Rune-keeper

Class Difficulty: Moderate

Role: Healer/Damage

Available to races: Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, Man, River Hobbit, Stout-axe

Gameplay: Rune-keepers must choose during each battle to focus on damaging skills or healing skills. Either choice shifts their Attunement, unlocking more potent skills, but the choice also restricts access to other skills. In addition, they have support skills that may always be used. In Fellowships, a Rune-keeper keeps allies healed, or deals significant damage to foes.

Lore: Rune-keepers are gifted linguists and masters of true names. With this knowledge, a Rune-keeper crafts powerful rune-words that help the Free Peoples. Through unparalleled mastery of Angerthas and Tengwar runes, a Rune-keeper evokes much more than a normal scribe. Dagor runes deal with battle, Nestad with healing, and Thalas with support.

The class is inspired by the master Elf-smith Celebrimbor, whose skill with runes of power was unparalleled.

Class-infobox
Classes
Skills
Traits
Deeds
Traceries
Effects

Role

In lore terms, the Rune-keeper marks the game's first true "magic user." The Lore-master class had their powers explained as the harnessing of the traditional powers of nature -- calling down lightning, using water to make foes stick in the mud, or throwing a fireball made from a chemical concoction. In short, the class is more of a combat chemist than a true magician. The Rune-keeper, on the other hand, actually taps into the primal physics-altering powers of creation through "true names." It's the same kind of power (though to a far, far lesser degree) as that tapped into by powerful elves like Galadriel and Celebrimbor (who serve as the model for the class).

In pure game dynamics, Steefel (former Executive Producer) said that the Rune-keeper is "...a third light armor class that offers viable healing or DPS alternatives." True to the game's "hybrid class" design philosophy, the Rune-keeper compares well to the primary healing class (Minstrel) by utilizing heals-over-time, and focuses its DPS capabilities by the application of powerful, stackable damage-over-time effects. Players choose their role via a new "Attunement Meter" that provides bonuses to healing skills while removing access to damage skills and vice-versa, depending on the current role the Rune-keeper is being asked to fulfil. Attunement resets while out-of-combat, and there are several skills/consumables available that make it easier to switch attunement (and temporarily open skills from the opposite attunement).

New Rune-keepers receive a copy of the Rune-keeper -- Attunement document, which discusses some aspects of the attunement mechanism.

Attunement

Attunement is used by Rune-keepers in a way that improves their ability to either do damage or heal at the expense of the other. The more battle-attuned the Rune-keeper is, the more damage their attacks will do, but the less healing they will be able to do. The more healing-attuned the Rune-keeper is, the more healing they will output, but the less damage they will be able to do.

Attunement is measured on a scale of 0-20, 0 being fully battle-attuned and 20 fully healing-attuned. An attunement of 10 is neutral (neither battle- nor healing-attuned). When Rune-keepers use skills, their attunement dynamically adjusts from neutral to a maximum of nine battle-attunement (which appears as red marks on the left of the attunement panel), or to a maximum of nine healing-attunement (which appears as green marks on the right of the attunement panel).

Some skills will battle-attune the Rune-keeper, moving attunement towards the left on the panel, while others will healing-attune the Rune-keeper, moving attunement towards the right on the panel. Other skills will neutral-attune by moving attunement towards the center of the panel. Finally some skills will return to neutral attunement, automatically moving attunement all the way to the middle regardless of current attunement.

It's important for Rune-keeper's to carefully monitor their attunement. Some encounters will warrant a Rune-keeper to go either fully battle-attuned or healing-attuned, but other fights may warrant the Rune-keeper to stay closer to neutral in order to either do damage or heal on short notice.

For more information, see Item:Rune-keeper -- Attunement.

Symbols

Battle
Steady
Heal

Skills

Default Skills

These skills are granted automatically as you gain levels. Some skills have an improved version that can be obtained by leveling further or by equipping certain traits, traceries, or armour sets.

Skills	Category	Attunes	CD	Level
Fiery Ridicule	Damage + DoT	1	1s	1
Prelude to Hope	HoT	1	3s	1
Scribe's Spark	Damage	2	3s	1
Shocking Words	Damage + Stun	All	20s	1
Chilling Rhetoric	Damage + Debuff		20s	6
Shocking Touch	Damage + Daze	1	20s	8
Word of Exaltation	Bubble	All	30s	14
Epic for the Ages	Heal	3	15s	18
Scribe a New Ending	Cure	2	8s	18
Final Word	Interrupt	1	20s	20
Break The Bonds	CC removal		1m	20
Nothing Truly Ends	Rez		-	20
Speak No Evil	Corruption removal	1	20s	20
Distracting Flame	DoT	3	20s	22
Essence of Winter	Damage AoE + Debuff		15s	24
Steady Hands	Buff	Flips	40s	26
Armour of the Elements	Buff	4	3m	28
Flurry of Words	Damage + AoE + Debuff		25s	32
Self-motivation	Power or Heal	4	1m	36
Do Not Fall This Day	Buff + Rez		2m 20s	40
Essence of Storm	Damage	3	8s	44
Improved Final Word	Interrupt + Corruption removal	1	20s	50

Benediction of Peace

These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Benediction of Peace (blue) trait tree. You can only obtain the set skills if you specialize in this tree.

