Runes of Power

This spell is a part of the Synergy spell chain and can be found in the Synergy rune stone.

Upon the casting of this spell ancient runes of the long lost nephilim language glow upon the target in brilliant, golden light. The inscribing causes no pain nor discomfort and the runes themself seem to crackle with electricity and vibrant yet volatile life magic. These runes do nothing on their own except to act as a conduit of power, accepting the vitality of life energy from their bearer in exchange for pure offensive or runic power. The choice of which power must be made upon accepting the runes and cannot be changed while the runes remain active. Each round the target may choose to sacrifice their own life, their own vitality for their chosen power, runic, offensive, or bow. For every 2 Vitality sacrificed to the runes their chosen power gains a bonus of 1. This bonus lasts for the length of time that the runes remain, and may grow with each sacrifice. 

There are no limits to this growth with the only constraints being the amount of life the bearer is willing to sacrifice, and the support action it takes to do so. The nephilim's runes will accept as must life as the bearer is willing to give. However the runes are hungry and demanding. While Runes of Power is active the target's body is under constant strain from the conversion of life force into power. Any healing received, whether from potions, spells, or any other restorative source, is reduced to half effectiveness for the duration of the spell. The runes consume what the body would otherwise use to recover. When the spell reaches its end, the runes will fade and the bonus will cease to be. The target is left with whatever Vitality remains and the scars that they endured, with full awareness that their body paid the price for the power they so desired. Rumors persist to this day that some paid a price higher than they could afford and for their greed their very bodies fried from within.