The Story of the Az'Uchron

Utezni the god of earth, wanderers, justice, and wisdom discovered the runes when he was swept out to sea by an overpowering wave. He clung to life for nine days clutching to the trunk of an ash tree. During the ninth night, sick and near death, Utezni was visited by the Haf'gufa - the great beast of the seas. It took him below the waves to peer upon the Mirror of Myrk. This thin membrane separates Yord from the great shadows beneath. Utezni saw upon the Mirror all of the secrets of the planes laid bare. THe god was overwhelmed by the mysteries and could not understand them. Haf'gufa carried Utezni back to the sea's surface and onward to land. Utezni lived and wandered aimlessly slipping from his mind, driven mad by the effort of comprehension. His mind in constant pain and anguish.

At last he found four standing stones in a glade of stone-barked trees. There he sat until nightfall. He built for himself a fire ringed with stones. At last he was driven to a frothing fury by his madness. In a fit of passion and creation he chopped at his left hand with a sharpened rock until it fell from the stump. As his blood flowed onto the rocks so to did Utezni's knowledge. He carved into the four stones symbols of great power and using them wrote the wisdom of the universe into the stone and filled them with his blood. All night he labored. Near dawn Utezni was no longer driven mad by what he had learned in the seas instead he was overcome by great understanding. Turning to the fire he pressed the bleeding stump against one of the stones that circled it. As his wound was seared shut the rock bent to his will and sculpted itself into a new hand for Utezni. He left that place carrying the great burden of universal knowledge and wisdom and it changed him henceforth.

In that way the Az'Uchron or 'secrets of the great shadow' were crafted by Utezni. Utezni would use them often in his spells during his life teaching their secrets to his siblings and other interested ogres. Unfortunately their use grew less common among the ogres as ogres were driven into contact with other races, forced to adopt the common language they no longer used the G'rot Tongu as often and also their native writing script. The unpopularity of the Az'Uchron was also due to the ogres' nature as wandering people. Wanderers rarely need the written word nor maintain the surfaces to preserve it relying rather on oral traditions. These runes weren't even used by many healers or wizards. The Short Branch runes which were created by Una were easier to carve and quicker - just as Una intended they be.

To use the runes as Utezni did, as focal points of elemental and magical power, a shaman or avatar must commune with the gods and meditate on the secrets of the world around them, connecting with Yord on a level beyond explanation - beyond the physical boundaries of our bodies. To do this an ogre must be powerful and connected with the gods. The godless of course cannot manipulate or understand the runes since they are severed from the gods and therefore from the powers the gods hold over Yord. With sufficient study and discipline a shaman is blessed, or rather, allowed to manifest their elemental powers on earth. Shaman capable of this are few and far between.

Nowadays these runes might be seen carved on rocks to mark migration paths and dangers, or as messages and memorials. Some tribes particularly in the north retained their use of the G'rot Tongu thanks to their isolation, and with it the memory of the Az'Uchron. Several Shaman are known to use them for ritual objects to imbue them with power, or during spells. In recent times they have been making a resurgence as ogres have been undergoing a cultural re-invigoration.

The Az'Uchron

Each rune has come to represent both a letter, an object, and in some cases a wider meaning. Understanding the runes is essential when attempting ogre spells since they can be used to greatly strengthen them. Misuse of the runes can lead to disaster. They are divided into four groups related to the four elements, the Four gods, and the four stones onto which they were carved.

Yord Stone

Yorz

Y

Symbol of the great tree, the tree of souls, U'tiek. The Yorz rune represents the secrets of the plane of Yord. It is the tallest rune on the Yord Stone. It is also the earth elemental representative.

Yorz is used in spells intended to call upon the earth, and Utezni. These are spells of guidance, wisdom, stability, and fertility. It uncovers the secrets of the earth to aid in tracking and even gifting its user with insights into the past. It is one of the most powerful magical symbols imbued with all the secrets of the mortal plane.

In depictions of the Three Planes, Yorz stands for the earth itself which lies within Yord along with all other heavenly bodies.

Zuruz

Z

This rune is redundant and represents the secrets... of secrets. Therefore it is hard to explain. Perhaps it represents all the knowledge that Utezni himself couldn't quite understand when he was a youth.

Zuruz can be used to seal treasure hordes, grant the caster insight into the world beyond, but is usually used to get the attention of the gods and commune with them.

G'roduaz

T

A wanderer keeps many secrets as any stranger should when in a strange land beside a strange fire. You never know where the danger lies on the road. This rune is widely acknowledged to be a primary instrument for Utezni's magic; forging paths, discovering food and friends, hunting and gathering for survival, etc. It also protects the wearer from hostility (both physical and magical). In general it is a good tool for an free roaming ogre without tribe or home.

Bharuz

B

The wild rune, master of the forest and untamed lands. This is a hunter's rune since ogres are only able to remain and feed in a certain region for a limited time unless they balance themselves with their environment. It is also the rune of a traveler far from home helping protect them from beasts of the wild and other dangers.

Nagaz

N

Mountain rune, is a rune of great strength. Warriors paint it upon their feet so that they may grow roots into the ground and a foe might never overturn them. Nagaz is also a common rune used to indicate camps and territories, carved upon rocks in the area. This implies and strengthens the ogre's ties to the land and the strength they gain from it. Its use also allows the shaman to shake the earth, and tear stone. It also allows glimpses into the history of the land and the events that had occurred upon it.

