Runespan

Runespan is a new Runecrafting training method for all players, announced in the April 2012 Behind the Scenes, and released on 30 April 2012. A developer blog, which gives information about the activity, was released on 27 April 2012 on the RuneScape homepage.

The Runespan is another dimension, discovered by Wizard Finix, where runes can be pulled from elemental nodes or from the wildlife. As confirmed in the Runespan development blog, this area known as the Runespan is located in the vast sea of nothingness which surrounds the Runecrafting Guild. This void is filled with mystical islands which players can explore to gather runes, and rescue trapped or lost wizards.

Location
The Runespan can be found in the Wizards' Tower, by the Runecrafting Guild entrance, after talking to Wizard Finix.

You can travel there by going to the Wizards' tower or use the wicked hood.

Although debated in the Runecrafting Guild, Wizard Finix claims the runecrafting altars currently used to craft runes will become unstable, and the Runespan will become the only method to create runes. It is unlikely, however, that the altars will become unstable in the timespace of the game, as this would alter gameplay too much. [http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?254,255,170,63698139

There will be three categorized areas, each catered to different Runecrafting levels, but free-to-play will only have access to the first area. Runes gathered will be taken by the Runecrafting Guild, but members will be able to claim points towards Wicked Robes, new magical staves and a new pouch which will hold 18 essence, and all players will be rewarded with Runecrafting experience.

Runespan will be playable at any Runecrafting level. At Runefest 2011, Jagex stated that it would be a minigame, however it was later changed to be a training method. The experience granted will surpass the ZMI altar at 70+ Runecrafting.

While gaining xp in Runespan, strange rocks may be found.

XP
You gain xp by siphoning essling and esshounds. Randomly a wizard will call on you, if you find them and give them runes, they will award you xp.

Points
It is notable that using runes to travel around or chipping off creatures will decrease your points.

Creatures
Various creatures inhabit The RuneSpan, which can be 'siphoned' for runes to help cross platforms to other islands. Below is a list of the various creatures, with the rates of successful siphoning. The higher your runecrafting level, the less you fail siphoning. If you fail, you'll get only 1 experience.

Nodes
If you fail, you'll get either 1 or 2 experience. All nodes have their element(s) shown in the white circle on the ground around them.

Yellow Wizard
Players receive an in-game message regarding the wizard calling for help.

An xp reward will be given based upon the type of runes that the wizard needs and how many you have of them, the type of runes that the wizard will require is random.

To find the wizard, talk to any wizard in blue robes and ask for the wizard in yellow robes, you will then receive a flashing arrow leading you to the wizard in yellow robes.

You may not always be able to reach the wizard since you sometimes need a higher level runecrafting to cross a platform to the wizard.

Rewards
Runes gathered in Runespan would be taken by the Runecrafting guild. In return, players receive Runespan points to spend on various rewards.

Points can be spend in Wizard Finix's reward-shop in the wizard tower next to the portal to the runecrafting guild.

Esteem
For every level earned, Esteem changes the design/symbol on the wicked cape by the unlocked design. Level 1 (the highest tier) is required for the trimmed Completionist cape.

Re-colour
You can re-colour your wicked equipment for 2000 Points.

Trivia

 * At 8:00 PM UTC, 28 April 2012, when the See the Future event began, rifts to the Runespan opened in the Grand Exchange near the west wall, at the Catherby fruit tree patch, and in the central market of Ardougne. Esslings also appeared with them. Wizard Finix was also seen for a brief time during this teaser, and left along with the rift orbs.
 * Approximately 10 minutes after the rift spawned, the Esslings disappeared, a runesphere appeared in place of the rift. It also disappeared after a few minutes.
 * You CAN get strange rocks and spin tickets from the Runespan.
 * The respawn time of the various creatures in Runespan is extremely short. It is unknown whether if its a glitch or intended.
 * Towards the north sections the Dominion Tower is able to be seen rising from below to past the islands of Runespan