Human Languages

Over the history of the world humans have spoken and recorded countless languages. However the differences between them are often trivial, therefore most inhabitants in a particular region of the world can easily communicate. Heroes are able to converse with all cultures within a chosen region regardless of age.

Norther

The Norther languages throughout the ages have always been marked by their precision and structural complexity. They feature robust grammars and expansive vocabularies, often forming long compound words. Their sounds are strong and resonant, with a certain guttural quality that echoes through the Northern landscapes. These languages carry a history of detailed record-keeping and scholarly traditions.

Easter

The Easter languages throughout the ages have always been characterized by their tonal nature and logographic writing systems. They convey meaning not just through sounds but also through the pitch and intonation of speech. The written form is more symbolic, representing ideas rather than phonetic sounds. These languages reflect the Eastern region’s deep philosophical and cultural roots, emphasizing harmony and balance.

Islander

The Islander languages throughout the ages have always been eclectic and adaptive, absorbing elements from various tongues due to extensive trade and exploration. They feature a simple alphabet but a complex and irregular pronunciation system. These languages are rich in nautical and trade vocabulary, mirroring the Islanders’ seafaring and mercantile history. They serve as a lingua franca in many parts of Embergrave, facilitating communication among diverse peoples.

Wester

The Western languages throughout the ages have always been melodious and rhythmic, with a smooth flow that mirrors the artistic and romantic spirit of the West. They have a straightforward alphabet but utilize a variety of accents and diacritical marks, impacting pronunciation and meaning. These languages are deeply connected to the arts, diplomacy, and cuisine, reflecting the Wester region’s emphasis on culture and refinement. 

Souther

The Southern languages throughout the ages have always been rhythmic and tonal, known for their distinctive click consonants that resonate with the vibrancy of the Southern lands. They have straightforward grammatical structures and a smaller alphabet. These languages reflect the Souther region’s rich oral traditions and close ties to the natural world, with sounds and tones that echo the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the South.

The Tongues

Shimmer is a powerful force that affects even the languages of the world and beyond. Creatures and inter-planar beings often share a universal language that transcends time and culture. These languages are called “the tongues” and are extremely complex and difficult to learn by non-native speakers.

Lord’s Tongue

Spoken By: Beasts, Elementals, Giants

An enigmatic language with no “true” name, existing without a written form, and its secrets encoded in the rhythm and essence of nature itself. This language is remarkably diverse in its manifestations, yet unified in comprehension once learned. It ranges from yips, and thunderous roars, echoing the conversations of beasts, to deep, resonant groans that vibrate through the trees and earth. The Lord’s Tongue, in its complexity and magic, is a symphony of the natural world, speaking in tones that are both awe-inspiring and subtly profound.

Black Tongue

Spoken By: Aberrations, Fey, Monstrosities

The Black Tongue, less commonly know as Eylanvuer, is an exotic and mesmerizing language, characterized by its sweet, whispering tones that captivate the listener. It embodies a sense of the otherworldly and mysterious, flowing like a winding stream with unpredictable tonal shifts and complex grammar. Black Tongue script is as whimsical and intricate as the language itself, adorned with loops and elaborate flourishes. This language is adept at conveying deep emotions and nuanced magical concepts, reflecting a realm of mystery and enchantment. In its essence, it is a linguistic dance of elegance and depth, speaking to the heart of all who hear it. This can both be enchanting, and devastating.

Vile Tongue

Spoken By: Demons, Fiends, Undead

Demorash is a sinister and deceptively complex tongue. Its sounds are harsh and stoic, with menacing undertones that chill the spine. Every word is well defined but with many meanings conveyed through context only, perfectly encapsulating the manipulations spoken through it. The structure of Demorash is jagged and purposely misleading, creating a sense of unease and paranoia to mortals who hear it. With its malevolent cadence, it’s an acoustic reflection of guided chaos, a dark whisper beckoning through the shadows.

Smolder Tongue

Spoken By: Celestials, Constructs

Luminarion, known as Smolder Tongue in Hadavi, is akin to the language of magic itself. Each word is unique, contributing to its seemingly structureless nature. It lacks a traditional written form, but some have theorized that Shimmer Glyphs might be just that. Luminarion’s purest form is unfathomable and potentially maddening for mortals. Though that level of complete mastery is impossible without spellcraft. To the untrained ear, it sounds like gibberish, but for those who understand it, the language conjures vivid, clear imagery in the mind. This ethereal tongue transcends conventional linguistics, being a manifestation of imagination and magical essence rather than mere words.

Scab Tongue

Spoken By: Goblinoids, Kremplenoids

Gritikrix, the enigmatic language known as Scab Tongue, is a complex tapestry of sounds that seem to defy the conventions of typical linguistic structures. It is characterized by its eerie, chittering clicks and a rapid succession of tones that create an almost hypnotic rhythm. The language’s syntax is intricate, with patterns that mimic the labyrinthine pathways of an otherworldly hive mind. Gritikrix’s script, if it can be called such, is composed of seemingly chaotic markings that hold a deeper, hidden order. This language, with its alien and unsettling cadence, is like an auditory manifestation of an ancient, unknowable intelligence.

Forbidden Languages

Some words must never be spoken by mortal souls. These languages cannot be learned by heroes, but exist nonetheless.

Shimmer Glyph

This “language,” known as Shimmer Glyph, manifests not as words or sounds, but as intricate, symmetrical patterns that emerge where dense concentrations of magic accumulate. These patterns, mesmerizing in their complexity, are believed by some to be a form of language, a cipher holding unknowable truths and secrets. However, the true nature of the glyphs remains elusive. Throughout history, encounters with these shimmering glyphs have led to profound, albeit bewildering experiences. Individuals who come into contact with these glyphs sometimes find themselves in a trance-like state, overcome by a force beyond their control. In these moments, they speak in their native languages, uttering cryptic prophecies and revelations, both ancient and new. These episodes, often perceived as possessions, hint at the deep and mysterious connection between Shimmer Glyph and the hidden currents of reality, suggesting a language that is more a conduit of cosmic knowledge than a mere means of communication.

Yth

Yth, known to many as “Origin,” is revered as the primordial language, the linguistic ancestor from which all tongues have descended. Spoken only by those ancient beings who witnessed the dawn of creation, Yth holds within it the power to shape and alter the very fabric of reality. Its words, laden with the weight of eons, carry an immense force that can warp, create, or destroy. Mortals who dare to listen to even a fragment of Yth risk their sanity, so profound and overwhelming is its nature. Even lesser deities tread cautiously with Yth, for its power is such that it can ensnare and bewilder even divine minds. This language is not merely a method of communication but a force intertwined with the cosmos, holding sway over the essence of existence itself.