What Is a Shadowbane? Inside The Lies That Summon the Night by Tessonja Odette
- Allen & Unwin
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
Tessonja Odette introduces you to the creatures in her latest romantasy sensation The Lies that Summon the Night.
In The Lies That Summon the Night, Tessonja Odette crafts a world where sin has teeth, art is outlawed, and monsters walk in the dark. At the heart of that world stands one of her most fascinating creations: the Shadowbane. Feared, revered, and dangerously misunderstood, these half-Sinless hunters operate in the shadows of the Holy Continent, answering only to the crown. In the guest post below, Tessonja pulls back the curtain on their origins, their powers, and the unsettling truths that make them both protectors… and something far more perilous.
WHAT IS A SHADOWBANE?
Since few have met a Shadowbane, you might be wondering how to know you’re in one’s presence. Fear not, fellow sinner, for I will brief you.
Though rarely seen by common folk due to their nocturnal schedules, a Shadowbane is one of the most respected figures on the Holy Continent, operating under the cover of darkness for the supposed good of all mankind. They have more authority than any other citizen, save for the Sinless royals. If you come across a Shadowbane, listen, obey, and hide your lies.
Also known as a halfsoul, a Shadowbane is a human who has undergone a partial Absolution, which strips their soul of half its sins. Unlike the Sinless, who have been given a complete Absolution, and are no longer capable of sinning or attracting Shades, a Shadowbane maintains a slim connection to sin. This allows them to perform unseemly acts a Sinless never could, such as hunting down criminals and slaying deadly Incarnates. It also allows them to wield shadows, through which they can sense lies. So never lie to a Shadowbane.
Once chosen by their patron prince to train as a Shadowbane, they undergo years of rigorous tutelage, mastering swordsmanship, holy scripture, and astrotheurgy. Their use of solar magic allows them to ignite their silver swords—the only weapon that can kill an Incarnate and banish Shades. This makes them essential protectors of villages during their temporary posts, where they fend of Shade attacks, investigate criminal activity, and maintain order.
Though violence is widely known to be a sin, as is unsanctioned use of astrotheurgy, Shadowbanes are deemed by the crown a necessary evil. Like the Sinless, they drink blood at regular intervals. It is considered a great honor to serve as a blood source, though I suggest you try not to catch a Shadowbane’s eye in the first place.
Another position in service to a Shadowbane is a Summoner: an artist who uses their forbidden craft to attract the terrible monsters the Shadowbane hunts. However, as all artists are outlaws and sinners, it is not considered an honorable position. To the general public, Summoners don’t exist.
Should you ever cross paths with a Shadowbane, pay them the respect they’re due, thank them for their service, and count yourself blessed to leave the encounter alive. For if there is one creature who can spot a sinner, it’s a Shadowbane.
Lies that Summon the Night by Tessonja Odette is out now!
The Lies that Summon the Night
by Tessonja Odette
Nevernight meets Filthy Rich Vampire in this dark romantasy in which an outlaw is caught by a bounty hunter who gives her an ultimatum - serve him or he'll claim her bounty - in a world where creativity and art are forbidden, and humanity's sins are monsters given flesh.
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