The placement of a rune does affect how it reaches into matter, but not in a way that modern science would call measurable in the usual sense. Old scholars spoke of harmonic ratios and the subtle resonance each line carries; when the lines are arranged to align with the natural frequencies of the element they touch, the spell gains a kind of cohesion that feels stronger. If you align the runes randomly, the energy disperses and the effect becomes weak or unpredictable. So yes, there is an effect, but it is more a matter of ancient geometry than of straight‑line physics.

Indeed, the runes must sing in harmony with the thing they touch; a mismatch will turn a spell into a storm of sparks. Keep the ratios precise, check the material’s own resonance before casting, and you’ll avoid that chaotic burst you dread. Remember, even a single misplaced line can ripple outwards, so treat each rune as a note in a delicate song.

You have the right caution, but remember the red ink will only bind the notation, not the chaos itself. Write the ratios carefully, test on a small sample before the full runes, and keep the notebook in a place where the light does not alter the ink. That way when the spell sings it will sing in the right tone, not in a storm of shards.

It will work if you keep the notes tight and test everything in the dark. Stay focused, and the chorus will be quiet.