(c) Palladium
An ancient civilization once created a terrible magical science, melding the schools of necromancy and transmutation together with powerful runes and sigils. This "school" of magic became known as Binding, and created what was called "Rune" weapons. Instead of using magic and other living things to empower the living, binding uses the living to empower lifeless, inorganic constructions like legendary soul drinking rune swords. It melds the living, or at least the life essence of the living, with the non-living.
Binding magic steals a creature's life essence and soul, sometimes the physical body as well, and imprisons it in a dimensional vortex within the enchanted object/weapon. The life force empowers the object like a living battery. Ironically, it is that very life force which makes the item indestructible and provides it with much of its power. Within this dimensional prison the life force requires no means of nourishment or water. Thankfully, time is greatly distorted. A thousand years may seem like only a few days.
The key ingredients required to transform an ordinary inanimate object into a powerful rune weapon are intelligence, elements of the supernatural, magic and life. Thus, supernatural beings of all kinds are the typical beings used to breathe life into rune weapons. Dragons and mortal practitioners of magic who have attained great mastery over magic (high levels of experience; 10th or greater) are also suitable for lesser rune weapons. Greater supernatural beings, including gods, godlings, ancient dragons, spirits of light, greater elementals, greater demons and demon lords are needed to create the most powerful rune weapons.
Because the object is infused with the life essence of the creature that empowers it, the object possesses the alignment of that life essence, as well as its personality and intelligence. The magic that enslaves the being may also force it to serve he who dares to wield the weapon. However, while the being cannot prevent the weapon wielder from drawing on the weapon's powers, it does not have to be polite, friendly or helpful. In fact, many of these beings will try to lead their owner morally astray and will instigate acts of selfishness and evil. Some may even lead their owner into mortal danger, delighting in the ensuing conflict. If the weapon wielder should die, the evil being knows that sooner or later, somebody else will find and use the weapon.
Usually, only creatures who have the same or similar alignment as the weapon can use it. Since it is creatures of evil making weapons for fellow evil beings, they mustdraw upon the forces of evil to create a useable weapon. And because they are evil, they have few reservations about imprisoning other beings till the end of time.
The [REDACTED] also enjoy using the life force of good creatures whenever possible, including the spirits of light, dragons, and godlings. This is usually done to further a diabolical scheme or to thwart an enemy, even though it means giving the forces of good a powerful weapon.
History
Legends of the world of Alfaysia suggest that the [REDACTED], alien intelligences possibly related to the Void, were the ones who originally invented binding. After the disappearance of the [REDACTED], only the [REDACTED] held the secrets of the binding and used them, with terrible consequence, in their titanic war with the [REDACTED]. Eventually they abandoned the diabolical magic and are recognized as perhaps the last race to hold those secrets in recent history (about 20,000 years past).
Since all rune weapons are indestructible, they have been passed on from generation to generation, are occasionally discovered in ancient ruins and temples, or stolen from powerful warriors and sorcerers. They remain the most powerful and coveted magic weapons in the cosmos.
Only the [ILLEGIBLE] hold the knowledge of rune magic and secretly continue to manufacture powerful rune weapons. It is a secret they zealously keep to themselves, not even sharing it with the High Lords or their most trusted minions! Furthermore, some have suggested that the [REDACTED] are methodically destroying any other creatures who try to acquire that knowledge.
Races like the [BURNT] abandoned that area of magic and destroyed all records of its existence, because it was finally seen to be far too evil, destructive, and corrupting. Only beings of an evil or anarchist alignment should even consider learning binding. Many champions of light refuse to use rune weapons because they will not be party to the abuse and imprisonment of intelligent life forms. Consequently, characters of a good or unprincipled alignment will never seek that area of mystic knowledge. Some actually work to prevent the knowledge from resurfacing and seek out and destroy weapons of evil alignment (actually, they make them unavailable by hiding them, throwing them into volcanos, etc.).
Normally, the only reason a good character would use a rune weapon is because the being inside the weapon implored them to do so. Beings of a good alignment trapped inside rune weapons want to be used to promote good. It is only when they are used for good that they feel any sense of purpose, reward and inspiration. Helping others is the only thing that keeps them from going insane or giving in to the despair of their eternal imprisonment. Some even look at their predicament as the work of fate and have convinced themselves that they do more good by empowering others through the rune weapon than they could in life.
Many evil beings on the other hand, enjoy being the tool of evil. Imprisonment makes them more bitter and meaner than ever, so they delight in being party to murder and causing pain and suffering.
Execution
GM Note: The secrets of rune magic should never be learned by any player character, and anyone who steals or develops any part of the mystic knowledge will be
hunted down and destroyed by the [DFRGHHYYT] regardless of the cost.