Runes

Ok, just got finished with the preliminary version of Runes. I'm still not sure about how it fits in, power level-wise, so we'll have to play around with it a bit. If we want higher level Runes, we could always triple up on Skills for the first levels and get at least 4 back that way. Possibly also do something similar with attributes, if we want. In any event, let me know what ya'll think, and we'll work from there.

Runes
The Aesir, for all their reliance on brute strength, harbor a marked reverence for the power of words. From the kennings of the sagas to the charms of Odin, words carry with them the energy, the essence, of that which they represent. This purview lets Scions tap into that ability of language, evoking words and symbols empower their allies and items.
Runes is a special purview, and is purchased in order. Each level purchased grants access to a single rune. Extra runes may be purchased individually in the same manner as boons of the All-Purpose Purviews. Using a rune requires a roll of Intelligence + Runes, as well as the expenditure of a point of Willpower. The effects of the rune last for a number of actions equal to the successes rolled or one scene, whichever is shorter. A Scion can spend points of Legend to extend the duration of the rune’s effect according to the following chart.

Legend Spent | Duration
1 | 1 Scene
2 | 1 Day
3 | 1 Week
4 | 1 Month
5 | 6 Months
6 | 1 Year

Level 1 Runes

• - Ehwaz – Control and Animal Ken
• - Thurisaz – Brawl and Melee
• - Tiwaz – Command and Presence
• - Dagaz – Awareness and Investigation
• - Nauthiz – Fortitude and Survival
• - Perthro – Occult and Stealth
• - Fehu – Art and Craft
• - Berkano – Medicine and Empathy
• - Ansuz – Integrity and Politics
• - Jera - Academics and Science
• - Isa - Athletics and Larceny
• - Hagalaz - Marksmanship and Thrown

Level 2 Runes

• - Uruz - Strength
• - Laguz - Dexterity
• - Eihwaz - Stamina
• - Gebo - Charisma
• -Mannaz - Manipulation
• - Wunjo - Appearance
• - Raidho - Perception
• - Kenaz - Intelligence
• - Sowilo - Wits

Level 3 Runes

• - Othala – my be used to instill in the recipient a Virtue possessed by the user. A user cannot instill more dots in a Virtue than either her rating in Runes or her rating in the Virtue, whichever is lower. These dots last until used to add to rolls. For example, granting 3 dots of Courage to a recipient allows them to call upon that Virtue for three die rolls before the granted dots disappear.
• - Algiz – successes may add to aggravated, lethal, or bashing soak on a 4/2/1 basis. For instance , if the user garnered 6 successes on the activation role, they could allocate those successes to 1 aggravated an 1 lethal soak, or 2 lethal and four bashing soak, or any other combination. Unlike other uses of this Purview, this extra soak lasts for a number of hits equal to your rating in Runes, rather than successes.
• - Ingwaz – (Honestly not sure yet, have to get back to this one.)

Looks awesome!

Soooooooooo... what does it actually do?

I assuming a dice bonus to the relevant skills/attribute?

Looks good to me

As with Magic, I would assume that buying the level gets you a rune of whatever particular level? And that 2nd level runes cost as much as 2nd level spells/boons as well?

My question is - can you also curse people with runes, or only aid them?

Heh, I did totally forget to add the actual effect of the purview. Yeah, it adds dice equal to your rating in Runes to dice pools involving the relevant Skills or Attribute.

Yes, buying a new level gets you a Rune of that level, though you could also choose a lower level one if you wanted, I suppose. And the cost to buy new Runes is just like buying a same level spells. I tried using the same language they use for the spell explanation, but its a little wonky-looking.

I was toying with the idea of cursing too, I was just worried whether that makes the Purview too powerful. Thoughts?

Also, I'm thinking of adding higher level versions that let you combine Runes to have different effects, though that's obviously beyond any of our power levels yet.

If I remember correctly, Ingwaz is my Protection Rune. Adds to Defensive Values.

Cursing has been an integral part of the Runic Magic mythos. It seems disrespectful to not include it. Cursing would probably just be the opposite of the blessing, imposing a negative modifier instead of a positive.
Perhaps levels 4 and 5 are cursing and chaining? Because we absolutely have to have chaining and/or layering of runes, that's been part of the higher-level mind's eye movie scenes for ages. Maybe the higher Level you are the more symbolic and esoteric the chains become? Getting into all the Circle of Protection and Blessings On All Who Dwell Here sorta stuff.
A way for the runes to effect groups would also be awesome, otherwise I burn through WP and LP really fast with all the necessary buffs.

It might be good to add another cost chart to be able to affect more people also, for extra legend. It is still going to be expensive, but honestly I think that any power that lets you boost multiple people *should* be expensive. Once you go up in power, the legend costs will seem less hefty, which is as it should be.

I need to think more about chaining and such, though that should also be higher level, yarr....