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“Friends on the Other Side”: Bringing the Shadow Man into Your D&D Game

When it comes to charismatic villains steeped in shadow and mysticism, few are as captivating as Dr. Facilier, the Shadow Man from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. His sleight of hand,

The fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master’s Guide describes “The Shadowfell, also called the Plane of Shadow, is a dimension of black, gray, and white where most other color has been leached from everything. It is a place of darkness that hates the light, where the sky is a black vault with neither sun nor stars.” [Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast]

dark deals, and voodoo connections create a perfect template for a unique and sinister NPC—or even a subclass inspiration—in your next Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Last week I looked at Tangled and how to explore the tower.

Let’s explore how you can channel Facilier’s magic into your game, complete with dark bargains, shadowy allies, and a dangerous reliance on powers not fully his own.

The Shadow Man: A Quick Profile

Dr. Facilier is more than just a street magician. He’s a cunning warlock who uses tarot, illusions, and shadow magic to manipulate others into making soul-binding deals. He doesn’t just cast spells—he sells them, often with a catch.

Key traits:

• Charismatic but dangerous

• Pacts with dark spirits (“friends on the other side”)

• Manipulative and deal-driven

• Uses shadow and illusion magic

• Draws power from others’ misfortune

These elements translate beautifully into a villain, a new warlock patron, or even a dark faction in your world.

Mechanics: Bringing Voodoo Magic into D&D

1. The Loa Patron (New Warlock Patron Option)

A patron inspired by voodoo spirits—called Loa—is perfect for players who want to channel the same eerie power Facilier uses.

The Loa

You’ve made a pact with mysterious spirits from the Shadow Realm, granting you powers that come at a steep price. These spirits are capricious and strange, demanding favors or sacrifices to keep their blessings.

Expanded Spell List:

• 1st: Hex, Disguise Self

• 2nd: Mirror Image, Enthrall

• 3rd: Bestow Curse, Major Image

• 4th: Phantasmal Killer, Greater Invisibility

• 5th: Dream, Cloudkill

Shadow Bargain (1st level):
As an action, you can offer a deal to a creature you can see within 30 feet. The creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC = your spell save DC) or be charmed by you for 1 minute. While charmed in this way, they will agree to a deal you propose (such as “Give me that item, and I’ll make you stronger”). If they agree, you cast a buffing spell (like Enhance Ability or Heroism) without expending a spell slot—but you suffer 1d6 psychic damage.

Friends on the Other Side (6th level):
Once per long rest, you can summon spectral shadow spirits to assist you. These spirits act like the Spiritual Weapon spell but take the form of masks, shadows, or dancing lights, and can change form each round.

Soul Collateral (10th level):
Whenever a creature dies within 60 feet of you, you can capture their soul (no action required). You gain temporary hit points equal to their CR. If it’s a humanoid, you may ask the spirits to answer one question from the dead (as Speak with Dead) once per long rest.

Debt Collector (14th level):
You can mark one creature as “indebted” (no save, 1/hour). The next time it breaks a deal or oath, you can use your reaction to inflict Geas without components, with a duration of 1 minute (rather than 30 days).

2. Villain Template: The Voodoo Broker

If you’re running a campaign and want a unique villain like Facilier, try this archetype:

Name: “The Broker”
Race: Tiefling or Human
Class: Warlock (Loa Patron) or Bard/Warlock multiclass
Lair: A tarot-parlor-turned-dimension-door, where shadows have eyes.

Tactics:

• Uses illusions and charm over brute force.

• Sends minions (shadow spirits) to collect debts.

• Manipulates PCs into taking “deals” with hidden consequences.

• Can escape into shadows (like Misty Step, reflavored).

The Broker is perfect as a recurring NPC. Maybe they help the party once—only to return later, asking for repayment in the form of a soul or betrayal.

Narrative Flavor: Tarot, Shadow Puppets, and Masks

Facilier’s aesthetic is deeply theatrical—use this! Tarot cards that reveal the target’s fears, masks that animate and whisper secrets, and shadows that act independently are all flavorful additions.

Magic Items:

• Deck of Shadowed Fates: A cursed deck of tarot cards that grants insight (Advantage on Arcana or Insight) once per day but each use risks drawing the attention of a shadowy Loa.

• Voodoo Doll: Attuned item that lets the wielder cast Hex or Cursed Binding (custom spell) with a piece of a target (hair, cloth, etc.).

Conclusion: Style Over Substance—Or Both?

Facilier is a villain who dazzles while he deceives. His powers are never overwhelming, but always unnerving. For your D&D game, channeling his voodoo flair lets you introduce mysticism, manipulation, and moral ambiguity.

Whether he’s a patron, villain, or bizarre shopkeeper, the Shadow Man adds flavor—and danger—to your campaign. Just remember: those “friends on the other side” always collect.

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!