The Shard System!

So a very long time ago I invented these 'Shards' which we now use as an IC excuse for the /o chat, they've become absolutely essential to our RP and irreplacable as tools to create fun scenarios.

But, as I said, the story behind them seems to have been largely forgotten. This is mainly because 'back in the day' Darsolenew - my ex-character - would conduct numerous interviews himself and would recount the story of the Shards to new members. Since I've frequently been away, however, some people haven't ever learnt of the story. So it's posted below!

What are the Mirror Shards?

When the great nation of Lordaeron called out for allies at the outset of the Second War, the High Elves were initially reluctant to mobilise in full but agreed to support mankind in principle. As a symbol of this new bond, Anasterian Sunstrider sent a grand mirror to King Terenas; it was said to have been forged from crystals which the Amani once hoarded in Quel'Thalas and it was enchanted on the Isle of Quel'Danas by the greatest Magi of the Sunfury Spire.

The mirror, which came to be known as the 'Looking Glass', hung in the Imperial Throne Room of Lordaeron and it allowed King Terenas to directly communicate with his Elven allies who kept their own mirror in the Sunfury Spire.

State visits to one another had been rare, if not nonexistent, since relations were limited prior to the coming of the Horde and the distance to the High Kingdom made the journey difficult. But the Mirrors negated the need for such travelling and diplomatic relations were stengthened between the two nations.

When the Bastard Prince slaughtered his father on his throne on his return to the Capital City, his first act was to shatter the Looking Glass that hung in the chamber. Some say he feared the Elves would be able to prepare for his assault on Quel'Thalas if they witnessed this horror, others that the destruction of the Looking Glass served as a powerful symbol of his planned assault on Silvermoon.

The shattered pieces were left littering the marble floor of the great Throne Room as silent witnesses to the butchery they had reflected in their polished glass. Although a few of the larger fragments were supposedly stolen away by the Scourge and used by lesser Lich's for communication, many jagged pieces were simply left to glimmer in the dying light of Lordaeron.

On arriving in the City, Garithos had attempted to take the remnants of the Looking Glass for himself but when he was murdered by Varimathras, the Shards were stolen away by the Forsaken High Command and put to use amongst senior members of the Dark Lady's inner circle.

They are rare, these Shards, but the Looking Glass had been a grand and monumental piece of work, so enough shattered fragments survive for them to be distributed amongst those elite forces who are utterly loyal to the Forsaken cause.

What happened to the twin mirror which was hung in the Sunfury Spire is not known. Some speculate that it was taken by Kael'thas to Outland and put to use amongst the Illidari, others suggest it was lost when the Spire was assaulted by the Scourge and taken to icy wastes of Northrend, still more wonder if it remains an active method for the Dark Lady to commune with her Elven allies.