You alter a creature's shadow, transforming it into a terrifying monster out to devour the creature. The creature must attempt a Will save. A creature that has the frightened condition from unspeakable shadow must spend at least one of its actions each turn to either attack its shadow (making a Strike ineffectually) or flee from its shadow (using one action to move away as though it had the fleeing condition).
Critical Success The target is unaffected.
Success The target is Frightened 2.
Failure The target is Frightened 3. It can't reduce its frightened value below 1 for 1 minute.
Critical Failure The target is so afraid, it might instantly die. It must succeed at a Fortitude save or die; this saving throw has the incapacitation trait. If it succeeds at its save, the target is Frightened 4 and can't reduce its frightened value below 1 for 1 minute.
Traits
An action with this trait requires a degree of mental concentration and discipline.
An effect with the death trait kills you immediately if it reduces you to 0 HP. Some death effects can bring you closer to death or slay you outright without reducing you to 0 HP.
This effect alters a creature's emotions. Effects with this trait always have the mental trait as well. Creatures with special training or that have mechanical or artificial intelligence are immune to emotion effects.
Fear effects evoke the emotion of fear. Effects with this trait always have the mental and emotion traits as well.
Effects and magic items with this trait involve false sensory stimuli.
You must physically manipulate an item or make gestures to use an action with this trait. Creatures without a suitable appendage can't perform actions with this trait. Manipulate actions often trigger reactions.
A mental effect can alter the target's mind. It has no effect on an object or a mindless creature.
This magic involves shadows or the energy of the Netherworld.
A visual effect can affect only creatures that can see it. This applies only to visible parts of the effect, as determined by the GM.