The Shard
The Shard is a building in Londinium, Victoria. It plays an important role in the Act II: Shatter of a Vision story arc of Arknights' Main Theme starting from Episode 10.
Background
A 300-story and 847-meter-tall spire that stands over Londinium, the Shard was built under Theresis' order following the Kazdelian occupation of the city. It was meant as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD), acting as a form of weather-controlling device which can manipulate Catastrophes to Theresis' own pleasure: he intended to use it as part of his plan to reunite all Sarkaz and restore Kazdel, their genuine "homeland," even if they had to declare war against the rest of Terra in the process.[1]
The function of the Shard is to create artificial Catastrophes on its top. Upon charging up, it will pinpoint any target and bombard it. Since it requires a precise coordinate, the Kazdelian airship fleet must first fly above its target waiting for the tower to unleash it power. Its immense power has destroyed many parts of the capital's plate, such as Norport, and brought great challenges to the Grand Dukes laying siege around there.
However, the Shard's function is not just as a weather manipulator. The building is specifically built to hold the power of "the first Originium," the one that first brought the curse of Oripathy to both the Sarkaz and later other Terrans. If released, the destructive power will not only affect Londinium, but also the rest of Terra.[2]
The Catastrophic abilities of tThe Shard have left an unforgettable mark on many Terran nations. Not only were they left traumatized by such devestating technology, but it further accelerated the arms race across Terra, especially in Columbia who tried to triumph over it through the "Horizon Arc Project."[3]
Gallery
The inside of The Shard
The Shard seen in the distance from a Londinium rooftop
The Shard looming over an urban street
Trivia
- The Shard is named after the eponymous tower in London, the tallest building in the U.K.
- The top of the building features a round clock face, perhaps remeniscent of the Elizabeth Tower, another real-world London landmark.
- The height of the Shard surpasses the Burj Khalifa in our world which measures 828 meters in height. Yet, The Shard has 300 stories whereas the Burj Khalifa only has around 163 stories. This is reasonable considering that the Burj Khalifa is thinner and proritised height in its design over capacity.