Power In The Words Of Gods

NG, Dwarf, Priest, Cleric

NG, Dwarf, Mushroom farmer, Druid

LN, Dwarf, Mortician, Monk

Rune magic is a fun way to add flavor and mechanics to a game or setting. After all, they say that words have power, so the idea of having a special writing system dedicated solely to magical spells and the like only makes sense.

In the real world, the runes that are most well-known are those used in the earliest forms of various Germanic languages, and were indeed said to have some mystical power, with those who had mastered the form of writing using them to invoke spells onto objects.

The runes used by today’s archetype, the sigilus, come from a different source. Specifically the runes of sin of Pathfinder’s Thassilon, seven of which are keyed to seven schools of magic, while an eighth exists in the form of the sihedron rune, representing all schools coming together, and as a sign of protection.

Of course, outside of the core setting, they might not be associated with sins, but rather with simply the schools of magic (though that would then beg the question of why there is no divination rune)

The point being is that these magi are masters of inscribing these runes on their weapons in addition to the enchanments they normally apply, granting them an edge in combat.

Using arcane power, a sigilus can mark a weapon with one of the runes associated with a single school of magic, attuning the weapon to that magic. For as long as the rune lasts, the magus finds the act of casting spells of that school while also attacking to be exceptionally easy, though spells of other schools become even harder to cast, and spells of the opposition schools (according to the sin magic rules) cannot be cast at all. While these mystical warriors can use all 7 types of runes, the limitations of their spell list makes certain schools less effective to focus on, and are not recommended, such as abjuration, enchantment, and necromancy. However, a clever magus with the right spells might still make use of them.

They do, however, learn an eighth rune, the sihedron, or seven-pointed star, which they can draw on their armor, increasing its protective qualities and granting themselves resistance to two energy types, which they can change the next time they inscribe it as part of their spell memorization. As they grow in power, the depth of these protections increases.

A relatively simple archetype, this one can be used quite effectively to make it easier to provide situational spells throughout the day. Understand what spells you’re going to prepare in a single day and choose your runes accordingly. Consider taking a familiar or divination spells to help scout ahead and further prepare yourself as well. Beyond that, avoid touch spells since you lose spellstrike, as well as look into a more mobile build with magical protections, as you lose out on training with medium and heavy armor.

A fun thing you could do with this archetype is flavor that not only do they use runes with the archetype’s abilities, but also with other various abilities the magus class retains, such as enchanting weapons, various arcana abilities, and spells cast upon objects, weapons, and armor.

 While a fusion of wizarding ways and martial prowess, the way of the magus is very old indeed. So old that some secrets have been lost to the ages. It is for this purpose that the party has been hired to explore the ruins of an ancient city, to try and recover evidence of the “way of the runed blade”.

Wyvaran culture has been on the decline for hundreds of years, but there are still those who fight to hold onto it, including by making new traditions. One such experiment has been for mystical warriors to imbue their weapons with draconic runes of power, proclamations of their desires and intent given mystical weight.

image credit: Tira-Owl

Random Scroll Appearance

Roll on the following tables for unique scrolls!

Scroll Shape (d12)

Rectangular

Triangular

Star-Shaped

Square

Circular

Spiral

Ribbon

Small Card

Zig-zag

Impossibly Long (when unrolled)

Irregular Shape

Folded Dimensional Shape

Scroll Material (d20)

Paper

Parchment

Papyrus

Bamboo Slats

Stone Tablet or Slats

Iron Tablet or Slats

Copper Tablet or Slats

Gold Tablet or Slats

Silver Tablet or Slats

Bone Slats

Ice Sheet

Monster Skin

Cloth/Canvas

Leather

Magically Suspended Cloud

Large Plant Leaf

Woven Grass or Palms

Magically Suspended Water

Eternally Burning Paper

Translucent Arcane Sheet

Ink Material (d12)

Creature’s Blood

Kraken Ink

Powdered Gemstone

Powdered Dragon Scales

Ash or Charcoal

Pigments of Rare Plants

Glowing Arcane Lines

Magical Fire

Magical Lightning

Etched with Acid

Invisible Ink

Frozen Water (case keeps it magically frozen)

Scroll Case (d20)

