Rune magic A rune is an arcane symbol inscribed on a creature , surface , or object . Runes exist in groups called families , which are composed of ten runes . No runes ever require a verbal component . Inscribing a rune requires physical contact with the target . The Runic Art . Those who seek to understand and master runic power understand that the convergences of the ley lines are not the only important part of this power — the patterns formed by the lines themselves are important as well . These patterns , which resemble letters in a strange alphabet , are called runes . Each rune is a reflection of a pattern of energy lines somewhere in the world . Each such pattern creates a certain magical effect when energy flows in that specific formation , though in its natural occurrence , this effect is much too broad and scattered to have a meaningful impact . Those who master runes , then , seek to duplicate those patterns in smaller forms ; their runes manifest magic al power that is arcane in nature , but purely benign and non - corrupting . They are manifestations of Azeroth ' s own unique flows of power , nothing more . These secrets represent recent understandings of rune magic — until recently , it was believed that runes were simply symbols of power from ancient days . With the discovery of the ties between the form of runes and the patterns of natural power in the world , it is only a matter of time before more rune families are uncovered , extrapolated from other natural power sites . Runes are organized into rune patterns , which are not actually separate runes . Instead , each rune pattern is a grand , complex rune that encompasses the individual designs of each rune within that pattern . Thus , the rune for a more complex spell actually includes the pattern of the less complex spell that precedes it in the rune pattern , which itself includes the pattern of the cantrip that begins that pattern . Essentially , each rune pattern is a larger and larger pattern , the center of which is the rune for the simplest rune , which is added to in greater degrees of complexity the higher up the tree one goes . Empowering a Rune . Empowering a rune means flooding it with arcane power , and the process is nearly identical to casting a spell . Runes are inert before their creator empowers them . Thus , rune magic is a two - part process : first the caster creates the rune , and then , immediately or some time later , he empowers it . All characters with this ability are called rune - casters ( just as all characters able to cast spells are spellcasters ) . Note that the character empowering a rune does not have to be the same character who created the rune , but he does have to be aware of the rune ’ s existence and know the rune pattern . While empowering a rune is akin to casting a spell , the two actions are very different . Where the normal arcane caster channels arcane power and shapes it through the use of gesture , word and material components , the runecaster simply shunts the energy into the pattern formed by the rune , serving as the channel between the energy and the rune . This process defines the difference between runecasting and arcane spellcasting , and is the reason that the use of runes does not cause arcane corruption . The patterns of traditional arcane spellcasting are not natural — the energy of the world , which emanates from the Well of Eternity , does not flow into those patterns without the dominating will of the arcane caster to bend and spindle it into those shapes . This is an act of supreme hubris ; the forcing of the world ’ s essential power to submit to the desires of the caster is the reason that other kinds of arcane casting cause corruption . Rune - casting uses patterns that already exist in the world . Since these are naturally occurring patterns created by manifestations of the Well of Eternity ’ s power in the world , the rune - caster need not force the energy to obey him . It flows willingly into the patterns — these are the patterns that the energy itself created , duplicated on a smaller scale . Rune Patterns . Ancient lore groups runes into rune patterns . In reality , each pattern is the two - dimensional depiction of an intricate network of ley lines located somewhere in the world . These patterns are incredibly complex , made up as they are of many lines and curves . Runes are the written representation of the paths that the ley lines follow around and through geographical features in magically powerful sites . A character learns new runes the same way other characters learn new spells , by paying another runecaster . However , rune - casters who seek out runic sites may meditate on the flows of power to gain new understanding . Runic Sites . The patterns that make up rune patterns are not simply arcane scribblings , each is the two - dimensional representation of a place in the world that some runecaster has had the opportunity to study . By discovering the precise layout of the ley lines in a place of power , the nature of that place can be recreated : The ley lines of a scorching desert rendered into a rune might create effects of burning destruction , while those of a deep swampland might perhaps create runes of rot or decay . When a rune - caster is present at the site upon which a rune pattern is based , he is considered to be more skilled for the purpose of determining the effects of runes from the native pattern . Types of Runes . There are three kinds of runes : marks , glyphs and sigils . A mark is inscribed upon a creature , and each mark targets a single creature . A glyph is cast upon an object , and each glyph targets a single object . A sigil is placed upon an object or creature in order to create an effect in an area , with that object or creature at the center . Each sigil has an area that it affects . Marks . Marks are runes inscribed on a creature . The subject must be still , so marks cannot be inscribed on unwilling creatures , however a mark can be inscribed on any helpless creature . Marks generate their effects immediately upon completion . Some inscribes have the ability to delay mark activation or even to make a mark permanent . Glyphs . Glyphs are runes inscribed on an object . As with marks , a glyph can not be inscribed on an object in the possession of an unwilling creature . Glyphs activate immediately upon completion . Again , some inscribes are able to extend the life of a glyph or even to make one permanent . Sigils . Sigils are runes inscribed on a surface that subsequently acts as the rune ' s trigger . The affected surface is always five - foot by five - foot area , and the first creature to enter the space with a sigil activates it , even if the creature is unaware of the sigil . Sigils last until triggered , dispelled or erased . The inscriber can choose to activate a sigil upon its completion as part of the final inscription process . An activated sigil always generates a thirty - foot - radius burst centered on the rune , affecting all creatures in its area . Crafting Runes . Because the power of rune magic is dependent