Editing Shattered Sun (section)

= Concepts and Common Terms =

== The Phoenix's Awakening ==
The sun hatched, and the shell was strewn about the heavens. While it was a cataclysm in all senses of the word, erasing all existing civilization, it left more than enough survivors. These survivors have built their own lives in a changed world, seeking riches, glory, or even the old world's Rebirth.

== The Shards ==
These are the remnants of the Sun left behind in the Phoenix's wake. Many fell to the world in a fiery fury, destroying all that their flames touched, and expending themselves in that manner. Others flew deep into the world's skies, never to be seen again. But most of the Shards now drift within the skies, orbiting the world and providing a much sought after and scarce light in the post-Awakening world. They have also been known for either coming too close or becoming too bright at times, burning people and plants near them.

== The Astronomers ==
With such an importance of the Shards in the world under the Shattered Sun, there is even more importance on those who can track them. Such skills are vital for the survival of the people. As such, it is no surprise that the Astronomers of the Cities are nigh exalted for their abilities to forecast the movement of the Shards. Their accurate charts help decide the fate of the Cities, lending them a powerful voice in the politics of the Cities as well.

== The Alchemists ==
Despite the destruction the Shards which fell to the world caused, some survivors quickly realized that they could be a source of energy in the post-Awakening world. A blessing within a curse, some would say. Alongside the Astronomers who learned to track the Shards rose Alchemists, who work toward unlocking the secrets of the Shards' power. Their early efforts already bear fruit, especially in mechanical application as well as aiding the Astronomers to make even more accurate Shard Charts.

== Sunscrapes ==
These are the events in which particularly large or potent Shards fall to the world, or even pass close by it in its orbit. Massive geological events follow such a strike or passing, creating the most dramatic craters and endless canyons in their wake. While a relatively rare occurrence, Sunscrapes change the lives of the region and its people for a long time to come.

== Stardust ==
These are Shards which are more minute than a grain of sand. While individually, these Shards are of little power, they can be carefully measured by Alchemists who wish to harness its power. It can also be used as a potent drug when administered carefully. Ingestion and inhalation of a minuscule amount of Stardust leads to a brief hallucinatory state while larger doses can lead to a boiling of the user's insides. Even contact to skin causes similar visions and sensations. The peoples of the wilderness use it for a ritual in choosing the next generation of shamans.

== The Other Egg ==
During the Phoenix's Awakening, it was said that the world's Moon was destroyed from the violent event. Truly, it wasn't present in the sky soon afterwards, which would support this idea. However, there has been sightings of a black sphere high in the sky at certain parts of the world at regular intervals. While most of those who witnessed it agree that is was likely what used to be the Moon and that it might be an egg as the Sun was, no one can agree what will come of it. Is it black because of the Phoenix's fire it was bathed in during the Awakening? Is it black because the creature it may hold is dead? Or is it black because the creature within is alive and possibly far less merciful than the Phoenix ever was?