Varjundid

Varjundid is a term used in Estonian-language fantasy and folklore contexts to denote a secretive order of practitioners who wield shadow-related powers. The name derives from Estonian varjund, meaning shade or shadow; varjundid is the plural.

In fiction, Varjundid are depicted as a hierarchical guild or order that favors concealment, information gathering, and illusion. They often operate in urban environments, maintaining influence through covert networks, spies, and masked messengers. Members are typically trained in stealth, disguise, and shadow magic, and oath-bound to maintain balance between light and dark in their world.

The portrayal varies by author and game system; some narratives cast them as antagonists manipulating events from behind the scenes, while others present them as morally ambiguous guardians of ancient knowledge. They may use symbols such as a crescent or interwoven shadows.

Outside fiction, varjundid is simply the Estonian plural of varjund, the word for shade or shadow, and appears in everyday language as a general term for shadows or shading effects in art and design.