Shadar-kai

Shadar-kai

This illustration of shadar-kai by Chris Stevens and Espen Grundetjern accompanied the race's description in the Monster Manual.

Abilities	+2 Dexterity and either +2 Intelligence or +2 Wisdom[Dr397:2]
Skills	+2 Acrobatics +2 Stealth
Size	Medium
Speed	6
Vision	low-light
Languages	Common + 1
Traits	Shadow Origin Winterkin Shadow Jaunt
Avg. height	5'7"–6'0" 170–183 cm
Avg. weight	110–170 lbs. 50–77 kg

Shadar-kai is a character race in 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons.^{[MM:279][Dr372:5]}

Shadar-kai are humanlike natives of the Shadowfell.

Racial traits

As a player character race, shadar-kai receive the following racial traits.

• Shadow Origin: Shadar-kai are considered shadow creatures for the purpose of effects relating to creature origin.
• Winterkin: Due to your connection to the Raven Queen, you gain a +1 racial bonus to the Fortitude defense and a +2 racial bonus to death saving throws and to saving throws against the unconscious condition.
• Shadow Jaunt: You can use shadow jaunt as an encounter power.

Shadar-kai feats

These feats have the shadar-kai race as a prerequisite. Additional prerequisites are noted.

Heroic tier (any level)	Paragon tier (11th level or higher)
Benighted Birthright[Dr372:9] Blighting Power (bard, sorcerer, swordmage, warlock, or wizard)[Dr372:9] Bloodthirsty Hunter (ranger, Hunter's Quarry)[Dr372:9] Darkwinter Wild Soul (sorcerer, Wild Magic)[Dr372:9] Deathward Aegis (swordmage, Aegis of Shielding)[Dr372:9] Deathly Disruption[Dr372:9] Devious Jaunt (Int 13, shadow jaunt)[Dr372:9] Expert Chainfighter (spiked chain weapon proficiency, martial class)[Dr372:9] Life on the Edge[Dr372:9] Reaper's Touch [Dr372:9] Pervasive Gloom (any divine class, must worship Raven Queen)[Dr380:64] Shadar-kai Beast (shadow jaunt, ranger, Beast Mastery)[Dr372:10] Winter Favored[Dr372:10]	Bravura Shroud (warlord, Bravura Presence)[Dr372:10] Ghostly Rejuvenation[Dr372:10] Marked Jaunt (fighter, Combat Challenge)[Dr372:10] Reactive Jaunt (shadow jaunt)[Dr372:10] Sequestering Jaunt (avenger)[Dr372:10] Shadowed Aegis (swordmage, Aegis of Assault)[Dr372:10]
	Epic tier (21st level or higher)
	Blade of the Raven Queen (swordmage)[Dr372:10] Deathless Warrior (Con 13)[Dr372:10] Enmity's Dark Vigor (avenger)[Dr372:10] Spirit Jaunt (shadow jaunt)[Dr372:11]

Development

Shadar-kai first appeared in 4th edition as a monster race,^[MM:230] with optional rules for creating non-player and player shadar-kai characters.^[MM:279].

The "Playing Shadar-Kai" article by Chris Sims in Dragon #372 expanded on the shadar-kai origin and racial traits, and added a number of shadar-kai racial feats.^[Dr372:5]