Runesmithing

[This trait falls under the Lost Art Restriction of the Guidelines & Restrictions clause, and has been lost to time.]

Runecrafting was a form of magic that was almost purely written and carved. Unlike their cousins, Runecrafting was not a magic that was ‘cast’ or pulls from a pool of mana. It was much more like enchanting, with more permanent and embedded effects. Runecrafting was nearly impossible to master, and only those who understood the language of the runes could fully grasp its knowledge and utilize them for themselves. Runes were generally found in dwarven or elven or older languages, but the more extraordinarily rare runes could even be found in fey or even from the syva. Many cultures in the world either then those also had special ways of writing runes that could enhance or change their effects, known as Runic Tongues.

These walls were found all over the world, namely in ruins or places of ancient history. Runecrafting dates back over eons, and it was generally lost to the world as the people who followed and practiced it have dwindled over time. Each wall was found in ancient ruins or significant places of magical origin. To understand the wall, you must first understand the rune. Once you understood what the rune means, the rune will imprint itself onto you, and the knowledge would become immediately apparent; an enlightenment. This gift however, can be revoked should the rune wall be broken. Many runesmiths because of this removed the text from the wall and stored it somewhere safe. When the runesmith passes onto the next life forever, the wall becomes once more able to be bonded to.

All runecrafters also needed a means of etching runes. Pens, chisels, tools used for writing work for these. That is how one started as a runecrafter. The aurum type is described by many scholars as ‘the Jewel’ because while it shines bright like the spark, it seems the Aurum has a more linear structure like that of a crystal. It was also known that the coloration of this Aurum changed depending on the Disciplines the runecrafter knew, fire for example gave their Aurum an orange tint. Knowing multiple disciplines began to make it like that of an opal in nature.

Golemancy

Crafting

Crafting was half the work a runecrafter does, hence their name. In order to craft these runes, they first must have known and understood the effects after finding and studying them. Many runecrafters were specialists, and only know a few runes. In order to craft these runes, they must inscribe the runes onto a surface. Any will do, and with any material used. An ink and parchment, a chisel and a wall, or inscribing them onto a weapon. With the rune inscribed into the surface, they then empowered it with the magic of the rune. The rune acted as a set of instructions, and would activate in certain ways depending on the methods of activation and effect.

Active Writing

Runesmiths during times of stress were able to surprisingly manage to write runes in haste. Because of the stress of this, they were able to write far less actively than if they were otherwise prepared with the many scrolls they’ve accumulated over time. Active writing was best for laying spontaneous traps by the runesmith or other creative uses. They were only able to write so many runes before they rune out of the ability to concentrate to imbue them with mana to have them function. Once this happens, they needed to be able to rest outside of this stressful situation for an extended period of time before being able to do so once more. In addition, Active Writing cannot be done if the runesmith was being injured or heavily displaced while they attempt to write. They can concentrate much better than mages however for their active writing and loud noises, etc. would have less effect on them. Runecrafters could active write in armor as well since mana was channeled differently with their runes than mages. Active writing took one turn to write each rune. The activation of the rune and its cast time however remained the same.

Enchanting

Runes could be crafted at the rates listed below for their skill to be powerful enchantments. Unlike the typical rune, these could be carved into mostly anything and have lasting effects which were good for more than one use. Sadly, these runes were incredibly mentally exhausting for a runecrafter to perform and leave them able to only do a small number in a large span of time. Runecrafters were only able to enchant items with disciplines they possess, but they may work together with other runecrafters to combine their words into powerful and diverse enchantments, should they lack the knowledge themselves. Runecrafters, unlike mages, do not require Arcamite to craft magic items (however they do to make Golem Cores.)

Surface

Stone

A stone surface was perhaps the most common way for runecrafters to have procured their spells. A stone surface must have been a stationary surface too large to be carried. If at any point the object was picked up or the runes scratched out or ruined, they could no longer can be activated. The only exception to this was if the activation for the rune is ‘Break’ and the stone happens to be broken. Stones can have any activation type.

Scroll

Scrolls were one of the most able to be utilized runes. A scroll was a common way for offensive runecrafting to be done. Aggressive spells were often bound to one-use scrolls which can then be distributed to others. Scrolls did not need to merely be paper, but any handheld object which could be broken. All scrolls have the break activation type.

Item

An item may be enchanted in a way similar to that of a mage. The runesmith carved runes into a sword, etc. or other used items with a weaker enchantment. Runesmiths can make any number of trinkets. All items will not have runes as listed below, and instead will follow enchanted item rules.

Activation

• Word: Speaking a specific phrase, word, etc. will activate this rune.
• Time: After a certain amount of time, the rune will activate.
• Magic: Casting a certain spell/rune will activate this rune.
• Break: Breaking what the rune is written onto will activate this rune.
• Touch: Touching the rune will activate this rune.
• Passive: This rune is constantly activated and is considered a passive effect.

Disciplines

A Runesmith has access to six of the different runesmithing disciplines.

Pyromancy

Pyromancy encompassed the will to manipulate light, heat, and the ability to harness fire.

Hydromancy

Hydromancy encompassed the will to manipulate water. This also includes being able to freeze or unfreeze the element.

Aeromancy

Aeromancy encompassed the will to manipulate air and the way in which it moves.

Electromancy

Electromancy encompassed the will to manipulate electricity, such as lightning. This can include loud sounds caused by lightning.

Terramancy

Terramancy encompassed the will to manipulate Earth. Metals and magnetism are also an aspect of Terramancy, which can be altered in a similar fashion.

Erebomancy

Erebomancy encompassed the will to manipulate darkness, shadows, and the absence of light.

Sound

Sound encompassed the manipulation of sound. This includes the amplification, muting, or creation of sound.

Space

Space encompassed the manipulation of space, summoning, and interdimensional travel. Space also allows for its students to make portals and connect two places to one another through magical means.

Alteration

Alteration encompassed the manipulation of the properties of material objects such as weight, gravity, color, etc.

Mana

Mana encompassed the creation and manipulation of magical constructs through the use of mana. This is included but not limited to shields, familiars, etc. Mana is also the only tree able to create Auraweave.

Advancement

The power level of runes often varied on how much mana was used to imbue into stone or a scroll.

Novice

• A Novice can learn up to Fifteen Runes.
• Has 10 Mana to use for Active Writing.
• Can write up to 40 Mana worth of scrolls per Month.

Adept

• An Adept can learn up to Twenty Runes.
• Has 15 Mana to use for Active Writing.
• Can write up to 50 Mana worth of scrolls per Month.
• To reach Adept, one must achieve feats from Novice as well as have been a Runecrafter for at least Two Months.

Master

• An Adept can learn up to Twenty-Five Runes.
• Has 20 Mana to use for Active Writing.
• Can write up to 60 Mana worth of scrolls per Month.
• To reach Master, one must achieve feats from Adept as well as have been a Runecrafter for at least Six Months.

The Lost Realms • The Fallen Forces