Detach "Shadow Mage" from the Shadow Weave - make them different choices.
Shadow Mages are not something inherent to Shar in Forgotten Realms lore. Shadow Mages and Shadow Magic are a 2e era mage kit which canonically exist(ed) in the realms in previous age (Talfirian empire) and are now an obscure variety of weave magic.
Shadow Mages have figured how to draw power from the plane of Shadow. This style of magic is not involved with but could be enhanced by the Shadow Weave. I think it would be healthier for the server both in an RP venue and to express more wonder/mystery if the two are separated because its both 1) canonical and 2) allows for people to be MISTAKEN and actually gives Shadow Weave users a bit of camouflage.
How could this be done?
* Make Shadow Weave use open to literally every casting class but under the same non-good, shadow deity worship/attunement thing. Both as a (PERMANENT) creation choice and a (PERMANENT) in game choice. Make it give you the boons and penalties it already does. The Shadow Weave canonically is open to every single caster, including divine ones, just requires a particular kind of compact to be made.
It means you could also see Wild Mages who are Shadow Weave users if you wanted to. These things are not incompatible in tabletop and Dead Shadow Weave / Wild Shadow Weave zones are theorized to be possible.
The other arcane classes like Invoker could probably overlap here Spellsword, what have you. Warlocks are also something you could consider letting combine - warlocks are using the weave, and were only given access to that magic via their patron. Many finds / evil beings also are on team Shar and it fits with them.
shadow weave bonuses wrote:+2 DC and Caster Level on all Illusion, Enchantment and Necromancy spells.
Evocation (minus Darkness and shadow-themed spells) spells are cast at -6 caster level and DCs
The -6 DC penalty applies to Transmutation spells, but not the negative CL.Shadow Mages get +2 DC and Caster Level on all Illusion, Enchantment and Necromancy spells.
Can't cast light based spells / fire based spells can't be cast either.
Shadow Conjuration / Shadow Evocation spells are considered empowered, maximized, extended and at +2 CL.
Can be a specialist wizard as long as it isn't an evoker or transmuter.
* Since this was part of the Shadow Mage kit - give them:
+1 DC on illusion. (+3 if majority bard)
Can't cast light based spells / fire based spells can't be cast either.
Shadow Conjuration / Shadow Evocation spells are considered empowered, maximized, extended and at +2 CL.
Can't be a specialist.
If also a Shadow Weave user combine all penalties and bonuses.
Plus everything else Shadow Mage already gets - but also let bards do it - so bard/sorc/wiz can all do it.