"A rune cannon does not fire a bullet. It fires a piece of the wielder's soul, shaped by their element and flung at the enemy with the force of pure intent."
— Jardin Callowel, inventor of the Rune Cannon, Second Era

Rune Cannons are weapons that channel ylem and elemental energy as their source of power rather than physical force alone. They draw upon the wielder's Soul to fire, making them extensions of the user's magical self as much as they are physical tools. An Artificer who masters runic weaponry becomes a force unlike any other on the battlefield. They become capable of delivering raw elemental destruction at range, storing spells within weapons for instant deployment, and crafting weapons tailored to specific elemental identities.

Rune Cannon weapons are built from components, just like conventional weapons. The choice of frame, core, and channel determines what kind of weapon is produced, and enhancements can be added to customize it further. No two rune cannons need be exactly alike.

About Soul Cost

All runic weapons draw from the wielder's Soul to fire unless a Rune Stone Battery enhancement has been installed. The Soul cost per shot for rune cannons is determined by the weapon's core. This cost is paid when the weapon is fired as part of the attack action. A wielder who cannot pay the Soul cost cannot fire the weapon.

With the Elemental Creations ability, all runic weapons you create are increased by your Runic Power. With the Runic Item Empowerment ability, their effects are further increased by your Arcana.

How to Build a Rune Cannon

To build a rune cannon you will need:

  • The appropriate Runic Crafting skill for the components being used
  • The Runic Crafting Tools found in The Blacksmith's Crafting Tools section
  • The frame, core, and channel components described below
  • Any optional enhancements you wish to add

The total build time and cost is the sum of all components used. The crafting check is determined by the highest-tier component in the weapon.

Frames

The frame is the body of the rune cannon. It determines the weapon type, how it is held, and its base physical properties. Frames are made from standard weapon materials such as wood, metal, bone. Frames follow normal material crafting rules for weight.

Component Crafting Level Attack Parry Range Evade Modifier Weight Space Taken Other Information Build Time Cost
Compact Frame Basic Crafting N/A N/A N/A N/A base material weight x 2 3
  • One-handed.
  • Supports Short Barrel only.
  • Easily concealed.
  • Frame material contributes its normal weapon properties to the finished cannon.
 1 hour 8.00
Staff Frame Basic Crafting material attack value (staff mode only) material parry value (staff mode only) 2 (staff mode) 6 spaces or 30 feet (runic blast range) N/A base material weight x 4 5
  • One or two-handed.
  • Functions as both a rune staff and a rune cannon.
  • Supports Staff Channel Tips. In staff mode, the Rune Staff's normal rules apply.
  • In cannon mode, the installed tip determines range and shot shape.
 2 hours 12.00
Cannon Frame Novice Crafting N/A N/A N/A N/A base material weight x 6 6
  • Two-handed.
  • Standard rune cannon body.
  • Supports all Cannon Channel types.
  • Frame material contributes its normal weapon properties to the finished cannon.
 3 hours 18.00
Heavy Cannon Frame Better Crafting N/A N/A N/A N/A base material weight x 8 8
  • Two-handed.
  • Reinforced frame required for Teal Ylem and Clear Ylem cores.
  • Supports all Cannon Channel types.
  • Frame material contributes its normal weapon properties to the finished cannon.
 4 hours 28.00

Frame Materials: Frames can be made from any standard weapon material. Oak and Black Maple are common for staff frames. Steel, Argentum, and Aurum are common for cannon frames. The material contributes its normal weapon properties (attack bonus, special properties) to the finished frame.

Cores

The core is the heart of the rune cannon , the ylem or elemental stone that powers each shot. The core determines the weapon's element, damage output, and Soul cost per shot. Every runic weapon must have exactly one core.

Crystal & Precious Stone Cores

Natural elemental materials that draw on their inherent magical resonance. These cores draw Soul directly from the wielder each shot. They do not need recharging but cannot store Soul independently.

