Heart of Maerlandayr

"The Heart stopped beating. Without it, Maerlandayr went silent. All that was left in its wake were debris, silence and sorrow."

- Abazus, 'First Hymn'

The Heart of Maerlandayr was an aberrant celestial body located at the centre of the Maerlandayr Galaxy, destroyed by the Firstborn in the Battle of the Cindered Lair. Although its properties, both physical and paracausal are unknown, it is believed that the Heart was a conduit allowing the Paragon to exert its influence over the Galaxy. Following its destruction, life all across Maerlandayr begun to wither, but this process was ultimately reversed by The Hidden. At some point its place was filled by the supermassive blackhole at the Galaxy's centre, called the Pearl of Maerlandayr.

Some records found in various Chronicons, such as Rhígisa, imply the existence of mysterious artifacts called Shards of the Heart, which could grant their owners supernatural abilities. Although whereabouts of such objects are unknown, there have been some reports of sightings of their bearers.