousand feet above the surrounding Lake of Whispers—a body of liquid shadow that reflects no light and swallows sound. The plateau's sides are sheer black cliffs riddled with caves and carved dwellings. The city itself is built in terraced levels ascending toward the plateau's center, with each level connected by wide stone ramps and shadow-wrought bridges. Dark crystal formations jut from various points throughout the city, providing the only illumination in the eternal twilight. The lake extends to the horizon in all directions, broken only by occasional islands of black stone that serve as waypoints for travelers. Ancient stone causeways, now partially submerged, suggest the lake was once much smaller or perhaps didn't exist at all. # Religion Shrines to the [[Raven Queen]] occupy the most prominent positions throughout the city, serving as neutral sanctuaries where even enemies can seek temporary respite. Several temples honor [[Null]], attracting those who have given up hope and seek oblivion's embrace. A significant temple to [[Neraxis]] draws worshippers who find comfort in the plane's inherent despair and death. Smaller shrines to [[Vespera]] cater to those who still dream despite the Shadowfell's oppressive nature. The [[Spider Queen]] maintains a web-shrine in the upper districts, where her followers spin fate and gather information. The ancient [[Fate]] has a crumbling temple suggesting that destiny itself has been corrupted in this realm. The plateau itself has become an object of reverence for some inhabitants who view it as a stone of stability in an ocean of uncertainty. # Factions [[Shifters]] maintain a significant presence as the city's premier information brokers and shadow operatives, their shapeshifting abilities proving invaluable in the constantly shifting political landscape. [[Followers of the Fallen]] work to establish footholds for the old gods' return, seeing the Shadowfell as fertile ground for their cause. [[Hands]] run smuggling operations through the lower terrace markets, moving contraband between planes. [[Dustmen]] from Sigil maintain the city's extensive morgues and handle the disposal of those who finally succumb to the plane's influence. Representatives of [[Grand Circle]] have established a small outpost, with [[Grand Circle#The Syndicate|The Syndicate]] conducting espionage and [[Grand Circle#The Strixes|The Strixes]] researching shadow magic. Several [[Armcloaks]] companies provide security services for important trade expeditions. > [!scratch] Dusk Ravens > [[Dusk Ravens]] operate several merchant houses dealing in shadow commodities and planar transportation services. # Culture Shadarloth's culture blends melancholy acceptance with pragmatic cooperation. Art focuses on preservation—carved reliefs that capture moments before they fade, sculptures of crystallized tears, and paintings done with pigments that only appear in shadow. Music consists of harmonic lamentations that echo across the lake's surface, often performed by groups representing different species working together. The city has developed its own dialect mixing common trade tongue with words from dozens of planes. Fashion emphasizes layers and concealment, with status shown through the quality of shadow-silk and the rarity of preserved colors. Social events often center around memory-sharing rituals and storytelling circles held on the terraced overlooks facing the endless lake. # Politics The city operates under a complex system of checks and balances designed to prevent any single faction from gaining complete control. The Circle of Five rotates leadership monthly, with each shadow lord specializing in different aspects of governance—trade, defense, infrastructure, diplomacy, and justice. Political maneuvering occurs through elaborate games of favor-trading and information brokerage rather than open conflict. The city's neutral status is maintained through a network of treaties and mutual dependencies that make attacking Shadarloth economically disastrous for all parties. External relations focus on maintaining trade agreements and managing refugee populations from across the planes. # Economics Shadarloth's economy thrives on its role as the Shadowfell's primary trading hub.  - **Memory merchants** deal in preserved experiences and knowledge from across the planes.  - **Soul fragments** serve as high-value currency for major transactions.  - **Shadow silk** produced by the city's spider farms provides luxury goods.  - **Preservation services** maintain items and memories that would otherwise decay in the Shadowfell's influence.  - **Information brokerage** connects buyers with sellers of secrets and intelligence.  - **Planar transportation** services help travelers navigate between domains safely. - The **Lakeside Markets** on the lower terraces offer more traditional goods scavenged or imported from other planes. # Government The Circle of Five governs through consensus and specialization, with each member handling specific portfolios while major decisions require majority agreement. The **Shadow Court** handles legal disputes through ritualized trials that often involve truth-seeing magic or trials by ordeal. **The Twilight Watch** maintains order through patrols and investigation, using a mix of mundane policing and supernatural enforcement. **Terrace Wardens** handle local administration in each level of the city. **Trade Commissioners** regulate commerce and taxation. The city maintains its own military force called the **Cliffguards**, elite warriors who swear oaths to defend the city's neutrality regardless of personal allegiances. # Notable Locations **The Memory Spire** rises from the city's highest point, serving as both temple and repository for preserved experiences.  **The Lakeside Markets** occupy the lowest accessible terraces, offering everything from mundane supplies to planar artifacts.  **The Council Chambers** sit carved into the plateau's heart, accessible through each of the five major districts.  **The Whispering Archives** contain the city's vast intelligence networks, built into the cliff face overlooking the lake.  **The Refuge Quarter** houses various communities of planar exiles in converted warehouse districts.  **The Shadow Harbor**extends from the plateau's base, serving vessels that sail the Lake of Whispers.  **The Twilight Foundries** operate in the mid-terraces, crafting weapons and tools using shadow-forging techniques.  **The Garden of Lost Things** preserves items and beings on the verge of fading from existence in a carefully maintained conservatory of crystallized time. # Social Structure Society in Shadarloth stratifies based on permanence and usefulness rather than traditional wealth or birth. **Shadow Lords** occupy the apex as the most enduring and powerful entities. **Established Merchants** and **Guild Masters** form the upper class through their economic importance. **Skilled Artisans** and **Memory Keepers** maintain middle-class status due to their irreplaceable abilities. **Recent Refugees** and **Temporary Residents** occupy the lower tiers until they prove their value to the community. **The Fading** represent the bottom class—beings losing their substance to the Shadowfell's influence. Social mobility exists through demonstrating long-term value to the city, with particular respect given to those who help maintain the community's stability and neutrality.