Do the Dead Go to Shadowfell?
The ** Shadowfell** is indeed a realm where the dead linger, as when mortal creatures die, their spirits travel first to the Shadowfell before moving on to their final fate, and it is here that they will stay for about a minute, unless bound by strong emotional or traumatic ties. The Shadowfell serves as a transitional plane, a plane of death where the souls of the departed reside temporarily before proceeding to their ultimate destination, be it to serve a deity in the Astral Sea or to become denizens of the Shadowfell itself.
Understanding the Shadowfell
Overview of the Shadowfell
The Shadowfell is a plane of negative energy, existing as a mirror plane to the Feywild, and its primary purpose is to funnel the transition of souls from life to death or back, making it an integral part of the cosmology of the multiverse.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do people go to the Shadowfell when they die? Yes, when you die, your soul goes to the Shadowfell, where it usually hangs around for a little bit before potentially moving on to other realms such as the Astral Sea to serve a deity or becoming a permanent resident of the Shadowfell.
- Are there undead in the Shadowfell? Yes, the Shadowfell is home to various forms of undead, including shadows, shadow mastiffs, shadow dragons, and a race of humanoids known as shades, along with other inhabitants like the shadar-kai, Shadovar, and dark ones.
- Is the Shadowfell the afterlife? The Shadowfell can be considered a part of the afterlife, as it is the plane of death where souls initially go after dying, but it is not the final destination for all souls, as many move on to other realms.
- Do humans live in the Shadowfell? Yes, despite the harsh environment, people and other living creatures do dwell in the Shadowfell, with some managing to live well in the infrequent settlements of the plane, such as the city of Gloomwrought.
- Do souls go to the Shadowfell? In some cosmologies, departed souls had to first progress through the Astral Plane, while in others, the souls were believed to first pass through the Shadowfell on the way to the Fugue.
- What happens if you enter the Shadowfell? Entering the Shadowfell before completing certain quests or storylines can lock off future opportunities, making the game more frustrating, although completing the Gauntlet of Shar in the Shadowfell can appeal to certain character backgrounds.
- Who inhabits the Shadowfell? The Shadowfell is inhabited by a variety of beings, including shadows, shadow creatures like shadow mastiffs and shadow dragons, shades, shadar-kai, Shadovar, and dark ones.
- Is everything in the Shadowfell evil? While the Shadowfell is not wholly evil, everything within it has a dark and sinister side, reflecting the nature of death and the afterlife.
- Who rules the Shadowfell? The Raven Queen has been named the ruler of the Shadowfell, overseeing the realm from her ice palace and ensuring that each creature meets its end at the prescribed time and place.
- Who is the god of death in the Shadowfell? The Raven Queen is the primary goddess of death, with her power growing as she reinforces her position, and can be found in the Shadowfell and her Fortress of Memories.
- Who created the Shadowfell? The Shadowfell was created by Shar, the goddess of darkness, playing a significant role in the game’s world and narrative, especially in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Does the Raven Queen rule the Shadowfell? Yes, the Raven Queen is a mysterious being who rules the Shadowfell, watching over the world and ensuring the timely death of each creature.
- What do they eat in the Shadowfell? Food in the Shadowfell is mostly rotten or decomposing, leading many creatures to be carnivores, cannibalistic, or to not eat at all, with some exceptions like the Shadar-kai who have created artificial indoor farms.
- Is the upside down based on the Shadowfell? The Upside Down bears a resemblance to the Vale of Shadow, a D&D realm created by the Duffer Brothers, which itself has similarities to the Plane of Shadow, also known as the Shadowfell.
- Should I enter the Shadowfell in BG3? It is recommended to enter the Shadowfell after exploring Moonrise Towers to avoid locking off quests and storylines, making the game more challenging and less satisfying.