Review & Commentary On Runemaster Class by James Mishler, & Jodi Moran-Mishler From James Mishler Games For Labyrinth Lord or Castles & Crusades Rpg Campaigns

" Dwarves and gnomes are adept at using magic to enchant armor, weapons, and other items, infusing them with magical power. While the golden age of runemaster power is long since passed, even today the dwarves and gnomes are known for their enchanting prowess."

James Mishler Games sent me the Runemasters pdf three days ago & its put me right back into the C&C OSR game mind set especially since we've got two players who are dwarven & gnome fanatics. This class has at its heart the ability to create Runestones; "Runes: Runemasters learn runes much like magic-users learn spells, keeping their knowledge in a book of runes that only other runemasters can read (no need for read magic, and read magic is useless to magic-users, as they cannot learn runes). A runemaster begins play knowing two 1st level runes, and automatically learn one new rune of their choice every level thereafter, of a level they may cast. They may also learn runes from other runemasters and by finding and learning them from ancient books of runes. Time and cost for learning (“mastering”) a rune and inscribing it in one’s book of runes is the same as for a magic-user to learn a spell of the same level. The number of runes listed on the table is the number of runes the runemaster may cast per day. Runemasters do not memorize runes; they may cast any runes they have mastered, in any combination they choose, 4 based on the number of casting slots of that rune level. Runemasters do not gain bonus runes due to high Intelligence or Wisdom. Runes musts be scribed – written on flesh, stone, gems, metal, paper, or even drawn in the air – to be cast. Usually this is done with the index finger, the magically-drawn rune often glowing upon the surface or even in midair for the duration (though some runes are invisible, and riven runes must be chiseled or etched for permanency). Thus, as with other spell casting, the runemaster cannot move and must have at least one hand free to cast a rune." 
But what's so new about this?! Dwarves have been doing it since the early days of 'The Dragon' magazine?! The difference is in the way that the magic is embedded into the character class. The Runemaster is dynamic class & very important to the Castles & Crusades table top level. Runemasters are really the essential class when dealing with magic weapons, dungeons, etc. and this is huge. They also get thirty four new runes for the player to deal with. 
This is huge for the adventurers because it gives them a leg up for magic items, relics, & much more. The runemaster is going to be a game changer in campaigns so keep this in mind. 

This means that the Runemaster at higher levels can do all kinds of mayhem when it comes to dungeon delving, dealing with the forge, & much more. And it adds a new wrinkle to the legendary & mythological background of many of the Castles & Crusades books. The real difference with the Runemaster is for the Castles & Crusades Mythos Series. The runemaster in those settings is a force to be reckoned with. Look how many mythological & popculture resources such as  Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung). In Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung),we see the true extent of the vengeance of a Runemaster. 
Runemasters is solidly put together & offers the players or the  dungeon master a truly solid class to add to their OSR arsenal. For the Dwarven or Gnome fanatic player this is an automatic buy. For the DM looking to add more depth to their Dwarves this is grab & go to drop into the OSR campaign. 

Runemasters Is Available Right Here