Difference between revisions of "Runic Alphabet"
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{{tocright}}[[Image:UA_Runic.jpg|center]] | {{tocright}}[[Image:UA_Runic.jpg|center]] | ||
An ancient series of runes can be found in use throughout the Stygian Abyss. Perhaps a remnant of a previous age, or something brought with one of the Underworld's inhabitants, these runes nonetheless are worth learning, as many challenges in the depths can be overcome (or avoided) with the knowledge they impart. Mages especially will need to know runic, as they are at the heart of the power of magic. | An ancient series of runes can be found in use throughout the Stygian Abyss. Perhaps a remnant of a previous age, or something brought with one of the Underworld's inhabitants, these runes nonetheless are worth learning, as many challenges in the depths can be overcome (or avoided) with the knowledge they impart. Mages especially will need to know runic, as they are at the heart of the power of magic. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Only a subset of these runes (ᛒᛖᚺᛃᚲᛗᚾᚱᚦᛏᚢᛉ) can be found as runes for casting spells in the Stygian Abyss. A couple of other runes (ᚠᛇ) can be found branded on wands, but since no rune exists for them, those wands are the only way to cast those spells. | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" | {| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" | ||
+ | |+ | ||
! Icon | ! Icon | ||
− | + | ! Char | |
− | + | ! Sound | |
! Name | ! Name | ||
! Meaning | ! Meaning | ||
! Purpose | ! Purpose | ||
! Type | ! Type | ||
+ | ! Rune | ||
! Description / Notes | ! Description / Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 19: | Line 23: | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
| n/a | | n/a | ||
− | | From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message. | + | | No |
+ | | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message.) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Image:ua-berkanan.png|center]] | | [[Image:ua-berkanan.png|center]] | ||
Line 28: | Line 33: | ||
| Create/Most | | Create/Most | ||
| Effect/Power | | Effect/Power | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Symbolic of growth, fertility, and beginnings. | | Symbolic of growth, fertility, and beginnings. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 37: | Line 43: | ||
| Light? | | Light? | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
− | | Represents light and darkness, clarity and illusion. | + | | No |
+ | | Represents light and darkness, clarity and illusion. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Image:ua-ehwaz.png|center]] | | [[Image:ua-ehwaz.png|center]] | ||
Line 46: | Line 53: | ||
| Move | | Move | ||
| Effect | | Effect | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Associated with movement, transportation, and unbinding. | | Associated with movement, transportation, and unbinding. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 55: | Line 63: | ||
| Beast | | Beast | ||
| Target | | Target | ||
+ | | Wand | ||
| Literally "wealth", but associated with beasts. | | Literally "wealth", but associated with beasts. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 64: | Line 73: | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
− | | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message | + | | No |
+ | | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message.) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Image:ua-hagalaz.png|center]] | | [[Image:ua-hagalaz.png|center]] | ||
Line 73: | Line 83: | ||
| Air | | Air | ||
| Target | | Target | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Signifies weather, air. | | Signifies weather, air. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 82: | Line 93: | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
+ | | No | ||
| (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message. Not used in magic.) | | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message. Not used in magic.) | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 91: | Line 103: | ||
| Plant | | Plant | ||
| Target | | Target | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Symbolizes plant life, fruitfulness. | | Symbolizes plant life, fruitfulness. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 100: | Line 113: | ||
| Fire | | Fire | ||
| Target | | Target | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Fire, fiery power. | | Fire, fiery power. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 109: | Line 123: | ||
| Water | | Water | ||
| Target | | Target | ||
+ | | No | ||
| Water, the sea. Mastery of flowing or shapeless things. | | Water, the sea. Mastery of flowing or shapeless things. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 118: | Line 133: | ||
| Person | | Person | ||
