Along with all the other new additions to Wrath of the Lich King, a new type of item was added too: Heirlooms. These items are bind to ACCOUNT and can be transferred only to other characters in your own account. This is an interesting idea to say the least. None of the heirlooms are drops but must be found by receiving rewards in Wrath of the Lich Kings content. This content is usually taken advantage of by veteran players already around 80.
If you participate in Wotlk Content you will find the heirlooms designated to help in PVE or PVP.
Emblems of Heroism are designated more for PvE and can be found by beating heroic bosses or completing 10 or 25 man raids. Before rushing to buy heirlooms with the emblems make sure you take a look at the other items you can buy with them for your main, The heirlooms are good for alts leveling up, but if you want to focus on gearing up your main, make sure you check out the epic gear you can buy with you emblems of heroism.
These are the Heirlooms you can buy with emblems of heroism.
Champion Herod’s Shoulder
Tattered Dreadmist Mantle
Stained Shadowcraft Spaulders
Preened Ironfeather Shoulders
Polished Spaulders of Valor
Mystical Pauldrons of Elements
Venerable Dal’Rend’s Sacred Charge
Dignified Headmaster’s Charge
Devout Aurastone Hammer
Charmed Ancient Bone Bow
Bloodied Arcanite Reaper
Balanced Heartseeker
Inherited Insignia of the Horde / Alliance
Discerning Eye of the Beast
Swift Hand of Justice
Stone Keepers Shards are desined for PvP and can be found by having the Essence of Wintergrasp buff. While gaining this buff you must loot the bosses in dungeons to find the Stone Keepers shards.
The items you can buy are as follows:
Battleworn Thrash Blade
Grand Staff of Jordan
Upgraded Dwarven Hand Cannon
The Blessed Hammer of Grace
Sharpened Scarlet Kris
Reforged Truesilver Champion
Strengthened Stockade Pauldrons
Prized Beastmaster’s Mantle
Pristine Lightforge Spaulders
Lasting Feralheart Spaulders
Exquisite Sunderseer Mantle
Exceptional Stormshroud Shoulders
Aged Pauldrons of The Five Thunders
Inherited Insignia of the Alliance / Horde
Wintergrasp Commendation
Those are all the heirlooms you can purchase, but remember you may want to buy other epic items with your main before you buy the heirlooms for your alt.