This is what I imagined when I read:
QUOTE
A runic totem is planted solidly in the ground. A small ward hangs here, the bones clattering against one another quietly in the breeze.
And lightly skimmed:
QUOTE
Expertly formed from carefully carved wood and thick leather, this runic totem protrudes almost five feet from the ground, although it is not particularly think in diameter. Largely unadorned, its smooth surface is interrupted only by the delicate silver inlay that defines spaces for six runes.
A rune like an open eye is sketched in slot 1.
A rune resembling a bell is sketched in slot 2.
A rune that looks like a nail is sketched in slot 3.
A rune that looks like a nail is sketched in slot 4.
A rune that looks like a nail is sketched in slot 5.
A rune that looks like something out of your nightmares is sketched in slot 6.
It is tuned against enemies of the City of Ashtan.
It is tuned for members of the City of Ashtan.
It weighs about 30 pounds.
It bears the distinctive mark of Liraniel.
You may use this item to parry with.
This totem is the property of The City of Ashtan.
A rune like an open eye is sketched in slot 1.
A rune resembling a bell is sketched in slot 2.
A rune that looks like a nail is sketched in slot 3.
A rune that looks like a nail is sketched in slot 4.
A rune that looks like a nail is sketched in slot 5.
A rune that looks like something out of your nightmares is sketched in slot 6.
It is tuned against enemies of the City of Ashtan.
It is tuned for members of the City of Ashtan.
It weighs about 30 pounds.
It bears the distinctive mark of Liraniel.
You may use this item to parry with.
This totem is the property of The City of Ashtan.
The totem feels like a very normal thing, like a public mail box or phone booth in the city streets of our world, but with an important and protective purpose.
Notes:
I cannot draw living things with any clarity, most people I draw look like someone withered all of their limbs and gave them a number of horrible diseases. I cannot work efficiently with color. There will be smudges because I do not have a steady hand, and need to ground it somewhere. I did not realize I was using lined paper till a quarter of the way through, and realized it would matter half way through. I did need to erase and adjust lines. There are no shadows, for I did not plan for them when I started.
Since the last rune was describing "your" nightmares specifically, I assumed it to be different for every person and every instance. So I just drew stereotypical things that if enlarged and placed near you would be frightening.
Because the totem apparently works no matter which direction a person comes from, I thought the totem had enough sides to display the runes clearly in all directions. A heptagon seemed appropriate.
I haven't read anything detailing it, but I assumed the bones came from the children at the de Vermiis Orphanage. When I read that it hangs, I assumed that it had it's own stand to hang from, as one cannot guarantee that there will be something to hang it from in every room.
