Hi everyone
One of my players is creating a character and has bought a +1 Potency Rune. At first we thought you only needed to buy the rune, then to etch it, but after reading the runes rules, we found :
Etching a rune on an item follows the same process as using the Craft activity to make an item. You must have the formula for the rune, and the item you’re adding the rune to must be in your possession throughout the etching process. The rune has no effect until you complete the Craft activity. You can etch one rune at a time, and you can add or replace runes at a later time.
So now we are confused about how to buy runes. Here are our hypothesis :
1. You can buy a rune directly for its price on page 371, and it is immediatly etched into the weapon/armor of your choice (and you can buy a formula later if you want to)
2. If you want to enhance the weapon/armor of your choice, you can't buy a rune directly and you have to buy the formula before enhancing your weapon/armor or you have to buy a runestone with the rune on it
Which one is correct ?
While it's a little unclear, it seems the intent is that if you buy the rune outright, someone else does the etching for you or you basically have an FF7 materia. If you have the formula, you can etch it yourself, which follows the Craft activity - namely, takes 4 days for a same level item, can be half price if you take long enough, etc.
Hmm, I see. I think it's more the "the smith etches it for you" route. It makes more sense.