| Target | | Target | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Linked to fellow-beings, friends and enemies, and the social order. | | Linked to fellow-beings, friends and enemies, and the social order. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 127: | Line 143: | ||
| Bind | | Bind | ||
| Effect | | Effect | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Denotes restrictions, delays, or bindings. | | Denotes restrictions, delays, or bindings. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 136: | Line 153: | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
+ | | No | ||
| (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message. Not used in magic.) | | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message. Not used in magic.) | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 145: | Line 163: | ||
| Magic? | | Magic? | ||
| Target? | | Target? | ||
+ | | No | ||
| Calls on fate, mystery, and hidden forces. Magic. | | Calls on fate, mystery, and hidden forces. Magic. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 154: | Line 173: | ||
| Sense | | Sense | ||
| Aiming | | Aiming | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Symbolically associated with discovery. Seeking after truth. | | Symbolically associated with discovery. Seeking after truth. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 163: | Line 183: | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
+ | | No | ||
| (From? Not used in magic.) | | (From? Not used in magic.) | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 172: | Line 193: | ||
| Destroy | | Destroy | ||
| Effect | | Effect | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Indicates destruction, ruin, and naked violence. | | Indicates destruction, ruin, and naked violence. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 181: | Line 203: | ||
| Spirit/Mind | | Spirit/Mind | ||
| Target | | Target | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Giver of law, leadership, and purpose; the guiding spirit. | | Giver of law, leadership, and purpose; the guiding spirit. | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 190: | Line 213: | ||
| Strengthen/Much | | Strengthen/Much | ||
| Effect/Power | | Effect/Power | ||
+ | | Yes | ||
| Emblematic of toughness, health, and potency. (Sometimes drawn as "Λ") | | Emblematic of toughness, health, and potency. (Sometimes drawn as "Λ") | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | [[Image:ua-eiwaz.png|center]] | + | |style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:center;" | '''ᛇ''' <!-- Obsolete, needs fixing to flip: [[Image:ua-eiwaz.png|center]] --> |
| ᛇ | | ᛇ | ||
| Y | | Y | ||
Line 199: | Line 223: | ||
| Earth | | Earth | ||
| Target | | Target | ||
− | | The fabric of the world, which is solidity and earth. | + | | Wand? |
+ | | The fabric of the world, which is solidity and earth. (May also exist as a rune?) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Image:ua-algiz.png|center]] | | [[Image:ua-algiz.png|center]] | ||
Line 207: | Line 232: | ||
| Elk | | Elk | ||
| Protect | | Protect | ||
− | | | + | | Aiming |
+ | | Yes | ||
| A totem of stalwart strength and mighty defense. | | A totem of stalwart strength and mighty defense. | ||
|} | |} | ||
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{{main|Rune Stones}} | {{main|Rune Stones}} | ||
Scattered around the Abyss is an alphabet of rune stones, each inscribed with a runic letter. The Avatar discovers these stones as they explore the Abyss, over time building a vocabulary of spells used in [[Magic|Runic Magic]]. | Scattered around the Abyss is an alphabet of rune stones, each inscribed with a runic letter. The Avatar discovers these stones as they explore the Abyss, over time building a vocabulary of spells used in [[Magic|Runic Magic]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Similarity to Earth Runic== | ||
+ | |||
+ | This runic alphabet differs sharply from the runic in the original ''Underworld''s, the ''Ultima'' series, and ''Shroud of the Avatar''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Instead, Runic in {{UA}} is heavily influenced by the runic traditions of the world from which you came - Earth. | ||
+ | |||
+ | While they are not a perfect match for any of Earth's Runic traditions, borrowing as they do shapes or names from a variety of sources, their names, shapes and sounds will all be familiar to students of Elder Futhark, Short- or Long-Twig Younger Futhark, Anglo-Saxon, or Medieval runic traditions, or even the more modern spiritual rune-casting mythologies. Their meanings and purposes, too, follow the meanings historically ascribed to the runes, and from which many of them gained their shapes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | While 'Q' and 'X' do not exist in this alphabet, this is accurate: in runic writings these sounds are typically formed with 'KU' and 'KS' sounds respectively. The list as it is now may well be complete, as can be seen by comparing to [[wikipedia:Category:Runes|Wikipedia's 'Runes' category]] - the only common rune that might still remain unfound is [[wikipedia:Wynn|Wynn]], though that might instead just use Uruz' 'U' sound. There may also be some compound runes missing. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Because of this unusual level of research into the runes, players can learn this alphabet without concern that it will teach them bad habits for reading Earth runic; if anything, the game may help aspiring students of Futhark. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
