D&D General Homebrew Rune Initiate (Feat)

[Tigris]

If you want to use runes as traps, I think there are 2 other really nice 4E examples from other classes


The hunter ranger in 4e is a "controller" he gets 2 different traps (which could be rune flavoured) which you could take inspiration in. (One the class got itself the other itw paragon path)

• both can be used with a minor action in combat.
• You choose 1 empty square.
• Enemies do not remark you casting the trap nor remark the square is traped unless they suceed in perception vs your spell DC
• The next time anyone goes onto the square the trap triggers.
• One deals wisdom modifier + 5 damage and roots for 1 turn
• The other one ends movement, forcefully moves the target 4 squares and slows (but no damage)

Then for "trapping" objects the Executioner assassin class has poisons they can use for this. Like ones being able to put into a container and when its opened attacks them or others which are over touch.


May not 100% fit but the "trap" just reminded me of this.

 

[Maxperson]

Cool idea of course. The Rune knight is the giantish form of runes in my homebrew, I'm trying to make an opposing "scientific" tradition, and thought using Glyph of Warding as a template would do it.

Maybe create lesser versions of the symbol spell as options for the feat.

 

[SkidAce]

Maybe create lesser versions of the symbol spell as options for the feat.

Yeah, I'm thinking giving access to a runic spell list might carry a lot of the weight, and maybe two feats that grant ways to modify runes may be the way.

I could give the unique spells to any class (bard, cleric, wizard etc,) that "studied" that tradition.

 

[SkidAce]

I think giving some of the Rune Knight abilities to a cleric "domain" might just cover everything I need for the Dwarven /Norse culture (no dwarven wizards!)

So if I can tweak my Rune Initiate, and make some customs spells, that will cover the Imperial Culture rune tradition. (I use some of the runes from Kobold Press)

2/3rds of the way there.

 

[Maxperson]

I think giving some of the Rune Knight abilities to a cleric "domain" might just cover everything I need for the Dwarven /Norse culture (no dwarven wizards!)

So if I can tweak my Rune Initiate, and make some customs spells, that will cover the Imperial Culture rune tradition. (I use some of the runes from Kobold Press)

2/3rds of the way there.

You could also allow the inscribing of other spells known onto stones as runes. So they could inscribe the invisibility spell onto a runestone for a 1 use "scroll." You'd have to have rules for what levels, schools, number of stones, etc. could be made at any given time.

 

[SkidAce]

What if Rune Initiate allowed Glyph of Warding to be cast as a ritual, and Symbol to be cast as an action?

 

[SkidAce]

You could also allow the inscribing of other spells known onto stones as runes. So they could inscribe the invisibility spell onto a runestone for a 1 use "scroll." You'd have to have rules for what levels, schools, number of stones, etc. could be made at any given time.

Brilliant, the Dwarven/Norse culture will be limited by how many they know (on a personal level, as divine understanding should be)

And the Imperial culture will be limited by how many they can "empower" at a time (based on individual powah!)

Wont be replying until tomottow, thinking and heading to bed soon.

Thamks folks ALL of your inputes helped me stir the creative pot so to speak!

 

[Maxperson]

What if Rune Initiate allowed Glyph of Warding to be cast as a ritual, and Symbol to be cast as an action?

It needs more. It's something you can get at level 4 and the Symbol ability wouldn't come into play until 13th level, so effectively it's just going to be Glyph of Warding for a loooooooooooong time. What level do you typically play to?

 

[Yaarel]

So you can take this at 4th level, and gain the ability to cast a third level spell without expending a slot.

Thats a level early (normally 5th to cast a 3rd level spell) (Humor link: Order of the Stick (Up a Level)
And an attribute bonus.

But it feels...lacking. Anyone that meets the requirements for this feat could gain this spell normally (its on all the main lists) by waiting one level.

I'm trying to create a reason a PC would take it, simulating advanced study of Glyphs and Runes.

Maybe the bonus casting could be free of material components (normally 200gp + powdered diamond) ? Free seems a bit much?
Cast as a ritual (10 minutes)?

Thoughts?

The difference between a sigil and a rune is:

The sigil is an ideogram, a specific shape symbolically representing a specific concept. An emoji is like this. Many historical magic grimoires employ these. The sigil is normally always the same, each time one uses it.

A rune is a memorable phrase, sentence, or lyric written while using a normal alphabet (such as the runic alphabet). The rune (runic phrasing) is written improvisationally in the moment. Normally, no two runic inscriptions are the same.

The D&D feat, Rune Initiation, can focus on the versatile aspect of rune casting. The referred spell, Glyph of Warding, includes the Spell Glyph option that stores any spell of slot 3 or lower.

In other words, the feat supplies an extra spell from any spell list. Moreover, a new spell can be swapped in after each long rest. The spell magic must be imbued into an object by means of an inscription, and triggerable according to the rules of the spell Glyph of Warding. Only one such Glyph can exist at a time.

Altho the concept is different (imbuing personal intention into an object), and the mechanism is different (deciding on a specific trigger ahead of time), to "prepare" a specific spell at the beginning of each day to be cast once later is a nod to old school vancian casting.