Terahard Studios has announced Runesmith, its latest turn based tactical RPG that combines rune forging, tavern brawls, and unpredictable status effect combinations in an adventure inspired by classic fantasy settings. The project made its debut with a first trailer during the Indie Quest 2026 Showcase, where its official Steam page was also launched and opened for wishlisting.

The game places players in the role of a dwarf whose life is as chaotic as it is productive, balancing time between the forge, excessive ale consumption, and fights that can break out in both dungeons and taverns. The experience embraces a humorous approach to the genre while maintaining deep progression systems and strategic combat.

Aris Tsevrenis, CEO of Terahard Studios, highlighted the importance of the project for the company's history. According to him, "Runesmith is a dream come true as it's the company's first true RPG, something that I've wanted to build in all the 13 years of Terahard's existence. Fantasy dwarves are loved for a lot of different reasons and their deep lore makes them extra interesting. Being a D&D player for many years, it was something that I always wanted to try. Runesmith is a mixture of our humour, crafting and how both can affect combat in interesting ways."

The story follows a group of adventurers tasked with tracking down a powerful summoner who threatens the world. However, the motivation behind the quest is far from heroic. Rather than setting out to save existence itself, the protagonist embarks on a mission of revenge after being cheated by someone who still owes him money, reinforcing the irreverent tone that runs throughout the experience.

One of the game's key features is its rune based crafting system, which allows players to forge weapons, armor, trinkets, and magical combinations capable of dramatically influencing combat encounters. Interactions between different rune engravings can trigger chain reactions, resulting in devastating outcomes or problems far greater than the ones players originally intended to solve.

Dwarven life itself plays a central role in progression. In addition to improving the forge, players can take on questionable jobs, spend time in taverns, get involved in fights, and invest in their craft while managing a lifestyle fueled by greed, stubbornness, and industrial quantities of ale.

The combat system aims to stand out within the genre by turning every battle into a playground of experimentation. Status effects can interact in unexpected ways, creating chain reactions that reward creativity and recklessness. Examples showcased include harmless looking fog transformed into a dangerous hazard through poison and situations where excessive drinking leaves characters increasingly impaired as combat unfolds.

Towns, mines, ruins, dungeons, and taverns make up the game's world, which is also populated by merchants, priests, nobles, and eccentric adventurers. Surrounded by monsters and ancient horrors, players will explore a fantasy setting filled with peculiar personalities, where the inhabitants often seem less reasonable than the creatures threatening the realm.