View source for Runes

{{RSC page|Runes}}
{{Otheruses|the stones used for casting Magic spells|the metal used to make weapons and armour|Runite (metal)}}

[[File:Guthix creating runes.png|thumb|Guthix creating runes with the Stone of Jas]]
[[File:Air rune.jpg|frame|right|An [[air rune]]]]
'''Runes''' are small, [[weight]]less stones that allow players to cast spells using the [[Magic]] skill. Runes can be either bought from the various Rune shops found across ''[[RuneScape]]'', traded with other players, purchased on the [[Grand Exchange]], created from [[rune essence]] or [[pure essence]] through the [[Runecrafting]] skill, obtained from the [[Runecrafting Guild]], procured from drops by killing [[monster]]s, or picked up from [[spawn]]s on the ground.

The elemental runes ([[Air rune|air]], [[Water rune|water]], [[Earth rune|earth]] and [[Fire rune|fire]], named after the Greek [[Wikipedia:Classical elements|classical elements]]) can be substituted for by wielding a respective elemental [[Staves|staff]], [[Battlestaves|battlestaff]] or [[mystic staff]]. The only time an elemental staff cannot be used to substitute for runes is when setting up a portal in the [[Portal Chamber]] of a [[player-owned house]].

Runes come in a number of different types, but they can be categorised according to themes based on their names. For example, [[Mind rune|mind]], [[Body rune|body]], [[Blood rune|blood]] and [[Soul rune|soul]] are all constituent parts of a [[human]]; [[Cosmic rune|cosmic]] and [[Astral rune|astral]] pertain to outer space; [[Nature rune|nature]] is in [[Guthix]], [[Law rune|law]] is in [[Saradomin]], and [[Chaos rune|chaos]] is in [[Zamorak]]; and [[Life rune|life]] and [[Death rune|death]] occur in time. The six combinations runes ([[Mud rune|mud]], [[Mist rune|mist]], [[Lava rune|lava]], [[Smoke rune|smoke]], [[Steam rune|steam]] and [[Dust rune|dust]]) cover all possible pairs of the four elemental runes.

==History==
Runes have existed since the creation of [[RuneScape]]. They have had times of shortage and prosperity, and even times where they were forgotten. Yet, currently they are in massive quantity.

When [[Guthix]] shaped [[Gielinor]] in the early first age, he used the power of the [[Stone of Jas]], an ancient relic left by the [[Elder Gods]], to create runestones, so that all of Gielinors inhabitants could use magic. When Guthix's powers drained, he hid the stone and delved into a deep sleep. [[Human]]s like [[Jack (Meeting History)|Jack]] began using the [[magic]], learning spells and naming them.

But the use of magic made the runestones slowly disappear from the world, making it a very rare supply during the [[Second Age]]. Many battles were held by many [[Wizard]]s in attempt to obtain some of the remaining runes in Gielinor. As the [[God Wars]] raged on centuries later, the rune supply depleted due to extensive use in battles. The humans in the [[Fourth Age]] were left undefended and vulnerable.

At the end of the Fourth Age, a [[Fremennik]] [[Seer]] discovered an ancient cave beneath the eastern mountains of the [[Fremennik Province]], or, according to Wizard Sedridor, in a cave beneath the North. In this cave he found the Stone of Jas that Guthix hid. In the time it was hidden, it had created the [[Rune Essence]] rocks. Eventually, the Stone was taken away by "those who walk a higher astral path". However, the essence rocks were not. The seer who discovered the mines learned how to harness energy into them, creating runes.

With the knowledge of crafting runes, he went to [[Misthalin]] to show the magic you could cast with these stones. Soon, the knowledge of magic spread through all of the human kingdoms and with this knowledge the power of the kingdoms grew incredibly fast. The [[Wizard Tower|Wizard's Tower]] was built and became the centre of all magical studies. Some Fremenniks traveled south to create Runecrafting Altars all across the world, so all humans could craft runes themselves easily and thus the runes became everything but rare.

