Draconic Rune Casting

Draconic is the language of magic, and draconic rune casting represents ultimate mastery over the manipulation of raw magic. By mastering a metaphysical understanding of draconic runes, a spellcaster can bypass the traditional constraints of magic and channel a rune’s power directly into their own spellcasting.

As one of the eldest races in most worlds, dragons have a unique understanding of creation and have spent thousands of years mastering the art of its manipulation. Their primal understanding of the forces that shape their worlds allows them to control and bend magic to their will. Their alphabets and symbols hold immense power that, when harnessed, create extraordinary effects. On rare occasions, a mortal spellcaster stumbles upon draconic runes and unlocks a limited understanding of this deep power to cast spells as the most powerful ancient dragons do.

Utilizing Draconic Runes

Draconic rune casting is a magic system that has two main uses: enhancing spells when using runes as a spellcasting focus or combining empowered runes to replicate spells, both of which are detailed in the following sections. To use a rune, it must first be inscribed on a surface or object. Placement of a draconic rune is limited only by your imagination—it can be inscribed on a spellbook, carved on a small stone, etched into armor, tattooed on the skin, or wherever else suits you.

Once a draconic rune is inscribed, you must empower it with magic each day, which you can do as part of a long rest, or it becomes inert. An inert rune can’t be used to replicate spells, but it otherwise remains unchanged. Many mortal spellcasters stumble upon the secrets of draconic rune casting by finding an inert rune inscribed on an ancient stone pillar or embroidered in a tattered, fading tapestry. As detailed in the Draconic Rune Casting feat, you can have a number of empowered runes at one time equal to 1 + your proficiency.

Draconic Rune Casting Feat. Utilizing draconic runes requires the Draconic Rune Casting feat. If the option to gain feats isn’t used in your campaign, then the ability to use draconic runes can be gained in place of a level-based ability score improvement, at the GM’s discretion. Alternatively, a character might need to accomplish other, story-related tasks determined by the GM to gain the benefits of the Draconic Rune Casting feat.

Spellcasting Focus

When used as a spellcasting focus, each draconic rune has a unique feature that modifies the spell being cast. Draconic runes are detailed later in this section, and each description includes the effects that occur whenever you cast a spell using that rune as a spellcasting focus. A master rune can’t be used as a spellcasting focus. You must spend at least 1 hour meditating on a draconic rune to magically mark it as your spellcasting focus, which you can do as part of a short or long rest. You can have only one rune marked as your spellcasting focus at a time. When you mark another rune, the effect on the previous rune ends. A rune doesn’t need to be empowered to be marked as your spellcasting focus.

Replicate Spells

By combining draconic runes you have learned, you can replicate a spell on your class’s spell list even if you don’t have the spell prepared or on your known spell list. Casting spells in this way still expends spell slots and requires the appropriate components, as normal, even if using runes that represent components. If a component rune is used as a spellcasting focus, it can modify the components required by a spell. See each component rune’s description for details.

Although you are using runes to replicate a spell, you are still casting the spell, which means a spell replicated with draconic rune casting can be affected by spells, such as counterspell or antimagic field, and other effects that affect spells or spellcasting. When you replicate a spell using draconic rune casting, you must have free use of at least one hand and touch each empowered rune as you cast the spell. If a spell has a somatic component, you can touch the runes as part of that same gesture.

To replicate a spell with draconic runes, you must use at least three empowered runes: the master rune of the spell’s level, the school rune of the spell’s school of magic, and at least one other rune that represents an aspect of the spell, such as its range, a component, or the damage it deals. The total number of empowered runes required to cast a spell increases with the spell’s level, as shown in the Rune Requirements table. If you want to cast a spell at a higher level, you must meet the rune requirements of the higher-level version of the spell

Table: Rune Requirements

Spell Level	Total Runes
1st–3rd	3
4th–6th	4
7th–9th	5

Matching Runes. To replicate a spell with draconic rune casting, you must match each empowered rune to an aspect of the spell in its standard form.

For example, if you use the Rimecaster feat to change a fireball to deal cold damage, you can’t use the frigus (cold damage) rune to cast the spell, as the standard form of the fireball spell deals fire damage, not cold damage.

Similarly, you can’t use the umbra (illusion school) rune to cast magic missile.

