Runic Magic

From TCWiki

Contents 1 Runic Lore 2 Modifiers 2.1 Modify 2.2 Not 2.3 Condition 2.4 Grouping 2.5 Reference 2.6 7-Points 2.7 Increase/Decrease 2.8 Multiplicity 3 Nouns 3.1 Puzzle 3.2 Place 3.3 Arrow 3.4 Door 3.5 Bowl 3.6 Veil 3.7 Mind 3.8 Shield 3.9 Helm 3.10 Figure 3.11 Truth 3.12 Quill 3.13 Book 3.14 Sun 3.15 Moon 3.16 Shadow 3.17 Earth 3.18 Fire 3.19 Air 3.20 Water 3.21 Ball 3.22 Roots 3.23 Shape 3.24 Color 3.25 Sight 3.26 Sound 3.27 Touch 3.28 Smell 3.29 Speech 3.30 Motion 4 Verbs 4.1 Give/Take 4.2 Invite 4.3 Entry/Exit 4.4 Manifest 4.5 Abjure 5 Principles of Runic Magic 5.1 Grammar 5.2 Axioms 5.3 Maxims 6 Examples 6.1 Basic Dome Shield 6.2 Invisibility 6.3 SEP Effect 6.4 Impact Cards 7 OOC Information

Runic Lore

Runes are symbols, primarily pictograms or ideograms, which are drawn (keeping purpose in mind) to produce a permanent or semi-permanent magical effect. Arranging runes in combinations, called Phrases, and produce more complicated effects. There is a syntax, pattern, or general grammar to how the runes are arranged. There are three kinds of Runes: Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives/Adverbs (generally called Modifiers).

Runes can be countered, however one cannot simply dispell Runic magic. There are a few ways to go about circumventing or eliminating Runic magic. It can be temporarily circumvented with an anti-magic field. Also, with sufficient force of magic, either via continued pressure or a sudden impact, it's possible to burn through or shatter a ward. The most effective way, however, is to damage the actual Runes.

As a syntactical note, Runes to be effected in sequence, separately, will be separated by ;.

Modifiers

Modify

(Rune being modified)<Mod>(Modifying Rune)

Shape: Shaped like a hollow equilateral triangle with a wavy horizontal line in the center. It points to the left.

Meaning: Can mean anything from possession to alteration. When it doesn't have a preceding Rune, it refers to the surface being Runed.

Not

!(Negated Rune)

Shape: A 45-degree diagonal line from top-right to bottom-left through the Rune.

Meaning: Negates any Rune. Can be applied to a grouping by placing it immediately before the grouping.

Condition

<If>(Rune)<Then>(Rune)<Fi>

Shape: this set of Runes opens with a vertical line given a very slight right-to-left diagonal lean, and a semicircular flourish at each end. Resting on the bottom left, in the lower flourish, is a pair of dots, stacked vertically, which resemble a "colon" from the English alphabet. This is commonly called the "if" of the set. The middle symbol is a solid, equilateral triangle, pointing towards the right, and is considered the "then" of the set. Lastly is what's known as the "fi", which is the reverse of the "if".

Meaning: Allows the Runist to test for a condition and invoke a Rune as a result.

Grouping

{Runes} OR (|Runes|)

Shape: Resembling a pair of parentheses with a small circle just inside of and tangent to each (for {}), or resembling a Phrase of a > with a : inside of it, and the reverse on the right (for (||)).

Meaning: allows the Runes between them to be acted upon or referenced as a unit. {} are referenced by modifiers, while (||) are referenced by verbs.

Reference

<Ref:"Name">(Rune being referenced) OR (Runes referencing other Runes)<Ref:"Name">

Shape: Shaped like a medium-to-large circle with a small circle outside and pointed towards the right or left

Meaning: Pointed towards the right, it allows the runist to place a unique symbol or series of symbols within it and then anyone may refer to it anywhere on the same plane, and perhaps on a neighboring plane, though that takes true focus. Pointing the outer circle to the left allows the runist to refer to an existing reference.

7-Points

<7P>

Shape: A series of symbols progressing in order from 0 to 6 in the base-7 runic number system.

