Explosive Runes is a spell which the Wizard Vaarsuvius frequently uses to get revenge on people who annoy them, or get too close (Belkar kissed V in 316). It is therefore most frequently used on Belkar Bitterleaf. Vaarsuvius usually uses the spell by writing "I prepared Explosive Runes this morning," or simply "Explosive Runes" in a place where the intended victim is likely to read it. (The writing does not strictly need to include the words "Explosive Runes", as demonstrated in comic 659.) Sometimes they will give the spell to the victim, but they often use a more subtle approach.
List of victims[]
- A group of unnamed Goblin Henchmen
- A stable-gnome
- Belkar Bitterleaf (who has suffered on no fewer than 15 occasions)
- Xykon
List of appearances[]
- Comic 92 (Reading is Fundamental)
- Comic 173 (It Is Always Exactly Where They Intend It to Be)
- Comic 220 (For a Reasonable Fee) (mentioned by Miko Miyazaki)
- Comic 221 (Recycling Works)
- Comic 317 (The Best Part of Waking Up)
- Comic 318 (The Move Action of Shame) (off panel)
- Comic 323 (Don't Make Me Turn This Quest Around) (mentioned by Belkar)
- Comic 659 (Flight of the Phylactery)
- Comic 660 (Lucky Breaks)