Skills	Category	Attunes	CD	Source
Rune-sign of Winter	HoT + Buff	1	10s	Specialization Skill
Writ of Health	Heal + HoT	2	1s	Specialization Skill
Mending Verse	Heal + HoT	2	3s	Trait:	Mending Verse
Rune of Restoration	HoT	1	30s	Trait:	Rune of Restoration
Rousing Words	HoT	1	15s	Set:	Rousing Words
Essay of Exaltation	Buff + HoT	All	45s	Trait:	Essay of Exaltation
Bombastic Inspiration	HoT + Heal	3	2s	Trait:	Bombastic Inspiration
Our Fates Entwined	Buff	1	1m 30s	Set:	Our Fates Entwined

Cleansing Flame

These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Cleansing Flame (red) trait tree. You can only obtain the set skills if you specialize in this tree.

Skills	Category	Attunes	CD	Source
Smouldering Wrath	DoT	Varies*	17s	Specialization Skill
Writ of Fire	Damage + DoT	2	1s	Specialization Skill
Essence of Flame	Damage	3	12s	Trait:	Essence of Flame
Volcanic Rune-stone	DoT	3	30s	Trait:	Volcanic Rune-stone
Essay of Fire	Damage + DoT	3	10s	Set:	Essay of Fire
Scathing Mockery	Damage AoE + DoT	3	20s	Trait:	Scathing Mockery
Combustion	Damage AoE	All	15s	Trait:	Combustion

Solitary Thunder

These skills are acquired by spending trait points in the Solitary Thunder (yellow) trait tree. You can only obtain the set skills if you specialize in this tree.

Skills	Category	Attunes	CD	Source
Sustaining Bolt	Damage + Power	3	15s	Specialization Skill
Writ of Lightning	Damage + Debuff	3	3s	Specialization Skill
Ceaseless Argument	Damage	1	0.3s	Trait:	Ceaseless Argument
Fulgurite Runestone	Damage + Stun	3	20s	Trait:	Fulgurite Runestone
Epic Conclusion	Damage	All	30s	Trait:	Epic Conclusion
Vivid Imagery	Damage AoE + Daze	3	1m	Trait:	Vivid Imagery
Concession and Rebuttal	Buff	6	3m	Trait:	Concession and Rebuttal
Static Surge	Damage AoE	1	3s	Set:	Static Surge

Mounted Combat Skills

These skills can be used only while riding a war-steed, and in regions where horses are allowed and where the enemies are above level 75.

Mounted Combat Skills
Skills Unaffected by Stance/Discipline
Inspirational Verse
Knowledge of the Rune-keeper
Superior Evocation
Red Dawn
Discipline: Red Dawn
Fixation of Flame
Oration of Embers
Invoke the Elements
Resolution of Fire
Debate Wrath
Riddermark
Discipline: Riddermark
Fixation of Storm
Oration of the Bleak Sky
Invoke the Elements
Resolution of Storms
Debate the Land
Rohirrim
Discipline: Rohirrim
Fixation of Health
Ameliorating Oration
Invoke the Elements
Resolution of Enduring Life
Debate the People

Passive Skills

Base Passive Skills

For details see Dwarf, Elf, High Elf, River Hobbit, Man, or Stout-axe

Armour Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Light Armour	1

Weapon Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Rune-stones	1

Instrument Proficiencies

Proficiency	Level
Bassoon Use	5
Horn Use	1
Lute Use	1
Specialized Equipment	1
Fiddle Use	5

Specialization Sets & Traits

Benediction of Peace

Benediction of Peace
Provides heal-over-time support for allies.

Powerful healers, using Heal-over-time skills to sustain the Fellowship's health, able to redirect or absorb attacks flung at their allies.

Skills Earned:

Rune-sign of Winter

Writ of Health

Frost Armour:

Healing skills have a 20% chance to apply:

-10% Incoming Damage

Duration: 8s

+280 Do Not Fall This Day Duration

Set Traits	Description	Source
Frost Affinity	Buff	5+ total ranks
Writ of Well-being	Improves skill Writ of Health	10+ total ranks
Rousing Words	Gain skill Rousing Words	15+ total ranks
Fellowship Narrative	Buff; Improves skill Epic for the Ages	20+ total ranks
Glorious Foreshadowing	Improves skill Writ of Health	25+ total ranks
Master of Allusion	Buff	30+ total ranks
Our Fates Entwined	Gain skill Our Fates Entwined	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
Light on One's Feet	Buff	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Mending Verse	Gain skill Mending Verse	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Determination	Buff	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Rune of Restoration	Gain skill Rune of Restoration	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Prelude of Power	Improves skill Prelude to Hope	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Prophetic Word	Improves skill Mending Verse	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Prolonged Verse	Improves skill Mending Verse	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Rune of Endurance	Improves skill Rune of Restoration	Row 3 (10+ ranks), Rune of Restoration (1)
Rallying Verse	Improves skills Nothing Truly Ends and Do Not Fall This Day	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Unwavering Confidence	Improves skill Epic for the Ages	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Truly Epic	Improves skill Epic for the Ages	Row 5 (20+ ranks)
Self-esteem Boost	Improves skills Epic for the Ages, Mending Verse, Rousing Words	Row 5 (20+ ranks)
Essay of Exaltation	Gain skill Essay of Exaltation	Row 6 (25+ ranks)
Exalted	Improves skills Word of Exaltation and Essay of Exaltation	Row 6 (25+ ranks), Essay of Exaltation (1)
Bombastic Inspiration	Gain skill Bombastic Inspiration	Capstone (30+ ranks)
Overture of Hope	Buff	Capstone (30+ ranks)

