Norse runes are an ancient writing system used by the Germanic peoples of Northern Europe, including the Vikings. The runes were used for writing, divination, and magical purposes. The runic alphabet consists of 24 characters, each representing a different sound or letter. The runes were typically inscribed on wood, stone, or metal, and were used for everything from writing messages to casting spells. The runes are still used today by practitioners of Norse paganism and by those interested in the history and culture of the Vikings.