Editing Midnight - Language Lexicon
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==Languages of Eredane== | ==Languages of Eredane== | ||
''Eredane is home to many different cultures, most of which trace their lineages from ancient times before the First Age. They have inherited old tongues that over eons have changed, been combined with other languages, or have simply been lost and then born anew. There are native languages, cultural tongues, tongues of necessity, and trader’s glot, as well as magical cants, enemy tongues, and the lost prayer words of the gods. Across the lands of Eredane, there are many languages and it is always a significant advantage to know more than one’s mother tongue.'' | ''Eredane is home to many different cultures, most of which trace their lineages from ancient times before the First Age. They have inherited old tongues that over eons have changed, been combined with other languages, or have simply been lost and then born anew. There are native languages, cultural tongues, tongues of necessity, and trader’s glot, as well as magical cants, enemy tongues, and the lost prayer words of the gods. Across the lands of Eredane, there are many languages and it is always a significant advantage to know more than one’s mother tongue.'' | ||
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==Black Tongue== | ==Black Tongue== | ||
''The hosts of Izrador contain far more sorts of foul creatures than just orcs, and none of these have the orcs’ facility with language. As a result, the armies and agents of Izrador use a language the dwarves call Black Tongue. It is a simple tongue that even the most dim-witted ogre is able to master. They use this language when encamped, on patrol, or fighting together. Many of the non-orc races of Izrador’s horde have begun using the language exclusively, even when among only their own kind. Because of its simplicity, Black Tongue can only be used at pidgin competence.'' | ''The hosts of Izrador contain far more sorts of foul creatures than just orcs, and none of these have the orcs’ facility with language. As a result, the armies and agents of Izrador use a language the dwarves call Black Tongue. It is a simple tongue that even the most dim-witted ogre is able to master. They use this language when encamped, on patrol, or fighting together. Many of the non-orc races of Izrador’s horde have begun using the language exclusively, even when among only their own kind. Because of its simplicity, Black Tongue can only be used at pidgin competence.'' | ||
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==Courtier and Colonial== | ==Courtier and Colonial== | ||
''The southern Erenlanders are descended from the colonial Sarcosans that invaded Eredane in the Second Age. Their language was thick tongued with such soft sounds and throaty hisses that their Dornish enemies once called them “snakemen.” The early Sarcosans were a very hierarchical people, with the nobles and commoners living as almost separate cultures. Each spoke their own version of their mother tongue, however, as a sign of station and education. The nobles spoke what was called Courtier while the masses spoke a version known as Colonial. When the Old Kings of the Dorns joined with the Sarcosans to form the Kingdom of Erenland, the traditional social stratification became less defined. Over time, Courtier became the language of science, philosophy, and politics, while Colonial became the common tongue of peasants and lords alike. Because of its complexity, Courtier can only be used at basic competence or fluent level.'' | ''The southern Erenlanders are descended from the colonial Sarcosans that invaded Eredane in the Second Age. Their language was thick tongued with such soft sounds and throaty hisses that their Dornish enemies once called them “snakemen.” The early Sarcosans were a very hierarchical people, with the nobles and commoners living as almost separate cultures. Each spoke their own version of their mother tongue, however, as a sign of station and education. The nobles spoke what was called Courtier while the masses spoke a version known as Colonial. When the Old Kings of the Dorns joined with the Sarcosans to form the Kingdom of Erenland, the traditional social stratification became less defined. Over time, Courtier became the language of science, philosophy, and politics, while Colonial became the common tongue of peasants and lords alike. Because of its complexity, Courtier can only be used at basic competence or fluent level.'' | ||
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''High elven is the oldest tongue in Eredane, and most races of elves speak it, though with a variety of accents and regional variations. The tongue is purest at the Court and in the remaining scholar’s halls. It reaches its most exotic form in the far north when spoken by the people of the Veradeen. High Elven is a fluid, sibilant tongue that is difficult for other races to learn. Pronunciation is challenging, and the meanings of the words vary by the addition or subtraction of countless suffixes that allow for great specificity in names and descriptions. As a result, High Elven is seldom spoken by non-elves. Because of its complexity, High Elven can only be used at basic competence or fluent level.'' | ''High elven is the oldest tongue in Eredane, and most races of elves speak it, though with a variety of accents and regional variations. The tongue is purest at the Court and in the remaining scholar’s halls. It reaches its most exotic form in the far north when spoken by the people of the Veradeen. High Elven is a fluid, sibilant tongue that is difficult for other races to learn. Pronunciation is challenging, and the meanings of the words vary by the addition or subtraction of countless suffixes that allow for great specificity in names and descriptions. As a result, High Elven is seldom spoken by non-elves. Because of its complexity, High Elven can only be used at basic competence or fluent level.'' | ||
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==Norther== | ==Norther== | ||
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==Orcish== | ==Orcish== | ||
''Orcs have a great facility for language. Their own tongue features exotic and complex sounds that only they are able to pronounce despite their protruding lower tusks. The orc language reflects orc culture in that it is strictly tiered and intensely direct. The language has vocabulary and syntax that allows each social level to speak with absolute deference to the levels above, and absolute authority to the ones below. Orc linguistic ability has allowed many orc soldiers to learn Old Dwarven, High Elven, and Norther, and now in the conquered lands they are quickly learning the other fey and human tongues. Though some dwarves, elves, and Dorns are able to speak Orcish, their command of the language is poor and childlike in comparison to the typical orc’s fluency in other races’ tongues.'' | ''Orcs have a great facility for language. Their own tongue features exotic and complex sounds that only they are able to pronounce despite their protruding lower tusks. The orc language reflects orc culture in that it is strictly tiered and intensely direct. The language has vocabulary and syntax that allows each social level to speak with absolute deference to the levels above, and absolute authority to the ones below. Orc linguistic ability has allowed many orc soldiers to learn Old Dwarven, High Elven, and Norther, and now in the conquered lands they are quickly learning the other fey and human tongues. Though some dwarves, elves, and Dorns are able to speak Orcish, their command of the language is poor and childlike in comparison to the typical orc’s fluency in other races’ tongues.'' | ||
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==Snow Elf Patrol Sign== | ==Snow Elf Patrol Sign== |