The Shadon deal in arms and technology. Both of these require them to have close ties to The Society of the Bond. They are one of the old families of Crownhome they have a citadel on the west coast called Leeanthpa but the senior members of the House spend most of their time in the Royal Court in the capital of Headcrown. The House colour is black and members will often dress head to toe in black giving them a reputation as if there was something of the night about them.
This combined with their vested interest in both fear and war mongering in order to sell the weapons they produce means they are seen as sinister, at best a necessary evil at worst the poison in the king's ear responsible for all the decisions the person in question doesn't like.
The House is very close knit and even those born into it must swear an oath of loyalty to fully join as an adult. During the oath they must burn their hand and they swear that if they break their oath this gives their brothers and sisters license to hunt them down, torture and kill them.
They are said to be interested in the dark arts, paying the Infernal Finders to look the other way, although this might just be the result of their dark persona.