Dungeon Master Forum

I remember in the Amiga manual there was a list of meanings for all the various runes. I no longer have the Amiga manual, could anyone let me know what they were?

Taken from the Dungeon Master Atari ST manual © 1987


POWER

The power symbols are the starting point for all spells. Where the other symbols give substance to spells, these symbols impart strength. Starting from the weakest symbol, LO, up to the most powerful, MON, the spellcaster may control the power of a spell to suit the situation. Each step on the scale is equal, so the additional Mana needed for a specific spell of the next level should always be the same.

LO (<<)
The shrinking pattern of LO elicits an effect opposite to MON by drawing power away from the other syllables in the spell. The resulting spell is weaker, but easier for the neophyte magic-user to control.

UM (square)
UM controls and directs the forces of stupidity and lethargy. Its weakening effect on the other syllables is less drastic than LO, so spells of this power require more experience to cast safely.

ON (=)
The effect of the syllable ON is that of equality. The natural strength of the other syllables in the spell determines the power of the finished incantation.

EE (rhombus)
A subtle opposite to UM, the tilted square appears balanced on a point, poised for movement in any direction. UM's dull corners have become the sharp points of the symbol EE. Speed and intelligence are the forces that combine to make spells of this symbol more powerful (and costly) than normal.

PA ( )- )
The basis for the symbol PA is still being debated by scholars, but the effect of the spell syllable is much better known. Its ability to increase the power of a spell is second only to MON.

MON (universal volume symbol)
Tapping the strength that builds mountains is the greatest of the power symbols, MON. Only a well practiced magic-user can control spells of this size and power.


ELEMENTAL INFLUENCE

YA (hashed square)
Solidity and structure are the main components of the symbol YA, used to represent the elemental influence of earth. A useful syllable, YA is the basis of many protection spells.

VI (approximately-equals sign)
Water is the most precious of the elemental influences, for, more than a thirst quencher, water can both restore health and give life. The syllable VI petitions the aid of this least abundant element.

OH (four dots in rhombus formation)
The elemental influence of air is conjured with the spell syllable OH, and the properties of gases are often imparted to the result. In knowledgeable hands, this symbol can be used to temporarily alter solid objects so they no longer block vision.

FUL (you know, the magic torch one!)
The syllable FUL invokes the elemental power of fire. It extracts the essence of heat and flame from the air and all nearby substances and temporarily concentrates them under the control of the magic-user. Further syllables can bottle this power or send it flying, before the inherent instability of the concentrated energy explodes into a devastating fireball.

DES (circle over line)
The sun burns the desolate plain of the symbol DES. Like the barren desert it represents, this syllable invokes destitution, desolation, absence, the void. The power of the void is one of the few that can damage creatures of vapor and denizens of the ethereal plane.

ZO (three mutually-touching circles)
The most dangerous of the elemental influences is not fire, but the negative material ZO. However, a great deal of Mana must be expended to keep this essence under control, for negative material can absorb the matter from any material object or being in an instant.


FORM

VEN (Hourglass)
The queen of venom, the black-widow spider brandishes a single spot of color on her otherwise jet-black form. Hourglass-shaped, she seems to warn that time will soon run out for the unfortunate soul she bites. In the symbology of magic, the hourglass represents the syllable VEN, which encompasses and conducts all things poisonous.

EW (b)
EW depicts the head and arm of a beast. This syllable is used to fashion the elemental component into the form of a creature. Though the conjuration of elementals is still only a theoretical possibility, the syllable is still useful to "sculpt" a spell to affect only the monsters targeted.

KATH (lines expanding from point)
The expanding lines of the symbol KATH characterize the shockwaves emanating from a single source. This follows, for the syllable KATH imparts explosive force to spells which already involve energetic elements such as light or air.

IR (curly E)
IR abstracts the arc of a wing, and, appropriately, imparts the ability to float or fly to a cast spell. By giving motion to the completed incantation, the spell can be sent traveling through the air.

BRO (directors' hand gesture when framing a shot)
The reciprocal arms of the symbol BRO represent the mutual support and honesty of true friendship. However, recent usage of thes construct has drawn upon its power for the creation of beneficial potions.

GOR (Lightning)
Constructed from components of fire, lightning and the spear, the jagged line of the symbol GOR combines to invoke the attributes of an enemy. Like its opposite, BRO, recent usage has broadened the power of GOR to the creation of dangerous potions.


CLASS/ALIGNMENT

KU (sword)
The sword of the fighter is clearly symbolized by KU, the evoker of all things martial.

ROS (dot over "u")
The symbol for ROS depicts a hand reaching for an object of value, and, as such, is the abstraction for a syllable that involves all aspects of the thief and his art.

DAIN (blown over scarecrow(!))
DAIN depicts the spell leaving the magician's raised staff, and in turn conjures the realm of the wizard and draws around the skills and power of their art.

NETA (crucifix)
The cross is unmistakable in the priestly character NETA. But, unlike the syllables for the other classes, NETA is influenced far less by the natural forces. Instead, the power of this symbol is related to the magic-user's standing with his or her god. But the favor of a deity is not easily bottled, so potions having this intent are rarely effective.

RA (*)
RA is the most energetic and powerful of the spell syllables. The light and heat of the sun and stars are the sources tapped with this syllable. Fortunately, it happens to be a somewhat cooperative form of energy and is relatively easy to channel once the magic-user has learned to draw it forth.

SAR (circle with horns)
SAR is teh effective opposite of RA. The symbol depicts the head of a demon. The demon stands for darkness and evil and the guardian of the night, the moon. The power of darkness is great, but unruly, so magic-users must expend more of their own Mana energy when attempting to control it. Evil owes no allegiance, and is therfore an inherently dangerous element to include in a spell.

Thank you, and very thorough I might add!

I believe the origin of the PAL Syllable i.e. " )- " represents vasts amounts of Mana being focused into a fine point.
In other words the magic of the spellcaster being highly concentrated to a density that brings its level of power second only to MON.

couldent it also be a tiny amount of energy being amplifide to produce a much greater spell?