Summon Shadow (Su): At 3rd level, a shadowdancer can summon a shadow, an undead shade. Unlike a normal shadow, this shadow's alignment matches that of the shadowdancer, and the creature cannot create spawn. The summoned shadow receives a +4 bonus on Will saves made to halve the damage from positive channeled energy and the shadow cannot be turned or commanded. This shadow serves as a companion to the shadowdancer and can communicate intelligibly with the shadowdancer. This shadow has a number of hit points equal to half the shadowdancer's total. The shadow uses the shadowdancer's base attack bonus and base save bonuses.
If a shadow companion is destroyed, or the shadowdancer chooses to dismiss it, the shadowdancer must attempt a DC 15 Fortitude save. If the saving throw fails, the shadowdancer gains one permanent negative level. A successful saving throw avoids this negative level. A destroyed or dismissed shadow companion cannot be replaced for 30 days.
While their is nothing confusing with how the ability functions, I feel they should elaborate on the nature of the summoned "Shadow". I have seen a lot of topics involving people being confused about the nature of this special undead buddy. Where does it come from? Is this the soul of someone who shares my alignment? Is it a fragment of my soul? (Personally I'd say this would fit the best considering it shares your alignment and pulls so many of it's stats directly from you as well as why it being felled or dismissed runs the risk of you taking a negative level) Does this special undead offend any deities such as Pharasma?
The nature and origins of this little fella are super unclear, based on the nature of the PrC I'd say it would make sense that this guy is part of your shadow that you can actively command, but it is technically listed as an undead creature. Frankly I've just seen a decent amount of confusion on the boards about this ability, and the nature and origins of your shadow friend.
This isn't a rules question, more of a fluff question, flagged for move to a better forum.
Ah, sorry about that, I couldn't figure out where this should go.
Also I fixed the title to be more accurate, thank you for pointing that out.
Personally, I would prefer it left vague. That way you leave it up to the individual to determine what the relationship is between them and their "shadow". Perhaps its a partial reincarnation of your little brother or sister who died when they were still a child. Perhaps its the incarnation of your imaginary friend as a child. The options are as limitless as your imagination.
I like the idea of reflavoring things as well, I suppose either the people I've seen put in a pickle by the uncertainty either couldn't reflavor or something in their situation. See whether the nature of this shadow buddy is vague or not has nothing to do with reflavoring, you can reflavor stuff whether it is defined very accurately or isn't at all, that is what reflavoring is. However people who are in situations where reflavoring isn't accepted such as PFS could really be spared some confusion as well as disagreements if they were less vague about the shadow buddy. Reflavoring is ignoring the flavor that is provided without changing the mechanics, it isn't limited to just filling in the gaps.