Languages

Languages of Aleen-gha

The written word in many cultures represents a part of its civilization and in many respects holds much arcane power. The magic within words extends beyond mere tricks - a simple phrase can start a war or spell the doom of an empire.

Below is a list of all recorded languages throughout Aleen-gha. The list is organized by the racial roots of the language, rather than by their geographical location. Each primary race in Aleen-gha shares at least some form of lingual roots. While the languages themselves may differ greatly, it is simply easier for us as scholars to imagine the collective in this format. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to those looking to study up on a specific region of languages.

Common Languages[edit]

The common tongues vary more than any other racial language. These languages are widely referred to as the human languages. Humans in Aleen-gha have always been the predominant race, despite their physical limitations and lack of comparative longevity. However, many believe that it is precisely their shorter lives and widespread influence upon the landscape that produces such a robust and versatile collection of languages and dialects. Taken from this perspective, the "common" languages are indeed not so common at all but rather each a unique aspect of differing cultures around the world. However, from a more localized perspective each of these languages may very well be the most common language conceivable, making every other language so alien, so foreign in comparison.

Akkenbar et Tik-uth[edit]

(c. SH 0 - c. SH 1000) The official language of the fabled Akkenbar Empire. This language is incredibly complex in multiple ways including grammar, syntax, script and inflection. Despite its complexity, it was widely used in southern Altha-Feor and even spread into Ro'thas. In fact, linguists have found many connections between Akkenbar et Tik-uth and the various languages in Ro'thas and northern Altha-Feor that came into use many years later, including Tik-uth et Salam. Not much is currently known about the details of the language itself and therefore it remains quite the mystery to many a linguist and historian. It is believed that this language was widely used during the height of the Akkenbar Empire and due to the ferocious and dominant culture of the Akkens, many other languages simply disappeared or were heavily influenced by Akkenbar et Tik-uth. The official language died with the eventual fall of the Akkenbar Empire. However, it's influence is still seen today in regions as far as northern Altha-Feor and central Ro'thas.

Aleanasir[edit]

(c. SH 0 - c. AB 0) It is said that the legendary figure Ibn Almawt created his own language when first discovering the desert island of Ingeni based on a dream he had of the three elements of earth, air, and fire. The language itself has been shared by the three tribes that stemmed from Ibn Almawt's original following -- the Dao Ramal, the Efreet Lahab, and the Djinn Dukhan. The language itself holds nearly nothing in common with the common tongue of the Nack Empire, Nackaran -- and very few are knowledgeable in both languages, which keeps relations between the Empire and the already xenophobic tribes of Ingeni at nearly nonexistent. A few words that are regularly used as titles within this language include alsaahir, meaning "chieftain" and altabib, meaning "summoner".

Argon[edit]

(c. SH 1000 - c. SH 2000) This language at one point was used primarily by human and demi-human races in central and southern Altha-Feor. Most believe the language is a variation of the ancient language known by today's scholars as Akkenbar et Tik-uth, or the language of the Akkenbar Empire. When compared to one of its root languages, Argon seems very simplistic. This simplicity seems to be a product of the rural and nomadic lifestyles of the people that used it. Compared to one of the great Shargathan Empires, the peoples who spoke this language are thought to be very crude and rudimentary. Argon was believed to spread north and became more widely used around SH 1000 when the world was still very young but also very volatile. The language itself is very guttural, consisting of many hard consonant sounds. Fluent speakers of Argon would speak very fast and very loud, causing most outsiders to believe that they were always angry. In the aftermath of the agricultural decline in southern Altha-Feor, humans were motivated to travel north in search of better land and food. Many of these people never truly settled in one place. These events are thought to be the reason why Argon came into such wide usage during this time and subsequently fell out of use when the nomads were eventually either conquered by larger, more civilized groups or integrated into another agrarian culture and away from nomadic culture.

Bhanáfon[edit]

(c. AB 1000 - c. AB 2000) After the fall of the Shargathan Empires, the Bhanáfon language began to creep into the woodworks of the Forever Forest of Bhan Ardu in the northern half of Jatua. The language has countless dialects, each of them roughly understood by anyone who speaks the mother language. It is shared by the tribal woodsmen (mostly human) who inhabit the hamlets that dot most of the southern half of the Forever Forest and many miles south of its edge. The language itself is full of hard consonants sounds interspersed with lyrical assonance. For its time, it was considered the common tongue of any civilized humans living in the forests of Jatua.

