String Runes

String runes are the earliest, simplest and by far the most common form of writing found in the Isles, used to record texts in every major language.

Often known simply as ‘the Runes’, String Runes are an alphabet of geometric shapes positioned from left to right on a straight horizontal baseline. The precise reasons for the appearance of each of the symbols are unclear, though they have certainly stood the test of time. Spaces between words are indicated by leaving a gap where only the baseline is visible. Punctuation is placed on or above this line; the baseline is continuous throughout a text, meaning there are no breaks of any sort, even between sentences as may be assumed by people familiar with other systems. Though, depending on the language, certain symbols may be dropped from the alphabet, it is generally comprised of about 30 runes. Each of these runes represents one sound present in the language, with surprisingly few variations across the Isles, due to the millennia of usage that have created a standardised version.

The Alphabet

(standard version, unspecific to a particular language)

IPA symbols have been used to approximately represent the sounds, although these do vary slightly depending on region. The romanisation of each sound is placed below these symbols.
[image is a wip]

A sample text in Izuru

Example runes by Hiddenworlds

Romanisation: Lâ zî ketserot avruk!

Translation into the common tongue: I have one golden coin!

Utility

The Runes’ geometric look means that their primary usage is in engravings- for instance in temple walls, stone tablets or jewellery. Before the invention of ink and paper, String Runes were used to leave messages between tribes, scratched or hewn into the rock and earth of certain important points. The simple shapes and straight lines developed out of the need to be able to carve them into such rigid surfaces. This appearance is also the reason that String Runes are the first writing system taught to young children, as it is easier for them to comprehend and use, while giving them a basic grasp of their language’s phonology necessary for other systems.

Alphabetical Order
String Runes are always found in the specific order given in the chart, even when symbols have been omitted by a specific language. As with many other questions regarding their origin, it is not entirely clear why this particular order became the standard, as there is no clear consistent pattern- though one may note that the vowels always fall at the front of the list.

Access & Availability

String Runes are highly common throughout the Isles, even (or perhaps particularly) in rural communities with a lack of further education. Anyone who is at all literate will be able to communicate through String Runes.

Discovery

The exact circumstances of invention lie so far in the past that relatively little is known about them. It is unclear exactly where or by whom String Runes were first used, though they certainly date back to an extremely ancient past- the first known examples even seem to be from the Age Before the Worlds (A.B.W.).

Name
String Runes are so named due to the fact that a taut thread or sinew of some kind was often used, a bit like a ruler, to keep the baseline straight and horizontal when carving into a surface like stone.