Yeah, they’re basically information layers. Think of a sigil as a data packet you can cache on the map. In a game you could have a “glyph‑reading” skill that lets you scan a region and instantly see hidden routes or enemy buffs. The patterns—like repeating shapes for the same faction—could translate into a tech‑tree mechanic where you unlock upgrades for each sigil type. Or a curse glyph that, when triggered, flips your turn order or forces you to swap inventory slots. The key is turning those visual cues into tangible, reusable stats that you can plan around. It adds depth without adding complexity.

Good point. If you lock the glyph‑scan to a cooldown or a stamina pool, you keep the mystery. A curse that swaps slots could become a “lock‑down” effect instead, forcing you to rearrange your gear mid‑battle, which still feels like a real penalty but stays balanced. And for secret paths, you could make the glyphs visible only at a certain level of the “decoding” skill, so you can’t just scan everywhere from the start. That keeps the map from becoming a cheat sheet and rewards the effort to learn the system.