Na Stone

Unaz

U

Unaz stands for the secrets of water. It stands highest on the Na Stone. When used in spells Unaz is a cleansing rune for healing, but also a powerful motivator for storms summoning major floods and thunderstorms.

Vataz

V

Vat'z represents the secrets of lakes and other large bodies of water while the rune itself resembles a simple cup. Vataz can purify water, allow the wielder to see into the depths of dark waters, and can move great waves against an enemy. It also represents a deep knowledge or an eagerness to learn.

Craz

C / K

The secrets of rivers. When used by a powerful shaman of Una, the rune can allow the shaman to hear and see events upstream on a river. It also can cause flash flooding or help a ogre flee from pursuers by carrying them downstream or sweeping away the enemy. It is a healing rune of rejuvenation - the flushing of contaminants from the body.

Hafaz

A

Hafaz gaurds the secrets of mist. This rune can deepen shadows, fog the mind and eyes, obscure memory. It can be used in direct conflict against runes meant to enhance vision or clarity. If cast improperly it could reduce the user to a mindless wanderer unable to grasp even the shortest thought. It can also be used by healers to help the afflicted remember lost actions.

Maruz

M

A mother's secrets are closely kept by ogresses. I will not presume to understand them nor attempt to fully explain them here. However, it can be said that they are nurturing powers needed to bless an baby ogre in its early years when it is most vulnerable. It is a nurturing rune used in healing to ease pain. The Maruz rune is one of the few runes a ogre would find difficult to use to cause harm to others. After death the Maruz rune is painted onto the chest of an ogress, above the heart, who has mothered children as a testament to her strength baring and raising children.

The Maruz rune is often used to depict the moon and all its beauty in glyph pictures.

Hyr Stone

The fire stone is powerful and contains knowledge on flame, battle, and fatherhood. The latter earning it the nickname of father's stone. The runes are important to Ugangi and other warriors - including fathers and chieftains.

Hyraz

H

Hyrz is the rune of fire and sits highest on the Hyr Stone. It hold power over flame and heat. Its uses are as varied as the uses of fire; from forging a new blade, heating a dwelling, or enveloping armies in a blazing inferno.

Gorz

G

Gorz resembles a thrusting spear and contains the secrets of warcraft. Carving this rune into a weapon blesses it with precision and speed. This rune on carved onto a helm gifts the wearer with clear vision during battle and cunning strategy.

It might also be a powerful curse stealing away victories or inflicting wounds.

Roz

O

Roz, the shield rune, is a rune of defense carved upon the faces of shields since the days of Utezni. It often is carved on stones surrounding a encampment for protection or painted on a tent flap, even given as amulets to young ogres for protection.

Eiraz

E

Eiraz reflects the powers of smoke. Similar to mist it can conceal movements and blind the enemy. It also is a messaging rune, as are many air related runes, since smoke signals are an effective means of ogre communication. Smoke is also an indicator of battle or of camp. Its uneasy and shifting nature make it difficult to use in magic. The wind may blow toward the enemy or it could just as easily turn, blinding you with smoke. Eiraz can also be utilized by lightfooted warriors and assassins to mask their presence.

Carving the rune upon wood and burning it is the easiest way manifest this rune's powers.

Daruz

D

Fathers are councilors and guides that every young ogre is in need of. This rune is a powerful rune for conception. Afterwards it is a rune of guidance for a young ogre in its early years. After death Daruz is painted onto the chest above the heart of an ogre who has fathered children as a testament to his strength raising children.

The Daruz rune reflects the sun in glyph carvings and depictions of the Three Planes.

Ruz Stone

The Air stone records the secrets of air (wind), the stars, laughter, craftsman, and death. Its a complex stone and is sometimes referred to as the death stone. These runes are linked to Uchronos and the spells related to his powers.

Ruz

R

The swirling rune of wind and keeper of its secrets. The Ruz rune can command wind storms, as well as carry messages, and aid in the communication with birds and trees. It is carved into the top of the Ruz Stone.

Stolz

S

The hammer rune is the rune of craftsmanship used during forging, building, weaving, etc. It is a handy rune for a handy ogre.

Hla'az

L

Laughter rarely holds secrets but nonetheless a rune has been dedicated to it. Perhaps the most lighthearted rune, Hla'az is utilized to help lift the mood at gatherings. Or to bless a child's early years with joy. It is also a healing rune, to help ease pain or speed recovery.

Iz

I

The secrets of the stars or the secrets of the skys are captured in Iz. This rune is simple and beautiful. Its uses are many. Some shaman are capable of using Iz to peer down from the sky or see from the eyes of birds. As a curse it can do the opposite, stealing sight from the enemy, or destroying it altogether. This rune is beloved by Uchronos followers who paint it above and below the eyes or across the faces of shields.

Feg'yrraz

F

The secrets of the dead are lost to us mortals still bound to Yord. This rune when used by a practiced and extremely powerful shaman might unlock the secrets of a dead mind or even grant a brief audience with the soul of the deceased - that is, if they haven't returned to rest within the U'ond yet. More commonly Feg'yyraz is painted on the hands of the dead. A symbolic gesture implying that their work upon Yord is finished. It is also the most powerful curse rune turned upon doomed ogres. Sometimes weapons to encourage its work on the battlefield or is painted onto garb so that whomever looks upon the rune will know their bane.