A runemark was a magical coin created by the court of the Disir and given to those found wanting by the gods, but worthy of their judgement. The Old Religion held that the runemark not only contained a man's guilt but the path that the gods had chosen for him: that is why it was viewed as both judgement and fate. The people of the Old Ways believed that only the gods can alter a man's fate, and even then, only when he repents and appeases them.