The group Fremenniks who created the Runecrafting altar were banished from their tribe by the other Fremenniks because they thought magic should only be used by the [[god]]s. The banished group went to an island north of [[Rellekka]]. These Fremenniks later became the [[Moon Clan]]. They must have brought the Stone with them to [[Lunar Isle]] as a Rune Essence mine is located there.

The Fremenniks who were not banished started the [[Runecrafting Crusades]], attempting to halt any creation of other runes. Enormous armies went south into kingdoms to destroy the [[Runecrafting altars]]. However, they were only able to damage their entrances as the altars their selves stayed intact. When the Fremenniks stopped the crusades, followers of [[Zamorak]] went to the Wizards Tower in attempt to take it over, and it was subsequentially burnt down during the battle.

The destruction of the tower resulted in the loss of all Runecrafting knowledge. The humans weren't able to create runes themselves anymore, so the runes became a rare supply once again. With the expansion of the human empires, years later the wizards' tower was built again. And the wizards spent all their time on rediscovering the art of Runecrafting, without any success. But in the Year 169 (the current age), the find of a runecrafting talisman by an adventurer resulted in the rediscovery of [[Runecrafting]]. [[Wizard Elriss]] of the wizards' tower set up a [[Runecrafting guild]], where the wizards are still researching Runecrafting today.

==Non-members runes==
[[File:Ancient teleport.gif|frame|right|A player teleporting using [[Ancient Magicks]].]]
All players can use the runes listed below. There are two categories of runes referenced in the game: [[elemental rune]]s and [[non-elemental rune]]s. Elemental runes include [[air rune|air]], [[fire rune|fire]], [[water rune|water]], and [[earth rune]]s. Non-elemental include all others, which are: [[mind rune|mind]], [[body rune|body]], [[chaos rune|chaos]], [[death rune|death]], [[blood rune|blood]], [[soul rune|soul]], [[cosmic rune|cosmic]], [[law rune|law]], [[nature rune|nature]], [[astral runes|astral]] and [[armadyl runes]].

However, [[free-to-play|free players]] can only craft runes up to body runes (using the Runecrafting skill). Also free players are limited in the runes they can find in stores and that can be bought on the Grand Exchange. The two magic stores (in [[Varrock]] and [[Port Sarim]]) only sell the basic elemental runes, chaos runes, and death runes. The other types of runes can be traded with other players, gotten as drops or spawns, or bought on the Grand Exchange in Varrock.

{|class="wikitable"
!colspan="2"|Rune
!Use
|-
|[[File:Fire rune.png]]
|[[Fire rune]]
|One of the four elemental runes. Used to cast fire missiles and one of the four basic elemental runes. Also used in [[Ancient Magicks]]. Can be runecrafted.
|-
|[[File:Water rune.png]]
|[[Water rune]]
|One of the four elemental runes. Used to cast water missiles and one of the four basic elemental runes. Also used in Ancient Magicks. Can be runecrafted.
|-
|[[File:Air rune.png]]
|[[Air rune]]
|One of the four elemental runes. Used to cast air missiles and one of the four basic elemental runes. Also used in Ancient Magicks. Can be runecrafted.
|-
|[[File:Earth rune.png]]
|[[Earth rune]]
|One of the four elemental runes. Used to cast earth missiles and one of the four basic elemental runes. Also used in Ancient Magicks. Can be runecrafted.
|-
|[[File:Mind rune.png]]
|[[Mind rune]]
|Used to cast basic missile spells (Wind, Water, Earth and Fire Strike). Can be runecrafted. Also used in [[magic dart]].
|-
|[[File:Body rune.png]]
|[[Body rune]]
|Used to cast low level curse spells. Is the best rune that can be runecrafted by non-members.
|-
|[[File:Chaos rune.png]]
|[[Chaos rune]]
|Used to cast low level missile spells (Wind, Water, Earth and Fire Bolt) as well as Crumble Undead. Can be runecrafted, but only by members. Also used in Ancient Magicks.
|-
|[[File:Death rune.png]]
|[[Death rune]]
|
Used to cast medium and very high level missile spells (Wind, Water, Earth and Fire Blast/Surge ). Can be runecrafted, but only by members after completing [[Mourning's Ends Part II]]. Also used in Ancient Magicks and in [[magic dart]]
|-
|[[File:Cosmic rune.png]]
|[[Cosmic rune]]
|Used for item enchanting spells ([[jewellery]], [[crossbow]] bolts, and orbs). Can be runecrafted, but only after completing the [[Lost City]] quest, which is members only.
|-
|[[File:Law rune.png]]
|[[Law rune]]
|Used to cast [[teleportation]] spells. Can be runecrafted, but only by members.
|-
|[[File:Nature rune.png]]
|[[Nature rune]]
|Used in transmutation spells. For example, low level and high level alchemy, superheat and binding. Can be runecrafted, but only by members.
|}

