The prevailing cultural belief is that there are several planes of existance. The world, Cha'lm'amir (The place where Chal presides) and the emptiness. Normally these planes of existance do not interact with one another. Only priests, the Praj, some mages and the a few spirits can move from one plane to another. However shadows are a link between the two. Shadows are also the window into a person's spirit or "power" and through one's shadow one can be manipulated. As the Sja'ji'am (Sjajiam) have demonstrated shadows can also be used for magic.

The Church of Chal (TheChurchOfChal) has preached that people must be wary of shadows. The Dark Praj can reach into this world through shadows and in fact in some circumstances can even enter this world. According to the Church of Chal the Dark Praj's goal is to destroy Chal's creation, particularily those who follow Chal's will.