Tyrian Rune and Glyph Research, 3rd Edition

[Eratimus]

Due to limited ability to edit threads any major updates must come in the form of posted editions.

Tyrian Rune and Glyph Research, 3rd Edition

Over the past year since the release of Guild Wars and even during its Beta, me and a number of others have conducted research to uncover the lost languages, runes, glyphs and scripts for GuildWars. This is still an ongoing project. For those who have yet to see what was originally found, I will give you the research thusfar. We are still seeking images and other sightings of runes. Please send anything that may be of use to eratimus@gmail.com

I am interested in any new runic findings in the new areas, ie Sorrow's Furnace etc or anything that has been release over the past months.

Orrian Alphabet and Rossetta Map:

As found by multiple people in the Guild Wars Community, banners displaying a map of the world were found during Beta. After a short while, the runes on them were translated into a near complete alphabet. This alphabet has been thought as an ancient or old alphabet of the Orr, but this is still under scrutiny. As the Orr existed during the previous "GuildWar" before the current civilations of Kryta and Ascalon existed, these runes may be some of the last evidense of their existense. You do not see the runes in any Ascalon, Kryta, Crystal Desert, or Maguuma areas, other then on these maps. Right now you can find them by the bridge in the Ember Light Camp in the Ring of Fire. While this alphabet is not complete, as we are still missing about 6 letters, it is complete enough to translate the whole map. This lead us to the discovery of the Crystal Desert before any official release of its existence was made during beta. We finally had this proved when ArenaNet released the Crystal Desert after GuildWars went live. It was also noted that the runes used for these were a mixture of the Norwegian - Swedish, Fulthark, and Gothic style Runes. Atlhough the majority it would seem were custom made by ArenaNet all giving different alphanumeric meanings then those found int he latter civilizations.

Old Orrian Runic Alphabet:
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3563/orrianalphabet4xu.th.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orrianalphabet4xu.jpg)

Map:
http://img287.imageshack.us/img287/7215/tyrianmap5co.th.jpg (http://img287.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tyrianmap5co.jpg)

There were a few more sets of rune found that were quite original. The runes found on the road signs were not of the Orrian Alphabet. We also located runes on 4 obelisks located in the "Talkmark Wilderness" just west of "The Black Curtain", which after some discussion, were soon thought to be a zodiak of some kind. It was originally thought the screen shot was taken in the Maguuma Desert, but I soon confirmed the location to not be that far West, but to be just west of the Temple of Ages.

We had also located what appear to be heirglyphs on he walls of the Tomb of Primeval Kings which appear to be Egyptian, but were not able to get clear enough imaging to decipher them. These same hieroglyphs were recently found on the base of a Dragon Statue in the Crystal Desert.

Crystal Desert findings:

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4434/cdascensionglyphs6gu.th.jpg (http://img366.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cdascensionglyphs6gu.jpg)

As we finally gained access to the Crystal Desert once Guild Wars had gone gold, we were introduced to 1 if not 2 separately new sets of runes/glyphs.

Transporter Runes:

It would seem that the transporters used to magically move from one transporter artifact to another have a ring of runes encircled which we believe to be the origin of the magic. It may seem as if they are a full set of runes all around, but in fact are 7 distinctly different runes, reversed at least 4 times as they encircle the portal area. These runes have yet to be seen anywhere else nor do they resemble any others.

Ascension Runes:

There are another set of 5 glyphs found on multiple pillars/towers/obelisks through out the Crystal Desert that give sight of magical properties. Excitingly so, 3 of these glyphs are actually found within the portal area one must travel to prior to your Ascension Mirror Self battle. You must step on the correct sequence of the three glyphs. We have yet to locate any other locations for the remaining 2 glyphs anywhere else but those pullers.

Crystal Desert Signs

There are another set of runes found on signs before one zones to different areas int he desert. It would seem these signs perhaps would state the area your entering, but all the signs say the same thing, so that may not be possible. Perhaps they say "Zone" or "Enter" or something of the sort. It is currently unknown. Perhaps also these runes/carvings are of the language of the Forgotten Ones.

