Shardborne

For similar monsters corrupted by a shard of the Worldstone, see Transformed (monster) and Shard-warped.

"Accept that which is ever-shifting within you. In a sane world, you will be wise; in a mad world, divine."

^(src)

Shardborne

The Shardborne are grotesque demonic beings created from people or animals infused with shards of the corrupted Worldstone.

Lore

Shardborne at the Southern Dreadlands

Shardborne are driven to kill by endless visions of terror, and the slightest exposure to Worldstone shards sends the Shardborne into a rabid craze. Despite this, Shardborne have displayed a modicum of intelligence; intentionally using Worldstone shards on creatures to create more Shardborne, for instance. References have been made to a "chorus of voices" that link the Shardborne, with some voices more dominant than others.

Shardborne appear to willingly seek out shardstorms.

Transformation

"The unchained power of creation twists and transfigures all it touches. Even the heroes of Sanctuary."

^(src)

A human being transformed into a Shardborne

A human/animal may become a Shardborne if their flesh is pierced by a Worldstone shard/splinter. This initiates decay that results in a twisted amalgamation of flesh and crystalized masses that hum with the power of creation. The warping progress can take time (potentially weeks), and the unlucky soul can fall ill, tormented by maddening visions and voices bound in agony. During this period, splinters spread throughout the body, piercing organs and—in some cases—rearranging them. The formerly deceased may also be turned into Shardborne, and similarly, the transformation can kill the unlucky soul, and subsequently resurrect them. Organic matter can also be turned into a Shardborne.

Shardborne at times lose pieces of their crystalized masses when attacking. These Shardborne Fragments can infect a person being attacked if they break within them.

A group of adventurers turned to Shardborne

The transformation may be halted, or in its late stages kept at bay, by exposure to Light. However, one's inner light cannot stop the transformation.

People who are scratched, not pierced, by splinters of the Worldstone do not change to Shardborne.

If a being is transformed into a Shardborne, the process is usually total; it is very rare for vestiges of the original being to remain, at least physically. Psychologically, some Shardborne can be considered a separate persona from their pre-corrupted self, while others can be considered one and the same.

History

A Blood Knight fighting Soulhewn Shardborne

When Mount Arreat was sundered, the Southern Dreadlands was subjected to horrifying red storms that carried tiny splinters and particles of the destroyed Worldstone. When a storm passed through a settlement, it either cut the inhabitants to pieces or transformed them into Shardborne.

Seven years later, the Shardborne were wielded by the Cult of Terror, who hoped to unleash the Shardborne on Sanctuary. Some were reanimated dead, shaped into lethal attackers.

The Shardborne fell under Diablo's control Through the Worldstone shard in his possession. Their forms warped under his corrupting influence, and their crystalline growths changed to horns or shriveled to tendrils. These Fleshwarped Shardborne became some of the most powerful examples of shardborne.

The Shardborne carve their way through Entsteig

After Diablo's defeat at World's Crown, Albrecht led the Shardborne into the Sharval Wilds, intent on making it their new home. New, powerful Shardborne bolstered his ranks, and he led his army through the populous areas of Entsteig. The country's capital was besieged, as was Bravehull Stronghold With the destruction of the Boil of Creation, and with it, his dreams of a Shardborne kingdom, Albrecht intended to take Entsteig for his 'family.'

Before his death, Albrecht used the power of creation within him to create a realm for the Shardborne.

In-game

The Shardborne is a monster family in Diablo Immortal. They were introduced in the Dark Rebirth update, and also appear in Splintered Souls update. They appear in Leoric's Manor, Tristram Cathedral dungeon, and in the Southern Dreadlands zone.

Shardborne-themed cosmetics are available, including Freed From Reason and Shardwarped Savior.

Variants

• Depraved Shambler
• Dreg Eater
• Heartmaw Slinger
• Pebbleskin
• Ruin Lord
• Shardborne Goliath
• Shardtorn

Uniques

• Albrecht
• Drepsaigh
• Elsauli
• Father Benford
• Iphael
• Iscea
• Laird Aymer
• Peisthal

Subclasses

These are canonically referred to as Shardborne, but are treated as separate monster families in-game.

• Boilbirth
• Fleshwarped Shardborne
• Shard-warped

Trivia

This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.

• Various Shardborne (Albrecht, Iphael, Iscea, Elsauli) have mentioned hearing voices which drove them to madness. This implies that all Shardborne may be connected in a hive mind.