Runes are an alphabet used by the Germanic peoples of Europe, believed to have mystical powers. In Norse mythology, runes are associated with Odin, the All-Father, who sacrificed one of his eyes in exchange for wisdom and the power of the runes. There are two main types of runes referenced in God of War Ragnarök: the Elder Futhark, which consists of 24 characters, and the Younger Futhark, with 16 characters.