Hollowed Bone

Hard or Soft Leather

Metal Container

Magical Fire or Water

Rolled in Leaves

Wire Spiral

Bamboo Rod

Ceramic Cylinder

Permanently Frozen Ice

Magically Invisible Material

Stone Cylinder

Glowing Arcane Material

Strips of Tree Bark

Jeweled Gold or Silver

Dried Humanoid Skin

Wrapped in Colored Ribbon

Animal Fur

Chainmail

Encased in Candle Wax

Hollowed Weapon Hilt/Haft

Scroll Contents (d20)

Complex geometric patterns

Concentric geometry with arcane symbols between

Incantation written in an obscure language. It must be translated to be used

Instructions detailing the spell’s formula

Incantation written in code that requires a cipher key. It must be decoded with an Intelligence check to be used

Animated imagery of the spellcasting process

Symbols that gain meaning only when certain conditions are met

Calligraphic manuscript with illuminated margins

Animated geometry, symbols, and patterns

Lines detailing the specifics of the weave of magic used in its creation

Animated advertisement for the scroll’s scribe and print shop

Repeating pattern whose shapes change colors seemingly at random

Incantation written in Common for the lay man to understand. Anyone can use this scroll if they can read it

Words that only appear under running water

The scroll is incomplete and requires an Intelligence (Arcana) check to finish it

A musical composition with lyrics that comprise the incantation

Floating text that hovers an inch above the page

Text that flies out to spiral around your head at eye level to read it

Text that tries to fly away if the scroll is opened for too long. Lost text must be recaptured with successful Dexterity checks.

Text that can only be read when the reader is blinded or has their eyes closed

How to Use the Scroll (d12)

Read the incantation detailed in the scroll

Trace the text or patterns with your finger

Charge magical energy into the scroll

Simply laying eyes on the scroll for a few seconds causes it to go off

Follow the scroll’s complex instructions for incantations and body movements.

Trace the text or patterns in arcane energy suspended in the air before you

Use magic to create music detailed by the scroll

Invoke deities that were involved in the scroll’s creation

Expose the scroll to a certain element (fire, water, air, earth) to release its power

Present the scroll to the spell’s target and speak the spell’s name with confidence

You use a material component required by the scroll’s text

Throw the scroll at the spell’s target

Alternative Scrolls

Scrolls can take many forms other than a simple slip of parchment. All a scroll really needs to do to work is be a one-time-use consumable spell. Try making your scrolls unique, so they might not even look like a scroll. Perhaps your character could create scrolls as these sorts of items.

Art. Carefully crafted artwork, whether a painting, sculpture, sketch, or piece of jewelry, that serves as the scroll. The materials are made from arcane reagents and the scroll can be read using the art’s depiction or perhaps patterns hidden within.

Cloth. The scroll is a woven textile that can be worn, with precious metal threads and rhinestones serving as the costly arcane components. The patterns in the cloth help you read the scroll.

Fetish. A scroll made with various natural and manufactured spell components and artistic reagents all carefully pulled into a totem or fetish. For instance, a staff’s crown, a dreamcatcher, a headdress, a decorated skull, or other such assemblage could serve as the scroll. Interpreting the meaning of the items’ arrangement and choice reads the scroll.

Gemstones. I once had a city of dwarves that didn’t use scrolls but instead stored spells in crystals and gemstones. The gem can be read by observing the arcane energy refracting within. They shine brightly in a flare of radiant light when they cast their spell before disappearing.

Plants. Tended plants that have been grown and infused with the scroll’s magic. It can be read by the patterns in the leaves or petals.

right now mine are:

-The Gang Loses A Baby

-We’re fighting a litch?!

I come back from vacation in Puerto Vallarta for one day and its CHAOS. Well, I honestly don’t want to get into the whole nonsense, but at this point it would be irresponsible to ignore the possibility that this branch of Social Media might not work as the Collective’s primary branch in the near future. In the face of that uncertainty, some changes will have to be mae.

First and foremost, The Collective has made a new public Discord for posting news and content and should it be necessary where you will all interested learn where we’ve set up shop. So, with much thanks for @we-are-lawyer and the others, We’ve chosen to make a public Discord Community. We invite you all to join, and I hope you all take the time to join us and that this community we’ve built continues to grow in positive ways. Regardless, walk in the Light my friends.

@weareinquisitor @wearepyromancer