Conjectural map of the Shadowlands by Scwoobee
The Shadowlands refers to the southernmost region of the southern continent of the homeworld. Its northern boundary is the Main River, and its southernmost city is Kiaulune. The Shadowlands collectively became the nemesis of Taglios, the major independent sovereignty roughly 100 miles north of the Main, in both Books of the South and the first two Books of Glittering Stone.
Geography[]
The Dandha Presh mountain range divides the Shadowlands into northern and southern areas, both of which share a western border with the Shindai Kus desert. The northern Shadowlands features numerous places of note in the Annals of the Black Company, including Ghoja, Dejagore ("Stormgard"), Tragevec ("Shadowlight"), the Naghir River, Gharhawnes, Nijha, and Lake Tanji. The southern Shadowlands is known primarily for the city of Kiaulune ("Shadowcatch"), the massive fortress Overlook, and the Shadowgate which leads to the otherworldly glittering plain.
History[]
Conquered by the Shadowmasters[]
The many peoples of the Shadowlands had been peaceful for centuries, with no armies or significant conflicts. Then, at some point during Croaker's lifetime, the region was conquered by the four mysterious Shadowmasters known as Stormshadow, Moonshadow, Shadowspinner, and Longshadow. The Shadowmasters raised armies, waged war, built fortresses, and leveled and renamed cities. A small place called Pityus was the first location to fall to these wizards. This was followed by the first two cities of significance to be conquered: Kiaulune – renamed Shadowcatch and ruled by Longshadow, and Tragevec – renamed Shadowlight and ruled by Shadowspinner. Six and Fred fell next, followed by Dejagore, which was leveled, rebuilt, and renamed Stormgard and ruled by Stormshadow.
An older map of the region, from The Black Company Campaign Setting
War against the Black Company[]
After a period of internecine rivalry amongst themselves, the Shadowmasters reunited and the forces of the Shadowlands now targeted Taglios. In the ensuing Shadowmaster wars which lasted at least 5 years, the Shadowlands were eventually liberated by Taglian armies commanded by Croaker the Liberator and his Black Company. Many events of these wars were chronicled in Shadow Games, Dreams of Steel, Bleak Seasons, and culminated during She Is the Darkness. In addition to the warfare, the Shadowlands – most especially the southern region – were devastated by the massive earthquake that took place at the end of Bleak Seasons.
Incorporation into the Protectorate[]
Then, during the 15-year-gap between She Is the Darkness and Water Sleeps, all the territories formerly belonging to the Shadowlands were subsequently annexed by Soulcatcher when she consolidated her new empire, the Protectorate. Many Shadowlanders aligned themselves with their former enemy, the Black Company, to resist her. But they were defeated by Soulcatcher's Great General – Mogaba – during the Kiaulune wars.
Finally, in Soldiers Live, reconstituted Black Company marched northward through the former Shadowlands in the Protectorate war. The region experienced relatively little bloodshed until the Company clashed with Soulcatcher's Middle Army at the Battle of the Middle Ground. Much of the rest of the Protectorate war took place north of the Main, that is, outside the former Shadowlands.