===Activity runes===
The following runes, Elemental Runes and Catalytic Runes, are given to players who are participating in the [[Fist of Guthix]] [[Activities|activity]], [[Dominion Tower]], [[Barbarian Assault]] activity, or [[Stealing Creation]] activity. They are substitute for other runes. However they can only be used in combat spells. If a player tries to cast a non-combat spell, he or she will receive one of the messages:

''You did not come here to do that!''

{|class="wikitable"
!colspan="2"|Rune
!Substitute for
|-
|[[File:Elemental rune.png]]
|[[Elemental rune]]s
|Can be used instead of elemental runes ([[air rune|air]], [[water rune|water]], [[earth rune|earth]], and [[fire rune|fire]] combined).
|-
|[[File:Catalytic rune.png]]
|[[Catalytic rune]]s
|Can be used instead of non-elemental runes ([[mind rune|mind]], [[chaos rune|chaos]], [[death rune|death]], [[blood rune|blood]], [[body rune|body]], [[nature rune|nature]])
|}

The members-only [[Lunar spell]] [[Stat Spy]] can be cast in Fist of Guthix, despite not directly affecting combat.
These runes cannot be dropped. If they are dropped in the Fist of Guthix waiting room, they will be lost immediately. You will have to exit the waiting room and enter again to get them back.

==Members runes==
[[File:Plank Make.gif|frame|right|A player casting a spell using [[astral rune]]s]]

The [[Wizards' Guild]] in [[Yanille]] has the cheapest rune shop available to members. Located on the guild's upper floor, it sells every rune in the game except for astral, cosmic, and combination runes.

Only members can use the runes listed below.

{|class="wikitable"
!colspan="2"|Rune
!Use
|-
|[[File:Astral rune.png]]
|[[Astral rune]]
|Used to cast the [[Lunar Spells]]. Must complete the [[Lunar Diplomacy]] quest first. Can be made using the [[Runecrafting]] skill.
|-
|[[File:Blood rune.png]]
|[[Blood rune]]
|Used to cast high level missile spells (all [[wave spells]] and [[surge spells]]). Can be made using the [[Runecrafting]] skill after completion of the [[Legacy of Seergaze]] quest.
|-
|[[File:Soul rune.png]]
|[[Soul rune]]
|Used to cast high level curse spells and in teleother spells. Can only be player made at the ZMI Ouranian altar but only randomly. The image of [[Soul talisman]] and [[Soul tiara]] were discovered in the [[Knowledge Base]] at one time, but these images have been removed by Jagex.
|-
|[[File:Armadyl rune.png]]
|[[Armadyl rune]]
|The only rune used to cast the spell [[Storm of Armadyl]] and released with the [[Ritual of the Mahjarrat]] quest. The quest must be completed to use it. It has no other use than the spell. It is also only made with [[Dust of armadyl|Dust of Armadyl]].
|}

===Combination runes===
These runes are [[members]] only, and act as '''one''' of each of their composite runes. To make them, you will need some elemental runes, a talisman of the same element, and an equal amount of pure essence. You must then take these items to the secondary elemental temple, and then use the elemental runes or talisman on that altar. For example, if you wanted to make dust runes, you would bring air runes, pure essence, and an air talisman to the earth altar; alternatively, you could bring earth runes, pure essence, and an earth talisman to the air altar. The talisman will be consumed as the combination runes are made.

