All magic in the world of "Suikoden" comes from Runes. Any person can have a rune inscribed on them, although some people are more talented in their use, and others can inscribe more than one rune (with three as the general maximum). In turn, all power from individual carved runes ultimately descends from the 27 True Runes, which created the world in "Suikoden"'s mythology. Bearers of a True Rune gain tremendous power and do not age; these Runes are thus hotly contested.