One thing that caught my intrest as a new player to WOW was the use of Runes, though these have a base in Nordic Mythology and tradition. The Runes also knowen as a futhark, were spread and then found a common use right throughout eroupe and down into the britsh Isles. there use was a multiple one, and listed in no particular order of importance.
Firstly as a way of written communication, secondly as a number system, thirdly when placed in certain orders, or groupings known as bound runes, as a way of forming a spell of incantation for healing the ill, to wining a game, to help win a legal argument as well as a form of protection from and against evil spirits, bad luck, also as a curse to those disturbing burial stones or helping to have bountful harvests the list goes on. Fourthly most notably known in the modern area as a use of divination
The Word Rune is believed to have come from the Indo-European word ru, which meant a secret thing or a mysterious. Though the word Rune is also found commonly through out most of the germanic and gaelic languages, though the names differ slighty in spelling they all hold similar meaning or variant of a similar meaning, holding associations with the carefully guarded inner secrets of spirituality and magic. The word rune, also known as, runa, the nordic word run, Rhin, Roun all had similar meaning's either referring to a whisper : one who knows: a wise woman or a cunning man. one who knows and keeps secrets.
The administrators of Anglo Saxon England called their discussions Runes, again referring to whispered talks, to talk much and about one thing or secret knowledge.
In the WOW game itself you can find runes in the textures within Black rock Mountain and in Iron Forge The actual runes, I have seen in game are the runes Dagaz, Mannaz, Uruz, Inguz, and Thurisaz, they are mixed in together with other "glyphs"
In the newest release with the Wrath of the Linch king Blizzard has introduced glyphs of power, and in ways seem to have shied away from using actual runes, in a number of quests in Northrend the Iron dwarfs have been portrayed as more as the users of Runes. Again the use of Runes in the Iron dwarfs architecture has been replaced by the new Glyphs. Though there are still "runes" in use within the game such as runes of teleportation and rune of portals. these too using icons of glyphs rather than actual runes.
If you wish to learn more about Runes I sagest you search team Futhark or Elder Futhark, and Younger Futhark.
So like most things there is more than mets the eye on first glance within the game.
