Names of the Runes

EmaTheVampire wrote: 1 hour ago

human_being wrote: 4 hours ago

Maybe I'm missing the point of this post, but for the origin/inspiration for the runes, they are using a mixed set of sources, but mainly they are based on real-world runes. Many are the literal symbol or sound, though I think none are the same symbol+sound combination.

I did actually look into that several times, because you’re right, real-world runestones are quite obviously the main inspiration. But while some of the symbols have familiar looks or sounds (eg Ist and Isaz, Jah and Cham aesthetically corresponding to Mannaz and Berkanan), the meanings don’t track and it’s still very much its own thing.

Ultimately though, I don’t know enough about real-world runes or proto-Norse/Germanic languages to make a proper stab at designing a similarly functional alphabet around the d2 runes, that was the real point at which I fell off on that project all those years ago. That and losing access to a ceramics workshop before I could make a physical set. But we have their “meanings” from their in-game uses and effects, and also a real-world guideline for how to potentially use them as an alphabet, from which a conlang could theoretically be extrapolated with enough effort… one of these days I’ll really do it.

Either way, I would still be interested to know just how much thought was initially put into each one from the art design side. Just by the choices of letters, I have a lot of questions. It does really seem just like it was inspired by Elder Futhark runes and Japanese/Chinese calligraphy, built on vibes and game mechanics, and passed down from one creative team to the next. A shame the answers are ones we’ll likely never get from the source.

But even if the answer really is “It’s not that deep,” that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If Tolkien wasn’t disappointed in Macbeth, we wouldn’t have the iconic scene where the Ents march to war, after all. Just another push to future creatives out there, another block for us all to build on.