− | + | *In early prototypes, Thurisaz was called Thurs, with the meaning Thunder. Though the meaning is Giant, historically the rune Thurisaz is considered tightly bound with Thor and Thunder. | |
− | + | *In early prototypes, Fehu originally had the meaning "Chattel" rather than "Cattle": both meanings (and "wealth", and "beast") are historically appropriate for this rune. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | *In early prototypes, Thurisaz was called Thurs, with the meaning Thunder. Though the meaning is Giant, the rune Thurisaz is considered tightly bound with Thor and Thunder. | ||
− | *In early prototypes, Fehu originally had the meaning "Chattel" rather than "Cattle": both meanings (and "wealth", and "beast") are appropriate for this rune | ||
− | |||
*That all their sounds, names, meanings, and purposes are appropriate for each rune suggests they did some serious research into correct rune usage. | *That all their sounds, names, meanings, and purposes are appropriate for each rune suggests they did some serious research into correct rune usage. | ||
− | |||
*Runic is often written phonetically, excluding unnecessary letters instead of being a simple letter cypher. For example, the [[T-shirt|Kickstarter exclusive Backer's T-shirt]] has "Kickstarter backer" on the back in runic, but uses the characters "Kikstarter Baker", eliminating the phonetically duplicate "c". | *Runic is often written phonetically, excluding unnecessary letters instead of being a simple letter cypher. For example, the [[T-shirt|Kickstarter exclusive Backer's T-shirt]] has "Kickstarter backer" on the back in runic, but uses the characters "Kikstarter Baker", eliminating the phonetically duplicate "c". | ||
− | *The runes have changed a couple of times through the development process, with | + | *The runes have changed a couple of times through the development process, with earlier logos using the Ultima runes and later ones using the updated alphabet. |
*Algiz, Berkanan, Dagaz, Ehwaz, Eiwaz, Fehu, Hagalaz, Jera, Kenaz, Laguz, Mannaz, Naudiz, Peorth, Radhio, Thurs, Tiwaz, and Uruz were present in the first [[Prototype|Playable Prototype]] released to players. Of these, Berkanan, Ehwaz, Eiwaz, Hagalaz, Jera, Kenaz, Naudiz, Thurs, and Uruz could be used to cast spells. | *Algiz, Berkanan, Dagaz, Ehwaz, Eiwaz, Fehu, Hagalaz, Jera, Kenaz, Laguz, Mannaz, Naudiz, Peorth, Radhio, Thurs, Tiwaz, and Uruz were present in the first [[Prototype|Playable Prototype]] released to players. Of these, Berkanan, Ehwaz, Eiwaz, Hagalaz, Jera, Kenaz, Naudiz, Thurs, and Uruz could be used to cast spells. | ||
Latest revision as of 13:29, 30 January 2021
An ancient series of runes can be found in use throughout the Stygian Abyss. Perhaps a remnant of a previous age, or something brought with one of the Underworld's inhabitants, these runes nonetheless are worth learning, as many challenges in the depths can be overcome (or avoided) with the knowledge they impart. Mages especially will need to know runic, as they are at the heart of the power of magic.
Only a subset of these runes (ᛒᛖᚺᛃᚲᛗᚾᚱᚦᛏᚢᛉ) can be found as runes for casting spells in the Stygian Abyss. A couple of other runes (ᚠᛇ) can be found branded on wands, but since no rune exists for them, those wands are the only way to cast those spells.
Icon | Char | Sound | Name | Meaning | Purpose | Type | Rune | Description / Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ᚫ | A | Ansuz | God? | ? | n/a | No | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message.) | |
ᛒ | B | Berkanan | Birch | Create/Most | Effect/Power | Yes | Symbolic of growth, fertility, and beginnings. | |
ᛞ | D | Dagaz | Day | Light? | ? | No | Represents light and darkness, clarity and illusion. | |
ᛖ | E | Ehwaz | Horse | Move | Effect | Yes | Associated with movement, transportation, and unbinding. | |
ᚠ | F | Fehu | Cattle | Beast | Target | Wand | Literally "wealth", but associated with beasts. | |
ᚷ | ᚷ | G | Gyfu? | Gift? | ? | ? | No | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message.) |
ᚺ | H | Hagalaz | Hail | Air | Target | Yes | Signifies weather, air. | |
ᛁ | I | Isaz? | Ice? | ? | ? | No | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message. Not used in magic.) | |