Kotoba[edit]

(c. SH 2500 - c. AB 1500) This language is known primarily as the common tongue of the peoples of Tochku. For nearly three thousand years, this language dominated the northeast section of Altha-Feor and is considered by many scholars and linguists to be one of the most complex languages ever to be spoken by a large group of people. In fact, single words in Kotoba can translate into entire sentences in other languages. And vice versa: single words in other languages can translate into entire sentences in Kotoba. The language is quick, fluid, and is written in the form of detailed and complex pictographs. While it may sound similar to other languages that were spoken in the nearby regions at the same time such as Mitseu, it proves to be remarkably unique. The long cultural isolation that the region of Tochku endured throughout the end of Shargas and through the first millennium of Abstratia has made the language its very own entity.

Mitseu[edit]

(c. AB 0 - c. AB 1300) While considered a language in its own right, Mitseu has several different dialects and accents that some might actually mistake them for being distinct and separate languages. This is primarily due to the nomadic nature of the language's speakers. The horselords of Mitsuko are known for their ferocity and speed. Their language matches their disposition, with curt, harsh syllables and a pronunciation style that seems to stem straight from the gut. Its origins unclear, Mitseu seems to have stemmed from several older languages. Many borrowed words or phrases are dotted within the language as well. Perhaps these lingual idiosyncrasies are the product of the foreign integration into the horselords' culture (usually by conquest) over several generations. Nearly every speaker of Mitseu knows a specific dialect of the language. And while dialect may at first seem very different from another, a speaker of any dialect would most likely be able to understand a speaker of another dialect.

Nackaran[edit]

(c. SH 200 - c. AB 0) During the height of the Nack Empire, the most common tongue by far was Nackaran: a guttural language that featured many hard consonant sounds followed by wispy assonance that seemed to dissipate in the wind. This language fell along with the rest of Nack before the dawn of the age of Abstratia. Scholars place the origins of this language along with the even more ancient and mysterious Nrukianak shared by the dragons who created the airborne region.

Riedran[edit]

(c. SH 1200 - c. SH 2500) This language was spoken widely by humans residing in western Altha-Feor and more specifically those who lived in the Beoric Mountains. The language itself is very fluid and has many soft sounds that seem to just roll right off the tongue. The script of this language has roots in the script of Akkenbar et Tik-uth. Many agree that during this time, Riedran was the official language of the sea since pirates and naval fleets from western Altha-Feor used it frequently, even among other races. This usage led to the language's influence into the island regions of the mid-Millagea and southeastern Gignes.

Rovan[edit]

(c. AB 0 - c. TH 2000) The native tongue of the Taurenian Peninsula. [more to come soon]

Sjobar[edit]

(c. TH 2500 - c. TH 10000) The common tongue of the empire of Sjobia, Sjobar is a tough language for a tough people. Syntactically, each sentence is short and to the point. There are several different words for "cold" and "snow" but all are used in a very efficient manner whenever spoken. The language has been relatively unchanged since Vartrynka the Giant united the barbarian tribes and created the empire of Sjobia in TH 2541. Sjobar shares many phonetic qualities with both Dvärglik and Alfur. Due to the geographical isolation caused by the Great Freeze it is no wonder that these languages began to meld into each other, if only mildly.

Tik-uth et Salam[edit]

(c. SH 1000 - c. SH 2500) This language shares many similarities with its mother tongue, Akkenbar et Tik-uth. In the great times of strife nearing the end of the era of the Akkenbar Empire, refugees traveled north and eventually settled in Dao Salam where this language is spoken most commonly. It is extremely different from other neighboring languages in those times, specifically with the Valian of the Vutha Valignat region to the east and the Riedran of the Beoric Mountains region to the west, despite the similar script.

Valian[edit]

Spearsdale and Vutha Valignat common (c. SH 1500). [add more later]

Draconic Languages[edit]

The draconic languages are as ancient and as the legendary creatures who speak them. It is said that the dragon gods of old created the first dragon language for each type of dragon. At that time, there were ten different languages. However, great wars were fought between these beasts and many dragons perished, their languages dying with them. Now, these languages are shared by dragons of all colors as well as the underlings that serve them in some form or another. There are not many draconic languages compared to most of the other racial dialects due to the vast influence that just a handful of dragons may carry. That being said, each continent of Aleen-gha has perhaps one, two or three draconic languages at the most. Each of these languages have been around for countless millenia and as far as we're concerned have been unchanged throughout all that time.

