Centaur Rune System - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Centaur Rune System

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Dec 09, 2004 16:02:11 I had this idea about Centaur Runes which I wanted to share. It is rather under-developed, so maybe people here could go ahead with it:

Centaurs have 14 runes that function as their alphabet, as well as for magical purposes. The runes are divided into seven Adamae (Culture Runes) and seven Daharae (Nature Runes). The division symbolizes the double nature of the centaur: man and beast, culture and nature.

The Daharae are (in rough translation): Wood, Water, Stone, Earth, Wind, Fire and Decay.
The Adamae are (in rough translation): Book, Road, Forge, Cloth, Plough, Law and Tomb.

When a centaur is born, the shamans of the tribe have a vision of five of these runes - that are tatooed on the centaur's body. Four runes (two Adamae and two Daharae) are tatooed at the centaur's chest - and one rune (either Adama or Dahara) is tatooed at the back of his neck. The specific combination is considered to determin the centaur's fate, personality and profession. The rune at the back of the neck is called the "Head-Rune" and has the most important role in the interpretation of the combination of the rest of the runes (say, like a key in music).

I thought that this system might work well for Alfheim and Karameikos centaurs - although it might also fit centaurs frim Atruaghin, Ethengar and other cultures.

What do you think?
#2
Hugin
Dec 09, 2004 16:49:35 Cool idea and well done too. I think it's something easily inserted into a campaign and will likely do that if I get the oppurtunity. Unfortunately, there's no way that I'd be able to flesh it out (currently working on my Saturday campaign, horse conversions, clerical spell lists, campaign newsletter, not to mention work and other "life" stuff :D ). OTOH, I take a peek at the boards as often as I can so I could help out.
#3
spellweaver
Dec 09, 2004 16:51:48
What do you think?

Cool. I never used centaurs much IMC but I like it. :D

:-) Jesper
#4
zombiegleemax
Dec 11, 2004 15:09:04 Thanks, guys.

What I truly need help with is the magical use of these runes. I know very little about rune-magic. The way GAZ3 treated the matter (cryptomancers?) doesn't seem to fit here - and I don't have the Northern Reaches GAZ.

So, if anyone feels like it - ideas would be most welcome!
#5
sbwilson
Dec 11, 2004 17:41:40 Here is a list of the Runes from the Northern Reaches Gaz:

(name) - (translation) - (significance)

Fehu - Cattle - Wealth
Urur - Auroch - Strength
Thurs - Giant - Giantish Races
As - Immortals - Immortals and Realms Beyond the Prime Plane
Raidu - Journeying - Traveling
Kaunna - Fire - Hearth/Torch/Wildfire
Gefu - Giving - Generosity/Hospitality
Wunju - Joy - Happiness/Appreciation of Life
Hagla - Cruel Nature - Violent, Destructive Side of Nature
Naudir - Desperate Need - Great Danger and Good Fortune to Overcome
Isar - Ice - Ice/Cold
Jarn - Fruitful Nature - Bounty of Wild Nature (as opposed to domestic animals and crops)
Ihwar - Hunter - Tracking/Snaring/Killing
Pethru - Unseen - Concealment/Hidden Knowledge
Algir - Elk - Protection
Sowelu - Sun - Healing/Good Health
Tiwar - War - Might/Valor
Berkana - Birch - Durable Vitality
Ehwar - Horse - Communication/Mastery of Horses
Mannar - Man - Knowledge/Earthly Wisdom
Lagur - Water - Protection From Drowning
Ingwar - Growth - Power of Growth
Odala - Birthright - Power Over Fate
Dagar - Day - Powers of Light/Darkness

From Gaz7: "On one level, runes are simply a special form of written language popular among Northern clerics, used particularly for inscriptions in wood, stone, or other hard surfaces. On a hight level, certain special runes known as "power runes" have special magical meanings. With the aid of certain clerical spells, experienced clerics can enhance the power and significance of those runes."

Associated Spells

Interpret Runes - 2nd level - general "Ask Immortal a question - get vague answer
Bless Rune - 2nd level - activate a rune's power
Know Rune - 3rd level - learn how to make one power rune
Inscribe Rune - 3rd level - actually make a power rune, provided it is known

It then gives explanations of the rituals involved with the above spells. I realize you don't have the gaz, but I'm being vague on purpose. For one, the section is too long to type it all in, and two, copyright and all that...
#6
Hugin
Dec 11, 2004 21:49:29
Associated Spells

Interpret Runes - 2nd level - general "Ask Immortal a question - get vague answer
Bless Rune - 2nd level - activate a rune's power
Know Rune - 3rd level - learn how to make one power rune
Inscribe Rune - 3rd level - actually make a power rune, provided it is known

It then gives explanations of the rituals involved with the above spells. I realize you don't have the gaz, but I'm being vague on purpose. For one, the section is too long to type it all in, and two, copyright and all that...

