Power in Stone
Writing in the modern world is taken as a given. Most children learn to read and write at an early age, and it facilitates the myriad forms of communication we have today. Here and now, writing is powerful but also mundane. In Viking society, written language held a special place as a cultural and religious medium. The runic alphabet, called Futhark (itself a sort of acronym taken from the first letters of the first six runes: Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho and Kennaz) was anything but mundane for the Vikings.
Runes were considered to be spiritual in nature, and linked to the religious rites, practices, and ideas in Norse society. Each rune had a connection to a particular deity or religious concept. The origin of Futhark is debated by scholars but generally agreed to have arisen as an imitation of the Roman alphabet. Whatever its origins, the script evolved over the centuries and gained strong cultural and religious significance.
To the Vikings, runes were a means to achieve a form of extended life, or even immortality. Runes carved into stones assured that the author or subject of the runes would have their stories or messages conquer time, and live forever as memorials to their deeds. This concept of great deeds outliving the individual was a key theme in viking society, and runes were one of the best means to ensure fame that carried on through the ages. Runes were also closely linked with the gods themselves. Sacred locations where people prayed or offered sacrifices often featured runes associated with the Norse pantheon. (hint!)
In Valheim Reforged, the team has featured runes as an important aspect of gameplay. This mod tries to focus more on Norse themes and place the player in an environment that more closely resembles a Viking world. Our brave heroes are striving for recognition, fame, and redemption. What better way to achieve these goals than through the mastery of runes- one potential gateway to eternal life.