I love that wiki at UESP... here's the note I was referring to: "No Word Yet"
When asked about his name, Rune mentions that he was found by a shipwreck with a rune on a stone.
Can't remember whether it was the note or the conversation leading to getting the miscellaneous quest
But it doesn't give any specifics about the quest. I have the journal in my inventory, it is a quest item and I can't drop it. I got it before meeting Brand-Shei, aka Rune, so that might be the problem as I've read about other quests that break if you get the quest item before the quest. Though many of those have solutions to the problem that involve using console commands to force the dropping of the item so that you can pick it back up which fixes it. This entry doesn't even mention a specific quest let alone a bug list for it.
-Joseph-
Rune,
I've used every source at my disposal and I still can't find a trace of your parents. Whoever they are, they've completely erased themselves from history. This is quite a feat considering the quality of my sources. If I come up with anything else, I'll be certain to contact you.
Athel Newberry
NNE of windhelm there a boat sat around a lake at the north end, for some reason i think thats itYou can find the info in a shipwreck. I forgot which one exactly I'll look it up in a bit.
Anyone know if there is any real quest to help Rune find out who he really is?
in the dlc of dragonborn you find sapphires biological father so yea there could be a dlc including a quest findin out what runes real name is...or it could be an option for a DLC story involvoing the thievies guild later on.