Component Crafting Level Attack Parry Range Evade Modifier Weight Space Taken Other Information Build Time Cost
Crystal Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + Runic Power N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Energy from blast is that of Wielder's element. 
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
  • Does not need recharging.
  • Cannot store Soul independently.
  • For Rune Staff, Runic Gauntlet, and Runic Sword the effect it adds to the staff is based on wielder's element. Please see the special note on Crystal Core Elemental Effects for each weapon type. 
 0.5 hours 40.00
Jade Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + 1d6 Earth Elemental Blast N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Earth.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • The earth element blast bonus die carries all elemental properties of earth element. 
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
 0.5 hours 35.00
Ruby Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + 1d6 Fire Elemental Blast N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Fire.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • The fire element blast bonus die carries all elemental properties of fire element.
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
 0.5 hours 35.00
Sapphire Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + 1d6 Water Elemental Blast N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Water.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • The water elemental blast bonus die carries all elemental properties of water element. 
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
 0.5 hours 35.00
Topaz Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + 1d6 Air Elemental Blast N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Air.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • The air elemental blast bonus die carries all elemental properties of air element. 
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
 0.5 hours 35.00
Onyx Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + 1d6 Death Elemental Blast N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Death.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • The death elemental blast bonus die carries all elemental properties of death element.
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
 0.5 hours 35.00
Pearl Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + 1d6 Life Elemental Blast N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Life.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • The life elemental blast bonus die carries all elemental properties of life element.
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
 0.5 hours 35.00
Quartz Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + 1d6 Time Elemental Blast N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Time.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • The time elemental blast bonus die carries all elemental properties of time element. 
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
 0.5 hours 35.00
Meteorite Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 + 1d6 Space Elemental Blast N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Space.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • The space elemental blast bonus die carries all elemental properties of space element. 
  • Draws Soul directly from the wielder each shot.
 0.5 hours 35.00

The magic bonus die of a precious stone core carries all the elemental properties of that stone's magic, including any special effects against specific targets (e.g. Onyx dealing bonus damage to living targets, Pearl to undead).

Ylem Cores

Processed ylem shaped into a power core. Uninscribed ylem cores fire raw elemental force at the wielder's element. Inscribed ylem cores (rune stones shaped as cores) fire the stored spell's effect instead, using the spell's own Soul cost rather than the listed core cost.

Component Crafting Level Attack Parry Range Evade Modifier Weight Space Taken Other Information Build Time Cost
Black Ylem Core Basic Runic Crafting 1d6 N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Wielder's.
  • Soul Cost: 2 Soul per shot.
  • Spell Tier Access: Tiers 1-2.
  • Can be inscribed with a Tier 1 or 2 spell using the Rune Stone Theory ability. When inscribed, fires the stored spell effect instead of raw elemental force; the spell's Soul cost applies instead of the listed cost. Only a mage of the matching element can recharge a depleted inscribed core.
 0.5 hours 50.00
Gray Ylem Core Novice Runic Crafting 2d6 N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Wielder's.
  • Soul Cost: 4 Soul per shot.
  • Spell Tier Access: Tier 3.
  • Can be inscribed with a Tier 3 or lower spell using the Rune Stone Theory ability. When inscribed, fires the stored spell effect instead of raw elemental force; the spell's Soul cost applies instead of the listed cost. Only a mage of the matching element can recharge a depleted inscribed core.
 1 hour 100.00
Silver Ylem Core Novice Runic Crafting 2d8 N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Wielder's.
  • Soul Cost: 6 Soul per shot.
  • Spell Tier Access: Tier 4.
  • Can be inscribed with a Tier 4 or lower spell using the Rune Stone Theory ability. When inscribed, fires the stored spell effect instead of raw elemental force; the spell's Soul cost applies instead of the listed cost. Only a mage of the matching element can recharge a depleted inscribed core.
 1 hour 175.00
Teal Ylem Core Better Runic Crafting 3d8 N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Wielder's.
  • Soul Cost: 8 Soul per shot.
  • Spell Tier Access: Tier 5.
  • Requires Heavy Cannon Frame when used for rune cannon.
  • Can be inscribed with a Tier 5 or lower spell using the Rune Stone Theory ability. When inscribed, fires the stored spell effect instead of raw elemental force; the spell's Soul cost applies instead of the listed cost. Only a mage of the matching element can recharge a depleted inscribed core.
 1.5 hours 275.00
Clear Ylem Core Advanced Runic Crafting 4d8 N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Element: Wielder's.
  • Soul Cost: 10 Soul per shot.
  • Spell Tier Access: Tier 6.
  • Requires Heavy Cannon Frame when used for rune cannon.
  • Can be inscribed with a Tier 6 or lower spell using the Rune Stone Theory ability. When inscribed, fires the stored spell effect instead of raw elemental force; the spell's Soul cost applies instead of the listed cost. Only a mage of the matching element can recharge a depleted inscribed core.
 2 hours 500.00

Inscribed Ylem Cores: A ylem core can be inscribed with a spell using the Rune Stone Theory ability, just like a standard rune stone. When inscribed, the weapon fires the stored spell effect instead of raw elemental force, as long as the spell is an offensive spell. The spell's normal Soul cost applies instead of the core's listed cost. The spell tier that can be inscribed is limited by the ylem purity. Only a mage of the matching element can recharge a depleted inscribed core.

