What we know about the Runes in the "Strands of Fate"

[Aitana]

This is a summary that Asarelah wrote up:

RECAP OF BLOOD RUNE HISTORY

First appeared on Asarelah after the Epic Battle in the Ruins of Mathystra, inside the Tower of Althalaxx in Darkshore, Chapter 2
Discovered on Warburn, Theotaz and Tasera shortly thereafter

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Appear on Armour, battle gear, garments of any kind; NOT on the person's body
However, they are CONNECTED to the person infected, and migrate to all their gear
Seem to be "contagious" by either proximity or direct bodily contact
Not EVERYONE that comes in contact with an infected person picks up the Blood Runes
Can commute from garment to garment, while not being worn by anyone (in a closet or drawer)
ONLY activate when held up to direct bright sunlight and hit with Dispell or other magic, or in proximity of enemy factions
Hum and glisten and skitter about when in the presence of enemy factions nearby or hit by magic
Cause heightened senses, or awareness, of enemy factions nearby
Look like ancient runes previously used by the Death Knights of the Scarlet Enclave and also on ancient temples

ESTABLISHED FACTS
No research has turned up any further information about them; All world Libraries have been searched. Many ruins have been searched and the blood runes compared to runic markings found therein.

Persons infected with the Blood Runes appear to be exhibiting extreme emotional states that are completely alien to their normal behaviour: quick to anger, fear, anxiety, aggression. ie: Asarelah's rudeness, and anger, lashing out at loved ones; Leothiel's aggression provoking the Alliance, and drifting in and out of a curious mind state, in Chapter 3


Ezraella, Chapter 3
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2514&p=13501&hilit=Asarelah%2C+Warburn%2C+Tasera+and+Aitana+all+explained#p13501

Asarelah, Warburn, Tasera and Aitana all explained what was going on during the ride up, how these runes were connected to the Tower. Ezraella's first instinct were that they were arcane in nature, which is what had her curious about the Tower to begin with. After seeing Asarelah's gown in Orgimmar and feeling the convoluted power revolving around it, she just had to see it all for herself.

Walking into the Tower initially nearly overwhelmed the Blood Elf, her eyes closing tightly to try and make sense of the energies revolving around it. The extreme amount of power coarsing through her body because of it all was just amazing for her. Truly, it was the first full power she had felt in her life, unlike her magical powers and the ability to control Fire.

Asarelah, Chapter 2
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Stone Guard Warburn Smoketusk had added another piece to the puzzling appearance of the blood runes on their battle gear. It did not surprise Asarelah in the least that Warburn had observed the same dancing blood runes on a downed Alliance Priestess. Much blood (that Lah believed started all of this) had mingled freely at the Epic Battle in the Ruins of Mathystra - both Alliance and Horde. It seemed to confirm Lah's theory that the blood runes were some how triggered by the presence of an opposing faction, or danger nearby in the form of enemies. But Warburn thought not.....

Warburn, Chapter 2
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2098&p=12132&hilit=However+keeping+in+mind+recent+activity+and+their+increased#p12132

However keeping in mind recent activity and their increased casualties he was convinced the runes she spoke of were cursed.

"Me sistahs, I don't tink yahs got any powah from dose runes besides a blood haze. Yahs out fo blood, all right. Dat rogue was simply unlucky to be seen by yahs.

All our reading has pointed toward Eledar or demon runes, dating to de era of Queen Azshara and Xavius.

But de runes, dey be cursed, and if it's de item dat caused dem, we bettah destroy dat ting. "

Warburn, Chapter 2
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2149&p=11603&hilit=Asarelah+had+signs+bound+to+her.+Dark+blood+runes#p11603

Asarelah had signs bound to her. Dark blood runes, the message said. These runes, Eyesore and Warburn might have both seen before. Years ago, when they had gone out on an excavation project in Azshara to seek out some clues to the origins of their exalted and feared Lady Nyx.

Masters in the Scarlet Enclave have admitted knowledge of the Blood Runes and their properties, but have refused to reveal more information, stating it would be shared when it was needed to be known, some time in the future.
Theotaz, Chapter 2
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Darion Morgrain looked pointedly at Theotaz "Death Knight, Use you mind! The markings come not from the battle, but from the artifact you have locked away, oh concern yourself not, it is as secure as anything can be. And I can tell you what it is not. It is not of Azeroth, or the Burning Legion or of Outland, though this artifact came via the Outland connection, more I cannot say. As for the runes, I cannot say as to if they be of harm or benefit, but they are tied to the wearer and will show on any equipage they carry." Morgrain signaled by his manner the audience was ended. Theotaz stood and saluted. Summoning another portal Theotaz appeared moments later in Aserelah's garden.

Eyesore was filled with fear when he viewed them, determined that they were in fact Blood Runes, and sent Asarelah on the run to consult with Grand Master Bael'spar.
Eyesore, Chapter 2
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The old orc considered the stains on the garment, then looked into the blood elf's eyes. "Lah, I am sorry, but I have not seen their like before now." He shifted her gown in the light, watching the blood runes shimmer with latent potency. Handing it back to her, he said, "As far as runes go, I understand that blood is a favored medium. But I have never heard of such an enchantment being cast in battle." He ran his gnarled hand through the gray bristles along the crest of his head as he considered the possibilities.

"Two things occur to me lass. One, that the runes may have already been bound to your robe before the bloody battle activated them, mayhap even attracting the blood. And second, if that turns out to be the case, you may have other items that are bespelled also." His look was intent as he added, "This is beyond my understanding, but by any standard, a blood rune is a powerful thing. Were I in your place, I would seek out Bael'spar. Yes, I would seek Bael'spar. He would get to the heart of the matter."

