Rune Domain
The Rune Domain turns written magic, inscribed wards and symbols that hold power until the right moment into cleric mechanics. Pathfinder expands the old 3.5e domain into a trap-and-trigger play style built around Blast Rune and Spell Rune.
At a Glance
| Divine Sphere | Runes, magical writing, inscriptions, glyphs, wards, symbols and encoded power |
|---|---|
| Typical Role | Prepared defender, magical trap-setter, scribe and warding specialist |
| Published Rules | Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e |
| Modern D&D Status | No official same-named Rune Domain in D&D 5e/2014 or the 2024 Cleric rules. |
| Typical Patrons | Odin, Thoth, and other powers whose established portfolios include sacred writing, magical symbols or encoded knowledge |
Edition Applicability
Rune is a published domain in Pathfinder 1e and an additional domain in D&D 3.5e. Both grant Scribe Scroll and use the same domain spell progression, but Pathfinder adds two major domain powers. There is no official same-named Rune Domain for the 2014 or 2024 Cleric.
Rune Domain — Pathfinder 1e
Rules status: published Pathfinder 1e Core Rulebook domain. You gain Scribe Scroll as a bonus feat.
Blast Rune
As a standard action, create an invisible blast rune in one adjacent square. The first creature to enter that square takes 1d6 damage + 1 for every two Cleric levels. Choose acid, cold, electricity or fire when the rune is created. It lasts for a number of rounds equal to your Cleric level or until discharged. It counts as a 1st-level spell for dispelling, and you can use Blast Rune a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Spell Rune
At 8th level, when you create a Blast Rune you can attach another spell you cast to it. The attached spell must be at least one spell level lower than the highest-level Cleric spell you can cast and must target one or more creatures. When the rune is triggered, the stored spell affects only the creature that triggered it, in addition to the rune’s normal damage. The attached spell remains expended even if the rune is never triggered before it expires.
Pathfinder 1e Rune Domain Spells
| 1st | Erase |
|---|---|
| 2nd | Secret Page |
| 3rd | Glyph of Warding |
| 4th | Explosive Runes |
| 5th | Lesser Planar Binding |
| 6th | Greater Glyph of Warding |
| 7th | Instant Summons |
| 8th | Symbol of Death |
| 9th | Teleportation Circle |
Rune Domain — D&D 3.5e
Rules status: published D&D 3.5e SRD additional domain.
Granted Power
You gain Scribe Scroll as a bonus feat.
D&D 3.5e Rune Domain Spells
| 1st | Erase |
|---|---|
| 2nd | Secret Page |
| 3rd | Glyph of Warding |
| 4th | Explosive Runes |
| 5th | Lesser Planar Binding |
| 6th | Greater Glyph of Warding |
| 7th | Instant Summons |
| 8th | Symbol of Death |
| 9th | Teleportation Circle |
How the Rune Domain Plays
Pathfinder Rune rewards preparation. Blast Rune lets the cleric control a square before enemies arrive, and Spell Rune turns that trigger into a delivery system for another spell. D&D 3.5e is less tactical at the domain-power level, concentrating its identity in magical writing, Scribe Scroll and the glyph-heavy spell list.
Who Grants the Rune Domain?
Odin is a natural patron where rune knowledge forms part of his established cult. Thoth may support the domain where sacred writing and magical inscription are central. Other patrons should qualify because their portfolios actually involve signs, scripts, glyphs or written magic—not merely because their priests keep records.
Priests, Temples and Rites
Rune priests carve boundary stones, inscribe doors, maintain coded archives, prepare protective marks and preserve dangerous formulae that should not be spoken aloud. Their sanctuaries may resemble scriptoria, stone circles, workshops or vaults covered in layered inscriptions whose meaning changes according to who is permitted to read them.
What Are Rune Priests Doing Now?
They are deciphering damaged wards, tracing counterfeit inscriptions, repairing seals on old tombs, recovering stolen rune-stones and determining whether an ancient symbol was meant as a warning, a prison, a key or a weapon.
Related Domains and Character Options
Rules Sources and Licensing
- Pathfinder 1e: Scribe Scroll, Blast Rune, Spell Rune and the spell list follow the Pathfinder Core Rulebook Rune Domain.
- D&D 3.5e: the bonus feat and spell list follow the SRD Additional Domains.
- Modern D&D: no same-named Rune Domain is presented as an official 2014 or 2024 subclass.