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Shadow Warden

Shadow Warden

AX.GHW.13.06.06

A Shadow entity specifically constructed for enforcement: the compact system's response to Marked practitioners who have violated their obligations, to Shadow entities operating outside their authorized scope, or to parties who have interfered with compact operations in ways the compact structure finds unacceptable. A Shadow Warden's presence means something has been flagged for collection.

Type: Shadow Entity (Enforcement)

Threat Power Package: Elite

Size: Medium

Attributes

  • Body: 5D
  • Speed: 4D
  • Wit: 3D

Talents

  • Brawl: 4D
  • Fortitude: 3D
  • Notice: 3D
  • Resolve: 2D
  • Supernatural Power (Binding): 3D

Combat Statistics

  • Health: 40 (20 + Body 5 + Elite modifier 15)
  • Defense: 3 (Speed 4 + supernatural resilience = effective Defense 3)
  • Armor: Supernatural resilience (equivalent to Medium +2)

Saves

  • Body Save: 8D (Body 5D + Fortitude 3D)
  • Speed Save: 4D (Speed 4D)
  • Wit Save: 5D (Wit 3D + Resolve 2D)

Attacks

  • Compact Strike: Body 5D + Brawl 4D = 9D vs Defense, 6–8 Shadow damage typical; against a character with any compact affiliation, this attack deals +2 damage. The Strike recognizes and targets the compact channel.
  • Binding Chain: Wit 3D + Supernatural Power 3D = 6D vs target's Body + Fortitude (contested, Near range); on success, target is Restrained (cannot move, −2D on all actions) until they break free (Body Save vs Threshold 4, Primary Action)

Shadow Traits

  • Shadow Immunity: Immune to Shadow damage
  • Radiant Vulnerability: As standard; Warden-specific: consecutive Radiant damage (two or more applications in the same scene) deals +1D damage on each subsequent application as the Radiant energy compounds against the shadow construct
  • Designated Target: Like the Hellhound, the Shadow Warden exists to reach a specific target. It knows the target's location at all times. Unlike the Hellhound, it does not ignore other threats; it will methodically remove any obstacle between itself and collection.

Special Abilities

  • Inviolable: The Shadow Warden cannot be permanently destroyed by conventional combat while its collection order is active. When reduced to 0 HP, it returns to its origin and reconstitutes within 24 hours with the collection order still active. The collection order can only be voided by satisfying the underlying compact obligation (the Warden's target pays what they owe) or by destroying the compact structure itself (campaign-level work requiring direct engagement with the Hollow entity behind the compact).
  • Compact Authority: All Shadow entities within Far range of the Warden that have lower standing are subject to its authority; it can compel Imps and lesser Shadow entities to serve its collection purpose without a roll.

Tactics

The Shadow Warden is methodical rather than aggressive. It assesses obstacles, removes them in order of immediate threat and advances toward its target. Binding Chain against the highest-threat character, Compact Strike against the target and anyone who directly interposes. It does not panic, does not rush, and does not deviate from its purpose. Characters who realize the Warden cannot be permanently stopped through combat are correct. The only solutions are satisfying the obligation or voiding the compact structure.

Lore & Ecology

A Shadow Warden's arrival is significant news in the hidden world's compact-adjacent community. It means the Hollow entity behind a compact has decided something needs to be collected. Shadow-Bound Marked practitioners who see a Warden and aren't the target know that someone's compact is in serious default. The Hollow Market's more informed brokers will quietly distance themselves from anyone currently being pursued by a Warden. Even other Shadow entities tend to stay clear; the Warden's authority is recognized across the hierarchy.

Banishment

Expulsion can temporarily return the Warden to its origin (Threshold 4), but the collection order brings it back within 24 hours. Sacred Fire's Consecration can bar it from a specific space indefinitely, creating a protected refuge, but the Warden will wait outside. Voiding the collection order is the only permanent solution.

Scene Materials

  • The Warden's physical residue contains encoded compact information readable by Blood Sense or advanced Mediumship (Threshold 4): reveals the specific obligation being collected and the compact structure behind it
  • Evidence of what triggered the collection (operational intelligence, significant research value)