The Eight Soul Shards

The Legend of the Soul Shards, as related to the Fellowship of Nerdventurers by Elovyn Sorrowsong, Holy Deva of Arden:
"It is known that Arden, Elder God of Light, laid down his life to Hecate in order to bind the Great Old One, Tsathoggua, forever in the prison of N'Kai. As the Mistress of Night tore him asunder, she rejoiced in his foolish capitulation, but Arden, while sundered, was not entirely gone. For before his sacrifice he made fragments of his godhood physical, and broke them up into crystalline pieces we know as the Eight Soul Shards. These he gave to the seven living Avatars of the Lords of Light.
“One, to the Avatar of Khors, the Father of Nations, the New Sun, who took his place in the pantheon when Arden passed. One, to the Avatar of Selune, Lady of the Moon, Goddess of the Elves. One, to that of Bahamut, Platinum Lord of the Dragons of Wisdom, the only Elder God to cling on to his seat amongst the Ascendant gods after the Arcane Age was passed. One, to Tyr, the Lawgiver; one to Desna, Lady of the Heavenly Stars; one to Sarenrae, Goddess of Healing, Renewal, and Redemption; and one to the Avatar of Mael, Elder God of the Oceans Deep.
“Each Avatar carries within them the seed of their deity, and as such the gods can work through them and influence the mortal realm from beyond the Godsveil, behind which they are trapped in their domains within the Outer Planes. And each Avatar gave their Soul Shard containing Arden’s essence to their own god, to keep safe his essence for when the time came for his return.
“The time is nigh. The Shadow stirs again. It grows restless. It corrupts the very being of Father Sky and Mother Earth. It seeps into this world and perverts it, sickens it, blackens even the noble hearts of the Elves.
“Each Avatar gave their Soul Shard to their own deity, ensconced in their unreachable domains. All except for one. Mael had already been banished in the Great Struggle against the Demon Lords thousands of years ago. An entire continent was drowned in the wake of his destruction. His Avatar could not reach out to him, and so pledged to serve Arden and keep the fragment safe, and thus the Seventh Soul Shard remained in the material plane.
“And the Eighth Soul Shard? The eighth Shard was struck by the Hammer of Volund, and shattered into a hundred thousand slivers, which formed the stars of the Astral Sea and created from their holy light the Angels – the Devas, Planetars and Solars of the gods.
“I am one such Angel now. That is why I beseech you not to weep for me. I am a Deva, a Holy Messenger of Arden… and you, Lightstrike. You are destined to become a Solar, a demigod, Holy Champion of the Lost Lord of Light!
“There is yet an Avatar of Mael upon this world, who carries within him the last Soul Shard, and so is a servant of Arden, too. He is a Planetar, an angel more powerful than I, who knows well your fate, for he trained you from when you were very young. His people call him the Water Dancer, and he lives beneath the ocean waves, amongst a lost civilisation as ancient as the Elves.
“But you, Lightstrike, you know him as Master Light Touch. This name was never explained to you, and in your deference, you never questioned it. But he has been touched by the holy light of Arden. He takes many forms, but you will know him when you meet him, and he you. His true form is not dissimilar to my own. I bid you seek him out. With the Seventh Soul Shard of Mael you can help restore Arden to his rightful place!"