Runes

Runes
In Runemarks,they are "cast" using certain fingerings and they can be used to predict the future, though they are not failproof.

Runes of the Old Age

 * Fè: Wealth, cattle, property, success.
 * Úr: Strength, The Mighty Ox.
 * Thuris: Thor's rune, the Thorny One, victory.
 * Ós: the Seer-folk, the Æsir.
 * Raedo: the Journeyman, the Outlands.
 * Kaen: Wildfire, Chaos, World Beyond.
 * Hagall: Hail, the Destroyer, Netherworld.
 * Naudr: the Binder, the Underworld, distress, need, Death.
 * Isa: Ice.
 * Ár: Plenty, Fruitfulness.
 * Ýr: The Protector, the Fundament.
 * Sól: summer, the sun.
 * Týr: the Warrior.
 * Bjarkàn: Vision, revelantion, dream.
 * Madr: Mankind, the Folk, the Middle Worlds.
 * Logr: Water, the One Sea.

Runes of the New Script
These runes appear in Runelight, beware of spoilers.

*Ethel: the Homeland, motherhood.
 * Aesk: the Ash Tree, Creation.
 * Àc: the Oak Tree, strength, determination.
 * Daeg: day, the Thunderbolt.
 * Iar: the Builder, industry.
 * Perth: a game, hazard, chance.
 * Wyn: gain, winnings, temptation, gambling.
 * Eh: Wedlock, loyalty, a bond.
 * Ea:the tides, Eternity, Death, and beyond.
 * Gabe: a gift, a sacrifice.

The reality of runes
Runes developed as an early alphabet in Nordic lands. The earliest inscriptions date to around 150 CE but the regularity of usage dropped as christianity spread across Europe, bringing the Roman alphabet with it. There are many variations of the runic alphabet; the Elder fuþark, the Anglo-Saxon futhorc, and the Younger futharc ( which is further devided into three subgroups).

They were always used for magic. In the Hávamál - a viking age poetic edda - Odin claims he can use runes to raise the dead. But in reality runes were mostly an alphabet that changed from century to century.