Hey guys, I'm Sirus Squire. Huge fan of QFG, and QFG fangames. I myself am planning a fangame (which may or may not happen), and thought of perhaps using the Rune-Magic system. (Most of this info is taken from GURPS:Magic and edited to make sense.) If you have anyquestions, feel free to ask.
Anyways, onto business.
Rune MagicA rune is a symbol representing a word, sound or concept. Rune-magic is a method of producing "improvised" scrolls and enchanted items using these symbols. A rune-mage is free to learn other forms of magic, if they are available. In that case, the Spell List is used only as a general guideline to the type of spells that can be cast. All spells must be improvised using runes, as described below.
Improvised SpellcastingAn improvised spell consists of two elements. One is the action that is being performed, such as Creating, Moving, Healing, and so on; this is a verb. The other element is the subject of the spell: what is being moved, healed, summoned, etc. This is a noun. Sometimes this is the caster himself, other times it is another person or an object or even mana itself.
Verbs: Create, Control, Heal, Transform, Sense, Communicate, Weaken, Strengthen, Move, Protect and Warn.
Nouns: Earth, Animal, Magic, Body (Man), Mind, Undead, Air, Fire, Water, Plant, Illusion, Light/Dark, Food, and Sound.
These words are the most common meanings; related words may be used in their place in a spell. For instance, the verb Weaken might also be used as Reduce, Damage, Harm, Undo, Rot or Break.
Rune-Lore Possible Stat?This skill provides general knowledge of a single rune language (e.g., Futhark Rune-Lore). Each rune language must be learned individually. Though there are only a few runes to learn, each one requires deep understanding of its true meaning, variant forms, relationships with the other runes and the world around it, and so on; thus, the skill is not a trivial one.
The RunesIn addition to the general rune-lore, a mage must learn each rune individually before he can use it. There is a rune for each of the verbs and nouns of improvised spellcasting(see below). A mage who has Rune-Lore for more than one language must learn the runes separately for each language! Knowledge of the Futhark Man-rune does not help at all when dealing with an Indian Man-rune, for instance.
CastingCasting with Rune-Magic usually involves tracing the rune's pattern. Runes from different languages cannot be used together. Runes can be used to cast spells in several ways, including writing on parchment, tracing in the air, inscribing on an object, or using individual runestones.
Previously written runes require use of the 'Activate Runes' spell. When this spell is successfully cast on a combination of runes, the effect presented in the chosen runes is manifested. This spell works with any rune language known to the caster. The effect will be that chosen by the one who wrote the runes; the user cannot alter it. If the user does not know exactly what the item does, he must accept that risk!
Note that if the runes themselves were flawed, due to a failure on the part of the mage who created them, a successful Activate Runes casting will activate the runes, flaws and all!
The Futhark RunesThese are the 25 runes of the Futhark (Viking) rune-language, each with its appropriate meaning. Alternate translations or meanings of the Futhark runes are shown as well.
Communication/Separation
Healing/Fertility
Knowledge/Naming
Break/Weaken/Harm
Strengthen/Repair
Move/Travel
Protect/Guard
Warn
Create
Control/Bind
Transform/Gateway
Earth
Air
Fire
Water
Animal/Property
Body/Man/Human
Food/Offering
Light (& Darkness)
Mind
Sound/Signals
Necromancy/Soul
Plant
Illusion/Mystery
*Magic/Destiny
*Note that the rune used for Magic (Futhark 25, called "Unknowable" or "Destiny") is always represented as an empty space!