Shar, the Lady of Loss

Basic Information

• Name: Shar (pronounced "shahr")
• Domains: Darkness, Loss, Night, Secrets, Forgetfulness
• Alignment: Neutral Evil
• Symbol: A black disk with a purple border

Shar is the embodiment of the void, representing the absence of light and the inevitability of loss. She is a goddess of shadows, despair, and hidden knowledge, feared and revered for her power over the dark aspects of existence.

History and Mythology

Shar is one of the oldest deities in the Faerûnian pantheon, born from the primordial chaos alongside her twin sister, Selûne, the goddess of the moon. Their eternal conflict has shaped much of the world's history:

• The Creation of the World: Shar and Selûne emerged from the chaos, but Shar's jealousy over Selûne's light led to a cosmic battle. Selûne created the sun, and in retaliation, Shar birthed the Shadow Weave, a dark counterpart to Mystra's Weave of magic.
• The Shadow Weave: Shar's creation allows her followers to wield shadow magic, a twisted form of arcane power that bypasses the normal Weave. This makes her a dangerous rival to Mystra, the goddess of magic.
• The Time of Troubles: During this period, Shar's avatar walked the Sword Coast, spreading despair and gathering followers in the shadows. Her influence was felt in the rise of secretive cults and the corruption of once-bright places.

Shar is often depicted as a cloaked figure with eyes like black voids, her presence bringing an unnatural chill and a sense of foreboding.

Worshipers and Church Structure

Shar's followers are those who embrace darkness, loss, and secrecy. Her church is highly decentralized and operates in the shadows to avoid detection.

• Followers: Assassins, thieves, spies, and those who have suffered great personal loss often turn to Shar for power or solace. Her worship is forbidden in many places, making her followers secretive and paranoid.
• Clergy: Known as Darkcloaks or Nightbringers, her priests are masters of shadow magic and deception. They lead small, independent cells rather than large congregations.
• Worship Practices:
• Rituals are conducted in complete darkness, often involving sacrifices, shadow conjurations, or the spreading of despair.
• The Festival of the Dark Moon is a night of secret gatherings where followers perform rites to honor Shar’s dominion over the night.

Shar’s church thrives in places where hope is dim, and her influence grows in times of war, plague, or famine.

Divine Realms and Sacred Locations

• Divine Realm: The Palace of Loss, located in the Plane of Shadow, is Shar’s domain—a bleak, lightless expanse where the goddess weaves her dark plans. The palace is a labyrinth of shadows, filled with the echoes of forgotten secrets.
• Sacred Locations:
• The Temple of Old Night in Calimport: A hidden underground shrine where Shar’s most devoted followers gather.
• The Shadow Monastery in the High Forest: A secluded fortress where monks study the art of shadow magic.
• The Night’s Embrace: A network of caverns beneath the Sword Mountains, rumored to house a gateway to the Plane of Shadow.

These locations are often shrouded in perpetual darkness, making them difficult to find and even harder to survive.

Gameplay Mechanics

Shar’s influence in gameplay is tied to shadow, deception, and despair, making her a popular choice for characters who embrace the darker side of magic and intrigue.

• Cleric Domains: Trickery, Death, Twilight
• Favored Weapon: Chakram or dagger
• Divine Boons: Clerics of Shar gain access to shadow-based spells like Darkness, Shadow Step, or Inflict Wounds. They may also wield the Shadow Weave, granting unique magical abilities but risking detection by Mystra’s followers.
• Artifacts: Legendary items such as the Night’s Mantle (a cloak that grants invisibility in shadows) or Shar’s Tear (a gem that can plunge an area into eternal night).

Campaign Hooks

• Shadow Weave Secrets: Players might seek to uncover or destroy a Shadow Weave artifact, risking Shar’s wrath.
• Cult Infiltration: Adventurers could be tasked with dismantling a Shar-worshiping cult operating in a major city like Waterdeep.
• Battles Against Light: Quests to protect sacred sites from Shar’s agents or to banish unnatural darkness from the land.

Summary

Shar is the embodiment of darkness and loss in the Forgotten Realms, a goddess who thrives on secrets, despair, and the void. Her influence is felt in every shadowed alley and forgotten ruin, offering rich opportunities for players and Dungeon Masters to explore themes of shadow, betrayal, and the struggle between light and darkness.