"The Wilds" bonus rune set

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/8083/unknownwildsrunes2mo.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=unknownwildsrunes2mo.jpg)

THere are a set of three glyphs found on three small stone pillars in the Wilds mission area. Each pillar has these same three glyphs. One depicts what looks like an image of a dragon, perhaps Glint or a Bone Dragon, or some other creature of legend. The origin of the other tree are unknown.

Continued on next post...

[Eratimus]

The Bloodstone Legend

In lore there is a legend, a legend that states about the Bloodstones. Legend says, the one who combines the three Bloodstones will gain the power of all kinds of magic. It is also stated a Keystone that is found in secretly through out Tyria that is used in binding these powers.

Could thie Wilds pillars indeed be a Keystone depicting the three glyphs found on the Bloodstones? What glyph is found upon the Bloodstone in the Bloodstone mission area?

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/6405/thebloodstone8mt.th.jpg (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thebloodstone8mt.jpg)

The Bloodstone seems to be entwining runes. The tangle of what looks like runes could simply be knott-work design that are not suppose to resemble runes. As seen in the image they transmit power from the central Triangle out to what are no doubt 5 power source platforms that have the same "glyph" on each "platform". These could act as power centeres for the recieving of power. Although youc an note that the "chanters" or whom ever are along the edges of the outside knottwork/rune circle. Additinally there is a single different glyph designed different then the other 5. So far I hav not seen either of these glyphs anywhere else in the world.

Ascalon/Kryta Road Signs:

It would also seem there is another set of runes that all signs and road posts are written in. These are similar to the ones found on the Obelisks in the Talmark Wilderness , yet none are the same in configuration. Additionally, no matter what their hover text description of the sign is, ie Ascalon City or Yak's Bend, they say they are written with the same r unes. Here is something odd though. Post Searing Signs have different runes then Pre-Searing. What I mean is, while all Post Searing signs are written with the same runes, and all pre-searing are written with the same runes, the actual runes seen pre and post are different in themselves. IF ArenaNet has a reason as to why the signs all are written the same, it is thought the signs may simply say, "This Way" or, "Over There" or the like to give a reason as to why they all say the same thing.

Diety Statue Plaques:

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/1148/deitystatuerplaque5vr.th.jpg (http://img69.imageshack.us/my.php?image=deitystatuerplaque5vr.jpg)

Yet again we have more runes that are similar yet different from others we found. Plaques found before statues have runes similar to the Orrian, yet none are a match. The other quandary is, they too all are written exactly the same. Whether the "hover text" of Statue of Dwayna or for others are different, each and every plaque are written with the same exact runes in the say exact pattern, saying it says the same thing. Which either this means they all say something, but is something basic like Deity Statue, or the like, or again Arena Net simply did not have an intention to have them mean anything and thus make them all the same.

Ascalon/Tilmark/Charr/Tomb/Academy/Surmia Runes

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2978/charrtilmarkalphabet0lj.th.jpg (http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=charrtilmarkalphabet0lj.jpg)

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/395/acsttrunecomparisons5fk.th.jpg (http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=acsttrunecomparisons5fk.jpg)

This rune set has beenf ound in a number of different locations.

1. Banner found among Charr camps depicting what looks like some sort of fierce toothed creature which could refer to Charr, or their leader, or something they worthship. These runes are found along both edges.

2. Banner found near the entrance to the Ascalon Arena gate and in the Nolani Academy which depicts the runes along each side with what looks to be a figure with four wings int he center.

3. Four obelisks in the Tilmark Wilderness display a number of these runes. It has been thought that perhaps the obelisks there could be a druid shrine, ciricle, or belongs to some ancient culture. It is thought that perhaps these obelisks could infact be Rosetta stones for the alphabet itself, as they include runes that are not on any of the others such as the |69 and a number of others.

4. There are pillars in the Ruins of Surmia staging area with a womens face at the top and a single row of these runes down the center.

5. The statues in the staging area of the Tomb of Priveeval Kings along each side of the entrance that have these runes at their base. Each statue has the same set of runes displayed.