ᛃ | J | Jera | Harvest | Plant | Target | Yes | Symbolizes plant life, fruitfulness. | |
ᚲ | C and K | Kenaz | Torch | Fire | Target | Yes | Fire, fiery power. | |
ᛚ | L | Laguz | Lake | Water | Target | No | Water, the sea. Mastery of flowing or shapeless things. | |
ᛗ | M | Mannaz | Mankind | Person | Target | Yes | Linked to fellow-beings, friends and enemies, and the social order. | |
ᚾ | N | Nauthiz | Need | Bind | Effect | Yes | Denotes restrictions, delays, or bindings. | |
ᛟ | O | Odal? | Heritage? | ? | ? | No | (From the Loading screen "ᛚᛟᚫᛞᛁᚾᚷ" message. Not used in magic.) | |
ᛈ | P | Peorth | Game piece | Magic? | Target? | No | Calls on fate, mystery, and hidden forces. Magic. | |
ᚱ | R | Raido | Journey | Sense | Aiming | Yes | Symbolically associated with discovery. Seeking after truth. | |
ᛋ | S | Sigel? | Sun? | ? | ? | No | (From? Not used in magic.) | |
ᚦ | Th | Thurisaz | Giant | Destroy | Effect | Yes | Indicates destruction, ruin, and naked violence. | |
ᛏ | T | Tîwaz | The Hero | Spirit/Mind | Target | Yes | Giver of law, leadership, and purpose; the guiding spirit. | |
ᚢ | U and V | Uruz | Ox | Strengthen/Much | Effect/Power | Yes | Emblematic of toughness, health, and potency. (Sometimes drawn as "Λ") | |
ᛇ | ᛇ | Y | Eiwaz | The World Tree | Earth | Target | Wand? | The fabric of the world, which is solidity and earth. (May also exist as a rune?) |
ᛉ | Z | Algiz | Elk | Protect | Aiming | Yes | A totem of stalwart strength and mighty defense. |
Rune Stones[edit]
- Main article: Rune Stones
Scattered around the Abyss is an alphabet of rune stones, each inscribed with a runic letter. The Avatar discovers these stones as they explore the Abyss, over time building a vocabulary of spells used in Runic Magic.
Similarity to Earth Runic[edit]
This runic alphabet differs sharply from the runic in the original Underworlds, the Ultima series, and Shroud of the Avatar.
Instead, Runic in Underworld Ascendant is heavily influenced by the runic traditions of the world from which you came - Earth.
While they are not a perfect match for any of Earth's Runic traditions, borrowing as they do shapes or names from a variety of sources, their names, shapes and sounds will all be familiar to students of Elder Futhark, Short- or Long-Twig Younger Futhark, Anglo-Saxon, or Medieval runic traditions, or even the more modern spiritual rune-casting mythologies. Their meanings and purposes, too, follow the meanings historically ascribed to the runes, and from which many of them gained their shapes.
While 'Q' and 'X' do not exist in this alphabet, this is accurate: in runic writings these sounds are typically formed with 'KU' and 'KS' sounds respectively. The list as it is now may well be complete, as can be seen by comparing to Wikipedia's 'Runes' category - the only common rune that might still remain unfound is Wynn, though that might instead just use Uruz' 'U' sound. There may also be some compound runes missing.
Because of this unusual level of research into the runes, players can learn this alphabet without concern that it will teach them bad habits for reading Earth runic; if anything, the game may help aspiring students of Futhark.
Trivia[edit]
- In early prototypes, Thurisaz was called Thurs, with the meaning Thunder. Though the meaning is Giant, historically the rune Thurisaz is considered tightly bound with Thor and Thunder.
- In early prototypes, Fehu originally had the meaning "Chattel" rather than "Cattle": both meanings (and "wealth", and "beast") are historically appropriate for this rune.
- That all their sounds, names, meanings, and purposes are appropriate for each rune suggests they did some serious research into correct rune usage.
- Runic is often written phonetically, excluding unnecessary letters instead of being a simple letter cypher. For example, the Kickstarter exclusive Backer's T-shirt has "Kickstarter backer" on the back in runic, but uses the characters "Kikstarter Baker", eliminating the phonetically duplicate "c".
- The runes have changed a couple of times through the development process, with earlier logos using the Ultima runes and later ones using the updated alphabet.
- Algiz, Berkanan, Dagaz, Ehwaz, Eiwaz, Fehu, Hagalaz, Jera, Kenaz, Laguz, Mannaz, Naudiz, Peorth, Radhio, Thurs, Tiwaz, and Uruz were present in the first Playable Prototype released to players. Of these, Berkanan, Ehwaz, Eiwaz, Hagalaz, Jera, Kenaz, Naudiz, Thurs, and Uruz could be used to cast spells.
Pledge Reward[edit]
Backers at the Legendary Hero tier and higher will receive a poster with a language and runic translation guide as part of their Collector's Edition Box.
Previous Appearances[edit]
- The Runic Alphabet was used through the Ultima series, including both Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss and Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds. Shroud of the Avatar uses a similar Runic Alphabet.