"It certainly is more crucial. Calling the runes, which is another way of saying 'invoking' or 'singing' the runes, can only be done effectively with your utmost attention. In order to make magic it takes a combination of elements -such as wand movement, incantation and intent- and the rhythm comes from putting them together effectively. Chanting a galdr provides a channel, a conduit for the magic to connect from the witch or wizard, through the rune, and into nature." Professor Truebridge answered after listening carefully. He wasn't one to simplify things, but he'd done his best and the little Gryffindor seemed more than capable of keeping up.
"Yes we are. The galdr is the next thing we're going to use. For those of you who haven't yet, put your wands away."
He waited for everyone to comply.
"The galdr can not carve the wood on its own. The galdr is the incantation element of a spell, the other two elements, wand movement and intent are comparable to the shape and form of the rune, and of course the focus you need to carve. However, without a wand, you still need a tool to use to actually do the risting."
From a cupboard under the chalkboard, Truebridge withdrew a box containing enough
burins for the entire class.
"These are engraving tools, a type of cold chisel that works fairly well for carving runes, particularly in wood. They're called Burins. Each burin has been charmed so that it will only carve wood, and therefore they are perfectly safe to use, and you need not worry about cutting your skin by accident. Naturally you will all still wear the gloves and goggles provided." Because Truebridge did not want another probation. No thank you. And already this class had proved themselves well able to injure themselves and others regardless of safety precautions.
"You will need to use the burin, and chant the galdr for the rune you are carving. You don't need to be exact about the galdr either, as you will see in your textbooks,
chapter seven."
He placed the box on his desk at the front of the room.
"Come and get a burin and try it out on your test pieces of wood. If you need another piece of wood you can get one of those too." He placed a stack by the burins just in case. "When you think you have the hang of it and are ready to carve runes directly into the table, put your hand up and I will check your work and answer any questions you might have."
ooc: sorry for my absence, it was unexpected and unavoidable. Please have your character get a tool and practice carving runes into the test wood pieces. This is an ELBOW grease thing, physically carving the wood. The Burin won't do a thing without someone physically using it to carve the wood. Have fun and remember the tools are charmed not to hurt people, but any fooling around will result in Truebridge punishing the culprits. Remember, don't carve the tables yet! Burin image credit to index. [/color]