So i'm a crazy noob. What is the purpose/use of Runes?

Okay so I got this game last friday, and i've noobed it up for a while, and I got one of my characters up to the post searing stage. So i'm like "wtf mate" when it comes to runes. I think they are supposed to increase the power/strength of something but not quite sure how to implement them.

Apply runes to your armour by double-clicking them and then clicking on the piece of armour you want to upgrade. Runes increase the attributes of their name, i.e. a Rune of Minor Marksmanship will give you a bonus attribute point under 'Marksmanship'. A Rune of Vigor will increase your health.

Runes are used as upgrade items for your armor. They increase one of your Primary profession attributes (ie, Expertise, Marksmanship etc for a Ranger)

Minor - +1 point
Major - +2 points at a -50hp cost
Superior - +3 points at a -75hp cost

Runes of the same attribute do not stack. So you can't use three seperate minors in there peices of armor to gain the +3 bonus at no cost. Also you can only insert one rune into one peice or armor. If you try to insert another rune it will 'overwrite' the run already present (after confirming with a warning dailog).

I wonder how long until this gets whacked...

The search button is your friend.