====Whisper Shard====

Physically, a foot-long crystal that would not look out of place in the control console of the Fortress of Solitude.  Fundamentally, a chard is an infinitesimal yet palpable fragment of the //Will// of a major, named, Elemental spirit.  Frequently one of the Terrestrials or Celestials, but not always.

Shards come into the world in a variety of ways that frequently amount to "major quest rewards": furthering the goals of a major esoteric power, accomplishing a task that keeps the god's servants happy, or discovering some sort of Elemental and Spiritual monumental site.

The primary uses for Shards are Contracting, Enchantment, and Communion.  A spiritual type can use a shard to gain direct access to a Spirit's power (should they meet the requirements), or discuss matters of import as they come up.  Enchanters use Shards as components in Epic Weapons, or in constructing Places of Power.  That application does tend to use up the Shard.