The Shadowfolk were Maia-Spirits bound to the Element of Shadow and Darkness.They were for the most part servants of Mandos and Vaire but some also served Lórien and Este or lived in Nienna´s Halls at Fúi.
One group of the Shadowfolk, the Uvalear, had left Aman and had settled down in the misty valleys of Hithlum before the arrival of the Feanorians.
The Black Demons: Hunters of Melkor, Vampires, Knackers, Demon Cats and Phantoms or Dindair were often believed to be fallen Shadowfolk-Spirits.
Another group of Shadow-Demons were the Demons of the Void, masterless incarnations of the outer Darkness of Kúma.
Tribes
- Melkor's Shadow-spirits (Dark Hunters, Daedhil, Elraukar and Nackers)
- Folk of Este - shadowy spirits devoted to rest and Healing.
- Folk of Irmo - Spirits of Visions and Dreams.
- Folk of Mandos - Guardians, Seers and Attendants of the Spirits of the Dead.
- Folk of Nienna - Mourners and Deathwatchers.
- Folk of Vaire - Chroniclers, Weavers and Reminders.
- Neblins
- Uvalear - restless Wanderers.