A gray-skinned elf steps out of the darkness itself. Its pair of onyx horns seems to absorb the light around it. It gives a friendly smile, revealing small fangs.

To most, the shadow fey are little more than a dancing shadow among the leaves. To savants, they are the creatures that taught the shadowdancers all they know—and kept many secrets to themselves. They were once elves like all others, dwelling in mortal lands beneath the sun. An ancient catastrophe drove them to darkness, and now they are creatures of the shadow. Though they can be found on the Material Plane, they are inextricably tied to the Plane of Shadow, and that is the seat of their power and culture. Their bond with darkness allows the shadow fey to slip through distant spaces, traversing darkness itself from one place to another.

Shadow Elves. Shadow fey superficially resemble other elves, but they’re rarely mistaken for their light-bound cousins. Skin tones among the shadow fey range from alabaster white to ebony black, with shades of gray in between, but they otherwise lack color. A few have a scintillating shimmer to their skin. Many shadow fey grow horns that sweep out from their hair, varying in size from subtle nubs to obvious spikes. Others have shocking sets of teeth.

Dual Natured. The shadow fey are contradictory beings. They boast some of the best features of elves, tempered by aspects of a fouler nature. They can be deliberate and purposeful, but they’re also given to perplexing whimsy. Mortal creatures trying to fathom shadow fey motivations are in for a maddening experience; they are often illogical, capricious, and seemingly thrive on annoying others.

Split Rulership. The Summer Court and Winter Court each rule the shadow fey in the appropriate season. The turning of these seasons follows no clear calendar or schedule, though it is skewed toward summer. The Queen of Night and Magic and the Moonlit King each claim dominion in turn, ruling over the Summer and Winter courts respectively.

A hulking brute, this elvish figure towers over his fellows and wields massive weapons. Patches of his body are swallowed by inky blackness that writhes and crawls, and his eyes are hollow black pits.

Shadow fey guardians are massive creatures trained and bred for battle. They appear as massive versions of shadow fey, but the stuff of shadow corrupts them even more than their brethren, expanding their size and power to an ogreish strength. Patches of shadow swallow parts of their body and crawl about, revealing and obscuring more by inches at a time. They stand nearly 10 feet tall and weigh over 700 pounds.

Loyal Protectors. Guardians are fanatically loyal to their superiors. Employed as house guards or even personal bodyguards for important shadow fey, guardians are unshakable in their duty. The shadow reaches into their minds and souls, so that not even powerful magic can bend their hearts or break their resolve. Guardians are independent thinkers, but they discharge their duty with single-minded dedication.

Guardian

Saving Throws Str +6, Con +5
Skills Athletics +6, Perception +4
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Elvish, Umbral
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

Fey Ancestry. The shadow fey guardian has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put it to sleep.

Shadow’s Vigil. The guardian has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks, and magical darkness doesn’t impede the guardian’s darkvision.

Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the shadow fey has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Actions

Multiattack. The shadow fey guardian makes two Pike or Javelin attacks.

Pike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage.

Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage.

Bonus Actions

Shadow Traveler (2/Day). While in shadows, dim light, or darkness, the shadow fey disappears into the darkness and reappears in an unoccupied space it can see within 30 feet. A tendril of inky smoke appears at the origin and destination when it uses this bonus action.

Reactions

Protective Interference. When a friendly creature the shadow fey guardian can see within 5 feet of it is the target of an attack, the guardian can impose disadvantage on the attack roll. To do so, the guardian must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.