2000/11 - Shard of the Herald

Related topics: Shard of the Herald, Soul Crystals, Bael'Zharon, Live Event

Introduced:  Should the Stars Fall

A "Shard Vigil" on the Morningthaw server.

The Shard of the Herald Live Event

The Shard of the Herald was one of the last Soul Crystals imprisoning the Hopeslayer Bael'Zharon. During the November 2000 event Should the Stars Fall, the location of the remaining crystal was found and a battle was fought between Ler Rhan's Shadow forces and followers of Anadil of Shakrassekor to take control of the crystal - much the like the battles at the previous Soul Crystals.

However, unlike with the previous shards, this one was protected by a barrier allowing only those loyal to Bhael'Zharon - also known as Player Killers - to enter the catacombs. This added an interesting dynamic to the final stand as players could now choose to defect and side with the Undead to protect the shard, or join the Shadows and destroy it. In the end, the crystal was destroyed quickly on all but one server.

On the Thistledown server, players had banded together to protect the shard taking turns in shifts to defend it from attackers throughout the day. It was these "Shard Vigils" (nicknamed by Turbine) and the clever use of game mechanics such as levelling the shard up by sacrifising themselves which kept the shard intact for so long. In fact, the TD team were so good and the crystal so powerful that eventually the developers had to intervene to destroy it.

Vidorian, a Thistledown monarch and also a Dark Master helped the devs to destroy the stone. In the lore context, she was assisted by the (dev controlled) Shadow generals Ler Rhan and Black Ferah, the latter who buffed Vidorian and her Atlan Dagger (complete with Shadow Stone from the Gauntlet) +12000% to attack.

In respect to the players that defended the shard so well, a monument was created on the Thistledown server engraved with the names of those who took part. It is located at 82.3S, 93.4E outside Ithaenc Cathedral on the Thistledown server only.

See the video below for an official account of Turbine's efforts to destroy the Shard of the Herald (aka Harry) on Thistledown.

Event Summary

• Players attack the Undead forces and kill their leader Anadil of Shakrassekor. On death, he drops part of a silver key, Staff of the Nomads and his journal.
• Anadil's spymaster Asmolum the Worm is also killed, he drops an ancient key, his throwing daggers and a damp scroll.
• Aerfalle appears on the west side of the Ithaenc Island with her army. She is defeated and drops another part to the silver key.
• Players proceed to kill various Shadows including Shadow Children, one of the children summon a portal (level 1-25) to Savao Island on death. A Shadow Governess is found on the small island and is killed. She drops the third and final part to the key.
• Players combine the three parts and create the silver key. After using the key on Kelderam's Tomb, it disappears and turns into a portal gem, which when used sommons a PK restricted portal to the catacombs of Ithaenc Cathedral where the shard is kept.

You notice a small keyhole near the base of the pedestal...

• Players attack and kill Shadows and other creatures such as Grievvers in the catacombs before destroying the shard itself.

Notable Event Creatures

• Aerfalle (Level 117)
• Anadil of Shakrassekor
• Asmolum the Worm
• Chalicmere Legion Commander (Level 58)
• Shadow Governess
• Shard of the Herald

Items

		Campaign Journal		Staff of the Nomads (Retired)		Split Silver Key		Silver Key (Kelderam's Path)
		Kelderam's Tomb		Kelderam's Path		Shard Vigil Memorial

Images

Click image for full size version.

• 
  Ithaenc Cathedral.
• 
  Anadil of Shakrassekor.
• 
  Camp of the Latzimestal.
• 
  Spot where Aerfalle was defeated (praying Undead can be found here now).
• 
  Kelderam's Tomb.
• Bael'Zharon in the catacombs beneath Ithaenc after being freed.
  Bael'Zharon in the catacombs beneath Ithaenc after being freed.
• 
  The Shard Vigil Memorial on Thistledown.

Video

<youtube>Hnj9afinaYI</youtube>

Lore & Dialog

Anadil's Dericost forces

As the undead archer falls to the floor of its Skytower, a voice in your mind screams, "They are breaking through our perimeter! Notify Lord Anadil!"

As the undead archer falls to the floor of its Skytower, it calls in Roulean, "Excellent shot!"

---

Aerfalle

"Fool," she hisses. "You will destroy us all! If you really want to have the key, then defend also what we defend." with these words the light of her eyes disappears in her rotting skull. Her soul moves north again to gather new strength.

---

Anadil of Shakrassekor

The undead general staggers and falls to his knees, but pauses and looks up into <Player>'s eyes. "Don't let it end like this, young one. If you must send me to the wind, my task is your to complete. Protect the stone."

---

Asmolum the Worm

The undead spy master gasps, "No! I will still be needed!"

---

Shadow infiltrators

As the undead falls, its rotting flesh ripples and sloughs away, revealing the ebon form of a Shadow! "Ler Rhan's chosen," it whispers to itself. "They shall keep it on Savao."

As the undead falls, its rotting flesh ripples and sloughs away, revealing the ebon form of a Shadow! "The dusty fool knows naught," it chuckles softly. "They cannot bar the way."

As the undead falls, its rotting flesh ripples and sloughs away, revealing the ebon form of a Shadow! "We slew the third deadflesh commander," it cackles. "What was his is ours now!"

As the undead falls, its rotting flesh ripples and sloughs away, revealing the ebon form of a Shadow! "Your little victory matters not," it cackles. "We already altered the path so none may follow but our own!"

---

After the Shard of the Herald is destroyed

The Herald is come.

The children of Ispar have lost...

The currents coursing through the ley lines flare and sputter in dismay. A tremor passes through the ground, as if the world itself were recoiling in horror. For a moment, all is still. The wind holds its breath. Then, on the back of a rising gale, there comes the faint sound of black laughter.

In the depths below the ruined Cathedral of Ithaenc, Vidorian's party make the grievous error of shattering the last Soul Crystal! The patterns of magic are rent asunder.