If you run a 3E campaign, I did up some conversions of those Rune Spells in 3E. It might not help at all but they could possibly give you some ideas. For the Power Runes of Odin in gaz 7, each one had a few spell-like effects and one of these could be activated by the bless rune spell. Perhaps the centaur's rune system would work on the same basis, or their activation is simply mental and limited to once per day (or what-have-you).
#7
zombiegleemax
Dec 12, 2004 1:31:26 Thanks again, Hugin and SB!
I'll get to work...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Dec 09, 2004 16:02:11	I had this idea about Centaur Runes which I wanted to share. It is rather under-developed, so maybe people here could go ahead with it: Centaurs have 14 runes that function as their alphabet, as well as for magical purposes. The runes are divided into seven Adamae (Culture Runes) and seven Daharae (Nature Runes). The division symbolizes the double nature of the centaur: man and beast, culture and nature. The Daharae are (in rough translation): Wood, Water, Stone, Earth, Wind, Fire and Decay. The Adamae are (in rough translation): Book, Road, Forge, Cloth, Plough, Law and Tomb. When a centaur is born, the shamans of the tribe have a vision of five of these runes - that are tatooed on the centaur's body. Four runes (two Adamae and two Daharae) are tatooed at the centaur's chest - and one rune (either Adama or Dahara) is tatooed at the back of his neck. The specific combination is considered to determin the centaur's fate, personality and profession. The rune at the back of the neck is called the "Head-Rune" and has the most important role in the interpretation of the combination of the rest of the runes (say, like a key in music). I thought that this system might work well for Alfheim and Karameikos centaurs - although it might also fit centaurs frim Atruaghin, Ethengar and other cultures. What do you think?
#2 Hugin Dec 09, 2004 16:49:35	Cool idea and well done too. I think it's something easily inserted into a campaign and will likely do that if I get the oppurtunity. Unfortunately, there's no way that I'd be able to flesh it out (currently working on my Saturday campaign, horse conversions, clerical spell lists, campaign newsletter, not to mention work and other "life" stuff :D ). OTOH, I take a peek at the boards as often as I can so I could help out.
#3 spellweaver Dec 09, 2004 16:51:48	What do you think? Cool. I never used centaurs much IMC but I like it. :D :-) Jesper
#4 zombiegleemax Dec 11, 2004 15:09:04	Thanks, guys. What I truly need help with is the magical use of these runes. I know very little about rune-magic. The way GAZ3 treated the matter (cryptomancers?) doesn't seem to fit here - and I don't have the Northern Reaches GAZ. So, if anyone feels like it - ideas would be most welcome!
#5 sbwilson Dec 11, 2004 17:41:40	Here is a list of the Runes from the Northern Reaches Gaz: (name) - (translation) - (significance) Fehu - Cattle - Wealth Urur - Auroch - Strength Thurs - Giant - Giantish Races As - Immortals - Immortals and Realms Beyond the Prime Plane Raidu - Journeying - Traveling Kaunna - Fire - Hearth/Torch/Wildfire Gefu - Giving - Generosity/Hospitality Wunju - Joy - Happiness/Appreciation of Life Hagla - Cruel Nature - Violent, Destructive Side of Nature Naudir - Desperate Need - Great Danger and Good Fortune to Overcome Isar - Ice - Ice/Cold Jarn - Fruitful Nature - Bounty of Wild Nature (as opposed to domestic animals and crops) Ihwar - Hunter - Tracking/Snaring/Killing Pethru - Unseen - Concealment/Hidden Knowledge Algir - Elk - Protection Sowelu - Sun - Healing/Good Health Tiwar - War - Might/Valor Berkana - Birch - Durable Vitality Ehwar - Horse - Communication/Mastery of Horses Mannar - Man - Knowledge/Earthly Wisdom Lagur - Water - Protection From Drowning Ingwar - Growth - Power of Growth Odala - Birthright - Power Over Fate Dagar - Day - Powers of Light/Darkness From Gaz7: "On one level, runes are simply a special form of written language popular among Northern clerics, used particularly for inscriptions in wood, stone, or other hard surfaces. On a hight level, certain special runes known as "power runes" have special magical meanings. With the aid of certain clerical spells, experienced clerics can enhance the power and significance of those runes." Associated Spells Interpret Runes - 2nd level - general "Ask Immortal a question - get vague answer Bless Rune - 2nd level - activate a rune's power Know Rune - 3rd level - learn how to make one power rune Inscribe Rune - 3rd level - actually make a power rune, provided it is known It then gives explanations of the rituals involved with the above spells. I realize you don't have the gaz, but I'm being vague on purpose. For one, the section is too long to type it all in, and two, copyright and all that...
#6 Hugin Dec 11, 2004 21:49:29	Associated Spells Interpret Runes - 2nd level - general "Ask Immortal a question - get vague answer Bless Rune - 2nd level - activate a rune's power Know Rune - 3rd level - learn how to make one power rune Inscribe Rune - 3rd level - actually make a power rune, provided it is known It then gives explanations of the rituals involved with the above spells. I realize you don't have the gaz, but I'm being vague on purpose. For one, the section is too long to type it all in, and two, copyright and all that... If you run a 3E campaign, I did up some conversions of those Rune Spells in 3E. It might not help at all but they could possibly give you some ideas. For the Power Runes of Odin in gaz 7, each one had a few spell-like effects and one of these could be activated by the bless rune spell. Perhaps the centaur's rune system would work on the same basis, or their activation is simply mental and limited to once per day (or what-have-you).
#7 zombiegleemax Dec 12, 2004 1:31:26	Thanks again, Hugin and SB! I'll get to work...