Cleansing Flame

Cleansing Flame
Deals damage-over-time using inductions.

Uses long-range, induction-based attacks that deal damage-over-time for sustained high DPS.

Skills Earned:

Smouldering Wrath

Writ of Fire

Searing Words:

Fire skills have a 20% chance to apply:

... Fire Damage every 2.0 seconds for 6 seconds.

Set Traits	Description	Source
Fire Affinity	Buff	5+ total ranks
Writ of Blazing Fire	Improves skill Writ of Fire	10+ total ranks
Scathing Retort	Improves skill Smouldering Wrath	15+ total ranks
Essay of Fire	Gain skill Essay of Fire	20+ total ranks
Master of Connotation	Buff	25+ total ranks
Extreme Heat	Buff	30+ total ranks
Seething Truth	Buff; Improves skills Combustion, Smouldering Wrath, Essay of Fire	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
Deliberate Address	Buff	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Conflagration of Runes	Improves skill Fiery Ridicule	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Overflowing Confidence	Improves skill Self-motivation	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Tale of Rage	Buff	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Essence of Flame	Gain skill Essence of Flame	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Volcanic Rune-stone	Gain skill Volcanic Rune-stone	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Explosive Rhetoric	Improves skill Essence of Flame	Row 3 (10+ ranks), Essence of Flame (1)
Linnod of Flame	Improves skill Essence of Flame	Row 3 (10+ ranks), Explosive Rhetoric (3)
Molten Rock	Improves skill Volcanic Rune-stone	Row 4 (15+ ranks), Volcanic Rune-stone (1)
Thick Skinned	Buff	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Hastened Determination	Improves skill Self-motivation	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Molten Flame	Buff	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Mystifying Flames	Buff	Row 5 (20+ ranks)
Scathing Mockery	Gain skill Scathing Mockery	Row 5 (20+ ranks)
After-burn	Buff	Row 6 (25+ ranks)
Empowering Flame	Improves trait Mystifying Flames	Row 6 (25+ ranks), Mystifying Flames (3)
Combustion	Gain skill Combustion	Capstone (30+ ranks)
Branded Marks	Buff	Capstone (30+ ranks)

Solitary Thunder

Solitary Thunder
Deals short-ranged, instant damage.

A mobile, burst-damage line, with a number of instant-cast and potent skills to increase DPS.

Skills Earned:

Sustaining Bolt

Writ of Lightning

Charged:

Lightning skills have a 15% chance to apply:

-10% Attack Duration

-3% Incoming Damage

Duration: 10s

Set Traits	Description	Source
Lightning Affinity	Buff	5+ total ranks
Shocked	Improves skill Writ of Lightning	10+ total ranks
Master of Tragedy	Power	15+ total ranks
Tale of The Storm	Buff	20+ total ranks
Sustenance	Improves skill Sustaining Bolt	25+ total ranks
Refutation	Buff	30+ total ranks
Static Surge	Gain skill Static Surge	35+ total ranks

Tree Traits	Description	Source
Ceaseless Argument	Gain skill Ceaseless Argument	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Exacting Wards	Buff	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Confounding Principles	Improves skill Shocking Touch	Row 1 (0+ ranks)
Cutting Remarks	Buff	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Fortune Smiles	Buff	Row 2 (5+ ranks)
Fulgurite Runestone	Gain skill Fulgurite Runestone	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Thunderous Words	Buff	Row 3 (10+ ranks)
Statically Charged	Improves skill Fulgurite Runestone	Row 4 (15+ ranks), Fulgurite Runestone (1)
Epic Conclusion	Gain skill Epic Conclusion	Row 4 (15+ ranks)
Harsh Debate	Buff	Row 4 (15+ ranks), Thunderous Words (5)
Vivid Imagery	Gain skill Vivid Imagery	Row 5 (20+ ranks)
Closing Remarks	Buff	Row 5 (20+ ranks), Harsh Debate (5)
Furious Storms	Buff	Row 6 (25+ ranks)
Perfect Imagery	Improves skill Vivid Imagery	Row 6 (25+ ranks), Vivid Imagery (1)
Concession and Rebuttal	Gain skill Concession and Rebuttal	Capstone (30+ ranks)
Flashing Images	Improves skill Steady Hands	Capstone (30+ ranks)