The "ancient" script featured in the book is the result of a long development process. The first approach was to combine the look of the occult symbols used in medieval grimoires with the calligraphy of the Fraktur black letter.

The grimoire script looked too prominent and distracted from the text. A more subdued look was needed, something that would look like plain ornamentation. Next approach was to use the Alphabet Synthesis Machine. Its output looked uniform, but the signs looked arbitrary, lacking the stylized features of real alphabets. They also looked like handwriting, which could compromise legibility.

Another idea was a script based on the symbols for electronic components. With added serifs, the symbols indeed looked like an ancient script, but the general feel was a bit too repetitive and contrived.

The final approach was to synthesize features from existing alphabets. The chosen ones were Sanskrit and Hebrew, due to their attractive, top-aligned look. The pointy characters were influenced by Oscan, a Roman alphabet descended from Etruscan.

The final design looks mysterious, yet doesn't distract from the text.

Examples of other magic, ancient and mysterious-looking alphabets.

You can see the solution and read Jeremy Brown's account of decipherment.

See the Ciphers page for more information about the ciphers in the book.