Just out of curiosity... does anyone know of any games that use runes or that could be adapted to use runes? I know that traditionally runes have been used to make predictions, etc, but I was wondering if anyone had come across other uses for them?

Hey, neat idea!

Other uses? Runes are simply a fully-functional alphabet which has been used by e.g. Germanic tribes before the introduction of the Latin alphabet.

So, yes there is a game which can be adapted and I am sure that now you've given me the idea I'll have lots of fun with trying that out. Scrabble!!
Now, that is a fun way to study for my Linguistics exam in January!

I would suggest playing Sudoku with numeric runes, but the effort seems futile as it would only complicate things. We used to learn the meaning of the individual Anglo-Saxon runes by heart in our Ancient Runes lessons, though, which was fun. A guessing game, perhaps?

Bring it on. I can read Anglo Saxon Futhark, Elder Futhark and McPhail's Phonetic Phuthark. (IMG:http://the-pensieve.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/icon_mrgreen.gif)

YOU? Read McPhail's Phonetics? I shouldn't think so!

Of course I can. If I choose to. So there. Give me time to download the manual and I'll be able to write in McPhuthark. (IMG:http://the-pensieve.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

LMAO! Well, anyone can read OR write ANY Futhark if they have a manual!

You guys know how to jack a thread. (IMG:http://the-pensieve.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Rune games? Eh. I have some runes about 10 feet away from me, so I'll try throwing them at walls and crap to see if they bounce, and maybe come up with a game. (IMG:http://the-pensieve.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/icon_mrgreen.gif)

(IMG:http://the-pensieve.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/icon_mrgreen.gif) Sounds good! Do inform us of the results of this ludological experiment.

Ok, this is probably the most important question ever asked in connection with alphabets and writing systems, though not strictly an HP related question only:

If the Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet had caught on, would there be Runes Soup today instead of the mundane ABC-variety we have? (IMG:http://the-pensieve.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
And, even more importantly, what would the rarest rune in the soup be?

The rarest would be the Wyrd, of course! No one could find a single one in the entire thing. (IMG:http://the-pensieve.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/icon_mrgreen.gif)

(Note: For those unfamiliar with runes, the Wyrd is a blank rune symbolizing fate. Think about it real hard and you'll get the joke.)

Incidentally:
(IMG:http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l138/LanceFilch/runes-1.jpg)

I love how you used the SE vowels as a standard on this one. Awe-some.

You mean the /y/ one? I don't think that's specifically Scottish, actually. I know we heard about it in Scotland first, but the shift also happening in England, I think.

I have discovered a rune game!

It is called "Your Fortune is Chasing You". It involves following anyone nearby around and throwing runes at them. One point for hitting limbs, two for hitting the back, three for hitting the head. If you manage to get one into their mouth, you get a million bajillion points.

MWA HA HA HA HA HA HA

... I think I am going to stick with Elder Futhark Scrabble, but thanks all the same.

And Joshycrock, yes, I was talking about the /y/ and still defy the opinion that that's happening in England as well. To some individual speakers, maybe, but on the whole? Naaaah.