My sketch (why must I torment myself with all digital?) of Juha'tel, my gnoll Shadesinger and one of her demons, First. Juha'tel is based off a striped hyena, hence the stripes (and she has silver fur). I'll ink and color this...eventually.


Shadesingers are among the rarest mages, and certainly some of the least understood. General consensus is that they are summoners or necromancers, which is true, in a fashion. Shadesingers are usually born rather than made, and very few ever follow the path. To be a Shadesinger is to be driven away, to be accursed and considered a demon, to be a bedtime story that frightens small children into behaving, a monster in the night. But to be a Shadesinger is to never know loneliness or lack for love, to be surrounded constantly by creatures so deeply in love they would die for you without a second thought.

'Singers are demon summoners, but their magic is very different and very volatile. While it is some of the most powerful, it is also one of the most dangerous summoning crafts. To summon a creature, they sing a tapestry of magic, and if it is done correctly, the demon will emerge and, entranced by the song, follow the 'Singer. The magic is different because there is nothing binding; the demon is not held or required to stay with the 'Singer, but they will because the beauty of the song has enamored them to the 'Singer, and they will remain there for life if the 'Singer treats them well. If the song and ritual are not done correctly, however, the demon will turn on the 'Singer, usually killing them.

Shadesingers usually only have four or five demons with them during their lifetime, as large numbers usually begin to bicker with each other. Once, a 'Singer of immense power gathered an army of demons and overthrew a kingdom, but most do not possess such power.

'Singers are nearly always female. There have been two male 'Singers ever recorded, and they were possessed of strength and charisma that kings long for.

The ritual to call a demon is long and ardurous, usually taking several days. Demons are not summoned easily.

Shadesingers sing to their demons during the day. This reinforces their bond.

All types of demons can be summoned- humanoid, ethereal, monstrous and hulking, or small and flittering. The summoned demons are so deeply in love with the 'Singer that she will usually never form other relationships (even if she weren't exiled and driven away, which most are. Demons scare people.) After all, how could mortal love compare to creatures that would die for you in a heartbeat?

Shadesinging is an entirely intuitive magic. The propensity to be one appears in far more people than was first believed- but only a few try to wield it.



Juha'tel, her demon First, and all the stuff I wrote about Shadesinging is © me. Rah. No stealie.