Unlike
most worlds, the spoken word on Ere is much more cohesive.
Common truly is a common tongue among its inhabitants, an
artifact of times past when the world was forced to come
together under one banner on several occasions. Still, there
are other languages besides Common in this world. Below,
their common use and origin is detailed:
Sylvan
The voice of nature and the language sacred to Nature Goddess
Sylph, Sylvan is used by Sylph’s clergy and is the
common language among Spirit Beasts and other creatures
that dwell in the wilds.
Elven
A derivative of Sylvan, this language is one still used
by Miare and Elves among their own kind. More often, however,
Elven is used by adventurers who don’t want ‘mundane’
folk to know what they’re saying. This practice has
caused a resurgence in the teaching of this language.
Draconic
The tongue of the Dragons is sacred to the Dragon cults.
It is also a legacy in bloodlines touched by dragons, spoken
between dragon blooded individuals as a sign of kinship.
A non-dragon blooded, non-cultist using the language is
a huge insult to such people.
Draconic-Arcanus
A sort of scientific jargon developed by arcane spellcasters
to explain (and cast) their spells. This is by no means
a conversational language and has almost no words to convey
ideas beyond arcane theoretical and even these, such as
‘raide’ seem to have no meaning whatsoever to
the lay person.
Ancient
Derived from Draconic by the Hailene, this is the language
of scholars, as many older books are written in this script.
Its is still spoken by Hailene , most often hurled at non-Hailene
who offend their sensibilities.
Dwarvish
Actually spoken more now by Minotaurs than Dwarves, Dwarvish
is an ancient, draconic based formal way of speaking. It
is poor for conversation, but conveys combat orders, ideals
of honor or sacrifice and hope clearly and concisely.
Divine
The divine tongue is akin to Draconic-Arcanus in usage,
except it also has meaning in religious tenets such as those
set down by Denaii, Hessa and Sylph.
Darkspeech
Culled from Divine, Darkspeech is a full language developed
very recently by the followers of Kayda.
Islander
Somewhat misnamed, Islander only applies to the island chain
of Mon Sulus Kime, where it is the common and official tongue.
This language barrier, coupled with the Kimeians’
refusal to learn Common or teach Islander has hurt trade
in that part of the world.
Halfling
A very odd language comprised of common words, but based
more on body language and innuendo than the actual words.
It take years to master speaking it and much longer to learn
to read it (where pen flourishes equivocate meaning). This
language has been adopted by the Church of Pandemos.
|
Phrase
Book |
|
Exclaimations
and Curses |
| “Ash
me” |
Strong
oath. |
| “Ash
my soul.” |
Very
strong oath. |
| “Blood
be stilled.” |
Expression
of shock or unpleasant surprise. |
| “Blood
to ice.” |
Expression
of horror or extreme disdain |
| “Turn
to ash.” |
Very caustic curse, not for polite company. |
| snarg
|
In
divine, describes a particularly painful ritualistic
killing. Used as a common curse much like ‘damn’.
|
|
Concepts
and Names |
| Inborn
|
A
person born with a divinity spark which they can control,
such as an inborn or a quick one. |
| beast
bred |
Derogatory term for an inborn, referring to the similarity
between the inborn’s ability and those of spirit
beasts. |
| loreman
/ lorelady |
Proper title of a bard or any entertainer whose job
it is to provide factual information or accounts as
part of their performance. |
| story
spinner |
Proper
title for a bard or any entertainer who merely tells
stories and sings songs. Sometimes used in a derogatory
manner. |
| jack |
Casual term for an adventurer in the employ of another
private party and not freelance or in an organization. |
| lottie |
Crude
term for purely mercenary adventurers. |
| Jolly |
Casual
term for Spirit beast used by those that hunt them. |
| Getting
leggy |
To
make use of a spider mount. |
|
