Rune

I like runes!

Rune is one of the major characters from the game, Paper Lily. He helps guide Lacie to the lighthouse and can provide useful items to the player in exchange for runes that are collectible throughout the game. He provides useful information in a way that is often correct by technicality. He is also possibly tone deaf as his singing is off-key.

Appearance[]

Rune wears a pink hooded cloak with eye patterns on the cape and yellow fronds sprouting near the horns in his hood. He has a beige scarf and a face mask made of bandages as well as two white glowing eyes.

Chronology[]

Rune is a wealth of knowledge about the history of Demons, and the fact that he may have lived long enough to have forgotten his old name suggests he is rather long lived. He doesn't seem to like talking about future plans, as he doesn't explain what he plans to do with runes aside from liking them, and calls Lacie silly for asking about where he's going after spending more time in the facility.

Not like other Demons[]

Rune commends Lacie for her skepticism of him. He informs her that most other demons will kill her instantly if they find out she's a human. He also lets her know that the demon in the Locked Site will only kill her if it sees or hears her. Unlike other demons, he remains civil as a result of being well-fed. He possesses an extraordinary sense of smell, able to smell humans from quite far away.

Locations[]

He can be found in Red's treehouse after surviving the spike traps along the dock and in the centre of the Facility.

Connection to Sai[]

Sai has helped Rune out in the past by doing rituals in his spare time for him, though their interactions are often brief and impersonal as Sai does not provide him with runes.

Items[]

Name	Location	Description
Bug Net	Forest	A bug net that can be used to catch fireflies and put them in an empty container
Bolt Cutter	Forest	A bolt cutter that can be used to cut through multiple areas of the fence around the locked site as well as the lock on the trapdoor to Red's basement
Facility Map	Facility	A map of the facility
Screwdriver	Facility	A screwdriver that can be used to undo vent covers.

Paper Lily[]

Chapter 1[]

Forest[]

Rune appears at the treehouse as Lacie arrives, excited to see a visitor after a while. He encourages Lacie to make it across safely, cheering her on as she dodges spikes along the way.

Once Lacie successfully passes the spike puzzle and reaches the treehouse, Rune congratulates her, commending her dodging skills. Rune introduces himself as a lover of runes and suggests bringing them to him in exchange for trinkets. Lacie wonders if Rune is a friendly spirit but he reveals that humans have called him many names in the past, including "demons". Rune questions Lacie's humanity, suggesting there may be subtle differences between her and a true human. He mentions that she has a scent of something not good and that it's taboo to discuss. Lacie pleads for help and confesses performing a ritual to figure out what's wrong with her. She says she has been feeling off lately and wants to know how to fix it, even considers if she might be possessed. But Rune reassured her that possessions are outdated ideas. He suggests that Lacie may be cursed, as 99% of illnesses in their world are believed to be curses, leaving her puzzled about the remaining 1%. Rune advises her to seek out Red, who is known for lifting curses, and he can be found in a nearby treehouse.

After not finding Red in the treehouse, Lacie talks to Rune outside who tells her Red hasn't been there for a while. He suggests she might find Red at a lighthouse to the north, past the lake, advising her to go through a locked gate near a big tree for a shortcut. Rune warns Lacie that it can be dangerous and dark in that area, suggesting she brings a light. Lacie thanks Rune and jokes about demons being more hostile, to which Rune agrees. He reminds her that if anyone finds out she's human, they will kill her. Rune wishes Lacie well as she leaves on her journey.

You can interact with Rune again and ask up to five questions:[]

Why aren't you hostile?: Lacie questions why Rune isn't hostile like other demons, and Rune casually explains that he's well-fed.

Why do you collect runes?: When asked about his collection of runes, Rune states he simply enjoys having them but doesn't remember why his name is associated with them.

Red's treehouse?: Lacie is puzzled by Rune's reference to the house as "Red's treehouse" when it's not in a tree, and Rune clarifies that it's made of tree material. Rune finds Lacie's quirky nature amusing.

What will I find at the lighthouse?: Rune assures her that even if Red isn't there, the owner will be able to help her. He jokes that the owner won't eat her, but Lacie still feels apprehensive.

What is inside the locked site?: Rune mentions a locked site behind a fence, with a monster inside. He explains that it won't bother her as long as she stays hidden, and advises her to bring a light for the dark area. Lacie wonders if it's really the only way to the lighthouse but Rune tells her it's the only way he knows to get to the lighthouse.

Lacie questions Rune about how he crossed the bridge without getting impaled by spikes, and Rune simply responds that he just walked and must have missed them. He explains that he moves around frequently and came to Red's treehouse in search of more runes. Rune then starts humming off-key as they finish their conversation.

You can hand over two runes to Rune, and then he can exchange the 1st rune for a bug net and the 2nd one for bolt cutters.

Facility[]

When Lacie and Sai arrived at the center of the Facility, they encountered Rune, who was surprised to see them. Lacie quickly hushed him, explaining that she didn't give her name to just anyone, leading Sai to become jealous. Lacie revealed she is cautious due to a curse that can kill someone by knowing their name. Rune greeted Sai, mentioning their interactions were typically brief as Sai didn't provide him with runes.

Lacie wonders how Rune ended up here, he casually mentioning that he just "walked" there. Lacie says she's still trying to find a way to the lighthouse, but Rune informs her she must have taken a wrong turn and there is no way back outside. Sai questions if they are stuck, to which Rune explains that some doorknobs only work one way. He points out a path deeper down, mentioning a potentially cursed door that could lead somewhere if they are lucky. This reminded Lacie of a forum post she had read about cursed doors, and she needed a paper lily to place in a vase in order to go back home.

You can interact with Rune again and ask up to three questions:[]

What is this place?: Lacie asks what this place is, and Rune admits he doesn't know since no one has been here for hundreds of years.

What do I do about the primals?: Lacie says that there's some shadow demons lurking around here. Rune calls them primals and suggests she keep her distance from them.

How do you know Sai?: Lacie asked Rune and Sai if they had bumped into each other a few times. Sai mentions he went through a lot of rituals, leaving Lacie to wonder how he managed to make it out alive. Sai jokes that she looks almost let down by his survival.

If you have two runes, give one to Rune for a map and the other for a screwdriver. If you have four runes, give them all to Rune to receive two coins after getting the screwdriver.

If you choose to drain the water/operate the elevator/remove the blue fuse (25) with a door symbol, Rune will depart the facility. This will unlock the cells in the dungeon room where the Primal Demons are located, as mentioned by Sai.