Runesmithing & Enchantments
Rather than the temporary effects for combat that runescribes use, runesmiths enchant armor and weapons with permanent runes. Some runesmiths enchant creatures, though many consider them merely enchanters rather than runesmiths. Unlike gemforging, runic effects are constant and unchanging outside of the specific circumstances they are made for.
Basic enchantments—common or uncommon—do only one thing, and generally take only a handful of runes or less. These effects are often as simple as they are to make, but still quite powerful. Anything beyond a basic enchantment is usually quite rare and expensive.
Gear enchantments are made via runesmithing. A smith forges thaumic essence into an arm or armor. The maximum amount of enchantments varies by equipment, but it is usually limited to one per piece unless otherwise specified.
Runic equipment is often made of copper or some other thaumiconductive metal. As the effects are typically dangerous, runic weapons in particular are usually stored in silver or other thaumiretardant metal scabbards, with the fanciest ones being made of prismir.
Equipment is most commonly enchanted through use of a thaumic slurry. This consists of molten thaumiconductive metal and the essence used for the rune. Runes are carved into the item, and then the slurry is applied. The slurry fills in the runes, thereby imprinting its magical effect on the gear. The most common metal used is tin, with copper being used more often for higher tier enchantments. Bismuth is also occasionally used. Wooden weaponry is instead enchanted using liquid resin infused with thaumic essence, as metal is usually less of an option, particularly for bows.
Leather armor and personal enchantments work a bit differently. Creatures and people are enchanted by having a tattoo or brand containing thaumic essence put on them. Enchantments placed on a Savant, arcanomorph, or unwilling creature will not take, causing them to not work. Savants and arcanomorphs can not be enchanted as they are already too saturated with thaumic energy, and unwilling creatures’ ambient spirit energy will repel unwanted enchantments.
By using powerful enough thaumic essences, a runesmith can forge an artifact capable of granting the user magical abilities, making them a Savant. This requires a legendary essence, and is usually forged into a sword from scratch, rather than applying a set of runes to an existing weapon. This can also take the form of personal enchantments.
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