Wiz & Pippy Visit the Shadowfell | Planar Primer

Join Wiz & Pippy as they visit the Shadowfell in this comprehensive primer video. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a curious newcomer to the realms, this guide is your essential introduction to the shadowy dimension.
In this video, we break down the basic elements of the Shadowfell, its origins, and the eerie wonders it holds. Get ready to embark on a journey of dark fantasy as we provide the foundation you need to explore this captivating dimension in your own games.
Don't miss out on understanding this pivotal element of the D&D universe. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to ensure you're ready for all the adventures that await you in the Shadowfell and beyond. Your epic storytelling journey begins here!
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It's important to me that I utilize only primary resources for these videos and do my own research. As such I gathered a list of references that I wish to share. This script was adapted from a series of blog posts that I wrote and had cited all my sources. I wasn't sure people would care if I provided in-text (in-video) citations so I did not go through the effort. With that said, reference list below. If you wish for me to cite references in the future, let me know in the comment section.
Thank you!
Reference List
Baker, R. (1998). The Shadow Stone. Wizards of the Coast.
Baker, R., & Wyatt, J. (2004). Player’s Guide to Faerun. Wizards of the Coast.
Baker, R., Cordell, B. R., & Noonan, D. (2007). Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave. Wizards of the Coast.
Baker, L. R., Rogers, J., Schwalb, R. J., & Wizards of the Coast, I. (2008). Manual of the Planes. Wizards of the Coast.
Bassingthwaite, D., & Gross, D. (2004). Mistress of the Night. Wizards of the Coast.
Bonny, E. (1995, January). The demiplane of shadow. Dragon Magazine, 213.
Boyd, E. L. (1999). Drizzt Do’Urden’s Guide to the Underdark. TSR.
Clautice, A., De Bie, E. S., Goetz, M., & De Bie, E. S. (2011). The Shadowfell: Gloomwrought and Beyond. Wizards of the Coast.
Cook, D. Z. (1994). Planescape Campaign Setting. TSR.
Cook, M., Tweet, J., & Williams, S. (2000). Dungeons and Dragons Player’s Handbook. Wizards of the Coast.
Cordell, B. R. (1998). A Guide to the Ethereal Plane (AD&D/Planescape). Wizards of the Coast.
Cordell, B. R., Kestrel, G. F. M., & Quick, J. (2003). Underdark. Wizards of the Coast.
Cordell, B. R., Greenwood, E., Sims, C., & Athans, P. (2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, 4th Edition. Wizards of the Coast.
Cordell, B. R., & Mearls, M. (2008). Keep on the Shadowfell. Wizards of the Coast.
Greenwood, E., Williams, S., Reynolds, S. K., & Heinsoo, R. (2001). Forgotten Realms: Campaign Setting. Wizards of the Coast.
Grubb, J. (1987). Manual of the Planes (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons). TSR, Inc.
Grubb, J., R Cordell, & Noonan, D. (2001). Manual of the Planes. Wizards of the Coast.
Gygax, G. (1978). Players Handbook (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons) (First Edition). TSR, Inc.
Gygax, G. E. (2012). AD&D 1st Edition Premium Player’s Handbook. Wizards of the Coast.
James, B. R., Greenwood, E., Krashos, G., Boyd, E. L., & Costa, T. (2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Wizards of the Coast.
James, B. R., Menge, E., & RPG Team. (2012). Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue. Wizards of the Coast.
James, M. J. (2010). Explore Ikemmu: The gloaming city. Dungeon, 175, 58-62.
Redman, R., Wyatt, J., & Williams, S. (2002). Deities and Demigods. Wizards of the Coast.
Reynolds, S., Maxwell, D., & McCoy, A. (2001). Magic of Faerûn. Wizards of the Coast.
Schwalb, R. (2010, September). A Legacy in Shadow: Shadar-Kai in the Forgotten Realms. Dragon, 391.
Sernett, M., Noonan, D., Marmell, A., & Schwalb, R. J. (2006). Tome of Magic: Pact, Shadow, and Truename Magic. Wizards of the Coast.
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[@ranty_fugue]

I don’t play d&d, but like how you focus on details for adventure in the shadowfell, and will definitely incorporate. Very, very nice vid.

[@Wiz_and_Pippy]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Thedodogos]

First! Great videos my friend.

[@Wiz_and_Pippy]

Thank you!!

[@Dndditches]

Great video! As a Planescape “back-in-my-days” oldbie, I’m not a big fan of the Shadowfell, because it’s one of those 4e mess that they somehow retained, but I like Feywild even less because I think it serves no purpose.
In my mind, Shadowfell is in the deep ethereal when demiplane of shadow floated too close to negative energy and created a baby, and the demiplane of dread joined them. It’s kinda like a place that’s relatively less inhabitable than negative or shadow, and don’t have to deal with the implications of Ravenloft (eg dark powers, the mist). But I still find it decidedly less interesting than say the Abyss.

[@Wiz_and_Pippy]

See, I'm the opposite and I love the Shadowfell and found the Plane of Shadow the less interesting of the two!

[@Dndditches]

@@Wiz_and_Pippy I don’t disagree with you but I see the inner planes as planes of building materials (shadow and time is part of the idea) and aren’t really supposed to be visited, because it’s just full of that 1 things. Hence I don’t see Shadowfell as adding anything you can’t already visit and done better on the outer planes, for example, Graz’zt’s triple layer from the Abyss or Jangling Hiter from Baator.

[@BauthorFowler]

How can plants grow in the Shadowfell without at least some kind of light?

[@Wiz_and_Pippy]

Great question! The plants you or I know certainly would not and the Shadowfell is much less rich with life and resources because of that. I did not find a resource that discussed this, so the answer is up to us!
I would suggest having flora that lives from absorbing magic - perhaps from the Shadow Weave or ones that 'umbral-synthesis', just use the energy of the dark to perform their own version of photosynthesis. You could also have plants that are nurtured by the divine energy of Shar, the Raven Queen, or some other power in your game!