Short: Excerpt From "Light's Shadow: Theory of Balance"

In the library of the Cathedral of the Light, there is a small section devoted to scholarly pursuits. This section includes some books, once considered blasphemy, and even today heavily restricted, that deal with what has widely become accepted as Shadow energies. Many of these tomes are the last copies in existence, some salvaged from the now fallen city of Lordaeron. Nearly all of them are damaged in some way, some missing pages, others with visible scorch marks where they were obviously nearly burned to ash because their contents were deemed "dangerous." All of them are under lock and key within the library itself and require special permission to access, especially by young priests for learning.

One rather rash student of the Church, however, "borrowed" one of these books in his own pursuit of understanding of his faith and made a handwritten copy of some of the particularly interesting passages he read. The small book was titled Light's Shadow, a Theory of Balance and the Other Power and was written by an unknown author, though he appeared to be a very wise priest of the Light or scholar of man. These passages have been reproduced here.

The Light is a wondrous thing. It heals us, guides us, protects us, and gives us strength when we have none. Paladins and Priests both gain their miraculous powers through their unwavering Faith in the Holy Light. They are blessed with its power, chosen by the Light to wield in order to aid other followers of same thought, to aid Humanity...

There is another power, one the Light is forever married to, and scholars among the clergy and the mages have dubbed it 'Shadow.' Many fear the Shadow energies, and perhaps they should, for the weak-minded cannot safely wield it, and the arrogant can only wield it with evil intent.

The priest who chooses to look into the Shadows within themselves must be one who is strong, both in mind and spirit. Contrary to popular thought, the Shadow Priest must have a very strong faith in the Light.

We are not writing of Fel energy, as some try to label Shadow powers as Fel powers, or that they are linked in some way. No, Fel energies are something else entirely, something foul and evil, something from a power darker than any Shadow could be. Shadows are, in fact, a product of the Light. There are cultures, both ancient and new, that place a heavy focus on Balance, especially in life and nature. Shadow is the Light's attempt at such a Balance.

An example: Here we have a very dark room. Let us say, for argument, that this room has no window or door, and thus is truly dark. A candle sits on a table, and is now lit. It emits a soft, steady, glowing light. This light illuminates the room, revealing an apple upon the table. One side of the apple is now bright, while the other is dark, shrouded by the shadow it casts upon the table behind it, but still visible. This is, of course, an analogy of the relationship between the two opposite, but not opposing, powers.

If we apply this example to ourselves, we can attempt to understand the relationship between the Light and the Shadow. We are all of us bathed in the Light. All sentient beings who open their hearts and minds to the Light's blessings benefit from it's Holy illumination. However, all of these beings, no matter how they might wish to say otherwise, have Shadows as well. It is not our desire to have a Shadow, to have this shroud upon our spirit, but the Light shines upon us, showing us that we are not perfect, that we cast Shadow even if our intent is only to be pure.

Those who look only into the Light can learn to ignore the shadow, but that does not erase its existence, within themselves or in others. Those priests who can bear to look into their Shadow can, in time, learn to tap its energy, just as the Light can be tapped. This is very difficult to master, perhaps because the Shadow is dependent on the Light, rather than being a power in and of itself. The Shadow Priest can never lose Faith in the Holy Light, as they will then risk losing the origination of their Shadow's power, for without light, no shadows exist. Instead you would simply be in darkness, in void, giving you no power at all. A priest would require a very strong mind as well as strong desire in order to utilize their Shadow energy.

Any priest who can tap this Shadow energy will be well rewarded. Shadow is an extension of the Light, thus any Shadow Priest has the power of the Light as well as Shadow at their beck and call.

Light and Shadow are simply two sides of the same coin, and that coin is a currency a strong, well-disciplined priest can use, if only they have the strength and courage to do so.

These are but the thoughts of one forgotten priest, no doubt long dead, perhaps from war. Still, these words gave courage and strength to a priest when he needed it most. Perhaps they will do the same for you, friend. If nothing else, perhaps they got you to think, and that is a wondrous thing, too.