Magic Runes
Magic runes are typically slabs of basalt or limestone with magic sigils carved into the surface. there is no limitation on size but most tend to be palm-sized. the suface is worked by hand by a sorcerer using carving tools to inscribe magic sigils allowing them to be prepped beforhand and safe guarding against the sigils fading compared to more traditional materials like wax and ink. Runes can be simple or complex and will vary depending on the skill level of the sorceror. They can be inticately carved with specific instructions and effects and depending how much of their time and magic a sorcerer sinks into the stonecan be activated multiple times.
Runes can bemore advantagous over sigils for a number of reasons, they may be used multiple times, they can be stacked like a sigil, and can be prepared ahead of time ready to beactivated when needed. Strangely enough runes, unlike sigils don’t need to be activated by the person who drew them and can be activated by anyone with enough magical capacity to activate the spell. This means in theory that the sigil can be engraved to only interact with a specific person and it means that they can be linked up to power crystals to passively activate their magic ability, they are frequently used in new technologies to creat lasting magic effects like engine propulsion, lights and heat. Unlike Scrolls runes can hold more more magic, making their area of effect larger and for a longer duration. Runes are not perfect, they require a lot of time and knowledge to create and if a sorcerer attempts to activate one above their skill level they can experience Mana Recoil to potentially disasterous effect, They are aso heavy and cumbersome to transport, because of their limited space they hold less instructions than a flat sigil or a scroll. Runes are best used for static magic designed to perform a simple effect over a long time or to activate under specific circumstances.
Mechanics & Inner Workings
Runes
Manufacturing process
The stone surface should be prepared by soaking the rock in a bath of blessed water (water that is purified under the full moon) and black salt (a sacred salt mix of salt, charcoal and herbs). The tool must be anointed with the sorceror's saliva or blood before carving can be started. the sigils should be created prior to construction as there is no way of erasing mistakes, a sloppily engraved symbol can impact the integrity of the magic. In between engravings a sorcerer should take some time to sink their energy into the stone, by the end of carving the sorcero should feel fatigues and should take a number of days to replenish their magic before attempting to cast, Casting too soon can lead to Mana Recoil. If the rune is intended for use by someone else it should be rebathed in the salt and water mixture.
History
Runes have been a staple of magic-users for centuries and appear in kith, elven and orc cultures, initially any stone was used for this purpose but more modern runes will use lime stone and basalt for line clarity. Its an old practice that goes back centuries and has been instrumental in developing society. There elves used a lot of runes to build their underground city and humans used then a lot during the early migration to Gand.
After the elven population contracted a widespread plague, with magic suspected as the root cause. The kith put a ban on magic practice which also included the creation of magic artefacts, runes were destroyed and people were paid to turn them into their local govermnments.
Runes are outlawed to own or create and can be used as evidence to convict someone for Sorcery, if elven runes are discovered they can be exchanged for a reward or if not handed can lead to persecution. New runes are very rarely seen in the present day the ones that are have been ordained by the Brotherhood of Tarn for specific purposes with the blessing of Tarn, the Cosmic Weaver these tend to be used for mundane things like the running of trains and lights.
Item type
Consumable, Magical
Rarity
Runes are relatively uncommon and are mostly used by powerful organisations that need to use technology for complex tasks , the most common form or rune are the streetlights of Zentawen . Old runes can and have been found in the The Even Undercity which are remnants of the work of long-dead elven sorcerers. These are highly volatile and difficult to decipher as elven magic language differs wildly to kitham magic. Elven runes are incredibly rare ato come across but are also highly valuable.
Tools
In order to craft a rune a sorceror must take a piece of basalt and use a scratching awl to engrave the surface with the design. An awl should be used even if a more convenient or efficient tool exists. This is because of the sorcerers principle that the more effort to create a sigil, the more powerful the spell.
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