How a Shadow Guardian (SG) were created has caused much speculation among mages, but certain aspects about them seem to be understood and constant. They can only be created by an archmage (18th level wizard) or one of higher power and require a reflective object as the source of creation -- a full-length mirror is the usual source, though a well polished shield will do just as well -- and a light source of sufficient brightness to cast a shadow which must fall upon the reflective object's surface. When these conditions are met, one's own shadow animates to become a deadly foe, which will attack only the person/creature from which it originated. When the originating creature is slain or moves out of the line of sight of the reflective surface, the created SG becomes a full-fledged normal shadow.

Having no hit dice, Shadow Guardians cannot be harmed by any direct physical or magical attack. They possess the exact items of their originator as well as the originator's means of attack and movement. Thus a wizard-SG may cast spells that the originating wizard currently has in memory, or a fighter who can attack twice per round will have his SG do the same to him with the same to hit probability and damage bonuses (if any) the fighter may possess.

If the creator of the SG used a mirror of opposition in the casting, the SG will have the exact opposite alignment of the character looking into it (though if the creature is true neutral, the alignment of the SG is chaotic evil). In other cases where plain reflective source is used, the SG alignment is evil of the same type as the viewer: e.g. a lawful good PC looking into the mirror will produce a lawful evil SG. The only effective means of defeating a SG is to use a wish destroy the reflective object or eliminate all light that enables the reflective object source to generate the SG, though if this latter method is used, once any light again touches the reflective source object's surface will again generate the SG. The only magic that affects a SG other than a wish spell are spells that would destroy the reflective object or eliminate light on it.

The SG doesn't posses any treasure but may guard a restricted area leading to a treasure, such as the reflective object itself. Note that the mage who casts the spell for the SG is not affected by it.

CLIMATE/ TERRAIN: Any
FREQUENCY: Very Rare
ORGANIZATION: Nil
ACTIVITY CYCLE: See text
DIET: Nil
ALIGN: See text
INT: Same as victim's
TREASURE: See text
No. APPEARING: Variable
AC: Variable but unimportant
MOVEMENT: Same as victim's
HIT DICE: Same as victim's
THAC0: Same as victim's
ATTACKS: Same as victim's
DAM/ATTACK: Same as victim's
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Same as victim's
SPECIAL DEF.: Same as victim's
MR: Same as victim's
SIZE: Same as victim's
MORALE: Same as victim's
XP VALUE: Same as victim's

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