Why do we find the same runes through out different cultures. So far they are being used by the Charr, Ascalon, the Orr who are found in the Tombs, and whom ever built the Tilmark obelisks.

Could they all be sharing a common ancestor, or writting system for specific needs?

Ultimately, what situation would cause 5 different cultures/civilizations to use the same set of runes for what ever reason they are used?

I have attempted to try and cypher them into an alphabet, but so far no success. There does not seem to be any logical correlation between the use of runes depicting letters. Of course the runes could symbolize images or concepts. But you also find the same runes in seperate orientations. All of them but one of the runes change orientation in specific locatins.

Recently, I obtained images of 2 banners and 1 pillar located in the ruined Ascalon area. One banner included a fierce creature growling, with runes running down both sides. The second shows what looks like a lion or animal head with 4 wings protruding out of it, with the same looking runes alone the sides, again seeing the same runes yet in different orders along the edges speaking of it saying something else. We also have a pillar that had the same runes, again not in the same order, that both banners were written in. If I am not mistaken, as they are inhabiting the locations now, these are banners, and is the language used by the Charr or their masters.

Here is the big focus on this, I discovered that at least 2 of the runes on the banners and pillar, are nearly exactly the same as some found on the Talmark Wilderness Obelisks. This brings into focus that in fact both sets are the same language or similar languages, and combining both, allows for a large list of the same alphabet or a similar alphabet, bringing in the connection that they are not separate, yet the same language. It has been stated that like real life languages the inhabitants of the Talmark area could have adopted a similar language as the Charr. But, I am not sure if ArenaNet would have gone that far, if in fact they have gone as far as all this actually meaning anything, which we all hope it does. So you must wonder, if they are separate, yet adopted languages, what language does the Talmark belong to? If they are the same language, which points to being Charr, does this mean the Charr once were found in the western lands of Kryta? It has also been suggested that this could be an adopted language of the serpent creatures of legend, later adopted by the Charr and the Talmark inhabitants.

A new discovery reveals that the same Tilmark runes are found at the base of the Statues on each side of the Tomb of Primeval Kings entrance. As to their meaning, as each one displays the same word or letters on everyone, is unknown.

[Eratimus]

Temple of Balthazar Runes and Glyphs

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/9504/balthazartemplerunesandglyphs3.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=balthazartemplerunesandglyphs3.jpg)

There is found a glyph depicing what is assumed to be the Eye of Balthazar, the same eye one uses to gather the Chosen in the Divinity Coast mission. We also see various other eye symbols refering tot he same symbolism. /Although you must note what looks to be four cresent moons with in the primary large eye Glyph. What thereference is, I do not know.

Crystal Desert Heiroglyphs

I have also made efforts in the translations of the Primeval King Heiroglyphs found on the walls, on the base of a dragon statue in the Crystal Desert, and various other locations. It has come to me that the alphabet is very similar to the Eqyptians, but certain symbols were modified to give varations between them to. I have uncovered some of the alphabet from these inscriptions and was able to partially translate a stone submited by Ogaming Moderator Eolan, thank you. Right now the translations are jumbled and no words can be found from them, it is still a great start in uncovering the hidden lore of Tyria.

Crystal Desert Heiroglyphic Alphabet:
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/802/crystaldesertheiroglyphsalphab.th.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=crystaldesertheiroglyphsalphab.jpg)

Translations:

Eolen's Original Image:
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1707/heiroglyphscircled6qm.th.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=heiroglyphscircled6qm.jpg)

Translation from Eolen's Original Image:
http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/5795/hieroglyphtranslation016mh.th.png (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hieroglyphtranslation016mh.png)

It still needs some work, and they may not be using the Egyptain translations and just the image, but it is a start.

[Eratimus]

The Wilds Glyphs

Glyphs have been found within the Bonus area of "The Wilds" mission. It is currently unknown as to their origins, meanings, or reference. Investigation intot his is currently underway.