'''Note:'''
*Crafting combination runes uses one of the talismans, so it is recommended that one only crafts combination runes of the talismans one has the most of. The [[Lunar Magicks]] spell [[Magic Imbue]] allows a player to craft combination runes without the use of the opposing talisman.
*Crafting combination runes has a 50% chance of success. A [[Binding necklace]] allows 100% success for crafting combination runes 15 times.

{|class="wikitable"
!colspan="2"|Rune
!Combination
|-
|[[File:Dust rune.png]]
|[[Dust rune]]
|Earth + Air
|-
|[[File:Lava rune.png]]
|[[Lava rune]]
|Earth + Fire
|-
|[[File:Mist rune.png]]
|[[Mist rune]]
|Water + Air
|-
|[[File:Mud rune.png]]
|[[Mud rune]]
|Water + Earth
|-
|[[File:Smoke rune.png]]
|[[Smoke rune]]
|Air + Fire
|-
|[[File:Steam rune.png]]
|[[Steam rune]]
|Fire + Water
|}

==Obtaining runes==
===Monster drops===
Many monsters drop runes in ''RuneScape'', but some drop more than others. These are some of the more notable monsters that drop runes:
*Level 7 and 20 [[Dark Wizard]]s south of Varrock, north of the Black Knights' Fortress, and south of [[Taverley]].
*[[Wizard]]s in the [[Wizards' Tower]] south of [[Draynor Village]].
*[[Infernal Mage]]s in the [[Slayer Tower]].
*[[Air wizard]], [[Earth wizard]], [[Water wizard]], [[Fire wizard]] south of Falador.
*[[Chaos Druid]]s in [[Taverley Dungeon]].
*[[Flesh Crawler]]s in 2nd floor of the [[Stronghold of Security]] drop fire, body, nature and dust runes.
*[[Moss Giants]] on [[Crandor]] and the Moss Giant Island, west of [[Brimhaven]] drop Air, Earth, Nature, Law, Chaos, or Cosmic runes occasionally.
*[[Goblin (monster)|Goblins]] just South-west of the [[Grand Exchange]].
*[[Ghostly warrior|Ghostly Warriors]] in the parallel dimension of the [[Axe Hut]] in level 55 Wilderness.
*[[Cockroach]]es drop many different kinds of runes, mainly air, water, fire, death and law.
*[[Hill giants|Hill Giants]] drop air runes, nature runes, cosmic runes, fire runes etc.
*[[Ankou]] drop law, death, or blood runes, 15 noted pure essence, or 15 rune essence.
*[[Barbarians]] drop Earth, Chaos, Law, Mind, or Fire runes occasionally.
*Stone statues in [[Bandos' throne room]] drop many dust and earth runes.
*[[Black Knight]]s in the Black Knight's Fortress
*[[Lesser Demon]]s drop 60 fire runes from time to time.
*[[Fire giants]] and [[Flesh crawlers]] occasionally drop fire runes.
*[[Elemental workshop (dungeon)|Elemental workshop]]'s guardians ([[Air Elemental]], [[Earth Elemental]], [[Fire Elemental]] and [[Water elemental]] respectively) regularly drop runes.
*[[Nex]] will drop up to 6500 blood runes (rare), or 4800 pure essence (common).

===Runecrafting===
{{main|Runecrafting}}
Runecrafting is the skill of crafting runes from [[rune essence]] or [[pure essence]]. Through this skill, players can create their own runes for use in magic, by completing [[Rune Mysteries]]
===Firemaking===
''Main article: [[Firemaking]]''

You can get runes as a possible reward from [[Fire spirit]]s. The runes obtained cannot be selected however.

