Common Languages

[bwatford]

Common Languages

---

These languages are spoken commonly throughout the civilized world. Their use is ubiquitous. and this has led to an unique phenomena. Even if people may not understand the precise meaning of each word said to them, most people will recognize specific phrases or popular quotes in these languages.

Common Gate Pass, Morrus, Ragesia, Latia, Sindaire
Formerly known as Morruse, this language spread to all corners of the world during the golden age of the Kingdom of Morrus. Its prevalence in trade and the banking industry has only made its use a necessity and ubiquitous in civilized life. After the conquest of Morrus however, the language's official name was changed to Common, although people still use the two terms interchangeably.

Dwarvish Dassen, Gate Pass
Also known as Dasseni, the abrupt stops, loud volume, and multiple consonant-vowel blends are the hallmarks of this language. Pronouncing words with this language while drunk are known to be especially difficult, and singing bar songs while drinking has become something of a custom with its native speakers, the Dwarves. Because of its popularity with the spice, precious metal, and food trades, this is a popular language for merchants.

Elvish Gate Pass, Ragesia, Shahalesti
The modern language used by the Elves retains the same syllabus timing and rhythm of its origin. The rhythm of Elvish speech is constant, which makes it a slightly easier language for practitioners studying magic. Most magical texts are still written in Elvish and it remains a popular language for publishing texts referring to arcane matters.

Gnomish Gate Pass, Latia, Sindaire
Gnomish has a constant timing and rhythm similar to Elvish but many of the words are shorter and the grammar more direct. This has the effect of giving Gnomish a gibbering quality. Most gnomish speakers speak softly. This when combined with the speed, makes vowel sounds especially difficult to distinguish when whispered.

Halfling Dassen, Gate Pass, Seaquen
Halflings have a lilting and melodic language that is especially pleasant to hear. This is perhaps why so many Halflings excel in the hospitality industry.

Orcish Gate Pass, Ragesia, Sindaire, Shahalesti
Ragesian can be guttural and intimidating to hear, and to inexperienced listeners, it always sounds like the speaker is angry with you. The Orcs have no alphabet of their own but have adopted their words into the Common script.

Uncommon Languages
These languages are much more difficult to find and master for the majority of races.

Draconic Sindaire, Ostalin
Draconic is a confusing rhythm of clicks, whistles, and roars that are difficult to make sense of, and even harder to pronounce. Only those descended from Dragons, such as Dragonborn and kobolds, are able to pronounce all the nuance of Draconic perfectly.

Infernal Diabolists, Devils, Tieflings
Infernal is a raspy language, filled with nuance, but quite rigid in structure. Many joke that barristers and other members of the law profession speak fluent infernal, but the language's precise definitions are well suited for such roles. Diabolists often use this language to communicate with each other and to perform their rituals.

Special Languages
These languages are not spoken or shared at all outside of their specific communities.

Druidic
This ancient tongue is the original magic language used by the great Elvish empire in the Elvish age. Its alphabet has become the foundation for magical texts in the current era. This is a dead language and rarely spoken or taught outside of the druidic community.

Thieves Cant
This confusing language of slang, signs, and graffiti is barely a language, but better described as a tool for smugglers and black market salesmen to communicate openly. This language allows you to code a simple message into any other language you speak. Thieves cant cannot broadcast complicated ideas and can only be used to communicate simple ideas like subject, object, time, and/or actions.