Rune Magic, also known as Runic Magic, is a form of magic that was pioneered and practiced by the ancient giants of Xen'drik. This form of magic involves the creation and usage of magically charged runes, which channel the flow of power into the creation of specific effects. Unlike much of the magic that can be found on Khorvaire, Rune Magic is not fueled by spell slots. The runes instead draw upon the vitality of the caster to produce their effects, and thus rune magic can be understood to be a form of blood magic, and can be harmful to practice without proper precautions.
This was less of a concern for the giants of the Cul'sir Dominion or the Sul'at League, who were supernaturally large and exquisitely vigorous, and had vitality to spare, and so rarely encountered problems of their runes overtaxing their bodies. The first elves to try and copy the runic powers of the giants discovered that their own bodies were far less suited to powering the runes. Many of these early elven practicioners of rune magic perished, horrifically, when they attempted to activate the runes carved into their flesh. Through trial and error, it was discovered that smaller creatures could use the runes, but the runes had to be carved into objects to act as a buffer, and the casters needed to carefully monitor how much they used each rune, lest they overexert themselves and never recover.
Some of the most epic acts of magic enacted by the ancient giants involved the use of runes, and the burning of the life force of hundreds of unfortunate elves to power them.
Notable Rune Mages
- Emperor Cul'sir, the emperor of the Cul'sir Dominion, who invented many of the runes used by the giants.
- Gorodan Ashlord, possibly one of the only rune mages on Khorvaire.
- The elves of the Silaes Tairn, who stole the knowledge from the giants and continue to use it against them to this day.
Known Runes
- Ild (Fire)
- Haug (Hill)
- Ise (Frost)
- Jötunn (Giant)
- Krig (War)
- Skod (Fog)
- Sköld (Shield)
- Skye (Cloud)
- Steinn (Stone)
- Uvar (Storm)
- Uven (Enemy)
- Venn (Friend)
- Vind (Wind)
- Wyrm (Dragon)