Runesmithing

Runecrafting is a form of magic that is almost purely written and carved. Unlike their cousins, Runecrafting is not a magic that is ‘cast’ or pulls from a pool of mana. It is much more like enchanting, with much more permanent and embedded effects. Runecrafting is nearly impossible to master, and only those who can understand the language of the runes can fully grasp its knowledge and utilize them for themselves. Runes are generally found in dwarven or elven or older languages, but the more extraordinarily rare runes can be found in fey or even from the syva. An aspiring runecrafter cannot quite go up to one who follows this path does not learn runes like one learns a language.

These walls are found all over the world, namely in ruins or places of ancient history. Runecrafting dates back over eons, and it is generally lost to the world as the people who follow and practice it have dwindled over time. Each wall is found in ancient ruins or significant places of magical origin. To understand the wall, you must first understand the rune. Once you understand what the rune means, the rune will imprint itself into you, and the knowledge will become immediately apparent; an enlightenment. This gift however can be revoked should the rune wall be broken. Many runesmiths because of this remove the text from the wall and store 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 need a means of etching runes. Pens, chisels, tools used for writing work for these. That is how one starts as a runecrafter. The aurum type is described by many scholars as ‘the Gem’ because while it shines bright like the sparks, it seems the Aurum has a more linear structure like that of a crystal. It is also known that the coloration of this Aurum changes depending on the Disciplines the runecrafter knows, fire for example giving their Aurum an orange tint. Knowing multiple disciplines begins to make it like that of an opal in nature.

Golemancy

Crafting

Crafting is half the work a runecrafter does, hence their name. In order to craft these runes, they first must know and understand the effects after finding and studying them. Many runecrafters are specialists, and only know a few runes. In order to craft these runes, they must inscribe the rune 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 empower it with the magic of the rune. The rune acts as a set of instructions, and will activate in certain ways depending on the methods of activation and effect.

Active Writing

Runesmiths during times of stress are able to surprisingly manage to write runes in haste. Because of the stress of this, they are able to write far less actively than if they were otherwise prepared with the many scrolls they’ve accumulated over time. Active writing is best for laying spontaneous traps by the runesmith or other creative uses. They are 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 need 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 is 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. will have less effect on them. Runecrafters can active write in armor as well since mana is channeled differently with their runes than mages. Active writing takes one turn to write each rune. The activation of the rune and its cast time however remains the same.

Enchanting

Runes can be crafted at the rates listed below for their skill to be powerful enchantments. Unlike the typical rune, these can be carved into mostly anything and have lasting effects which are good for more than one use. Sadly, these runes are 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 are 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. Doing so counts as an enchanted item slot for the month for both runecrafters. Runecrafters, unlike mages, do not require Arcamite to craft magic items (however they do to make Golem Cores.)

Surface

Stone

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

Scroll

Perhaps one of the most able to be utilized runes. A scroll is a common way for offensive runecrafting to be done. Aggressive spells are often bound to one-use scrolls which can then be distributed to others. Scrolls do not need to merely be paper, but any handheld object which can be broken. Scrolls do not count to the monthly magic item enchantment limit. All scrolls have the break activation type.

Item

An item may be enchanted in a way similar to that of a mage. The runesmith carves runes into a sword, etc. or other used items with a weaker enchantment. Runesmiths can make up to 3 non-trinket items per month (excluding artifacts which they cannot make.) 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 encompasses the will to manipulate light, heat, and the ability to harness fire.

Hydromancy

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

Aeromancy

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

Electromancy

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

Terramancy

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

Erebomancy

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

Sound

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

Space

Space encompasses 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 encompasses the manipulation of the properties of material objects such as weight, gravity, color, etc.

Mana

Mana encompasses 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 varies on how much mana is 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.
• Can enchant one item 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.
• Can enchant two items 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.
• Can enchant three items per month.
• To reach Master, one must achieve feats from Adept as well as have been a Runecrafter for at least Six Months.

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier