Shadowhunters, more formally known as Nephilim, are human-angel hybrids who possess angelic blood. You have been elevated to the prime physical human condition. To push yourself beyond this, you need to draw Angelic Runes, or Marks, on your skin using your personal Stele.
Steles are the tools used by every Shadowhunter to draw Marks on their skin, each stele is made out of the heavenly metal, Adamas. Adamas is nigh-indestructible, silver-white, translucent, and smooth as glass but warmer and heavier. When your stele is in use, the runes on it glow slightly.
Your personal Stele can be summoned to your hand at any time, regardless of its material condition. Inscribing runes onto your skin grants you power related to the rune drawn. Drawing runes comes naturally to you, as would mundane art if you attempted it. You will always be able to further improve a rune form until it reaches an angel’s definition of perfect, empowering the rune immensely.
These runes grant various powers and abilities such as enhanced senses, increased speed, accelerated healing, and protection against demonic influence. Different runes serve different purposes and can be used strategically in battle or for everyday tasks. While most runes are temporary, there are a few special runes that are permanent.
As one with supernatural blood running through your veins, you have access to the ‘Sight’, which allows you to pierce through magical illusions, allowing you to see the true forms of other beings.
You are given a physical copy of the Grey Book that cannot be lost or permanently destroyed. This book contains every rune gifted to the Shadowhunters by the Angel Raziel.