Shadar-kai were a type of elves, once humans, who would live in the Shadowfell (now no longer existing) and serve Morena, the Goddess of Death, who would send her ravens to guide them to the place where they were needed. Their souls were bound to her in exchange of gathering mementos of the deceased ones who would pass through Shadowfell to Veles, in the Realm od the Dead. Majority of them perished when a disease overcame them and their realm.
Description
They are humanoids and have mostly elvish features (like thin build and pointy ears). However, they have ashen skin to the point of looking sick, their hair is usually dark, sometimes having hints of natural colours, similairly to their eyes which have no whites. Many have tattooes, piercings or scars in order to prove their body can handle pain. They tend to hide their faces behind wooden or metal masks. Mostly they wear black clothes, but sometimes add colourful decorations here and there, for example in their hair. Allegedly, their shadow seems off and tends to grow when they are angry.
Personality
Due to the numbing effect of the Shadowfell, Shadar-kai show emotions differently from those outisde of this place. They tend to ration their emotions, enjoying small moments for for short and controlled amount of time. To escape depression they tend to keep their rituals, anything from cleaning their masks to trips. Their humour is mostly about observation, rarely to be funny and in even more rare times to bond.
Society
Families
Marriage is nothing uncommon and it happens because of endurance compatibility and trust, not necessarily love. Divorce is a regular thing. Households tend to be one-child only, but if there are more, they tend to have a big age gap between them. It is normal to have a child without being married. Surnames are earned, not inherited or given through marriage - instead, they are desriptors of their bearer. Adoption is common and normalised.
Common occupations
Due to ever-changing landscape in the Shadowfell, many work as pathfinders and scouts. Due to all the souls passing, scholars, historians and archivists are needed. Entertainers are less common. Everyone goes and gathers mementos here and there, depending on their occupation.
Religion
Though Shadar-kai are bound to Morena, it is not necessary to worship her. Shadar-kai take her and other Gods as a force rather than a guiding parent and know oaths are more important than prayers. Faith is practical for them and death is sacred, though not praised or sacred.
Social interaction
Shadar-kai prefer to show their love rather then say it. They speak in shorter sentences and use humour rarely. They are polite and direct. They are not really expressive.
Age and life expectancy
Shadar-kai don't show aging through wrinkles or grey hair, but rather by seeming worn and tired. Their hair can either lighten or darken. They can live up to 750 years, but usually manage to make it to 500. They become adults at 25, but start their occupation or families at 80 or later. Rather than looking at their age through the lenses of biology, their age stages are looked upon with the question of capacity. Shadar-kai are not used to using numbers when talking about age, rather they use history milestones or milestones from their own life.