Meaning: All phrases using this are based around the 0 rune, also called the apex. It is used to inscribe a circle around a highly irregular, gap-ridden, or large area. Extra concentration is required to use it, and it can drain the runist faster during the inscription, but it is often worth it, and a decently experienced runist can include medium- or large-sized areas using it.

Increase/Decrease

<Inc> OR <Dec>

Shape: Long angle, bottom side flat, top side sloping upwards, opening right/Long angle, bottom side flat, top side sloping downwards, opening left.

Meaning: Used as a modifier, this Rune causes the power of the item to be increased or decreased. Simply placed in front of a Rune or Grouping, it causes the power to increase or decrease gradually. Can be used to create a light dimmer.

Multiplicity

<Many>

Shape: Appears to be a small, downward pointing triangle comprised of three dots.

Meaning: Allows for the multiplication or duplication of objects or effects. Defaults to three.

Nouns

Puzzle

<Puzzle>

Shape: Rectangle with a puzzle piece cut out of it.

Meaning: Represents completion of a larger pattern, need, necessity, requirement.

Place

<Place>

Shape: A wavy box, like a loosely spread piece of parchment, with an X in it, as though an X marking a spot on a map.

Meaning: Can refer to a specific place or region, or (in onjunction with <Book>) the location of things.

Arrow

<Arrow>

Shape: If referring to the concept of direction, an arrow in a circle. If referring to a cardinal direction, an arrow from the center of a cardinal cross. If referring to an direction relative to the Runes, arrow leaving a circle, pointing in the appropriate direction.

Meaning: Can refer to the concept of direction, a cardinal direction, or a relative direction.

Door

<Door>

Shape: Basic outline of a door.

Meaning: Useful for portals, thresholds, allowing passage through barriers, and more.

Bowl

<Bowl>

Shape: Well, it's a bowl. Ovoid shape on top of a vaguely semicircular shape. Pretty straightforward.

Meaning: Allows things to hold things. Storing power, taken properties, etc. If you take a property, such as speech or a soul, and have the bowl available to hold it, it doesn't automagically restore itself to them eventually. Instead, the taken property is held in the runes until given reason to be elsewhere.

Veil

<Veil>

Shape: Straight horizontal line with a tight, wavy line along it. Diagonal lines, sloping outwards, extend down from that, and are joined by a horizontal wavy line.

Meaning: Refers to any form of concealment, deceit, or deception. Can be used to refer to, create, or dispell illusions.

Mind

<Mind>

Shape: (><) Similar to the preceding shape, except that the arcs simply close the angles.

Meaning: Refers to the mind, things thought about, things known consciously, or things perceived.

Shield

<Shield>

Shape: Classical outline of a shield. Figure it out.

Meaning: Usually used to create or refer to a transparent wall, ring, or dome of force.

Helm

<Helm>

Shape: Outlined side view of a Roman-style helmet with the top frill.

Meaning: Means armor, primarily grants a greater toughness. Can be used to enchant clothes with protections.

Figure

<Figure>

Shape: Shaped like a stick figure.

Meaning: Refers to any sentient being.

Truth

<Truth>

Shape: Shaped like a rudimentary balance. Angle opening down, with two curved pans below each side, connected to it by straight lines.

Meaning: Represents truth, balance, accuracy.

Quill

<Quill>

Shape: Shaped like a simple quill or feather

Meaning: Represents the Runist. Can also refer to names, when combined with a <Figure>

Book

<Book>

Shape: Shaped like a stylized open book.

Meaning: Refers to knowledge, information, or learning. Can be used to give someone knowledge of something.

Sun

<Sun>

Shape: Shaped like a stylized sun. Circle with rays coming out.

Meaning: Represents Light. Light produced is akin to sunlight.

Moon

<Moon>

Shape: Shaped like a crescent moon.

Meaning: Represents Darkness.

Shadow

<Shadow>

Shape: Shaped like a hollow, equilateral triangle, with a skewed shadow behind it.

Meaning: This is a representation of Shadow or Darkness as an element or something similar.

Earth

<Earth>

Shape: Solid equilateral triangle, pointing upwards.

Meaning: Represents Elemental Earth, Stone, Rock, Dirt, etc.

Fire

<Fire>

Shape: Stylized single flame. Hollow.

Meaning: Represents Elemental Fire, heat, warmth, etc.