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/8083/unknownwildsrunes2mo.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=unknownwildsrunes2mo.jpg)

Elemental Glyphs
On going reearch to uncover any runic meanings to the Elemental Glyphs

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4755/elementalglyphs0nn.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=elementalglyphs0nn.jpg)

Some great work has been done since we started, which I would like to great thank eveyrone who has participated.

Although to be responsible, I have to say the obvious, that I know and am aware of the fact that all this, all the runes, all the alphabets could in fact lead to nothing, mean nothing, and ArenaNet has not, norintended all this work to be done, as it all is just eye candy having
no meaning what so ever.

If anyone locates anything regarding runes/glyphs that do not appear here, please email me at eratimus@gmail.com

[noggieca]

Rez Sig and other sigs also there are the Mez and Nek skills that have runes in the skill button or its emote.

I'll also try to get a screen of the rune towers to the West of the ToA.

Thanks you gave me some things to do today. RUNE HUNT :grin:

Just hope I don't fill up my ImageShack® storage. :huh:

[Pan Sola]

FYI the bloodstones is 4 magic stones plus one keystone. 5 pieces total.

[jvxmtg]

FYI the bloodstones is 4 magic stones plus one keystone. 5 pieces total.

This is correct. Four pieces and a Keystone.

There is this rumor that in Ironmines of Moladune mission is where the other piece of Bloodstone is located. Rumor said that it is the place where the White Mantle will Sacrifice Evenia...but I still need to verify this.

Legend says the the bloodstones where drop into Abaddon's Mouth, then the volcano afterwards spit them all out into the world, one ending up in the jungle, thus the Bloodstone Fen. Creating a radius from Abbadon's Mouth and Bloodstone Fen, some pieces might have landed into the waters. :/

[jvxmtg]

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/8083/unknownwildsrunes2mo.th.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=unknownwildsrunes2mo.jpg)


Would you agree that the "triangle" symbolizes the power of Janthir? If you recall, the Eye of Janthir is inside a "triangle" or Pyramid. Or maybe not...

[Eratimus]

Would you agree that the "triangle" symbolizes the power of Janthir? If you recall, the Eye of Janthir is inside a "triangle" or Pyramid. Or maybe not...

That is definately a possibility. Although the Bloodstone Monolith has a triangle in side. Are they both refering to the same triangle or ones that are different?

Makes you wonder if there may be some Bloodstone in the Crystal Desert.

[Zeittotschlager]

Just saw this thread yesterday, and then last night some friends of ours got together and cleared Underworld. I thought I'd snap a pic of this obelisk since it's probably a rarely seen source of runes. These obelisks surround the statue of Grenth in the Chaos Planes.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/996/chaosplanesrunes6eo.th.jpg (http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chaosplanesrunes6eo.jpg)

[zweistein]

Just saw this thread yesterday, and then last night some friends of ours got together and cleared Underworld. I thought I'd snap a pic of this obelisk since it's probably a rarely seen source of runes. These obelisks surround the statue of Grenth in the Chaos Planes.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/996/chaosplanesrunes6eo.th.jpg (http://img410.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chaosplanesrunes6eo.jpg)

iirc, that eye glyph is same as one u se when casting "holy veil" spell

[zweistein]

btw: You seem to neglect symbold on rune armor upgrades...

[Eratimus]

The Under World

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/5091/underworldrunes7co.th.jpg (http://img364.imageshack.us/my.php?image=underworldrunes7co.jpg) http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/8176/underworldpillars1ox.th.jpg (http://img333.imageshack.us/my.php?image=underworldpillars1ox.jpg)
As revaled by a community member, a number of runes can be found on pillars in the Under World. These seem to be a little more complex then other set that are used by a number of different cultures on Tyria.

These pillars also included 3 glyphs. These could simply be enlarged runes that are a part of the other runes or could infact be a seperate useage more like Pictographs. We will have to see if there are anymore of these similar runes around. The glyphs seem to partly resemble an eye or a symblism similar to it.

Those interested in helping I do remember seeing runes on the ARches seen around. Make sure if you get images to include ALL the runes from what you are getting not just part, this is so I can document them fully.

