Runic magic

Table of Contents

Guild notice—Introduction to runic magic

Written by Mistress Alina Lange for the rune guild.

Runic diagrams and their runes are an essential part of everyday life's magic, but it is the most disregarded because its practice is not instantaneous and always require proper design and preparation. However, for those unafraid of the mathematics, memorisation, and efforts involved, runic magic allows for a level of complexity and a lifespan unmatched by any other fields.
The number of runes and runic designs are both infinite. Each school of magic has their favourite set ensuing from their teaching traditions.

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Runic diagrams vs Runes

Runic diagrams

What: Geometrical patterns traced with chalk, paint, or engrave on a surface.
Where: Cover ritual grounds or the surface of an artefact.
Aim: Channel magic into a particular pathway that is associated with a specific function.
Requirements: Lots of maths, very precise tracing.

Runes

What: Symbolic tracing contained within a limited space.
Where: Placed at strategic locations in runic diagrams.
Aim: Influence the behaviour of the magic flowing nearby.
Requirements: Learning an infinite number of runes.

Branches of study:

The mathematics of runic design and how different geometrical patterns influence magic.

The inherent physical effects associated with the shape of each rune, as well as their multiple symbolic meanings.

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Applications

Artefacts

What: Artefacts are magical objects. This magic can be endowed through a mixture of techniques including enchanting, alchemy and runic magic.
Aim: To ensure that the magic is fixed in the material and cannot shift meaning or runs out over time.

Rituals

What: Rituals use symbolic magic in its more primitive form, runic diagrams then come channel it in the right direction, while runes anchor its purpose.
Aim: To help control the wild magic invoked during rituals and keep them under control, which is the most challenge aspect of rituals and extremely dangerous.

Inconvenient of runes:

The addition of runic magic reduces the flexibility of an artefact. To make something elaborate, a mix of both is always required.

Runic magic creates attrition by forcing the magic along certain pathways, thus reducing the power available.

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