Which is more efficient? The western/European fantasy runic system or the xainxia Eastern fantasy runic system.

[Jimyd]

In an earlier thread of mine I wondered on whether a QR code could be considered a rune. (All I can say is that there is a non-zero chance that it might.)
Now that that train of thought led me down the rabbit hole that I would like to call runic theory. Today's poll would be on the efficiency of runic systems, we will be comparing the two most popular since I haven't really come in contact with any other systems (and will like to keep an open mind).
I would personally like to say that I'm heavily biased towards the western European fantasy runic system when considering efficiency since I haven't really read any works where there has been an in-depth, dive-in expose on the eastern runic system. Now before we go deeper when I say efficiency I don't mean broad level power scaling efficiency this thread is to discuss personal efficiency.
The Western European Fantasy Runic System or WEFRS for short is more of a user friendly runic system, I am not alluding that it is easy to use. No I am saying that it's is more malleable and isn't as rigid as it's Eastern counterpart that operates more as a law based runic system as opposed to the WEFRS that operates as a interactive language.
Eastern fantasy runic system or EFRS for short can be said to be a runic system that evolved from astronomy since it started from the observation of the heavens and hie better to observe the heavens than the heavenly bodies. EFRS can now been said to be a law based runic system (I might discuss this topic of law and Language based runic systems in length on another thread in the coming future), some sort of mystic mathematics. Giving it a more rigid mechanical operational system since it is law based and can be said to be easier to pick up for newbies since in-depth understanding is not needed in the early stages of the discipline as memorization is key and where any proper change that is to be made will need you to be some sort of Grandmaster, this has made it a more orthodox form of rune system whereas the WEFRS is a more personalized form of rune system where you can if you so wish, develop your own personal runic subsystem for your use while not needing to be some sort of rune Grandmaster as language development does not need you to be a knowledgeable it all (sure it might be incongruent at the start, but thats the fun part as when you get started you can correct mistakes along the way as you create something that's wholly yours). Now that I've gotten my point across I would like to hear your point of view.

 

[Alski]

 

[Representing_Tromba]

The simpler the better. Western style may have less numbers but it requires less time and effort for the same quality of output. You could argue that Eastern style is better because you can fine tune it to where it is as close to perfect as you can get but we are talking about efficiency here. The best archers skill doesn't matter to the near Infinite crossbow weilding peasent fodder when it comes to an arms race.

 

[RiceballWasTaken]

View attachment 36652

Why did you post this twice lol

 

[tiaf]

Please add spacing and group some paragraphs. Can’t follow with my mush brain

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

Considering that we are talking about non-existent systems here, discussing their merit is purely hypothetical.

 

[LesserSarcasm]

its like discussing which sharpened metal stick is better to kill the opponent with. If your world warrant it use both why limit yourself, magic is magic

 

[Alski]

Why did you post this twice lol

If i posted it twice it was probably muffins fault.

 

[NotaNuffian]

Anyone actually understand what the OP is trying to say?

So western style is much more personalized, more adaptable and ???

While eastern style is... I cannot see the supposed benefit in the wall of text. Are you having difficulty with Chinese character based style? If so, then Japanese and Korean will hurt you as well.

Mr/ Ms/ Mrs @Jimyd , could you please put the two objects that you have plan to compare in below format before posting?

Pro of 1st Object
1.
2.
3.

Con of 1st
1.
2.
3.

Pro of 2nd Object (as compared against 1st)
1.
2.
3.

Con of 2nd
1.
2.
3.

On the topic, you do not have to fill up 1 to 3.

 

[tiaf]

The simpler the better. Western style may have less numbers but it requires less time and effort for the same quality of output. You could argue that Eastern style is better because you can fine tune it to where it is as close to perfect as you can get but we are talking about efficiency here. The best archers skill doesn't matter to the near Infinite crossbow weilding peasent fodder when it comes to an arms race.

Paul, how did you understand this wall of text?

 

[unlaumy]

I don't misunderstand you, but I'm not convinced by your definitions. Because all i'm seeing is, eastern runes are something-something, therefore law and western runes are something something, therefore personalized and freeforms. Where is the justification? Who said these things when you said 'it is said'?

Eastern fantasy runic system or EFRS for short can be said to be a runic system that evolved from astronomy since it started from the observation of the heavens and hie better to observe the heavens than the heavenly bodies.

East asian 'runes' are basically fengshui and talismans. These two are diametrical, as one of them uses external and the other internal 'energy' to make runes. You can argue fengshui is law-based, but what make talismans more rigid than western runes when you basically also just need to write shit on something and imbue qi/willpower in them?

whereas the WEFRS is a more personalized form of rune system where you can if you so wish, develop your own personal runic subsystem for your use while not needing to be some sort of rune Grandmaster as language development does not need you to be a knowledgeable it all

Again, who said this? Norse runic magic is basically like Chinese talismans but probably with just sticks and stones. You can argue alchemy is another form of runic magic in the west. Every metals and basic ingredients have their 'essence' and it's up to your knowledge (as the alchemist) to cook your masterpiece or splatter 'runes' with those materials on whatever surface. So IT IS STILL law-based like what you attributed to the eastern runes.

Norse also use auspice, they read celestial bodies and signs in the surroundings, so I don't understand why you lock this aspect only for the eastern, and conveniently forget it when you're talking about western.

Find out why it was Romulus not Remus who became the leader. Maybe go back to the hellenic religion and see what was up in the iliad and the odyssey.

---

Or maybe, you meant to say you were comparing 'modern fantasy' runes for western and eastern, regardless of the history. But why the purposely limiting the eastern runes? Qi or internal energy and talismans and fengshui don't go away just because apparently you're not allowed to be superstitious in China (there are still SK and Japan).

So yeah, I don't buy why this system is malleable while the other is rigid from your little explanations.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Paul, how did you understand this wall of text?

I didn't read it.

 

[tiaf]

@Jimyd could you elaborate more on what rules you have set for West and East system?

Every story has other take on those two, so what did you have in mind? I can’t make a judgement if there aren’t clear rules set up.

 

[Placeholder]

Jimyd, lay out your definitions a bit more clearly next time, with examples and no run on sentences.

 

[Empress_Omnii]

I have no idea what

when I say efficiency I don't mean broad level power scaling efficiency this thread is to discuss personal efficiency.

Is supposed to mean...

But I prefer the mechanics of Eastern rune systems. (Rather I've seen too many western variations that I'm not sure which is being discussed)