Glyph

Glyphs are a form of pictographic writing where one glyph forms an idea rather than a phonetic sound. It is widely believed to be in the language of the First People, despite the fact that Sallix taught the peoples how to read and write in a phonetic alphabet. Others point out that Sallix educated people on history, laws, diplomacy and trade so wanted to give the peoples a way to record these things that was indisputable.

Tradition states that Elinaya taught the peoples about glyphs as part of her education on magic. If a glyph is carved on a piece of metal, stored magical energy may be released when the glyph is activated. Elinaya taught about several different types of glyphs, each causing different effects to be created with the magic. She also told the peoples that there were other glyphs that could be learned or discovered.

The ability to carve precise glyphs onto metal is a valued skill since to carve one incorrectly is most likely to result in the inability to use the magic stored within the device. There are stories of glyphs so badly carved that the magic was accessed, but not in the form that the user expected. Fortunately, once the glyph is carved, it stays on the metal unless the metal is destroyed (via marring or melting) so most people take their metal to a skilled glyph engraver.

To activate a glyph, a person touches it with their skin (usually a finger) and charges it with a tendril of magic. The glyph will glow slightly while the magic is being used. Deactivation requires the same procedure. Of course, if the stored magic in the source is completely depleted this will also deactivate the glyph.