HC Empire

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Scripts & Languages

Scripts

• Alayan - The administrative script used by bureaucrats and for formal documents. In truth, it is a Hugaar script and was a gift from the former Saurian masters, but has come to be known as Alayan over the years. Most churches have a copy of A Life of Truth written in Old Rendish with the Alayan script.

• Rend - Block writing used in the carvings of A Life of Truth, in the Stone Library. During attempts at unifying the Sturian Curch, this script was widely disseminated in copies made of A Life of Truth. This move was later regretted and these texts are now forbidden.

Languages

• Alayan - Although ostensibly an offshoot of Sird, Alayan is heavily influenced by the their former masters, the Saurians.

• Old Rendish - the language of A Life of Truth, in the Stone Library. Spoken in ancient times and usually used in religious proceedings. Most copies of A Life of Truth are in Old Rendish, which few understand.

• Potoman - spoken in Potomanchu.

• Sirdish - The modern descendant of Old Rendish, and the lingua franca of the Empire. Although there are many regional dialects, people will usually switch to Sird when in the company of foreigners. Some priests conduct their ceremonies in Sirdish, although this is forbidden.

The Hearstone Codex

• The Heartstone Codex is written in Sirdish using the Alayan script. If widely known, this would be consideredheretical.

Symbols

• The holy symbol of the Sturian Church is a mountain with the god Huth atop it, one hand enclosing the Sun, the other open. In its simpler form, it is a pair of feet atop the mountain peak.
• The insignia of the Empire is a hand holding a glowing orb, to demonstrate mastery.

Customs

Everyone in the Empire knows that the Gods, the Giants and Nymphs of legend, and the Saints, reincarnate and walk among us in various guises. Some of the customs derive from this.

• Buildings and Lornsons. As Lornsons are accorded great respect in the Empire, most of the more notable buildings are constructed with large portals and high ceilings. The reverse is true in service quarters of a building - it would be quite bizarre to construct high doors as a Lornson would never be expected to enter.

• Giftstones. It is customary, when meeting a stranger for the first time, to exchange Giftstones or Godstones. A stranger could be a reincarnated god, and it would be unwise to cross a god. Therefore, citizens carry with them stones, usually of varying worth, to be exchanged according to the stranger met. In some circles, semi-precious or even gem stones are used. In others, carved and smoothed wooden 'pebbles' may be gifted, as a sign of the gifter's humility.

• Hathari, Lornsons and Priests are universally accorded great respect.

• Hospitality. Again, a stranger knocking at your door may be a god, so it is customary to give hospitality to anyone who comes seeking it.