Msniwarian Runes
Ainsho Tkaarg None of Tellsos' runic concepts translate easily into other languages; their essence must be "felt" and internalized in the deeper context of immersing oneself in the otherworldly journey that is the narrative of Ravings... itself. However, it could be said that this key symbol, which is featured so prominently in the interior of Miin's subterranean "ship" as well as engraved in his ever-present locket, represents above all else the potential of the human mind--or spirit, if you will--to move in leaps and bounds beyond what we usually think of as material constraints or the "laws" of physics. It is a symbol of action, rather than one of perception...but without the right perceptive focus, its actions can be horrible and disastrous, as becomes clear in the middle of the book when one of Miin's doubters misuses it for unspeakable evil.
Shhrdan "The Sensitizer." It is this rune that, in a vivid nightmare, the ill-at-ease but at times sympathetic character Rijdalv believes that Miin has forcibly tatooted on her/his back, allowing her/him to see things in others' minds that one should perhaps not. As with all aesthetic perceptions conceived of by Tellsos, of course, the simple notion of "seeing" does not do a description of this sense justice, as the deep cuts that from that point on the story slowly cover Aml's body demonstrate.
Dvao The symbol of the underworld. Of course, once Miin assembles the main characters of the tale and convinces them to take part in her/his quest, most of the novel takes place below ground, yet nevertheless in a vast, open land with its own version of a "sky" and "clouds." Yet this rune, and the way Miin is said to pronounce it with a deep, inhuman drone, always prefigures either the ship's entry into the underground metropolis of Yttarna, or the threat of harm to the ship's inhabitants by agents sent out from that city.
Umn'shia "The Enticer." The soft, color-emitting side of Miin's personality; the essence she/he uses in a first attempt to attract her/his companions (before, in many cases, resorting to violence and fear). This symbol appears in the sky during the beautiful scene in which the dead children are freed, as well as near the story's end when the source of Miin's supernatural powers is finally revealed. Actually a combination of two runes, this is one of 47 possible two-rune combinations using Msniwar's basic 12-rune system; these combined with 212 3-rune possibilities make up the entirety of Tellsos' written ritual language.
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