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Speaking Languages
All characters know how to speak their one native language fluently. There is no common language in this setting, although there are a few lingua francas that are commonly recognized throughout the known world. A character with no Intelligence penalty at 1st level may also speak one of these lingua francas.
A character who has an Intelligence bonus at 1st level may speak other languages as well, one extra language proficiency per point of Intelligence bonus, or one extra fluent language per two points of Intelligence bonus as a starting character.
Proficiency in a language means the character can communicate with other speakers of the language freely.
Fluency in a language means a character may also be able to recognize and imitate regional or racial dialects of that language. See Linguistics skill. A character that is not fluent in a language also has a better chance of being detected as a native speaker of a different language.
Reading Languages
Wizards, Clerics and Goliards earn literacy for free, but any other character must select the Linguistics to learn a writing system.
Human Languages
Umorit Languages
Umorit languages are some of the most widespread throughout the continents, descended from Old Umorit spread by the old Umorit Empire. There are five Umoritian languages. With the exception of Enduad (written in the Ura syllabary), they are all written in the Talen alphabet, though Olvë is also frequently written in the Parn script.
Ramat
Ramat is spoken in central Nalbadonas, primarily in Ignieré, Kuegus, and Luejevor. Each of these regions has its own distinctive dialect. Tanafi and Süviem are also home to many speakers of Ramat.
Solierthan
Solierthan is spoken in eastern Nalbadonas, in Tamár, Uemeros, and Nazuvé. Each of these regions has a distinctive dialect. Ifelóm Solierthan is distinctive as well.
Olvë
Olvë, or Olvean, is spoken in western Nalbadonas, in Lundoġë, and Anvasùn. It is also common in Daġreias, Tanafi, Northern Agnurvarsia, western Luosim, and the colonies of Vólteza. These regions have distinctive dialects, though Daġreian Olvë is very similar to Lundojean Olvë.
Luosa
Luosa is spoken in southern Nalbadonas, primarily in Luosim, western Tamár, Karalii, coastal cities of northern Kenamas, and the colonies of Vadokkai.
Enduad
Enduad is spoken in Enduazim, Simoit, southern Tamár, Ocov, Gazand, as well as in Enduazzian colonies on Karalii, in Fosrait and in Humbis.
Darestic Languages
Darestic languages have almost as many speakers as the Umorit languages in Nalbadonas, and have been spreading rapidly along with the people and culture.
Tithagry
Tithagry is one of the most common Darestic languages, and in its modern form is relatively new. It has a number of dialects. These are mostly written in Belan Runes.
- Caphal Tithagry spoken on Caphal and Ruvanir Isles.
- Elgresaran Tithagry and closely related Corenthal Tithagry are spoken in Sugol.
- Daliakh Tithagry is spoken in Kuegus, and is heavily influenced by Ramat
- Ekhathan Tithagry is spoken in Anvasùn and Ignieré. It is thought that Tithagry originates from the highlands of Ingieré, though now Ramat is more widely spoken there. Ekhathan Tithagry is written in the Talen alphabet.
Taular
Taular is the language of the Noru. It is written with the Talen alphabet.
Beizehem
Beizehem is spoken in Daġreias and Tanafi. It is also widely spoken in some colonies of Scoeras. Beizehem is written in the Parn script
Deorian
Deorian is spoken in the highlands of Nazuvë by the Deoristri.
Old Korumal
Now extinct, Old Korumal was spoken in Luosim and Anvasùn before being displaced by Old Umorit on account of the conquest of the Umoritian Empire. Maritime common is descended from a pidgin of Old Korumal and Gadani, a relative of Old Umorit once spoken in Kenamas. Inscriptions in Old Korumal in and old version of the Talen alphabet can be found across southern Nalbadonas, dating to pre-Umoritian times.
Other Languages
Istanig
Istanig is the language of the northern barbarians. It is written in Belan Runes
Ziokaone
Ziokaone is the language of the southern barbarians of Western Kenamas
Ilcarian
Ilcarian is a distant relative of the Umoritian languages detailed above, thought to be either descended from Gadani or a related language. It is spoken in Ilcari, Rigon, Ixuen, and Sial-Mav.