Matching Spellcasting. To replicate a spell with draconic rune casting, you must ordinarily be able to cast the spell with that spell slot. For example, if you have three levels in wizard and five levels in cleric, you can use a 3rd-level master rune to cast any 3rd-level cleric spell (provided you have the other necessary empowered runes), or you can use it to cast a wizard spell of a lower level, such as an enhanced burning hands. You can’t use a 3rd-level master rune to cast 3rd-level wizard spells (regardless of the other runes you know) until you reach 5th level in the wizard class, when you can normally cast such spells.

Draconic rune casting makes your spellcasting more versatile and varied. It doesn’t allow you to cast spells ordinarily unavailable to you.

Replicating and Spellcasting Focus. When you use draconic runes to replicate a spell, the empowered runes don’t need to be your spellcasting focus. If you use a rune marked as your spellcasting focus as part of replicating a spell, that rune’s spellcasting focus feature applies to the replicated spell, as it would to a spell you cast normally. You can use any other spellcasting focus that is part of your spellcasting class when replicating spells from your class list, as normal.

Versatile Runes. Replicating a spell requires at least three empowered runes, but aside from needing to match the spell’s level and school, you can use whichever empowered runes you want, provided they match aspects of the spell as described above.

For example, you must use the tertious (3rd-level) and displodo (evocation) runes to replicate a 3rd-level fireball, but the third rune can be the gloria (range), orotorem (verbal component), subita (instantaneous duration), concentio (somatic component), ignis (fire damage), globus (sphere), or corporis (material component) rune. In this way, creative empowering of the runes you know can enable you to replicate a variety of spells.

Learning NEW Runes

A character can know any number of draconic runes. However, like most ancient magic, draconic runes aren’t readily available and must be found, researched, or learned from a mentor. For players, this could provide incentive for your character to seek out long-forgotten libraries, spend downtime researching runes, or even request audiences with dragons themselves. For game masters, you can reward characters with new draconic runes as often as you might reward them with spell scrolls or an enemy’s spellbook, or you can use draconic runes as rewards from rescued wizards or draconic allies.

As detailed in the Draconic Rune Casting feat, master runes are learned automatically as a spellcaster increases in level. This can represent the character studying or practicing the most basic principles of draconic runes while studying or practicing their own magic, or it can represent the character’s gradual understanding of the correlations between the ancient draconic runes and the more “modern” magic the character wields.

Draconic Runes

Draconic runes are listed here alphabetically. The Draconic Runes table provides a quick reference for each rune by type. Each rune description includes the following: Name. This is the rune’s name in Draconic and is presented at the top of its entry.

Identity. While each draconic rune represents a functional letter in the draconic alphabet, each also represents a concept described in italics below the name of the rune.

Type. Each rune has a type or category it falls under, such as school or component.

Representation. This is the specific aspect of a spell that this rune represents, such as evocation or verbal.

Spellcasting Focus. Each rune (except for master runes) has a feature it can grant when you use an item inscribed with the rune as a spellcasting focus.

Optional Rule: Creating New Spells With Draconic Runes

Draconic rune casting dives into the process of representing any available spell by combining different aspects of spellcasting. With your GM’s approval, you can also explore using those components to build original spells.

If you learned the runes globus (sphere) and cerebrum (psychic damage), perhaps you could create a mindshielding helmet to wear on your head. Or maybe you learn tutela (abjuration) and mensis (2 days to 30 days) to craft a formula for a defensive wall to last through a siege.

The possibilities are truly endless. When creating new spells, keep your character’s preferences and personal casting styles in mind, and be aware of the kinds of magical assistance your character’s allies might need. In this way, draconic rune casting can be a flexible addition to your character’s repertoire, potentially fulfilling niche needs of the group. When determining the potency of your new spell, compare it with other spells of similar levels and adjust it accordingly. As always, run any new creations by your GM to confirm they are comfortable with you bringing the spells to the table.

Roleplaying With Draconic Runes

If you string together the rune names, you can pronounce them to satisfy the verbal component of any spell you replicate. In the middle of combat, when you say “octum displodo gloria proelium impulsum”’ to cast the earthquake spell, you are really channeling the feeling of spellcasting.

All the “Draconic” names for the runes presented here are derived from real-world Latin words. If you are struggling to pronounce them, there are several helpful resources in books or online. And just like a spellcaster would during their adventures, make sure to practice saying these out loud before you use them.

