As it is, a group of four people can pool their energy, each submitting 450 CE to one player, who gets a Shadow Key using their own 450 energy (could be split Mist/CE), thereby reducing the cost. However, that's risky if you don't know the guy; he might just run off with your energy! Therefore, I'm proposing an "Energy Pool" idea.

Basically, next to each SL entrance, a small pedestal with a floating Shadow Key symbol can be interacted with. If the player interacting with the pedestal has clearance for the Shadow Lair in question, a dialog box will open explaining the Energy Pool, and asking if they want to start one for that Shadow Lair with their energy.

A little box will show up next to every other player in the group. The pool requests 1800 energy, 100 of which can be ME (this is to keep things as they are now). By default, the guy who started the Energy Pool will use his ME, unless someone else needs to use ME to get their 450, 600, or 900. If they have the energy, and all hit "Confirm", they will combine their energy to unlock the Shadow Lair entrance as normal. This will effectively use the method described above, with little to no risk of scamming. No energy is spent unless all players in the group hit "confirm", and if a player leaves the group, the "confirm" button gets unpressed (to prevent jerks).

Suggestions? Compliments? Scathing rebukes?