Runic Inscriptions

This chapter covers the runic magic system in Horizon. Magic is channeled through inscribed symbols called glyphs, organized into seven elemental domains.

The Seven Domains

Domain Access vs Attunement

Understanding the difference between Domain Access and Domain Attunement is essential:

• Domain Access determines which inscriptions you can learn. This is set by your Path and never changes.
• Domain Attunement provides bonuses when using inscriptions from that domain. You choose which of your accessible domains to attune to.

Domain Access by Path

*Wardkeeper and Bladescribe are martial Paths with limited inscription access. See “Martial Inscriptors” below.

Runic Energy

Inscriptors use Runic Energy to power their inscriptions.

Energy Pool

Maximum Runic Energy = (Casting Stat Modifier + Level) x 2

Energy Recovery

• Short Rest: Recover 1/4 of maximum energy (rounded up)
• Long Rest: Recover all energy; reset Strain to 0

Casting Stats by Path

Inscription Knowledge

Unlike other systems where casters prepare specific spells, Horizon uses Inscribed Patterns—glyphs physically etched onto surfaces that can be activated when needed.

Glyphs (Cantrips)

You permanently know all glyphs from domains you have access to. Glyphs cost no energy, cause no Strain, and can be traced unlimited times. They represent fundamental runic patterns your character has mastered.

Inscriptions (Leveled)

You must prepare inscriptions during a rest by etching them onto prepared surfaces (skin, armor, weapons, scrolls, or focus items). You can only have a limited number prepared at once.

Prepared Inscription Limit

Prepared Inscriptions = Casting Stat Modifier + Level

Preparing Inscriptions

• You can only prepare inscriptions from domains you have access to
• Preparing inscriptions requires a short or long rest (inscribing takes the full rest)
• You can change your prepared inscriptions each rest
• Once prepared, inscriptions remain until you choose to replace them

Learning New Inscriptions

You learn inscriptions by:

• Leveling up: Gain 2 new inscriptions from your accessible domains
• Discovery: Find runic tablets, ancient texts, or learn from other inscriptors
• Research: Spend downtime studying domain theory (GM discretion)

You can learn any inscription from domains you have access to, but can only prepare a subset at any time.

Strain System

Channeling runic power taxes the body. Strain accumulates as you cast and represents magical fatigue.

Maximum Strain

Maximum Strain = 5 + Might Modifier + Level

Strain Thresholds

Gaining Strain

Each inscription adds Strain equal to its base energy cost:

Reducing Strain

• Short Rest: Reduce Strain by half (rounded down)
• Long Rest: Reset Strain to 0

Inscription Attacks and Save DCs

Inscription Attack = d20 + Casting Stat + Proficiency
Inscription Save DC = 8 + Casting Stat + Proficiency

Glyphs (Cantrips)

Glyphs are minor inscriptions that cost 0 energy and can be traced unlimited times.

Glyph Scaling

Glyph damage increases as you level:

Glyph List

Inscriptions (Leveled)

Inscriptions cost Runic Energy to trace. Higher costs indicate more powerful effects.

Ignis Domain (Fire)

Glacius Domain (Ice)

Fulmen Domain (Storm)

Terra Domain (Earth)

Umbra Domain (Shadow)

Lumen Domain (Light)

Anima Domain (Soul)

Domain Attunement

Domain Attunement represents deep resonance with a runic domain. Attuning to a domain grants bonuses when using its inscriptions—it does not grant access to new domains.

Attunement Benefits

When using inscriptions from an attuned domain:

• Energy Reduction: Inscriptions cost 1 less Runic Energy (minimum 1)
• DC Bonus: +1 to save DC for inscriptions from that domain
• Advanced Access: Only attuned domains allow learning Major Inscriptions (5+ energy cost)

Attunement Slots

You can attune to a limited number of domains based on your level:

Attunement Rules

• You can only attune to domains you have access to (from your Path)
• Changing attunement requires a long rest and 1 hour of meditation
• At level 1, you automatically attune to one of your accessible domains
• Glyphweavers with all seven domains must still choose which to attune to

Example

A level 5 Soulscribe has access to Lumen and Anima, and 2 attunement slots. They can:

• Attune to both Lumen and Anima (gaining bonuses for all their inscriptions)
• Or attune to just one domain (getting stronger bonuses there, none in the other)

They cannot attune to Ignis because they don’t have access to it.

Martial Inscriptors

Wardkeeper and Bladescribe are martial Paths that use limited inscription magic. They don’t have traditional Runic Energy pools.

Wardkeeper (Defensive Inscriptions)

Wardkeepers inscribe protective wards directly onto their armor and skin. They use Might as their casting stat.

• Limited Access: Only defensive inscriptions from Terra and Lumen (Stone Shell, Shield of Dawn, etc.)
• Inscription Uses: Can use 2 + Might modifier inscriptions per short rest (not a Runic Energy pool)
• Ward Casting: Inscriptions activate as reactions or bonus actions when protecting self or allies
• Strain Immunity: Wardkeepers don’t track Strain—their body is the inscription

Bladescribe (Weapon Inscriptions)

Bladescribes etch combat runes onto weapons for devastating effects. They use Might or Finesse (choose at character creation).

• Limited Access: Only weapon-enhancing inscriptions from Ignis and Fulmen
• Inscription Uses: Can use 2 + primary stat modifier inscriptions per short rest
• Combat Casting: Inscriptions are woven into weapon attacks, not cast separately
• Strain Immunity: Like Wardkeepers, Bladescribes don’t track Strain

Concentration

Some inscriptions require concentration to maintain:

• Only one concentration inscription at a time
• Taking damage requires Might save (DC 10 or half damage) to maintain
• Tracing another concentration inscription ends the current one
• Severe Strain gives disadvantage on concentration saves

Ritual Inscriptions

Inscriptions marked as rituals can be traced without spending energy if you take 10 extra minutes.

Ritual Inscriptions: Light Glyph, Guidance Mark, and any inscription your GM designates.

Compound Inscriptions (Glyphweaver Only)

Glyphweavers can combine two domain glyphs into a compound inscription:

• Costs energy from both domains
• Gains effects from both (GM discretion)
• Requires 1 action to trace (not bonus action)

Example: Ignis + Glacius = Steam Burst (fire damage + difficult terrain from fog)