Nrukianak[edit]

(c. SH "0" - c. AB 2000) Claiming to be the first draconic language by the dragons who allegedly created Nack, Nrukianak was developed into a very complex and boisterous language. Many a dragon had trouble exclaiming anything without expelling their elemental power vocally. Unless a dragon was purposefully bent on destruction, the dragons were therefore more likely to talk in calmed, hushed tones so as to prevent any bloodshed or violence. The common tongue of Nackaran is a crude derivation of this truly labyrinthine language for the lesser, fleshy mortals.

Shanin[edit]

(c. SH 0 - c. TH 10000) "The Whispering Tongue" as outsiders might refer to it, Shanin is the language of dragons, dragonkin and all other reptilian creatures that might speak a draconic language in Altha-Feor. This language is of course similar to other draconic languages. Comparatively it seems to be more "hiss-y" than other languages. This is the reason why most non-speakers of this language call it the "Whispering Tongue." Most, if not all dragons in Altha-Feor speak this language, including Verilis, Akaitana and Sumakuna.

Dwarven Languages[edit]

The dwarven languages, although uniquely diverse, all share common traits with one another. The most common trait of these of course is the fact that they are all languages spoken primarily by dwarves. Some dwarven scholars believe that at the dawn of time (or at least the dawn of the dwarves) there was one language for all of dwarvenkind. From that original language all dwarven dialects stemmed and eventually evolved into the plethora of dwarven languages that we know here today at the end of time. Most linguists believe this to be absolute myth and a farce. The sheer diversity of the dwarven language in Aleen-gha cannot possibly stem from a unifying language. Even the script has differing properties to them. Fortunately for the true believers, most peoples of the world are not linguists. And anyone who isn't in the know would most likely not be able to tell the difference of one dwarven script from another. Some believe that the essential nature of all dwarves is shared and therefore all dwarven languages seem to be written in a blocky, angular, phonetic script. Again, nobody can truly tell for sure whether these theories are correct or not.

Alfangen[edit]

(c. SH 0 - c. AB 0) The language of the dwarves of Nack, specifically of the island of Runeterra is said to have been first spoken by the god Alfan Skystone, creator of the dwarves-in-the-sky and alleged brother of Ulsted. The language certainly has similarities to the other dwarven languages of Aleen-gha, but it seems to be more uniquely placed in its own category and is barely recognized as a "dwarven language" by anyone who isn't a dwarf. The language has a wispy undertone to it and is often spoken in a soft, airy voice. Hard consonant sounds give way to a more vowel-heavy diction, and many words can only be spoken in the form of a low whistle.

Dvärglik[edit]

(c. TH 3000 - c. TH 10000) The language of the Draernic Dwarves of Bottenhavet ironically has much in common with the human language of Sjobia called Sjobar. It is a harsh language filled with as many grunting sounds as there are vowels. While the script is clearly of dwarven style, the language is a unique phonetic meld of earthen dwarf tones and Sjobian long vowels. The language has been relatively unchanged for several thousands of years since the first dwarves founded Draern.

Dweorgun[edit]

(c. AB 0 - c. AB 5000) The language of the northern dwarves of Jatua, this language is as rough-and-tumble as any dwarven language. It shares many words with the common language of northern Jatua, Bhanáfon, but still has its own unique and distinguished syllabic flourish -- as much flourish as any dwarven language might allow. After the fall of the Shargathan Empires, the dwarves began to rise again in the subterranean fortresses. This language is the result of many dispersed dwarves once again reuniting when the realms of men had fallen. People who speak Dweormyrca can understand Dweorgun and vice versa.

Dweormyrca[edit]

(c. AB 0 - c. AB 5000) Dwarven language south of the Forever Forest. People who speak Dweorgun can understand Dweormyrca and vice versa.

Myntrake[edit]

(c. SH 1500 - c. AB 2000) The dwarven language of the Beoric Mountains in western Altha-Feor, Myntrake pervades the mountainous region in many ways more than the "common" tongue of Riedran does, simply due to the prevalence of dwarven civilizations. In point of fact, Riedran has adopted many Myntrake words and sayings and has incorporated them into its own language. Spoken Myntrake is very similar to the giant language of Threndeln, the language of many dwarven enemies.

Ruddenkin[edit]

(c. AB 0 - c. TH 2000) The native tongue of most dwarves dwelling in the eastern half of Gignes. [more to come soon]

Elven Languages[edit]

Unlike all other languages, most scholars actually agree that all of the elven languages must have come from an ancient, original language. In fact, a few elven historians and scholars can trace etymological paths back several millenia to the beginning of Shargas and beyond. Unfortunately for us at the School of Threnos, we do not have access to these closely guarded elven historical records and cannot confirm or deny the existence of a single unifying elven language. That is not to say that we still think that this theory may very well be true. All known elven languages share the same script and share like qualities in phonetic pronunciation and etymological properties. With that said, there are significantly less known elven languages than there are common languages simply due to the average cultural lifespans of the elven peoples. Each elven language lasts much longer in general than a common tongue and while likely not the most well known in a region, the language will likely have far reaching influence in a geographical locale.

Alfur[edit]

(c. AB 4000 - c. TH 10000) This ancient language has lived well over ten thousand years in the northern continent of Bottenhavet. It was once the primary language of the mysterious and unnamed empire ruled under the Threnalian Dynasty. While most records of that era have since been lost to the Great Freeze, the language still managed to survive with those few elves who were able to carry on. Since the Freeze, Alfur has been the only elven language in the entire continent. As an elven language, it shares the same script and many of the same phonetic qualities of other elven languages throughout the world. However, with the language's isolation from any other elven influence, it has slowly evolved over the millenia to carry resemblances to the two other primary languages in Bottenhavet: Dvärglik and Sjobar. These similarities are extremely minute, however. The language of Alfur still carries with it all the frill and pomp that any other elven language would have as well.

Caelan[edit]

(c. SH 1000 - c. TH 2000) This language pervades the elvish peoples of the Beoric Mountains region, and really the western coast of the continent of Altha-Feor as a whole. It apparently is distantly related to the Svar language of their airborne cousins; their lingual bond was cemented primarily through the (re)building of Boar Herpes Academy after its devastating fall from the realm of Nack a few short centuries earlier.

Ilfanan[edit]

(c. SH 1000 - c. TH 2000) The elven language of Ilfanan dominated the region for many thousands of years and is spoken or at least moderately understood by nearly every inhabitant of Bhan Ardu. Legend has it that the forest itself was created by the Ilfanan words that carry a mystical weight with each syllable.

Svar[edit]

(c. SH 0 - c. AB 0) The ancient elven language of the Svar-tu is intricate in its grammatical layout and is extremely difficult to master for any foreigner. The language has largely been confined to just the elves and half-elves of the realm of Nack and was largely forgotten after the Great Fall.

Giant Languages[edit]

The languages of giants, ogres, and oni are closely related to the dwarven languages of similar regions, but usually with more gruff, blunt sounds being uttered from vocal cords that register much lower on any natural scale.

Eotenas[edit]

The language of the giants in Jatua, Eotenas is linguistically related to both the Dweorgun and Dweormyrca languages belonging to the southern and northern dwarves of the massive region. However, any Jatuan dwarf would be fairly hard pressed to gain any reasonable understanding of a sentence spoken in the ancient Eotenas tongue, as it is much harsher than the dwarvish equivalents and the words themselves sound much too different.

Kyojinsa[edit]

The language of the giants, oni, and ogres who reside in the Tochku and Mitsuko area, Kyojinsa is filled with raspy consonants and wicked tones. Even when spoken with a soft tongue or high pitch, any reasonable individual who hears this awful language will wince with a momentary feeling of dread, as it's sound has pervaded into the most horrific of children's stories told in the night.

Threndeln[edit]

The giants of the Beoric Mountains all share the same language of Threndeln, from the northernmost peak to the southern region of Boar Herpes. The language is relatively similar to the dwarven language of Myntrake, but different enough to merit the need of an interpreter in any conversations between dwarves and giants that last longer than a sentence or two. Most dwarves understand the Threndeln word for "war" and "murder," but would be at a loss to understand the word for "peace" and "trade."

Gnoll Languages[edit]

Gnolls.

Chittuca[edit]

Gnoll language of Jatua.