Kiurovik
Kiurovik is spoken in Kiuros, Shiian, and Hassar.
Sign Languages
Sign Languages develop in metropoles, where a high enough population of deaf humanoids permits their development. From there they spread to other cities.
Umorit Sign Language Family
- Umorit Sign Language signed in Umorit and Uvai
- Luejevor Sign Language signed in Liret, Lagnak and Shizelay
- Méjal Sign Language signed in Méjal and Andit
- Pefsa Sign Language signed in Pefsa and Rükos
- Etihral Sign Language signed in Etihral and Usiwë
- Süviem Sign Language
Ciekoppion Sign Language Family
- Izguyn Sign Language signed in Ciekoppion, Sinneshuon, Ekkezië and Pliet
- Karalii Sign Language signed in Noamin
- Enkielondi Sign Language signed in Domarë and Enkielondi
Serzas Sign Language Family
- Uemeros Sign Language signed in Serzas, Tragan and Mothioto
- Devastra Sign Language signed in Devastra and Kuetis
- Lyisken Sign Language signed in Lyisken, Arbri, and Olwi
Obega Sign Language Family
- Obega Sign Language signed in Obega, Vimuinò, Somiehtu, Fanoska and Magnilu
- Zimui Sign Language signed in Zimui
Orc Sign Language Family
- Chanor Sign Language signed in Soengrid and Sthoeth
- Orentas Sign Language signed in Orentas
- Sugol Sign Language signed in Sembelaeon and (the city north of Lake Ogomi)
- Kuegus Sign Language
Lingua Francas
Maritime Common
Maritime Common, or Katenir, is the language of sailors. Originally a pidgin of Old Korumal and Gadani, a long dead language, it has since been peppered with words from almost every human language, as well as many words from Grey Elven. It thrives in the shipping industry, and at least a quarter of the population at most seaport settlements speak it as well. In many seaports, signs are written in both the local language and Maritime Common. Many languages have borrowed nautical terms from this language.
Trade Common
Trade Common is the language of caravans, travelers, thieves, and many people who just need to communicate across boundaries. Many of its origins are unknown, but it is heavily influenced by Ziokaone, and Dwarven.
Old Umorit
Old Umorit is the language of nobles and the educated. Legal papers, treaties, certificates, and many historical documents are often written in this language. The ability to speak Old Umorit well is a measure of education and refinement.
Roguespeak
Roguespeak is a cryptolect or argot. Technically it's not a language of itself, and is a kind of dialect of a local language; so there's Solierthan Roguespeak, and Luosan Roguespeak, etc. They are related, however, so if somebody speaks two languages and roguespeak, they could probably understand roguespeak in both languages.
Low Elven
Low Elven originally was a simplification of Grey Elven, and can still be mostly understood by Grey Elves, though its grammar and inflexion seem strange and awkward to them. Most Wood Elves also speak Low Elven, mostly because uneducated humans did not know that Wood Elves do not speak Grey Elven, and have so learned it to communicate with men. Some cultures, among those who are friendly towards elves, use Low Elven to name geographical places and in legal and historical documents. Some documents are written in both Old Umorit and in Low Elven. Low Elven is sometimes used in place of Trade Common, especially in the north.
Dark Tongue
Dark Tongue is the common speech in the underworld and among the servants of evil.
Melodian
Melodian is the common speech among celestial beings and powers.
Non-Human Languages and Dialects
- Halfling
- Drughu
- Low Giant
- Wood Giant
- Hill Giant
- Grey Elven
- Standard Grey Elven
- Snow Elven
- Dark Elven
- High Elven
- Wood Elven
- Gnomish
- Stone Giant
- Dwarven
- Mountain Dwarven
- Hill Dwarven
- Ogrish
- Orcish
- Mountain Orcish
- Low Orcish
- Hill Orcish
- Deep Orcish
- Goblin
- Low Goblin
- Hobgoblin
- Koboldic
- Draconic
Extinct Languages
Planar Languages
- Abyssal
- Infernal
Languages Swadesh List
Categories: The Known World, General Campaign Rules