Shade Wolves are one of the few remaining super naturals left in the world. Long thought to be death incarnate by cultures around the world due to their skeletal appearance, Shade Wolves have long been feared and reviled. Recently, more open minds have come to understand their reason for existence. While often present at funerary ceremonies, they are not responsible for deaths. The Shades act as guides for disembodied souls, leading them to their final resting place. This is the reason they are often sighted in areas known for being haunted.

Shade Wolves are not born, nor do they age, nor do they die. They come into this world as a shadow, drawing upon the life forces that leave the body as the living depart this world. When they form, they are fully adult in every sense. They can only "die" if they do not bring souls to rest, fading back into the shadows they were born of.

Their lanterns are one of two main methods for determining their age, older shades, having lead many a soul to rest, tend to have highly ornate beautiful lanterns. In recent times some of the younger shades have taken to modern styles of clothing, while older shades are adorned in cloaks resembling velvet smoke. Seeing a shade with a darkened lantern is considered a grave omen.

The fur of Umbra Lupus is another method of determining their age. "New born" shades being pitch black, growing lighter through experience. Eventually, over many centuries of work, a shades fur will become snow white. A shade of this stature will ascend and become a Lupus Lux Lucis, or Wolf of the Light. An ascended shade almost never tends to the souls of the dead, instead they take on the role of protector of the living. Their monstrous skeletal face becomes that of a living wolf.

Many cultures now consider elder shades to be of high honor, elders often leading the souls of great monks, the truly righteous hearted, and those who lived charitable lives that did not seek for fame for their deeds. For a member of the bereaved family to receive acknowledgment from an elder shade is a great honor and is usually cause for celebration. Visitation by a Lupus Lux Lucis to a funeral is almost unheard of, only happening for the most holy souls. Souls attended by a Wolf of the Light are elevated to the title of Saint.