Shards of the Elder One

The 66 shards serve as a conduit to the Elder One, who views the current existence as an imperfect and corrupted one and seeks a rebirth through complete destruction. They are scattered across the material and planar realms. Unbeknownst to each other, both Thadrah and Deathdreamer Gar Sharkoth are actively searching for the shards.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

When united, the 66 soul shards contain enough power to free the Elder One from his divinely-imposed prison. The shards attract each other, seeking out the familiar divine energy. An individual who unites three shards summons a minor avatar of the Elder One. Six united shards summon a major avatar of the Elder One. Since the time of the great existence, six shards have been united, causing the great devastation of the second age.
Paladins and clerics across the world try to prevent the discovery and union, though few know the full extent of the repercussions should they fail.
When a shard is destroyed its power is released into the worlds and a fraction of it is absorbed by the other shard. Destroying these shards releases waves of devastation, so it is was decided after the shattering that, when found, the shards would be locked up and guarded and not destroyed. Many of these places have been safely guarded for millennia, though the purpose and reason for their guarding has been lost to some, allowing these shards to be sold desirable gems.

Significance

The shards were created shortly after the Great Existance. In a rare act of unity, the Gods of Alignment worked together to imprison the elder one and his desire for corruption. Aware of their plans, the Elder One made a great prism into which he poured his energy and his essence, He shattered it into 66 pieces and scattered them across the material and planar existences. When the piece are united, the elder one will regain his former strength and be able to free himself from his divine chains.

Rarity

There are 66 shards of the elder one scattered across the material and planar universes. Their meaning has been lost to time. Some have been found and turned into jewelry, decorative hilts, and other ornamentation. Even those within the cult of the elder one are largely unaware of their existence. The few that are tend to be corrupted by the Elder One, like Deathdreamer Gar Sharkoth or deep keepers of knowledge within the paladin communities.