Magic of the Realms

Since time began, Magic across the Nine Realms has been the remit of the Gods and their kin.

The Gods themselves are intrinsically linked with the runes, giving them their supernatural abilities which have been to the awe and fear of mortals for thousands of years. They could wield the power of circles of magical energy to make changes in the world around them, create force from their bodies to cause pain and destruction or to cure and command mortals, or use the powers of prophecy. This power set the Gods of the Aesir and the Vanir apart from all other forms of life, giving them their status as Deities.

There have always been mortals who have professed to wield this power as well; ones who want a small piece of the reverence of the Gods, whether true or not. In the ancient tongue the words of Ghodi (wiseone), Seidr (witch), Galdr (warcaller) and Thane (warrior) have been used for those who have professed to use magic. These terms had been used for the different uses of magic these individuals possessed; for healing, for war, for prophecy, or for evil, and have been part of the culture of Midgard for thousands of generations.

These 'God-touched,' were both feared and revered, however, most, in fact, were charlatans. They used people's fear to control or to lead others without having a magical bone in their body. A rare few did indeed have minor abilities, and gave credence to all those who professed to have these powers. Those rare few, though they may not have known it, always had a God's blood in their ancestry. Those who were telling the truth, died in Ragnarok, their God's blood compelling them to fight.

After Ragnarok, those who were God-touched were even rarer still. Those who were lying knew they wouldn't get away with it - being so close to the Gods on Asgard or Vanaheim, or upon Alfheim where Provenance had risen, or upon Svartalfheim where life was so harsh there was little point. As the years went by on the higher realms new God-touched did emerge, though those who were vocal about it usually disappeared.

It has only since the Bifrost has been re-opened, that magic has become more readily available to the masses. The discovery of Runestones on Midgard opened up a new way to use magic and unlock every mortal's latent potential. Through the crafting of Runesstones, the Runes became more than just an alphabet, or symbolism; they were a source of great power!

Since the first expedition to Midgard, there has been a great deal of learning and knowledge being shared between the Realms, resulting in training in these new ways of magic being brought to the general populations.

For some, access to this magic enhanced their natural abilities. Traditional blacksmiths began to make Runic Weapons and Armour. Religious leaders could bestow powerful blessings in their Deities names. For others, new paths were discovered, akin to the God-touched of the old world, allowing them to harness great power; for good, or for evil…

In-character, it has only been approximately 12 months between the first expedition to Midgard, and the first Mainline Event. All of the skills you have purchased during character generation that require the use of runes you will have only learnt in that time frame.

That does not mean you weren't a blacksmith, a leather worker, a warrior, or a Ghodi previously, for example, but skill use of Runes and Runic Charges to empower yourself or an item is relatively new to all... even the Gods!