The Bonecharms

Lore & Background

These artifacts represent a darker branch of ritual magic, often utilized by witches and cultists who seek to bend the Void's gifts without direct Outsider intervention. Each charm channels the essence of its source material; for example, a rat bone might improve agility or movement speed, while whalebone could enhance health regeneration or reduce detection. Bonecharms are permanent equippable items that provide constant effects; in Dishonored 1, they can be unequipped and swapped at any time during a mission via the inventory screen, not only between missions. The crafting process is dangerous and varies, but Dishonored 2's crafting lore does not explicitly require 'knowledge of both anatomy and metaphysics'; the in-game crafting is performed by the player using raw whalebone and runes, with no such explicit canonical requirement. Charms are typically crafted by skilled artisans using bone, metal, and ritualistic techniques.

In Their Own Story

The corpse was cold, but the charm still hummed against her palm. Emily slipped it onto her wrist, feeling a sudden chill run up her arm like spilled ice water. Her vision sharpened, edges of the room glowing faintly violet, yet her heartbeat slowed to a sluggish thud. She could move faster now, she knew, but every step felt heavier than before. A trade made in bone and blood.

Reader's Guide

Bonecharms offer players a way to customize their supernatural toolkit during missions across Dunwall and the Serkonos Isles. Each charm attaches to a specific power, modifying its behavior rather than granting new abilities outright. Common alterations include reducing cooldown times, increasing damage output, or changing how enemies perceive the user. However, these benefits come with significant drawbacks. A charm that makes possession last longer might drain health rapidly, while one that enhances stealth could limit movement speed. Finding them requires thorough exploration of enemy camps and abandoned ritual sites. Players must weigh the tactical advantages against the physical toll each charm exacts on their body. Strategic selection defines whether an agent survives the night or becomes another cautionary tale in the shadows of the Empire.

Did You Know?

• No charms actively drain health; all penalties are passive or static reductions, such as increased damage taken or slower movement.
• They are crafted from various creature bones found throughout the world.
• They provide constant passive effects and can be unequipped and swapped at any time during a mission in Dishonored 1 via the inventory screen.
• Bonecharms can enhance generic physical attributes like agility, speed, and health regeneration.