Shadowfell
Legend says the gods formed the Feywild out of the parts of reality which were too bright and vibrant, and the Shadowfell out of those which were too drab and lifeless. If this is true, it explains why the most populous form of life in the Shadowfell is undead, followed closely by aberrations which feed on despair and entropy.
Geography
As an echo plane, the Shadowfell is a grim reflection of the material realms. It mimics material places, though imperfectly. A thriving city may catalyze as a crumbling ruin, a verdant forest as a festering swamp of polluted water. Fields of golden wheat become plains choked by blood-feeding brambles or shambling mounds. The only constant is the lack of vivacity in any form.
Ecosystem
The most common form of life in the Shadow is undead, which neither takes from the land nor gives to it, feeding instead on visitors or existing in despairing perpetuity.
Localized Phenomena
While the soul is a difficult thing to isolate in any assessment of health, it is widely agreed that the shadowfell has a draining effect on the souls of living creatures, sapping its emotional capacity both positive and negative if over-exposed.
Climate
The Shadowfell does not experience weather, existing perpetually under an overcast sky and thin fog.
Fauna & Flora
While the most common form of creature found in the Shadowfell are undead, it is also home to some obviously-living creatures, such as Ravens, who are spared the draining effects of the realms by the grace of the Raven Queen, who favours the creatures as avatars and messengers. Soulless creatures such as oozes and gargoyles have also been encountered in the Shadowfell.
Perhaps by the same grace of favour the ravens live by, there is also a species of Elf native to this dimension. The Shadar-Kai have adapted to the Shadowfell's despair, having reached an equilibrium between the natural vivacity of living souls and the antipathy of their environment.
Natural Resources
The Shadowfell has nothing of value or use to any creature in the Material realms or any other, except perhaps for data, which is always of interest to Modrons
History
The Shadowfell has existed as long as the material realms, though the formation of the first Domains of Dread - pocket dimensions within this dimension - happened later. By most reckonings, the first Domain of Dread was created during the Crown Wars.
Tourism
Very few creatures visit this grim place intentionally, though some do take advantage of the Shadow's inhospitable nature for security, maintaining lairs or vaults there, guarded by traps and constructs.
Alternative Name(s)
The Shadow Echo
Type
Dimensional plane
Location under
Characters in Location
Inhabiting Species