He stepped back, but did not break eye contact, "And Asarelah, I wouldn't put off doing so. I would go now."

Lah looked at the concern in Eyesore's gaze, then nodded her head.

Grand Master Bael'spar could not be found for comment

Asarelah believes the Blood Runes were "created" by the powerful magics run rampant during the Tower battle in Darkshore while both Alliance and Horde forces were forced to fight in oceans of mingled blood, covering the Tower floor during the battle, and subjected to constant hostile magical bombardment.
Asarelah, Chapter 2
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2098&p=11545&hilit=Lah+had+also+attended+the+Epic+Battle#p11545

Lah had also attended the Epic Battle in the Ruins of Mathystra. Standing shoulder to shoulder amongst horribly outnumbered Horde Defenders, the small force fought valiantly to hold the Tower ground floor against a determined Legion of Alliance - while Elder Eyesore and his Disciple Tasera had searched for the Mathystra Scrolls in the upper levels. After the Scrolls were found, the band of Horde barely escaped with their lives through a Portal hastily thrown up by brave Leothiel.

But it all boiled down to the unsightly hem of her favorite battle gown… there was something within these stains that just refused to move, as if they were being held down by main force….. Mighty magicks had flown rampant at both battles…. and the stains were bravely earned. Perhaps that was in itself a clue to the reason these stains remained steadfast.

“Mighty magicks…. ahhh, could that be it??” she thought to herself. “There was much blood…. Ours and theirs…. This blood could be any ones, mine included. Let us just see, then.”

Gathering up the ruined gown, she walked over to the window and splayed the hem fabric against the pane, letting the bright sunlight wash over it. Concentrating on the stains, she cast Dispell, and then watched in earnest to see what would happen.

When the magick hit the sunlit blood stains, they seemed to catch fire, and come to life. Runes danced across the hem, then through the air in front of her eyes, twisting and turning this way and that, teasing her, testing her, to glean their meanings. But the writings were not within her knowledge. They looked hauntingly familiar, but she could not discern their intent.

Of one thing she was very certain. Magical Blood Runes originating from both those strange battles were another clue to bring before the Nyxian Tribal Counsel. She might not be able to read them, but she was sure Elder Eyesore could explain their meanings.

[Eyesore]

Eyesore was one of the ones not affected, at least not with the runes having spread to the old orc's equipement.

One path of inquiry might be to see if there are common characteristics among those apparently not affected.

Another path to walk might be to explore if those with the runes are affecting others in ways NOT indicated by a spreading of the runes.

Can others be carriers, yet not themselves exhibit the runes?

Could someone in the guild be the source, mayhap someone who handled the artifact for some length of time, but not themselves have syptoms? Knowingly or otherwise? Sentinent source from the artifact, who excaped into a corporeal body? Is someone not who they seem? Why did Warburn go to sleep when the artifact was present and being discussed by guildmates?

And, most troubling, what happened to Bael'spar, an expert on the arcane, right when his expertise would be of unusual value? ((aside from RL status.))

Eyesore

[Asarelah]

Grand Master Bael'spar was exiled ......


Bael'spar Chapter 2
Post subject: Re: Aftermath ((open tavern RP after Leikos' transfer))Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:34 am

"Have you seen Bael'spar?" asked Aitana to the senior Librarian.

"Would that I had not..." began Maledicta, "or more that I had seen him sooner." She pulled a book that was half incinerated. "This is part of his handywork."

"Bael'spar wouldn't burn a book." intoned Aitana.

"Yeah, how else would he keep his tables from rocking?" derided a voice from the gathered.

"He has been coming here since he found where all the schematics are stored." Maledicta led the Nyxers deeper into the Library. "With Yaen'gohl's assistance, he found his way into L-space...and hence to where all the universe's knowledge is maintained. I think that Yaen did it only to keep him busy." Turning down an aisle which should have ended in a wall...shelf upon shelf of book stretched on down the infinite paths of the Library.

"Den let us go forth, he be easy ta find. Dem pink boys like da pretty smells." Tasera's core hound was stopped in its place by a wall of ice.

"I would wish that he would be that easy to find, but he is going to be doing a lot of moving, for he has many books to find." Maledicta raised up the burnt tome. "Bael'spar got lost in L-space. Since he could not find his way out, he started a fire for whatever reason crossed the matted betwixt his ears that he refers to as his brain. Only then, did I learn about what he had been up to. Yaen'gohl is in the process of receiving reprimand for allowing a civillian entrance into our sacred space. He will be collecting fines and returning thousands of overdue books from hundreds of libraries. Bael'spar is accompanying him, so that he can obtain a copy of every book that he burned for the Grand Library. Hopefully, his lesson will be learned."

Tifani was conflicted. He had brought this on himself, but the punishment might stray in to the realm of cruel and unusual. Some secrets needed to be revealed.

"Um, Miss Librarian," started the hunter, "don't you think that's too much?"

"To replace what one has destroyed? I think not."

"Well, how will he know what he's replacing?" With a deep breath, she let loose Bael'spar's biggest secret. "You know that he can't read, right?"

"If he could read, then he would have found his way out," Maledicta explained. "His punishment might also make him a better person...though I do have my doubts." With a gesture, the L-space portal closed. "I offer what aid I may, but for now, Bael'spar and Yaen'gohl are appeasing the forces of Knowledge."