Season 4 of the Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild campaign ran from August 2012 to July 2013. The season is referred to as the Year of the Risen Rune due to the season's prominent presence in Varisia and activities dealing with the mystic civilizations ruled by ancient wizard kings, or Runelords, that were lost to time. During this Season, the Cheliax Faction saw their faction head disappear and threatened to be killed. Through the actions of Pathfinders from around the world that aligned themselves with the Cheliax faction, Zarta Dralneen was rescued, though her power in nation of Cheliax would never be the same. During a Mid-Season update, it was determined that the Lantern Lodge and the Shadow Lodge factions would be eliminated from being an available faction for Pathfinders to align themselves with by the end of the season. When the season ended, the factions that remained were: Andoran, Cheliax, Grand Lodge, Osirion, Qadira, Sczarni, Silver Crusade, and Taldor.