Translated Tyria Map

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3334/tyriamaptranslated0gg.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tyriamaptranslated0gg.jpg)

I have translated the map so you can see how it all fits together.

[Eratimus]

This is one of the main issues I am trying to figure out and am looking tothe community for possible help. I need your thinking caps onf or this one as I have yet to come up with a solution.

Ascalon/Tilmark/Charr/Tomb/Academy/Surmia Runes

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2978/charrtilmarkalphabet0lj.th.jpg (http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=charrtilmarkalphabet0lj.jpg)

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/395/acsttrunecomparisons5fk.th.jpg (http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=acsttrunecomparisons5fk.jpg)

This rune set has beenf ound in a number of different locations.

1. Banner found among Charr camps depicting what looks like some sort of fierce toothed creature which could refer to Charr, or their leader, or something they worthship. These runes are found along both edges.

2. Banner found near the entrance to the Ascalon Arena gate and in the Nolani Academy which depicts the runes along each side with what looks to be a figure with four wings int he center.

3. Four obelisks in the Tilmark Wilderness display a number of these runes. It has been thought that perhaps the obelisks there could be a druid shrine, ciricle, or belongs to some ancient culture. It is thought that perhaps these obelisks could infact be Rosetta stones for the alphabet itself, as they include runes that are not on any of the others such as the |69 and a number of others.

4. There are pillars in the Ruins of Surmia staging area with a womens face at the top and a single row of these runes down the center.

5. The statues in the staging area of the Tomb of Priveeval Kings along each side of the entrance that have these runes at their base. Each statue has the same set of runes displayed.

Why do we find the same runes through out different cultures. So far they are being used by the Charr, Ascalon, the Orr who are found in the Tombs, and whom ever built the Talmark obelisks.

Ultimately, what situation would cause 5 different cultures/civilizations to use the same set of runes for what ever reason they are used?

[Saela]

You might find these interesting :)



http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6141/runes0tp.jpg

[Eratimus]

You might find these interesting :)



http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6141/runes0tp.jpg

Yet another location those common runes are found. This puts them in Charr, Ascalon, Kryta, Orr,, and Talmark use.

As tot he anvil, I would assume it may be an enchantment for strong and mighty smithing?

[noggieca]

Here is the screenshot I mentioned earlier.

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/7548/gw0020ld.th.jpg (http://img490.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gw0020ld.jpg)

[Eratimus]

Here is the screenshot I mentioned earlier.

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/7548/gw0020ld.th.jpg (http://img490.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gw0020ld.jpg)

Yes, I had ofund this before. This is how I was able tto complete the rune list that were not found on the banners, pillars etc. There seem to be anumber found here that we do not see anywere else ie the |69 symbol

[Pan Sola]

Why do we find the same runes through out different cultures. So far they are being used by the Charr, Ascalon, the Orr who are found in the Tombs, and whom ever built the Talmark obelisks.

Ultimately, what situation would cause 5 different cultures/civilizations to use the same set of runes for what ever reason they are used?

I like the previously mentioned thought that the Forgottens, who where the original shepreds of Tyria, might be related to this.

And remember, they are all on the same continent. So it's more like how various civilizations/nations on the Eurpoean continent have similar writing system, as opposed to comparing Chinese to Greece.

It'd be interesting to see how similar/different are runes found in Cantha (-:

[sledgeunderhill]

Recently, on a walk in the Crystal Desert seeking Sennat Sen, I investigated this statue apparently featuring Glint. The runes on the base of the statue are only on the front section. Here is the best image that I have of this area for possible scholarly research.

http://migol.com/images/glint-runes.jpg

[sledgeunderhill]

As an additional source for research, here is a street sign in the city of Thunderhead Keep. Note that the roads appear to have names that are mirror images of each other.

http://migol.com/images/gw582.jpg

[Quintus Antonius]

This is a dead topic, for maximum exposure, post any new findings in the the Compendium of Tyrian Sciences, 8th edition, which is the evolved version of this topic.