Runes

Runes can be found by Zia on her travels through the world of Mystralia. They can be combined and are used for new Spells, though Runes may or may not be available to a particular Focus. For example, while the Detonate Rune is exclusive to Immedi spells, the Random Rune can be used by any spell. Runes have a number of "links" that are used to connect with the base spell or other Runes. In general, a greater number of Runes results in a greater Mana cost.

There are three types of Runes:


 * Behavior Runes dramatically alter how a spell acts. In some cases, Behavior Runes can replace the default function of a spell. For example, Actus spells are stationary by default, but the Move Rune causes Actus spells to fly in a chosen direction. Behavior Runes are the backbone of spells, providing most of the links that other Runes can attach to.


 * Augment Runes affect other Runes and the base spell. Unlike other Runes, Augment runes do not increase the Mana cost of a spell. The Inverse and Random Runes can even decrease Mana costs under the right circumstances.

Example: if Spells A and B cast each other, the spell order is A → B → A → B → A. Even though Spell A would cast Spell B again, the combined spell stops as it has already triggered 4 times.
 * Trigger Runes cast a selected Immedi, Actus, or Creo spell when certain conditions are met. A spell's trigger conditions are determined by the Rune used, such as Impact requiring the spell to hit an enemy or surface. While spells can trigger themselves, triggered spells still cost mana. Spells with Trigger Runes can trigger up to 4 times per manual spell cast. This trigger limit also applies to spells triggered by other spells. After the fourth trigger, the combined spell stops triggering. Periodic and Proximity ignore this trigger limit.

Spells can have dramatically different effects depending on whether Runes are directly or indirectly linked. For example, an Igni Actus spell with the Move and Right Runes can cast a straight-moving fireball starting at Zia's right, or cast a fireball in front of Zia that curves to the right. The difference is whether the Right Rune is directly linked with Actus (the former) or Move (the latter).