What kinds of messages appeared in early Scandinavian runic inscriptions?

Early Scandinavian runic inscriptions served a variety of purposes, typically falling into the following categories:

• Commemorative and Sepulchral: Many inscriptions were created as memorials to the dead. These often functioned as grave markers, sometimes invoking deities such as Thor to hallow the site.123
• Ownership and Manufacture: A significant number of early inscriptions were brief, identifying the owner of an object or the person who crafted it. A famous example is the inscription on the Gallehus Horns, which states, "I, Hlewagastiz, son of Holti, made [this] horn".2
• Magical and Sacral: Runes were frequently attributed with magical powers, and inscriptions were often cut for magical purposes or to appeal to deities. This practice of using runes for charms persisted in Scandinavia long after the introduction of Christianity, continuing into the 16th and 17th centuries.14356
• Epic and Narrative: While most inscriptions were brief, some were more extensive. For instance, the Rök Stone in Sweden contains a lengthy text that appears to catalog epic deeds.1