Draconic Runes

Representation Rune Area Circle or sphere Globus Cone Incrementum Cube Quadratum Cylinder Statua Line Acies Component Verbal Orotorem Somatic Concentio Material Corporis Damage Acid Acidum Bludgeoning Impulsum Cold Frigus Fire Ignis Force Impetu Lightning Tempestas Necrotic Putredine Piercing Vulnus Poison Morbus Psychic Cerebrum Radiant Lux Slashing Scopum Thunder Tumultum Duration Instantaneous Subita Under 1 minute Dubito 1 minute to 10 minutes Proelium 1 hour to 8 hours Occasus 9 hours to 24 hours Solis 2 days to 30 days Mensis Until dispelled or triggered Praxis Master 1st-level spell Unus 2nd-level spell Duo 3rd-level spell Tertious 4th-level spell Quadro 5th-level spell Quintus 6th-level spell Sextus 7th-level spell Septem 8th-level spell Octum 9th-level spell Novem School Abjuration Tutela Conjuration Pario Divination Prudentia Enchantment Laporem Evocation Displodo Illusion Umbra Necromancy Anima Transmutation Alchimia Range Self Sui Touch Tactus 5 feet to 30 feet Proxime 60 feet to 90 feet Iuxta 120 feet to 500 feet Gloria 1 mile or farther Terra Representation Rune

Changing Damage Types

When you use a damage rune as a spellcasting focus to change the damage type of a spell, you can also change the visual representation of the spell. With the tempestas rune, the burning hands spell could become bolts of lightning fanning out from your fingertips. With the impulsum rune, the fireball spell could become a boulder that bursts into smaller rocks, pelting your enemies. You can even use these runes to express your character’s personal preferences, themes, or styles. Maybe when your roguish spellcasting character uses the scopum rune as a spellcasting focus, burning hands becomes a fan of daggers. The possibilities are endless! Keep in mind, these changes are for visual flair and that changing a fireball into a boulder doesn’t mean your character now has a pile of rocks to hide behind or throw at enemies. These visual effects last for the duration of the spell, as normal for any visual effects of a spell cast without a damage rune as a spellcasting focus.

Example Runes

Acidum

The rune of undoing

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Acid

Spellcasting Focus: When you use acidum as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t acid, change the spell’s damage type to acid. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, acidum can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Acies

The rune of pathways

Type: Area Rune

Representation: Line

Spellcasting Focus: When you use acies as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that affects a line, you can modify the size of the line. You can increase the line’s length by 10 feet or its width by 5 feet.

Alchimia

The rune of transformation

Type: School Rune

Representation: Transmutation

Spellcasting Focus: When you use alchimia as a spellcasting focus while casting a transmutation spell, increase the spell save DC and spell attack modifier by 1.

Anima

The rune of life

Type: School Rune

Representation: Necromancy

Spellcasting Focus: When you use anima as a spellcasting focus while casting a necromancy spell, increase the spell save DC and spell attack modifier by 1.

Cerebrum

The rune of thought

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Psychic

Spellcasting Focus: When you use cerebrum as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t psychic, change the spell’s damage type to psychic. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, cerebrum can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Concentio

The rune of music

Type: Component Rune

Representation: Somatic

Spellcasting Focus: When using concentio as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a somatic component, you don’t need to use a somatic component to cast the spell.

Corporis

The rune of the body

Type: Component Rune

Representation: Material

Spellcasting Focus: When using corporis as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a material component, you don’t need to use material components to cast the spell, unless a component has a cost higher than 50 gp (as indicated in the spell’s description).

Displodo

The rune of destruction

Type: School Rune

Representation: Evocation

Spellcasting Focus: When you use displodo as a spellcasting focus while casting an evocation spell, increase the spell save DC and spell attack modifier by 1.

Dubito

The rune of hesitation

Type: Duration Rune

Representation: Less than 1 minute

Spellcasting Focus: When you use dubito as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a duration less than 1 minute, double the spell’s duration. For example, a spell that lasts 1 round lasts 2 rounds when you use this rune as a spellcasting focus. If the spell requires concentration, you must still maintain concentration.