===Rogue Trader===
{{main|Rogue Trader}}
Runes can be obtained by completing [[Ali Morrisane]]'s [[Rogue Trader]] activity, which players may complete after finishing [[The Feud]] quest.

After completing the activity, players are able to obtain runes for a cheaper price.

{| class="wikitable article-table"
! colspan="2"|Rune
! colspan="2"|GE Price
|-
|[[Fire rune]]
|17 coins
|{{GEPrice|Fire rune}}
|-
|[[Water rune]]
|17 coins
|{{GEPrice|Water rune}}
|-
|[[Air rune]]
|17 coins
|{{GEPrice|Air rune}}
|-
|[[Earth rune]]
|17 coins
|{{GEPrice|Earth rune}}
|-
|[[Mind rune]]
|17 coins
|{{GEPrice|Mind rune}}
|-
|[[Body rune]]
|16 coins
|{{GEPrice|Body rune}}
|-
|[[Chaos rune]]
|140 coins
|{{GEPrice|Chaos rune}}
|-
|[[Death rune]]
|310 coins
|{{GEPrice|Death rune}}
|-
|[[Cosmic rune]]
|232 coins
|{{GEPrice|Cosmic rune}}
|-
|[[Law rune]]
|378 coins
|{{GEPrice|Law rune}}
|-
|[[Nature rune]]
|372 coins
|{{GEPrice|Nature rune}}
|-
|[[Blood rune]]
|550 coins
|{{GEPrice|Blood rune}}
|-
|[[Soul rune]]
|410 coins
|{{GEPrice|Soul rune}}
|-
|[[Astral rune]]
|''Unknown''
|{{GEPrice|Astral rune}}
|}

===Respawn locations===
Here is a short list of [[Spawning|respawn]] locations of runes throughout ''RuneScape''.

'''Note:''' The best place to get rune respawns in f2p is in the Dark Warriors Fortress. The northernmost room contains respawns of 5 [[Earth rune|Earth]], [[Water rune|Water]], [[Air rune|Air]] and [[Fire rune|Fire]] runes. The room directly west of this contains 5 [[Chaos rune|Chaos]], [[Mind rune|Mind]] and [[Body rune|Body]] runes. Players should be wary when approaching this area: Although this a good place for a rune spawn, the Wilderness is nevertheless a player-killing zone. Its not usually crowded and can be a good place for low levelled players to gain a few magic levels on the Dark Warriors!

{|class="wikitable"
!Rune
!Location
|-
|[[File:Air rune.png|Air rune]]
|West of [[Lumbridge]], behind Luthas' house on [[Karamja]] Island, Dark Warriors Fortress, and on the ground floor of Lumbridge Castle next to the northern staircase.
|-
|[[File:Water rune.png|Water rune]]
|Chasm Mines in [[Al Kharid]], Dark Warriors Fortress.
|-
|[[File:Fire rune.png|Fire rune]]
|Chasm Mines in Al Kharid, inside Karamja Volcano, in [[Camelot]] Castle, and the Dark Warriors Fortress.
|-
|[[File:Earth rune.png|Earth rune]]
|North of Varrock, in Varrock Sewers, and Dark Warriors Fortress.
|-
|[[File:Body rune.png|Body rune]]
|Varrock Castle grounds, Varrock Sewers, in the Al Kharid Scimitar Shop, scattered in Level 6 - 8 Wilderness, Dark Warriors Fortress and [[Lava Maze]].
|-
|[[File:Mind rune.png|Mind rune]]
|Southern stairway in Lumbridge Castle, [[Varrock]] Sewers, [[Wilderness]], Dark Warriors Fortress.
|-
|[[File:Chaos rune.png|Chaos rune]]
|Levels 36-40 Wilderness, and Dark Warriors Fortress. Two spawns near the [[Trollweiss]] patch on the [[Trollweiss Mountain]].
|-
|[[File:Death rune.png|Death rune]]
|South-west of Yanille in the [[Feldip Hills]]. Members only.
|-
|[[File:Blood rune.png|Blood rune]]
|Treasure chest in the [[Chaos Druid]] Tower and next to Demonic Ruins in the Wilderness. Members only. A thieving level of 59 is required to open the chest.
|-
|[[File:Cosmic rune.png|Cosmic rune]]
|[[Ice Plateau]] in Level 48 Wilderness.
|-
|[[File:Nature rune.png|Nature rune]]
|Level 45 Wilderness, Treasure Chest in [[East Ardougne]] and an island north of [[Rellekka]]. A thieving level of 28 is required to open the chest.
|}

