Editing WS:Runes (section)

==Magical/Divinatory Runic Language==
The runic alphabet is more than mere letters. It is a set of symbols, each of which holds depths of meaning. While most literate folk know only the name and sound of each letter, those skilled in magic and/or divination also have a greater or lesser degree of knowledge of the meanings. Those using the runes for divinatory purposes may also study stories and histories linked to each rune.

The runic alphabet is known as the ''futhark' after its first six letters:
:::{| border="0" cellpadding="3"
!f
!u
!th
!a
!r
!k
|-
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Fehu.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Uruz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Thurisaz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Ansuz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Raido.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Kano.gif]]
|}
The complete Runic alphabet used in the Western Shores consists of twenty-four runes. These are divided into three 'families' of eight runes each, the numbers three and eight holding special significance. The three groups, known as ''aettir'', are named after the gods ''Freyr'', ''Hegl'' and ''Tyr''. The three  ''aettir'' are:

:{| border="0" cellpadding="3"
|''Freyr's Eight:''
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Fehu.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Uruz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Thurisaz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Ansuz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Raido.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Kano.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Gebo.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Wunjo.gif]]
|-
|''Hegl's Eight:''
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Hagalaz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Nauthiz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Isa.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Jera.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Eihwaz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Perth.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Algiz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Sowelu.gif]]
|-
|''Tyr's Eight:''
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Teiwaz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Berkana.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Ehwaz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Mannaz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Laguz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Inguz.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Othila.gif]]
|[[Image:Small_Rune_Dagaz.gif]]
|}