Duo

The second rune

Type: Master Rune

Representation: 2nd-level spell

Frigus

The rune of frost

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Cold

Spellcasting Focus: When you use frigus as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t cold, change the spell’s damage type to cold. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, frigus can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Globus

The rune of perfection

Type: Area Rune

Representation: Circle or Sphere

Spellcasting Focus: When you use globus as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that affects a circle or sphere, you can increase the circle or sphere’s radius by 5 feet.

Gloria

The rune of ambition

Type: Range Rune

Representation: 120 feet to 500 feet

Spellcasting Focus: When you use gloria as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a range of 120 to 500 feet, increase the spell’s range by half. For example, if you cast a spell that normally has a range of 120 feet, it has a range of 180 feet when you use this rune as a spellcasting focus.

Ignis

The rune of flame

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Fire

Spellcasting Focus: When you use ignis as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t fire, change the spell’s damage type to fire. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, ignis can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Impetu

The rune of strength

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Force

Spellcasting Focus: When you use impetu as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t force, change the spell’s damage type to force. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, impetu can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Impulsum

The rune of impact

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Bludgeoning

Spellcasting Focus: When you use impulsum as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t bludgeoning, change the spell’s damage type to bludgeoning. This damage is still magical. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, impulsum can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Incrementum

The rune of expansion

Type: Area Rune

Representation: Cone

Spellcasting Focus: When you use incrementum as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that affects a cone, you can increase the cone’s size by 5 feet, if it is a 1st- through 4th-level spell, or by 10 feet, if it is a 5ththrough 9th-level spell

Iuxta

The rune of reach

Type: Range Rune

Representation: 60 feet to 90 feet

Spellcasting Focus: When you use iuxta as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a range of 60 to 90 feet, increase the spell’s range by half. For example, if you cast a spell that normally has a range of 60 feet, it has a range of 90 feet when you use this rune as a spellcasting focus.

Laporem

The rune of the mind

Type: School Rune

Representation: Enchantment

Spellcasting Focus: When you use laporem as a spellcasting focus while casting an enchantment spell, increase the spell save DC and spell attack modifier by 1.

Lux

The rune of light

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Radiant

Spellcasting Focus: When you use lux as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t radiant, change the spell’s damage type to radiant. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, lux can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Mensis

The rune of seasons

Type: Duration Rune

Representation: 2 Days – 30 Days

Spellcasting Focus: When you use mensis as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a duration of 2 to 30 days, increase the spell’s duration by half. For example, a spell that lasts 2 days lasts 3 days when you use this rune as a spellcasting focus.

If the spell requires concentration, you must still maintain concentration.

Morbus

The rune of sickness

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Poison

Spellcasting Focus: When you use morbus as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t poison, change the spell’s damage type to poison. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, morbus can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Novem

The ninth rune

Type: Master Rune.

Representation: 9th-level spell

Occasus

The rune of transition

Type: Duration Rune

Representation: 1 hour to 8 hours

Spellcasting Focus: When you use occasus as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a duration of 1 to 8 hours, increase the spell’s duration by half.

For example, a spell that lasts 1 hour lasts 1 and a half hours when you use this rune as a spellcasting focus.

If the spell requires concentration, you must still maintain concentration.

Octum

The eighth rune

Type: Master Rune

Representation: 8th-level spell

Orotorem

The rune of language

Type: Component Rune

Representation: Verbal

Spellcasting Focus: When using orotorem as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a verbal component, you don’t need to use a verbal component to cast the spell.

Pario

The rune of creation

Type: School Rune

Representation: Conjuration

Spellcasting Focus: When you use pario as a spellcasting focus while casting a conjuration spell, increase the spell save DC and spell attack modifier by 1.

Praxis

The rune of hypotheticals

Type: Duration Rune

Representation: Until Dispelled or Triggered

Spellcasting Focus: When you use praxis as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that lasts until dispelled or triggered, you don’t have to expend a spell slot to cast the spell. Once used, praxis can’t be used in this way again until 24 hours have passed.

Proelium

The rune of combat

Type: Duration Rune

Representation: 1 minute to 59 minutes

Spellcasting Focus: When you use proelium as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a duration of 1 to 10 minutes, double the spell’s duration. For example, a spell that lasts 1 minute lasts 2 minutes when you use this rune as a spellcasting focus. If the spell requires concentration, you must still maintain concentration.

