The Shard

**The Shard**, situated in the mountains southeast of Spawn, is a location that sends shivers down the spine of anyone that dares approach. It features a large "shard" of glass and obsidian that floats above an open cavern with many meandering cave paths branching off underground. The land around it is covered with blackstone and obsidian, and its tendrils seem to stretch outwards, devouring more ground as time goes on. The Shard is the central location pertaining to the Shard Arc.

## Effects

The Shard has been known to physically and psychologically effect characters who approach and explore its depths. Depending on the length and severity of exposure various symptoms may occur:

* Nausea and headaches
* Persistent dreams pertaining to the Shard
* Paranoia and feeling "watched"
* Hearing voices
* Hallucinations
* Increase in violent tendencies
* Desire to return to and/or stay in the Shard
* Aversion to quartz and sea lanterns
* Discoloration of skin (black)
* Discoloration of eyes and/or hair (purple or black)

## Containment Measures

After identifying the Shard as a threat to civilization, The Empire took several steps to prevent its growth and corruption of characters. In an interaction with the Light God, Katharos, the paladin of the Empire Ajan was gifted with the knowledge that quartz and sea lanterns are effective in preventing the spread of the Shard and its effects on other characters. Following this discovery, 3-block thick quartz walls lined with sea lanterns were erected around the Shard and have proven relatively effective in hindering it. A few attempts have been made to drill holes through the walls to allow the Shard to grow, of which were most notably perpetrated by Haishaku.

In early October, the walls were officially torn down by an unknown party. Since then, the rate of the Shard's growth has risen dramatically with no containment to hinder it.

## Known Shard Interactions

Many characters have made some form of canonical contact with the Shard and experienced its effects. Listed below in relative order of first contact with the Shard are characters who have made notable interactions with the Shard.

## Phases of Corruption

### Phase 1

You have encountered the Shard and felt its effects for the first time. You may experience occasional nausea and paranoia, but the symptoms fade eventually if you avoid the Shard or any of its byproducts.

### Phase 2

You have had extended exposure to the Shard, enough for the Shard to begin to latch onto your mind. You will experience nausea, paranoia, intrusive thoughts, and strange dreams related to the Shard. The Shard may beckon to you to return to it but will mostly manifest itself in your mind in ways that may seem intrusive and unnerving.

### Phase 3

The Shard has almost fully latched onto your mind, causing you to become more manic and off-kilter. It will now manifest itself as something safe and comforting rather than something to be feared. It will promise you things you desire, in exchange for your loyalty. You may seek to protect it at all costs, or perhaps you’re still trying to fight the growing desire to give into the Shard completely. Either way, your sanity is wearing down quickly and your intrusive thoughts are getting easier and easier to act upon.

### Phase 4

You are fully corrupted by the Shard and act in its direct interest. You no longer suffer the harsher effects of the Shard, as you have fully given into it, and you retain most of your mental faculties. However, self-preserving emotions like fear have been suppressed and your worldly perceptions have been reshaped to fit the Shard's supposedly righteous narrative.