Gnomish Languages[edit]

Gnomes throughout Aleen-gha tend to be culturally isolated from their more prominent human, elven, and dwarven neighbors. As such, their languages differ greatly from others but still find some commonality with the ancient Sylvan tongues.

Nanafelc[edit]

Most who speak the common tongue of Riedran of the Beoric Mountains region will consider the speech of the local gnomes as one of the most annoying and seemingly antagonistic languages they've ever heard. The childish-sounding tongue of Nanafelc is oddly reminiscent of the "nana-booboo" sounds that any human child might shout at their equals that unfortunately brings about a less-than-positive general opinion of gnomes, at least from the human perspective.

Tongulaffa[edit]

Gnomes that hail from the air islands of Nack speak this zany language as if it were the only true language of the region. Indeed it is by far the most unique of all the tongues to be heard on the air islands and only the most dedicated linguists could possibly decipher the different between a Tongulaffa jest and a battle cry.

Sweardælfe[edit]

The gnomish language of central Jatua region is littered with blippity-bops and scuddle-dos that sound relatively absurd to any outsider but in actuality consists of a very intricate syntactical pattern that is surprisingly difficult to learn.

Goblin Languages[edit]

The goblin languages of Aleen-gha may seem fairly indistinguishable from anyone who doesn't speak their guttural language. Most may hear only gibberish that could possibly not actually mean anything, but that is simply far from the truth. Goblin languages come with their own dialects and written forms. While many of the native speakers may not notice the intricacies of their own languages or be able to write anything, these languages are as distinct as any other.

Harumfasha[edit]

(c. SH 700 - c. AB 0) Goblinoids residing within and near the Beoric Mountains speak this boisterous language that seems larger than life. While most adventurers imagine little goblins screeching out some gibberish in battle, goblins who speak Harumfasha bellow their war cries with ferocity that belies their cowardly demeanor.

Nihtgengena[edit]

(c. SH 2000 - c. AB 5000) The language spoken by the goblinoids of central and northern Jatua and the Forever Forest, it shares many similarities with Dweorgun and shares the same written format. Despite these similarities, any outsider would not be able to tell there was anything similar about the Nihtgengena language and the Dweorgun language, but perhaps that's simply due to the creatures who speak each.

Halfling Languages[edit]

While very similar to their common counterparts, the halfling languages of Aleen-gha have managed to stay just enough out of the lingual spotlight to substantially influence any other language or be influenced by others, save the neighboring common tongues.

Byre[edit]

The halfling language of Jatua sounds oddly similar to the neighboring common tongue, Bhanáfon, and the two languages can almost be understood by speakers of one or the other. It would still be frustrating to talk with a Bhanáfon-speaker, however, as the Byre language is focused more on the homely aspects of life while the common counterpart is focused on more lofty concepts and war. Where the two languages really do get along, however, is in the descriptors of the woods that comprise the mysterious land of Bhan Ardu.

Nakka[edit]

A slight offshoot of the common language of Nackaran, Nakka is often referred to as the "children's tongue" by halflings and humans alike in the realm of Nack, as it is often mistaken for a human child's efforts at speaking the Nackaran language.

Orcish Languages[edit]

The barbarism of the orcish tribes throughout Aleen-gha flows their their numerous tongues as well. Each language is usually incredibly distinct from each other and often carries no similarities whatsoever. Some scholars believe that the orcish tongues are usually derivations of the older giant languages of nearby regions.

Vrash Ankul[edit]

The language shared by the orcish raiders of Nack. The name of the tongue itself roughly translates to "sky-death" in the common tongue of Nackaran. Vrash Ankul is littered with guttural vowels and harsh consonants and is often some of the last sounds any trading ship crew member might hear before their brutal death.

Sylvan Languages[edit]

The sylvan languages of Aleen-gha are said to be the true heart of the wild tongue. They have all derived from one tongue that emerged at the birth of the world in the mystical forests of the Feywild and has since been forgotten. Some other languages, such as the elven tongues, are themselves derived from specific dialects of the sylvan languages.

Myralic[edit]

Legend has it that the Myralic languages was first spoken by the elven goddess Myralda and was taught to the woodland beings who called the realm of Nack their home. It sounds surprisingly different from the elven language of the same region, Svar and incorporates more wild sounds similar to the croaks, chirps, and growls of the beasts of the wilderness.