Languages of Erôth
A survey of the tongues of the continent: their families, their scripts, and who is heard speaking them
Owing to the far-reaching influence of Peredhel and the persistent specter of war, Peren has evolved into the foremost ‘Common’ tongue of the realm. Throughout Erôth, merchants and commoners alike employ Peren as a means of equitable communication. It holds prevalence and stands as universally embraced as any language possibly could across the expanse of the continent.
When speaking with compatriots, most people will converse in their native tongue. Tazion in Taziondale; Tanjun in Kijinxi; Galden in Amulta, Galderia, and Yvance; and so forth. On occasions involving multinational gatherings of the upper echelons and nobility, it is not uncommon for Idioma, the language of Escaria, to dominate the event.
Even when languages are simplified to something as basic as ‘Cànain’, it’s important to recognize that each language possesses several, if not dozens, of dialects. Proficiency in a language ensures effective communication, though grasping a speaker’s intended meaning through a thick dialect may still call for a check.
Not all languages have a written form; some remain purely spoken. These languages often boast a vibrant oral tradition, serving as repositories of millennia-old tales handed down through generations as a method of record-keeping.
Different Language Families
Certain races are indigenous to Erôth, while others have arrived from continents that shared a common language. There are even several that came into being through the intelligent design of established cultures. As a result, the multitude of languages in existence are often classified into distinct ‘Language Families’.
Comprehending a Related Tongue
A speaker faced with an unfamiliar language from a family they already know has a chance of catching some of its meaning.
- Difficulty: never less than Hard (DC 20).
Languages in a Language Family
Aetherium
| Language | Typical Speakers | Script | Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celestial | Celestials, goodly outsiders | Yes | Enochian |
| Dark Speak | Demons, Devils, evil outsiders | Yes | Enochian |
| Druidic | Druids (only) | No | Enochian |
| Necril | Undead | Yes | Enochian |
Draconic
| Language | Typical Speakers | Script | Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanjun | Karruk, Kijinxi, Barren Lands | Yes | Eastern Asian |
| Yong | Kobolds, Lizardfolk, etc | Yes | Eastern Asian |
Terrane
| Language | Typical Speakers | Script | Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gigant | Ogres, giants, trolls | Yes | Slavic |
| Jazyk | Terrane | Yes | Slavic |
| Jeskyně | Underôth creatures | No | Slavic |
Mól
| Language | Typical Speakers | Script | Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| G’lin | Hobs, gobs, Bugbears | No | Arabic |
| Loper | Interloper refugees | No | Arabic |
| Taal | Ancient hobgoblin | Yes | Arabic |
| Peren | Peredhel & many others | Yes | Arabic |
Primordial
| Language | Typical Speakers | Script | Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquan | Water-based creatures | Yes | Unintelligible |
| Auran | Air-based creatures | No | Unintelligible |
| Ignan | Fire-based creatures | Yes | Unintelligible |
| Terran | Earth-based creatures | Yes | Unintelligible |
Sylvan
| Language | Typical Speakers | Script | Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhaasha | Hafuwë and Fey | Yes | South Asia |
| Kutā | Gnolls and Triaxian | No | South Asia |
Languages Not in a Language Family
| Language | Typical Speakers | Script | Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cànain | Gnomes, Ustos, Sil | Yes | Gaelic |
| Daelish | Daelands, Daelaegas, Angband | Yes | Germanic |
| Galden | Galderia, Amulta, Yovance | Yes | Latin |
| Idioma | Escaria, many other nobles | Yes | Spanish |
| Tazion | Taziondale, Vala | Yes | East Africa |
Aetherium
Few words can capture the essence of this script. An otherworldly alphabet that transcends the boundaries of our reality, it finds use among denizens of the ‘outer planes’.
Draconic
An ancient script etched through millennia. Until very recently, it remained a hieroglyphic orthography. Due to it’s namesake, some believe each letter harbors considerable power.
Terrane
While people may not believe the Terrane exist, they do. This is their ancient runic alphabet was once the most widespread in all of Erôth.
Mól
Written from right to left in small looping lines with dashes, this is one of the oldest scripts still used today. Moreover, it’s even the most prolific.
Primordial
This script is more like stamped hieroglyphs than a normal alphabet. This is the basic script for all creature of the ‘inner planes’.
Sylvan
Language originating from a distant realm, far beyond Erôth. The path to this land has long since faded into obscurity. It’s believed the reason Hafuwë speak form this is family is because they also came from that land.