Barrier shards were coloured shards that fall from denizen corpses upon death, much like Iconic shards once did. They are a materialisation of the life force departing them, forced into consolidation by the magic of Yudhishthira.
Shards come in three different types, from weakest to strongest:
- crimson/jagged
- tangerine/chipped
- sable/smooth.
The shards were originally used to create foundation stones for an Underrealm barrier to protect the overland from further invasion by the Tsol'teth after the Second Black Wave. Adventurers could use the shards which they collect to power the barrier, which needed constant reinforcement. The barrier failed in the year 798 AF resulting in the Third Black Wave and subsequently, these shards were rendered useless.
In the year 827 AF, as her final test at the close of the Second Conclave Reckoning, the Falaq'tori priestess Pryla'ari showcased her magical prowess by unraveling the magic of Yudhishthira, removing the shards from existence.