Imperial Spell Runes
Overview
The mages of the Yanrin Didan Imperial Circle developed a system of magic that codified its structure as runes. But combining runes of various types and arranging them in particular sequences, a spell can be represented as a sequence diagram rather than arcane language. This gave the mages immense power and flexibility when researching the arcane, and led to developing entirely new schools of magic, including Chronometry.
Sequence Diagrams
An empty rune mat can be painted on a surface, or woven into a fabric, or chiseled into stone, even tattooed on skin. The lines create the structure of the spell, controlling the interaction of magical forces between the runes. Here is an example of a sequence painted onto a scrap of fabric:
Adding spell runes of the required type, sequence, and combinations can yield fully functional spell definitions. Here is the same sequence diagram with stone runes arranged atop it:
Note that some runes stand alone, while others include numerical modifiers that are inserted into slots cut into the rune being modified At its most sophisticated the runic spell system included dozens of runes and modifiers each one channeling a particular aspect of the arcane.
Arcane Research and Practical Uses
There currently exist no surviving texts that describe the underlying properties of Imperial Spell Runes. Discovering the logic and constraints governing the construction of sequence diagrams, the meanings of individual runes, and how to combine them safely without triggering adverse arcane effects, is an exercise left to the student.
It is thought that aside from the purely academic focus of research and development of spells and other arcane effects, the runic system also may have had some practical applications. While no direct evidence of such uses has yet been found, it is theorized that enchantments, both temporary and permanent, could be achieved using rune sequences, much as standard glyphs are used today (though relative to the runic system arcane glyphs are extremely limited in their capabilities). Area effects, traps, arcane locks, and other such applications are also theoretically possible.