KL and I have been working very hard on the Book of Runes, which we had been hoping to release to aid writers in the application part of Phase 2. However, compiling the version in its entirety is taking rather a long time, so we thought it might be fun to release the information we do have as it becomes available.
Thus, ‘Rune Days’ will be blog updates that give either details about the rune system or characteristics of individual runes.
And without further ado, an excerpt from “Theories of Rune-Casting” in The Book of Runes:
“..It is theorized that at the beginning of the world, magic was abundant, and people were able to use it more freely. However, because such free use was not reliable, people developed techniques in order to be able to control magic. These techniques came to be called rune-casting, and runes were created for that end. Runes became extensions of will and confined the magic into specific energies to perform specific tasks. No one currently alive really understands exactly why people have affinities, just that people do.”
and
“Runes are the alphabet of magic in the world. Everyone has the capacity to use runes, though some are better than others.
The ability to use magic relies on both the caster’s connection to the celestial plane (“affinity”) and the caster’s will (“will”). Affinity is something relatively stable–though it can increase on decrease on rare occasions), while will is something that can fluctuate depending on the person’s personality, experience, fortitude, and stage of life. For the most part, a spell caster’s ability to improve, given a strong affinity, is only determined by his or her own will.”
- JLY
Ian McCandliss said,
February 27, 2009 at 9:40 pm
so then this is an answer to Wisterias question in the first place isn’t it? The rune system was created after magic by man who simply”willed” magic to only act when the appropriate rune was used. In theory, couldn’t a simaler technic be used (if one can be found) that would bind magic to be activated at a word, phrase, song or even thought?
byjly said,
March 2, 2009 at 4:22 am
It’s a vague answer to Wisteria’s question. No one knows why the rune system works, just that it does.
Malefium said,
March 4, 2009 at 11:58 pm
So, in theory, there is a way for one to use what i’m going to refer to as “free magic” without runes? This would require insane research, but is it possible? Also, how does the rune system work for blind people?
Xero said,
March 5, 2009 at 6:20 am
if i understand this right runes act kinda like a circuit board aply power to the proper rune and it acts within the context of the circuit
byjly said,
March 5, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Sometimes, KL and I like to think of it as computer programming.
Ian McCandliss said,
March 15, 2009 at 2:00 pm
ALthough the rune system may be one big computer program, it is still created by humans. The reason the rune system even works is because enough people believe/will that magic will occur when they draw/acctivate a certain rune. If people simply didn’t “will” that a certain rune would work then it wouldn’t, it is that simple. It may be a circuit board but it is fragilly held together by peoples will and bound by it from its original natural form i.e. lightning.
antanio121 said,
April 21, 2009 at 7:57 pm
w00t! i rules all nubs lol!
mmimac said,
June 23, 2009 at 5:52 am
Wait… so how are people “given” runes? Is that specific bit of magic continually called to the shape, or is it simply inlaid, or does it work in some other way entirely? I’m confused.