===Shops===
There are several shops around ''RuneScape'' that sell runes. These are identified with the Magic shop [[icon]] ([[File:Magic shop icon.png|Magic icon]]) on the [[minimap]].

{| class=wikitable
!Shop!!Location!!Runes Sold!!Notes
|-
|''[[Ali Morrisane]]''||[[Al Kharid]]||All except Astral||Requires [[The Feud]] and [[Rogue Trader]] [[Activities|activity]]
|-
|[[Betty's Magic Emporium]]||[[Port Sarim]]||Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Mind, Chaos, Death||Non-members
|-
|[[Aubury's Rune Shop]]||South-east [[Varrock]]||Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Mind, Chaos, Death||Non-members
|-
|''[[Wizards' Guild#Wizard Guild's Rune Store|Wizards' Guild]]''||[[Yanille]]||All except Astral and Cosmic||66+ Magic required, or 61+ with a [[magic potion]]
|-
|''[[Baba Yaga's Magic Shop]]''||[[Lunar Isle]]||All except Cosmic||Must have started the [[Lunar Diplomacy]] quest. It also is the only shop in-game that sells Astral runes.
|-
|''[[Mage Training Arena#Rewards|Mage Training Arena]]''||North of [[Duel Arena]]||All except Astral, including all Combination runes||Uses [[Pizazz points]] instead of [[coins]] as currency.
|-
|''[[Mage Arena#Shops|Mage Arena]]''||Level 50-55 [[Wilderness]]||All except Astral, Blood and Soul||Located in the mage bank, a non-wilderness area.
|-
|''[[Mage of Zamorak]]''||Level 5 Wilderness, north of [[Edgeville]]||Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Mind, Chaos, Death, Blood||
Cheap Water (17 coins), Earth (17 coins), and Death (310 coins) Runes. Very close to the Grand Exchange.
|-
|''[[Tutab's Magical Market]]''||[[Marim]] ([[Ape Atoll]])||Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Law||Don't forget you '''MUST''' be wearing a [[monkey greegree]].
|-
|''[[Void Knight Magic Store]]''||[[Void Knights' Outpost]]||Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Mind, Chaos, Death||It is not recommended to buy from here because it is usually 10 coins higher than market price.
|-
|''[[TzHaar-Mej-Roh]]''||[[TzHaar City]]||Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Mind, Chaos, Death||South east from the entrance to Tzhaar, Uses Tokkul as currency.
|}

'''Note: Only the shop in the [[Mage Training Arena]] stocks combination runes.'''

===Barrows===
{{main|Barrows}}
The [[Barrows]] activity provides large numbers of combat runes (mind, chaos, death and blood) from the chest, though very high combat skills are required in order to be successful at the Barrows.

==Trivia==
{{WP also}}
* An update fixed a bug in which runes purchased from the [[Grand Exchange]] used the image of a [[pure essence]] in place of the actual rune in the Grand Exchange collection box.
* On [[9 June]] [[2010]], the images of runes in the inventory and bank were given a graphical revamp which tilted them to an angle, to make them look more 3D. [[Rune Essence|Rune]] and [[pure essence]] were not included in the update.
* The true size of Runes can been seen in the Runecrafting Guild, whilst a female wizard makes them float in the air. They can also be seen in true size in a [[Rune display case]] in a POH.
* Despite the fact that they could be used for combat, runes can be brought into [[Entrana]].

{{Runes}}
[[de:Runen]]
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[[Category:Runes|*]]
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