upon the pattern of the rune itself , the one thing that all rune effects have in common is the necessity for the rune to physically exist in order for the magic to take effect . Every rune can be used in one of three ways : as a spontaneous rune , as a scribed rune , and as a permanent rune . Spontaneous Runes . Spontaneous runes are created when the rune - caster doesn ’ t have the time to properly scribe a rune on a surface ( in combat , for instance ) . All rune - casters keep small pieces of wood or stone upon which they scribe the runes they know . These small plaques cost almost nothing to create , and most rune - casters create them in their spare time , storing them with their material components . When casting a rune , the rune - caster touches one of these runestones or runesticks to the target and channels the power through the rune . The rune fades from the runestone and appears on the target , appearing to be burned onto non - living objects or etched in glowing lines onto the flesh of creatures . While the quickest form of rune - making possible , spontaneous runes are also the most fragile . Casting a spontaneous rune , unlike other runes , is only a one - step process : Placing the rune on the target and empowering it occur at the same time . Scribed Runes . Scribed runes represent the preferred method of creating runes . Using a set of special paints , the runecaster can create a lasting rune . Because the rune exists upon the subject , none of the spell ’ s energy need be wasted in creating the rune , as is done with spontaneous runes . The benefit of a scribed rune is that it is more difficult to destroy and dispel than a spontaneous rune , and the range is usually longer . Placing a scribed rune upon the body of a creature requires that the creature be willing or helpless , while placing such a rune upon an object requires that the rune - caster handles the object . Scribed runes last for number of days depending on the skill of the caster , or until empowered . After the rune ’ s empowerment ends , the rune fades away . Permanent Runes . Permanent runes are runes that , once created , are nearly impossible to destroy , for their magic is such that even with the passage of time , the rune remains . Living flesh must be tattooed with the marks ( though some orc runemasters are said to practice a form of ritual branding ) . Most nonliving material is etched with a ritual stylus or set of special chisels . The rune - caster must also place a small part of his own spirit into the rune . The benefit of a permanent rune is that it is more difficult to destroy than a spontaneous rune . Thus , when the magic empowering the rune fades ( i . e . , its duration expires ) , the rune still exists on the target , and the runecaster can empower it again . Placing a permanent rune upon the body of a creature requires that the creature be willing or helpless , while placing such a rune upon an object requires that the rune - caster handles the object . Detecting Runes . Perhaps the primary downfall of rune - casting lies in the fact that it is unsubtle . Objects , places and people marked with runes are obvious , for the runes are sprawling , complex patterns that appear to be inked , etched , tattooed or seared into the surface of the thing they affect . A rune may be concealed beneath something ( such as clothing for runes upon creatures , or behind a tapestry for a rune etched into a wall ) , but if the rune is currently generating a magical effect , it gives itself away , for it glows with arcane energy . When runes generate magical effects , they glow . The color depends upon the caster and the rune , but is often gold or silver . These runes are obviously magic and active . If the rune is concealed , a better look allows a creature to notice the glow or see the effects of the rune in the air around the target . An empowered rune sometimes creates a strange rippling effect , like heat off of stone in the middle of a desert . A detect magic spell reveals the presence of an empowered rune , though it does not reveal what specific effect is in place . It does grant a glimpse at the pattern of energy it forms , however , so that those who use detect magic may gain an idea of a rune ’ s pattern is . Destroying Runes . Because the scribed pattern of the rune provides the pattern for the power to flow , destroying a rune can destroy the magic it creates . However , it is the nature of such patterns to be self - preserving . so they are hard to destroy because the patterns are natural , and energy is easily pulled into them . As a result , the runes themselves are difficult to destroy . A rune has a hardness , and a toughness equal to the runes power . A rune catches attacks in arcane streams of power , so attacking a rune deals no damage to the object or person upon which it is placed , unless the attack deals enough damage to destroy the rune ( in which case the rune ’ s bearer takes the excess damage ) . Spontaneous runes are easily destroyed in the fashion of other magic , through the use of dispel magic and similar spells . Additionally , destroying the rune itself dispels the effect . Scribed and permanent runes are more difficult to destroy . The inks used to create them provide no great resistance until they are empowered , but once the rune is empowered , the inks regenerate for as long as the empowerment lasts . Additionally , in order to use a dispel magic or a similar ability on a scribed or permanent rune , the rune must be greatly damaged . A dispelling effect that is more powerful than the rune can dispel it without this restriction . If the rune ’ s magic is dispelled in such a fashion , the rune is destroyed . Dark Runecasters . In an interview about Dark Factions with Luke Johnson he said that dark inscriber s use rune s to channel necromantic and / or demonic magic . It is likely that lore about the dark channeling of runes will be explained in Dark Factions . Runes in Warcraft II . The casting of ancient and powerful Runes enables the Ogre - Mage to lay an abstruse trap for those hapless enough to enter into it . When these Runes explode , they cause massive damage to anyone standing over them as well as all those in adjacent areas . Those who are diligent and watchful will catch a glimpse of the Rune as they approach it . The chaotic forces that make up this enchantment can not discern between ally or enemy and will kill a friend as surely as a foe . Heed these warnings well , as even staying near these Runes can be hazardous - for when the dwoemer dissolves , they explode as if their magiks had been triggered . Rune Spell in Warcraft Adventures : Lord of the Clans . The same as in Warcraft II , its incantation is " Goth ' gara naal Zandhuura " . Runes in Wrath of the Lich King . Runes is featured in the second WoW expansion , in the death knight s rune system , in the new profession Inscription , the Vrykul practice a runic magic that even the most experienced wizards find unfamiliar , and the iron dwarves that will be etched with runes of power on their metallic skin .