Wizard Path Suggestion: Path of the Shadow Adept

[RedGiant]

There are still a few classes out there who lack a bit of love in the path department. Arguably Wizard is first among them. Or was that Paladin? Hrm.

Long ago Mithreas hinted at a Shadow Pact Warlock. Well, we already have two types of bardic paths, we need a wizard path! In addition, almost every dark corner hides a Sharran, so why don't we embrace it?

Enter the Path of the Shadow Adept.

Restrictions:
Alignment: Any non-good
Deity: Shar

Loses:
Access to the normal wizard spell progression and ability to learn new spells.

Gains:
Darkvision: A shadow adept could see well in dim light or complete darkness, regardless of race.

Shadow Double: Summon Familiar ability summons a Shadowy Double of the Shadow Adept. (Scales per lvl as new summons, but visually is replaced with a shadowy version of the PC similar to totem-reskinning effect on summons.)

Shadow Weave Access:
A Shadow Adept is a spellcaster who specializes in using the Shadow Weave. The Shadow Weave is best suited for dark magic that drains life or muddles the mind and the senses, but less suited for magic that manipulates energy or matter.

Shadow Weave Access grants unlimited spells similar to Warlock Paths.
1 Negative Energy Ray (1)
2 Ray of Enfeeblement (1)
3 Darkness (2)
4 Death Armor (2)
5 Animate Dead (5)
6 Enervation (4)
7 Vampiric Touch (3)
8 Shadow Conjuration (4)
9 Ghostly Visage (2)
10 Invisibility (2)
11 Greater Shadow Conjuration (5)
12 Negative Energy Burst (3)
13 Shades (6)
14 Dominate Person (4)
15 Create Undead (8)
16 Improved Invisibility (4)
17 Phantasmal Killer (4)
18 Enervation (9)
19 Undead to Death (6)
20 Ethereal Visage (6)
22 Shadow Shield (7)
25 Horrid Wilting (8)
28 Dominate Monster (9)

When compared with the similar warlock paths, the shadow companion and the generally more powerful spells to which a Shadow Adept has access are balanced by a reduced combat capability, lack of damage reduction, and the necessity to utilize spell components.

Note: Unlike epic warlocks, epic Shadow Adepts would have access to epic spells and epic spell foci. Certain schools like evocation and conjuration will prove practically useless. Yet favored schools such as necromancy, illusion, and enchantment will be quite formidable.

Also recommend that Epic Spell: Dragon Knight summon a Shadow Dragon (reskinned Dracolich).