Channels

The channel is how runic energy exits the weapon. For cannons it is the barrel; for staves it is the tip. The channel determines range and the shape of the shot.

Cannon Channels (Barrels)

Barrels are attached to Cannon Frames, Compact Frames, and Heavy Cannon Frames.

Component Crafting Level Attack Parry Range Evade Modifier Weight Space Taken Other Information Build Time Cost
Short Barrel Basic Crafting N/A N/A 8 spaces or 40 feet -2 1 N/A
  • Single target.
  • Compact Frame only.
  • Close-range option, easily concealed.
 0.5 hours 5.00
Standard Barrel Basic Crafting N/A N/A 16 spaces or 80 feet -2 2 N/A
  • Single target.
  • Compatible with Cannon Frame and Heavy Cannon Frame.
  • Balanced range for general use.
 1 hour 10.00
Long Barrel Novice Crafting N/A N/A 30 spaces or 150 feet -2 3 N/A
  • Single target.
  • Two-handed.
  • +3 to target's evade at close range (under 4 spaces).
  • Compatible with Cannon Frame and Heavy Cannon Frame.
 1.5 hours 18.00
Spread Barrel Novice Crafting N/A N/A 6 spaces or 30 feet -4 2 N/A
  • Cone area (3 spaces wide at maximum range).
  • Hits all targets in cone.
  • Compatible with Cannon Frame and Heavy Cannon Frame.
  • Cannot be used with Long Barrel.
 1 hour 15.00
Heavy Barrel Better Crafting N/A N/A 20 spaces or 100 feet -1 4 N/A
  • Single target.
  • Required for Teal Ylem and Clear Ylem cores on Cannon Frame.
  • Compatible with Cannon Frame and Heavy Cannon Frame.
 2 hours 30.00

Staff Channels (Tips)

Tips are attached to Staff Frames. A staff tip determines how the runic energy is directed when the staff is used in cannon mode. In staff mode, the Rune Staff's normal rules apply.

Component Crafting Level Attack Parry Range Evade Modifier Weight Space Taken Other Information Build Time Cost
Focus Tip Basic Crafting N/A N/A 12 spaces or 60 feet -2 0.3 N/A
  • Single target.
  • Standard staff cannon mode.
  • Attaches to Staff Frame only.
 0.5 hours 8.00
Scatter Tip Novice Crafting N/A N/A 8 spaces or 40 feet -2 0.4 N/A
  •  Area effect of 2 space radius centered on target.
  • Attaches to Staff Frame only.
 1 hour 20.00
Piercing Tip Novice Crafting N/A N/A 16 spaces or 80 feet -2 0.5 N/A
  • Line area - shot passes through all targets in a straight line from caster to maximum range.
  • Attaches to Staff Frame only.
 1 hour 25.00
Resonance Tip Better Crafting N/A N/A 10 spaces or 50 feet -2 0.4 N/A
  • Single target.
  • Shot resonates with the target's element: if the target shares an element with the weapon's core, the shot gains +1d6 additional damage.
  • Attaches to Staff Frame only.
 1.5 hours 40.00

Enhancements

Enhancements are optional additions that modify a completed rune cannon. They can be added at time of crafting or installed later by an Artificer using the Runic Tech Upgrade skill.

