The runes are a set of symbols of Germanic/Scandinavian origin that concisely embody the most potent magical system of the ancient world. Runic characters are letters that can be used for writing, but each rune is also a vessel of natural potency. There is a rune for water and a rune for earth, a rune for hail and a rune for ice, a rune for horse, and a rune for man. There are also runes that name some of the Teutonic gods.