Shards

A shard is an large island shaped by a Dream Monarch. This is a somewhat circular definition, since a Dream Monarch's status is based on the creation and maintenance of their shard. A shard is much larger than just a shaped island, although there is no precise measurement. A shard is generally large enough for an estate, fortress, or even a city.

The majority of civilized beings in the Delirium live on shards. They are subject to the rule of the shard's Monarch, including what he/she decrees Seemly and Vulgar. Many residents of a shard may not be shapers themselves, and thus depend on their Monarch for the very ground they stand on. The nature of Vapor makes this is a reciprocal relationship: the Monarch creates the shard with his/her own passions, then the residents tie their lives and their passions to their home, and thus increase the shard's stability.

Since Monarchs can seal off or even dissipate their shards at will, it's impossible for one Monarch to conquer another's shard to expand his/her territory. However, the residents of a shard are vulnerable to another shard's predations, militant or covert. With more residents and their passions, a Monarch can increase the stability and glory of his/her shard. A resident doesn't need to love a shard to contribute to its stability: bondage and fear are strong passions, too. Throughout remembered history, the Dream Monarchs have competed and battled each other in hidden and open wars, trying to lure or enslave more residents. Thus, many Monarchs are paranoid and manipulative, arranging shifting alliances and complex stratagems, usually through their retainers. The Monarchs and their retainers also lure or enslave beings from the First Fold, to increase the passion on their shards.