Air

<Air>

Shape: Two curvy horizontal lines.

Meaning: Represents Elemental Air, wind (with arrow), etc.

Water

<Water>

Shape: Pointed wavy horizontal line.

Meaning: Represents

Ball

<Ball>

Shape: A small, solid dot

Meaning: Represents raw power. Can refer to a being's inner strength or energy.

Roots

<Roots>

Shape: Shaped like a tree with roots extending deep into the ground

Meaning: References strengthening things, making things more durable, more lasting. Counters corrosion and erosion.

Shape

<Circle> OR <Square> OR etc.

Shape: Appears to be a simple, hollow outline of the shape in question

Meaning: Means just what it appears to. Commonly used to force a shield to take a certain shape, for example.

Color

<Blue> OR <Red> OR etc.

Shape: Shaped like a circle with a short line attached to the top. A line from the edge of the circle towards the center shows where on the color wheel the color is. The length of the line shows the saturation (shorter being less saturated)

Meaning: Represents a color.

Sight

<Sight>

Shape: Shaped like a rough eyeball. Football shape with a circle in the center, touching the top and bottom.

Meaning: Represents sight, vision. Negated, it represents blindness.

Sound

<Sound>

Shape: Shaped like an angle and expanding waves traveling away from it.

Meaning: Represents sound, noise, music, hearing. Negated, it represents silence or deafness.

Touch

<Touch>

Shape: Shaped like a hand with an extended finger.

Meaning: Represents touch, touching, contact. Negated, it can represent the state of being airborne, fallen, or flying, due to the lack of contact with other objects. Commonly used for touch sensitive switching mechanisms.

Smell

<Smell>

Shape: Shaped like a small, solid ball with vertical wavy lines above it.

Meaning: Represents smells, the sense of smell, odors, or fumes. Negated, it can be used to represent clear or clean air.

Speech

<Speech>

Shape: Shaped like a pair of lips

Meaning: Refers to speech, talking, the ability to speak.

Motion

<Motion>

Shape: Shaped like a solid circle with concentric elipses radiating outwards.

Meaning: Refers to motion, movement, or speed.

Verbs

Give/Take

(Recipient or Giver)(<Give> OR <Take>)(Object given or taken)

Shape: Hollow circle with an arrow going from the inside to a solid, smaller circle (or vice versa for give)

Meaning: Refers to give and take of knowldege, property, senses, and power.

Invite

<Invite>

Shape: Pineapple

Meaning: Represents invitation, welcoming, acceptance.

Entry/Exit

<Entry> or <Exit>

Shape: Hollow circle with an arrow crossing into or out of it

Meaning: Represents entry or exit of a defined region. If there is no defined region, but rather a threshold, then the arrow always points out, but the direction of the arrow determines the direction of crossing.

Manifest

<Manifest>

Shape: Eight-pointed star

Meaning: Represents the creation, summoning, or other manifesting of a noun. Brings something into existence.

Abjure

<Abjure>

Shape: A hollow circle with a dot inside, and four lines (vertical, horizontal, and both diagonals) passing from one edge to another, through the center of the dot.

Meaning Banishment, unmaking, removing, or otherwise canceling the existence of something. Used in anti-magic fields.

Principles of Runic Magic

Runic magic is bound by certain principles, designed to ensure balance and continuity. Failure to adhere to these principles can result in anything from the Phrase fizzling out to the unchecked power unbalancing the entire Phrase and creating a chain reaction, whose chaotic results could do anything from explode to randomly effect various Runes from the Phrase or abjure everything in a fifty meter radius. Because of this, any Runist intending to survive the first month carefully tests and balances Phrase possibilities before using them in an uncontrolled environment. The principles that follow will be broken down into Grammar, Axioms, and Maxims.

Grammar

Grammar makes up the basics of Phrase structure. These are the simple rules that separate a Phrase from gibberish. They cover how and when to use groupings, and which types of Runes go where.

1. Nouns hold power, Modifiers guide it, and Verbs implement it. A successful phrase thus needs at least one Noun and Verb.
2. All Verbs take arguments, and those must be enclosed in the Verb grouping Rune, represented syntactically as (||).
3. All Modifiers take arguments, and those must be enclosed in the Modifier grouping Rune, represented syntactically as {}.
4. A Modifier missing an antecedent or argument is implied to refer to the Subject.

