Awesome, thanks for sharing!

I've considered it, but that's as far as I got in my "plan". 

Osric_of_O wrote:

They would be that, but are they able to attack from prone?  And for all that their AC is penalised, are their attacks not penalised for attacking from prone?
 

RAW: prone is never mentioned with respect to attacking while prone, only defending. It would probably be a helpful clarification to explicitly state that attacking while prone is not allowed under the definition of prone, but it is only implied (by the absence of any mention of attacking while prone, and only mentioning defending while prone). The discussion of surprized being treated as prone on p.266 of the PM strongly implies that prone means no attacks (since surprized parties cannot attack).

Indeed, perfect example! 

I did as well initially. Now I imagine Runegravers brandishing their runes in the same way a cleric brandishes their holy symbol.

The poem is recited during the rune creation process (p.87 of the Player's Manual), not upon casting. It does take a cast ("invoke") action, and since the Runegraver is a cleric subclass I'd rule that they can maintain their weapons and shield in hand while invoking, but no other action (aside from moving beforehand, like any spell caster).

Received mine yesterday, and the production quality is superb. 

Very interesting items specific to Hyperborea. Cheers!

I always interpreted it as light centered on a point, filling an unobstructed area: walls and such would obstruct/block the light. I'd also rule that it extends out to the limits of the area only, and beyond the area there would be darkness, no shadow.

Under most circumstances, I wouldn't permit a spell and a single attack combination. One spell, never combined with any attack, or multiple attacks: casting and attacking are two exclusive options, and can't be combined, in my opinion.

However, the case of something like Shocking Grasp is interesting: would it allow for an attack which misses, then a second attack? I'm not sure where I come down there, but still inclined to rule: melee or magic, pick one per round.