Throughout Aethelgard, you'll find 'Essence Shards' – small, glowing fragments of pure energy. There are 100 Essence Shards in total, distributed across all regions. Collecting 10 Shards permanently increases your maximum Essence by 50. Collecting all 100 grants a sificant bonus to all stats and unlocks a secret 'Primal Form'.
Tips for Finding Shards:
- Exploration: Many are in plain sight but require careful platforming or specific forms to reach.
- Hidden Paths: Use Rat Form for small crevices, Deer Form for high jumps, or Owl Form for gliding to access hidden areas.
- Environmental Puzzles: Some shards are locked behind simple puzzles, like moving a boulder or activating a switch.
- Mini-Map: Shards appear as small blue dots on your mini-map when you are in close proximity.
- Sound Cues: A faint, shimmering sound indicates a nearby Essence Shard.
Don't feel pressured to collect them all in one go. They are desed to be found naturally through exploration and revisiting areas with new forms. The Primal Form unlocked for collecting all 100 is incredibly powerful and makes the endgame much easier.