Axioms

The Axioms are the rules which keep a Phrase from unbalancing and killing the Runist. Strict adherence to these will keep you alive to continue learning.

1. Each Noun holds a set amount of power, unless otherwise increased or decreased. Likewise, each Verb can use a set amount of power. Thus follows the Rule of Three: Each Verb can only use three Nouns worth of power without unbalancing.
2. Specificity grants control. The more specific the Phrase, the more power it can hold without unbalancing.
3. Runes take their power and specificity from intent. Keep the purpose of the Phrase in mind, as well as the specific purpose of the Runes being scribed at the time.

Maxims

The Maxims are guidelines by which one can gain more power and control in a Phrase. While their adherence is not mandatory, it can greatly aid the completion of a complex phrase.

1. Specificity can be gained by embellishing certain Runes. For example, adding hair and a wand to the Rune <Figure>, while thinking of Ash, lends more specificity.
2. Color is another way to add specificity. Drawing the Rune for fire in red puts more intent into that concept, stabilizing it. One should note, however, that the colors need to be balanced throughout the Phrase in order to gain any worthwhile benefit from it.
3. There must be a balance of temperatures throughout the Phrase, leaving the phrase, as a whole, temperature neutral (temperature polar, perhaps, but neutral).
4. Saturation balance, also a necessity, is simply the process of making sure that neither side of the Phrase is more colorful than the other.
5. To add specificity, offensive Phrases should be dominated by sharp angles and jagged lines
6. Defensive Phrases should be more rounded, with no gaps.
7. Phrases pertaining to knowledge and information should be ornate, with sweeping curves and loops.

Examples

To clarify how this works, I'll provide some examples of things Darren can do with the Runes he knows. He may not have thought of all of the following, however.

Basic Dome Shield

If one creates a casting circle and places the following runic Phrase around it, a basic shield would form, coming together to form a dome.

<Manifest>{<Shield><Mod><Semicircle>}

The semicircle would need to open downward, specifically, but that's the basic shield. This shield would be resistant to physical as well as energy-based attacks, and would not let people cross.

Invisibility

Invisibility is a classic. Scribe this on a person or object to make them invisible. Keep in mind, however, that they're still audible, smellable, and tangible.

<Figure><Mod>{<Take>{<Sight><Mod>}}

The {<Sight><Mod>} serves as a reference to sight of the Runed object or person.

SEP Effect

The only thing better than invisibility is an SEP effect. The following Phrase makes the Runed person or object Somebody Else's Problem.

{<Mind><Mod><Figure>}<Mod>{<Take>{<Book><Mod>}}

The sequence {<Book><Mod>} references knowledge of the subject's presence, while the preceding <Take> removes it from {<Mind><Mod><Figure>}, which represents the mind of any person nearby. One must be careful, however, to think of knowledge of the subject's presence only, while scribing the {<Book><Mod>} sequence, otherwise those under the effect will be completely unable to remember the subject's existence at all.

Impact Cards

These are a fun one. I'm not going to let Darren figure them out for a little while, but I really look forward to 'em. Charge them by rubbing them between your fingertips and focusing your energy into them. Once charged, throw them and the effect will happen. My favorite effect is to put {{<Fire><Mod><Inc>}<Mod><Wind>}<Mod>{<Earth><Mod><Dec>} on it, creating a fireball with shrapnel.

<If>{<Mod>{{<Take><Ball>}<Mod><Bowl>}}<Then> {<If>{!<Touch>}<Then>{<If><Touch><Then>(effect)<Fi>}<Fi>}<Fi>

The layered Conditionals serve to chain the testing, allowing the card to keep from firing until it is first charged, then released, and then comes into contact with something solid again. Once charged, don't drop them. <Take><Ball> (literally "Take (Receive) Power") represents the charging.

OOC Information

The above is a creation of rainrunner87. If you would like to have a character of yours use this, or if you would like to help improve the concept, please contact him. If you would like an existing character to learn, Darren Cartwright, his character, may be willing to teach. Otherwise, any character would have to have a valid explanation for how they came to study the Runic Arts.

This page is a representation of an evolving concept, and may change as theories improve.