Proxime

The rune of proximity

Type: Range Rune

Representation: 5 feet to 30 feet

Spellcasting Focus: When you use proxime as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a range of 5 to 30 feet, you don’t need to see your target to cast the spell, even if the spell normally requires you to see the target. You must still be aware of the target’s presence or existence within range.

Prudentia

The rune of foresight

Type: School Rune

Representation: Divination

Spellcasting Focus: When you use prudentia as a spellcasting focus while casting a divination spell, increase the spell save DC and spell attack modifier by 1.

Putredine

The rune of decay

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Necrotic

Spellcasting Focus: When you use putredine as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t necrotic, change the spell’s damage type to necrotic. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, putredine can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Quadratum

The rune of confinement

Type: Area Rune

Representation: Cube

Spellcasting Focus: When you use quadratum as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that affects a cube, you can increase the cube’s size by 5 feet.

Quadro

The fourth rune

Type: Master Rune

Representation: 4th-level spell

Quintus

The fifth rune

Type: Master Rune

Representation: 5th-level spell

Scopum

The rune of precision

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Slashing

Spellcasting Focus: When you use scopum as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t slashing, change the spell’s damage type to slashing. This damage is still magical. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, scopum can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Septem

The seventh rune

Type: Master Rune

Representation: 7th-level spell

Sextus

The sixth rune

Type: Master Rune

Representation: 6th-level spell

Solis

The rune of stars

Type: Duration Rune

Representation: 9 hours to 24 hours

Spellcasting Focus: When you use solis as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a duration of 9 to 24 hours, increase the spell’s duration by half. For example, a spell that lasts 8 hours lasts 12 hours when you use this rune as a spellcasting focus. If the spell requires concentration, you must still maintain concentration.

Statua

The rune of support

Type: Area Rune

Representation: Cylinder

Spellcasting Focus: When you use statua as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that affects a cylinder, you can increase the cylinder’s height by 10 feet or its radius by 5 feet.

Subita

The rune of ending

Type: Duration Rune

Representation: Instantaneous

Spellcasting Focus: When you use subita as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a duration of instantaneous and a casting time of 1 action, you can cast the spell as a bonus action. Once used, subita can’t be used in this way again until you finish a long rest.

Sui

The rune of self

Type: Range Rune

Representation: Self

Spellcasting Focus: When you use sui as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a range of self, you don’t need to use somatic or verbal components to cast the spell.

Tactus

The rune of transference

Type: Range Rune

Representation: Touch

Spellcasting Focus: When you use tactus as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a range of touch, the spell has a chance to affect multiple targets. Roll a d%. On a roll of 51 or higher, the spell affects one additional creature within 5 feet of your target (excluding yourself). If there are multiple creatures within 5 feet of the target, you choose which additional creature is affected.

Tempestas

The rune of storms

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Lightning

Spellcasting Focus: When you use tempestas as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t lightning, change the spell’s damage type to lightning. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, tempestas can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Terra

The rune of land

Type: Range Rune

Representation: 1 mile or farther

Spellcasting Focus: When you use terra as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell with a range of 1 mile or more, increase the spell’s range by half. For example, if you cast a spell that normally has a range of 1 mile, it has a range of 1 and a half miles when you use this rune as a spellcasting focus.

Tertious

The third rune

Type: Master Rune

Representation: 3rd-level spell

Tumultum

The rune of sound

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Thunder

Spellcasting Focus: When you use tumultum as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t thunder, change the spell’s damage type to thunder. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, tumultum can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.

Tutela

The rune of defense

Type: School Rune

Representation: Abjuration

Spellcasting Focus: When you use tutela as a spellcasting focus while casting an abjuration spell, increase the spell save DC and spell attack modifier by 1.

Umbra

The rune of deception

Type: School Rune

Representation: Illusion

Spellcasting Focus: When you use umbra as a spellcasting focus while casting an illusion spell, increase the spell save DC and spell attack modifier by 1.

Unus

The first rune

Type: Master Rune

Representation: 1st-level spell

Vulnus

The rune of fixation

Type: Damage Rune

Representation: Piercing

Spellcasting Focus: When you use vulnus as a spellcasting focus while casting a spell that deals damage that isn’t piercing, change the spell’s damage type to piercing. This damage is still magical. Once used to change the damage type of three spells, vulnus can’t be used this way again until you finish a long rest.