Component Crafting Level Attack Parry Range Evade Modifier Weight Space Taken Other Information Build Time Cost
Silencer Basic Crafting N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.2 N/A
  • Removes stealth and sound-related penalties when firing.
  • Compatible with hand cannons, standard cannons, and compact frames.
  • Can be added at time of crafting or installed later by an Artificer using the Runic Tech Upgrade skill.
 0.5 hours 20.00
Sight Basic Crafting N/A N/A N/A -1 0.1 N/A
  • Improves Focus by+2.
  • Can be added to any rune cannon frame at time of crafting or installed later by an Artificer using the Runic Tech Upgrade skill.
 0.5 hours 15.00
Rune Stone Battery Basic Runic Crafting N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.1 0.5
  • Sockets a rune stone into the weapon to act as a Soul reservoir.
  • The weapon draws from the stone's stored Soul instead of the wielder's Soul directly.
  • When the stone is depleted it must be recharged at the College of Arcana (10 shillings per 2 Soul).
  • The rune stone is not included; must be supplied separately.
  • Can be added at time of crafting or installed later by an Artificer using the Runic Tech Upgrade skill.
 0.5 hours 25.00
Blade Attachment Novice Crafting sword attack value sword parry value 1 based on sword sword weight sword
  • Attaches a short sword to the cannon frame allowing melee attacks.
  • Compatible with Cannon Frame and Heavy Cannon Frame only.
  • The sword's attack value is added to the cannon's melee attack when used as a bludgeoning weapon.
  • Sword must be supplied separately; cost is the attachment fee only.
 0.5 hours sword cost + 20.00
Runic Stabilizer Novice Runic Crafting N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.3 0.5
  • Reduces the Soul cost per shot by 1 (minimum 1).
  • Can be added at time of crafting or installed later by an Artificer using the Runic Tech Upgrade skill.
 1 hour 45.00
Elemental Amplifier Better Runic Crafting +1d4 to elemental blast bonus die N/A N/A N/A 0.2 0.5
  • Increases the elemental magic bonus die of precious stone cores by +1d4.
  • Compatible with Crystal and Precious Stone Cores only.
  • Does not apply to Ylem Cores.
  • Can be added at time of crafting or installed later by an Artificer using the Runic Tech Upgrade skill.
 1.5 hours 60.00
Dual Core Housing Advanced Runic Crafting N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.5 1
  • Allows a second core to be installed in the weapon.
  • The wielder chooses which core fires with each shot.
  • Each core's Soul cost applies independently when that core is used.
  • Compatible with Cannon Frame and Heavy Cannon Frame only.
  • Second core must be supplied separately.
  • Can be added at time of crafting or installed later by an Artificer using the Runic Tech Upgrade skill.
 2 hours 120.00

Example Builds

To illustrate how the system works, here are some example finished weapons:

Rune Blaster (budget sidearm)

  • Compact Frame (steel) + Crystal Core + Short Barrel
  • Damage: 1d6 + Runic Power, wielder's element, 8 space range
  • Soul Cost: 2 per shot
  • Weight: ~3 lbs | Space: 3 | Crafting: Basic Runic Crafting
  • Cost: ~8.00 (frame) + 40.00 (core) + 5.00 (barrel) = 53.00 base + materials

Standard Rune Cannon (versatile workhorse)

  • Cannon Frame (steel) + Black Ylem Core + Standard Barrel
  • Damage: 1d6, wielder's element, 16 space range
  • Soul Cost: 2 per shot; can be inscribed with a Tier 1-2 spell
  • Weight: ~8 lbs | Space: 6 | Crafting: Novice Runic Crafting
  • Cost: ~18.00 (frame) + 50.00 (core) + 10.00 (barrel) = 78.00 base + materials

Long Rune Cannon (sniper variant)

  • Cannon Frame (argentum) + Silver Ylem Core + Long Barrel + Sight
  • Damage: 2d8, wielder's element, 30 space range, Focus +2
  • Soul Cost: 6 per shot
  • Weight: ~11 lbs | Space: 6 | Crafting: Novice Runic Crafting
  • Cost: ~18.00 + 175.00 + 18.00 + 15.00 = 226.00 base + materials

Mage Cannon (staff/cannon hybrid)

  • Staff Frame (black maple) + Gray Ylem Core + Focus Tip
  • Damage: 2d6, wielder's element, 12 space range in cannon mode; full staff in staff mode
  • Soul Cost: 4 per shot
  • Weight: ~6 lbs | Space: 5 | Crafting: Novice Runic Crafting
  • Cost: ~12.00 + 100.00 + 8.00 = 120.00 base + materials

Master's Elemental Cannon (endgame)

  • Heavy Cannon Frame (aurum) + Clear Ylem Core + Heavy Barrel + Runic Stabilizer
  • Damage: 4d8, wielder's element, 20 space range
  • Soul Cost: 9 per shot (10 - 1 from stabilizer)
  • Weight: ~16 lbs | Space: 8 | Crafting: Advanced Runic Crafting
  • Cost: ~28.00 + 500.00 + 30.00 + 45.00 = 603.00 base + materials