As the translation of the Japanese name is unofficial, it may contain errors.
A Runestone (Japanese: 鍵, Kagi [lit. "Key"]) is an item that can be carried which allows the user to wield a variety of different cards. Those who wield Runestones are called Runestone Bearers. The Runestones can be attached to different parts of the body. Katia has her Runestone attached to her hair, Tara has hers attached to her shawl, and Thalnos has his Runestone attached to his wrist, similarly to a gauntlet.
Lost Kingdoms
In Lost Kingdoms, there are multiple Runestones Katia collects. Originally, one Runestone belonged to each of the Five Kingdoms of Argwyll. During the events of the first game, some of the Runestones Katia must collect become displaced due to them being stolen.
In Alanjeh Castle, in the room where the Alanjian Runestone is first found (the Royal Treasury), on the walls there are scriptures that detail information on the Runestones and the Sacred Covenant. The scripture on the walls briefly explain the story of the Gods and their part in delivering the Runestones to each Kingdom. Those who signed the Sacred Covenant (the original 5 kings of Argwyll), were expected to guard their Runestone with their life, and to pass down the responsibility of protecting the Runestones to their heirs until the end of the world. In return, the Kingdoms were to be rewarded with everlasting prosperity.
Throughout the games, other Runestones have been mentioned to exist outside of the 5 collected by Katia in Argwyll. After the event with Helena in the Coliseum in the first game, she revealed that the Enchanter had taken all of the Runestones from her continent.
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"We, too, had 5 Runestones. Our family was assigned to guard one of the stones. Then He came along... The Enchanter! He Took them all..." – Helena
It is possible that the God of Harmony created a total of 10 Runestones. When the God of Harmony sealed the God of Destruction and the God of Creation into Runestones, It scattered the Runestones over the two continents.
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"Fearing a recurrence of the bloody struggle, the God of Harmony sealed her siblings into Runestones. The last god then split the land in twain, and scattered the Runestones over the two continents." – Argwyllian Myths, Scroll III
Because of this, the actual number of Runestones specified within Lost Kingdoms is 10. There were 5 Kingdoms in Argwyll, each with their own Runestone. Helena, along with certain Red Fairies within the first game, express coming from another world or continent (the word "world" and "continent" are used interchangeably within Lost Kingdoms in reference to the same location, the right continent across from Argwyll). The continent mentioned by Helena and certain Red Fairies had told Katia that the "other continent" also contained 5 Kingdoms along with 5 Runestones. The Argwyllian Myths, Scroll III, specify there only being two continents. Therefore, the total number of true Runestones mentioned is 10, although the total amount is not specified by the Gods or in the Argwyllian Myths.
Lost Kingdoms II
In Lost Kingdoms II, a way to mass-produce replica Runestones was discovered. The method of how this came to be is unknown, but they were created and manufactured within Kendaria. The replica Runestones were significantly less powerful than the true Runestone. This was most likely because the true Runestone held the power of the God of Creation, unlike the replicas. The replica Runestones had become popular among the elite.
Grenfoel Cathedral
In Grenfoel Cathedral, Rashiannu had told Tara information on the Body of the God of Harmony. She said that when the Body of the God of Harmony attacked a person, the soul of that person transferred into a Runestone.
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"Apparently, when it (Body of the God of Harmony) attacks a person, it transfers their soul from their body, and into a Runestone" – Rashiannu
Gallery
The Alanjian Runestone as it appears in the opening of Lost Kingdoms.The Alanjian Runestone as it appears in the ending of Lost Kingdoms.A screenshot of the Runestone from a cutscene in Lost Kingdoms II.The Grayln Runestone.The textures for the Gralyn Runestone.The Kendarie Runestone.The textures for the Kendarie Runestone.The Runestone of Wyht.The textures for the Runestone of Wyht.Helena's Runestone. It is most likely the stolen Runestone of Bhashea.The textures for Helena include those for her Runestone.The same applies to Thalnos and his own Runestone.Kendarie Runestones from the Lower Chambers of Lost Kingdoms II.The textures for the Kendarie Runestones in Lost Kingdoms II.
In Lost Kingdoms II, a way to mass-produce replica Runestones was discovered. The method of how this came to be is unknown, but they were created and manufactured within Kendaria. The replica Runestones were significantly less powerful than the true Runestone. This was most likely because the true Runestone held the power of the God of Creation, unlike the replicas. The replica Runestones had become popular among the elite.
