Runics is a mod that introduces Runic Gems and Pact Papyrus into the game, blending mystical crafting with dangerous trade-offs to reshape gameplay. It’s straightforward at its core, even if the rune mechanics might feel a little odd at first glance.

FIRST STEPS

Start by gathering emeralds. They’re the base currency for creating Runic Gems. To turn emeralds into Runic Gems, throw them into water. Then, make sure the player takes damage within 3 blocks of those emeralds. When that happens, the emeralds absorb the "blood" and convert into Runic Gems. It’s a ritual, of sorts—your pain charges the gems.

Once you have the Runic Gems, arrange them in an O-shape on the ground. Place a specific item in the center depending on which rune you want to craft. Each rune grants different passive or conditional abilities and can only be used one at a time.

RUNES

Algiz Rune (Protection)
Effect: Reduces all incoming damage by 30%
Recipe: 8 Runic Gems surrounding 1 Shield

Ansuz Rune (Animal Friend)
Effect: Prevents animals from attacking and reduces animal damage by 50%
Recipe: 8 Runic Gems surrounding 1 Compass

Raidho Rune (Journey)
Effect: Grants a speed boost and reduces hunger drain while walking on stone, cobblestone, or dirt paths
Recipe: 8 Runic Gems surrounding 1 Rabbit’s Foot

Sowulo Rune (Fire)
Effect: Sets enemies on fire when you attack them
Recipe: 8 Runic Gems surrounding 1 Sword or Axe

Jera Rune (Harvest)
Effect: Slowly regenerates hunger over time
Recipe: 8 Runic Gems surrounding 1 Potato

Isa Rune (Ice)
Effect: Freezes enemies when you hit them (60-second cooldown)
Recipe: 8 Runic Gems surrounding 1 Ice Block

Eihwaz Rune (Protection from Mobs)
Effect: Hostile mobs ignore you while sneaking or when you’re far away
Recipe: 8 Runic Gems surrounding 1 Mob Head

Algiz Inverted Rune (Camouflage)
Effect: Grants invisibility after sneaking for 10 seconds
Recipe: 8 Runic Gems surrounding 1 Ghast Tear

PACT SYSTEM

Pact Papyrus is inspired by Chainsaw Man. It allows players to make powerful deals at the cost of health, comfort, or natural abilities. Only one pact can be active at a time, and once chosen, it cannot be removed.

Crafting a Pact Papyrus:
Top Row: 3 Paper
Middle: 1 Bone (left), 1 Ender Pearl (center), 1 Bone (right)
Bottom Row: 3 Paper
Right-clicking the papyrus opens a selection screen where you choose a pact.

PASSIVE PACTS

Blood Price
Lose 3 hearts permanently
Gain one extra rune slot
“The ink runs red. The price is flesh, the reward is potential.”

Glass Cannon
Lose 8 hearts permanently
Deal double damage with all attacks
“Strike first, or don’t strike at all.”

Wrathbound
Deal 30% less damage while at high health
Deal 60% more damage when below 50% health
“Only in pain does true rage awaken.”

Stone Pact
Can’t use shields (they are dropped when equipped)
Gain Resistance II and Knockback Resistance
“Move with purpose. Or not at all.”

Withering Heart
Can’t regenerate naturally (golden apples still work)
Gain lifesteal—heal 20% of the damage you deal
“Life feeds death, death feeds life.”

Pact of Shadows
Sunlight gives you Weakness
Gain Invisibility in darkness or caves
“You are but a whisper in the dark.”

ACTIVE PACTS (Activated by pressing V. Each has a cooldown.)

Skycaller’s Pact
Cooldown: 5 minutes
Lose 5 permanent hearts
Launch 100 blocks upward, gain Invisibility and Slow Falling for 15 seconds
“You gave your breath to the stars. Now they carry you.”

Oath of the Iron Wall
Cooldown: 2.5 minutes
Cannot use shields
Gain Resistance III and Knockback Resistance for 10 seconds
“No shield in hand. But your will is armor.”

Phantom Step Pact
Cooldown: 1.5 minutes
Permanently -4 armor points, +5% damage taken
Teleport behind nearest enemy and apply 2 seconds of Blindness
“Step through the veil, and strike unseen.”

Breath of Níðhöggr
Cooldown: 3 minutes
Any damage taken in water instantly kills you
Launch a purple fireball that applies Wither in a 5-block radius
“The dragon’s breath flows through you. But its hunger weighs on your bones.”

Pact of Webbed Fate
Cooldown: 2 minutes
Deal 20% less damage
Spawn cobwebs and a slowness aura around you for 8 seconds
“All paths tangle for those who weave them.”

IMPORTANT RULES

Only one rune can be active at a time
Only one pact can be active at a time
Rune and pact effects persist through death
Activating a new rune replaces the previous one
Runes must be activated by taking damage before their effects work
Pacts cannot be removed once chosen

Runics is about sacrifice, strategy, and stacking the odds in your favor—at a cost.