Shard of Calamity

The Shard of Calamity is a legendary artifact originating from the Age of Wonders, forged by a mad Archmage who sought to harness chaos itself. This sinister relic has absorbed the residual energies of countless wars, transforming it into a nexus of immense magical potential and corruption. Its capabilities are formidable: it amplifies rituals to unprecedented scales, enabling feats like city-wide mind control or the summoning of ancient horrors. The Shard weakens the barriers between planes, distorting reality and allowing fiendish entities to seep into the world. To its wielder, it offers dark inspiration, whispering twisted knowledge that grants forbidden insights at the cost of their sanity.
In the wrong hands, the Shard of Calamity poses an existential threat. It could shatter a city's magical defenses, opening the way for invasions from other planes or turning entire factions into puppets of infernal forces. If acquired by groups like HellCo or the Pantheobule, they could wield its power to dominate the region or spark a devastating war, potentially awakening ancient powers hidden beneath Tatharia Capitolina.

History

The enigmatic Shard of Calamity is steeped in mystery, with its origins rooted in the obscure and tumultuous Age of Wonders—a period now lost to the annals of history. The scant records and fragmented legends that survive from this era have given rise to a multitude of theories and speculative narratives regarding the Shard's journey through Time and the identities of its previous owners.
The true history of the Shard of Calamity is a tapestry woven with threads of legend, speculation, and fragmented truths. Each theory about its past ownership and the roles it played in historical events adds to its aura of mystery and danger. As scholars, adventurers, and power-seekers alike delve deeper into uncovering the Shard's secrets, the veil of time continues to obscure its full story, ensuring that the artifact remains one of the most intriguing and perilous relics of the Age of Wonders.

Origins in the Dark Age of Rolara

The prevailing account traces the Shard's creation to the Dark Age of Rolara, a time marked by relentless warfare and magical experimentation. It was during this epoch that the mad Archmage Thalor the Chaotic forged the Shard, intending to tap into and control the very essence of chaos. Thalor's ambition led him to imbue the artifact with residual energies from countless battles, inadvertently making the Shard a focal point of immense magical potential and inherent corruption.

Speculative Lineage of Ownership

Given the scarcity of concrete historical records, much of the Shard's ownership history is the subject of speculation and legend. Below are some of the most prominent theories and tales that have emerged over the centuries:

1. The Silent Conclave

   One of the earliest speculations suggests that after Thalor's disappearance, the Shard fell into the hands of the Silent Conclave—a secretive order of sorcerers dedicated to preserving and studying forbidden magics. According to legend, the Conclave conducted numerous dark rituals using the Shard, inadvertently weakening the barriers between planes and attracting malevolent entities.



2. Warlord Valtor the Usurper

   Another theory posits that Warlod Valtor, a tyrannical ruler who seized power through sorcery, obtained the Shard to solidify his dominion. Valtor's reign was characterized by oppressive Magic and relentless warfare, leading some historians to believe that the Shard's chaotic energies fueled his despotic ambitions. The warlord's mysterious disappearance during a failed campaign against a the Tatharian Empire further adds to the Shard's dark legacy.



3. The Exiled Witch Morwenna

   Folklore speaks of Morwenna, an exiled witch who sought vengeance against those who banished her. It is rumored that she harnessed the Shard's power to summon otherworldly creatures and cast devastating curses. While concrete evidence of her existence is lacking, tales of unexplained calamities in remote regions are often attributed to her supposed misuse of the artifact.



4. The Lost Library of Elyndor

   Some scholars believe that the Shard was housed within the Lost Library of Elyndor, an ancient repository of magical knowledge destroyed in a cataclysmic event. Legends suggest that the library's librarians used the Shard in rituals intended to preserve knowledge or defend against invaders, but the exact nature of these practices remains a subject of intense debate.



5. Pirate Lords and Hidden Treasures

   Maritime legends recount that various pirate lords sought the Shard to gain supremacy over rival factions and control the seas through dark magic. These seafaring tyrants are said to have hidden the artifact in inaccessible locations such as underwater citadels or remote, uncharted islands. To this day, treasure hunters and adventurers scouring the oceans hope to uncover these mythical hiding places.



6. Secret Societies and Modern Conspiracies

   In more recent centuries, secret societies have been rumored to covet the Shard, believing it to be the key to unlocking ultimate power or fulfilling apocalyptic prophecies. While no definitive proof exists, sporadic sightings and unexplained magical phenomena continue to fuel conspiracy theories linking the Shard to various clandestine groups operating in the shadows.

The Recent Uncovering

The Shard of Calamity remained hidden and forgotten until its unexpected discovery beneath the ruins of Tatharia Capitolina, the ancient capital of Rolara. The excavation, initially aimed at uncovering remnants of the once-great city, inadvertently exposed the Shard, encased within a subterranean chamber fortified by ancient magic. The circumstances surrounding its unearthing are still under investigation, with some experts theorizing that seismic activity or residual magical energies from the Shard itself triggered the collapse of surrounding structures, revealing the artifact to the modern world.

Table of Contents

Item type

Magical

Current Location

Tatharia Capitolina

Rarity

Artifact