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« Thread Started on Aug 10, 2008, 9:15am » | ![[Quote]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/quote.gif) |
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Eltharin is the ancient language of the Elves. Eltharin was developed many millennia ago in a time when humans where still uttering primitive grunts and were yet to develop written language. In a similar manner to Khazalid the language of the Dwarfs, it has remained almost unchanged for thousands of years, however unlike Khazalid, several variations of Eltharin are spoken by the different Elven kindreds. Eltharin is a divided language and several dialects are spoken by the various Elven kindreds. Though all these originated in Eltharin, some are so drastically different (being greatly changed by their isolation from Eltharin) that they could almost be called separate languages in their own right.
Lesser-known amongst the Elven languages is Anoqeyån[1], an ancient tongue used solely to shape the Winds of Magic into powerful spells, and is believed to be the closest surviving mortal language to the words spoken by the Old Ones. Eltharin in its many forms, is believed to have evolved from this powerful language, made simpler, more fluid and lyrical, and given mortal uses. Similarly, Eltharin forms the base for the primary human 'arcane language', the Lingua Praestantia, which was developed by Loremaster Teclis when he founded the Colleges of Magic.
Contents
1 Names
2 Writing
3 Tar-Eltharin
3.1 The Asun
3.2 Tar-Eltharin Dictionary
4 Druhir
5 Fan-Eltharin
6 External Links
Names
Elven names are usually words in one form of Eltharin, though most of the literal translations are unknown and hence names of individuals shouldn't be included in the dictionaries on this page. Also, many Elven names remain the same in any form of Eltharin, such as Aenarion, Tyrion, Teclis, Finubar, Malekith, Morathi, Rakarth and Eltharion. In addition, many Elven names invented by Games Workshop (the maker of Warhammer) appear as a first name in Eltharin and a second name or title in English (the English title or name consists of two names). For instance "Caledor Dragontamer" , in which "Caledor" is the first name in Eltharin, and "Dragontamer" is the second name (a title in this case) and is made of two words Dragon and Tamer; showing that Caledor Dragontamer tamed dragons. Exceptions to this would be the names of the Phoenix Kings, many of whom have their second names/titles comprised of individual words, Imrik, whose title is "Dragon Prince of Caledor" and Alith Anar, whose name is comprised of two words and whose title is "Shadow King".
Writing
Elven writing is based on a series of runes which differ depending on the dialect, and in a manuscript, each rune flows together. To untrained eyes it can seem that one run miraculously flows into another and some scholars have even claimed that various Elven writings (regardless of dialect) and individual runes have changed shape before their very eyes. This makes it very hard for humans or Dwarves (whose writing is very distinct and prominent, and much unlike the flowing Elven script) to decipher Elven writing of any considerable length. Human translations of Eltharin in Reikspiel, Bretonni and other Human languages have historically been full of missing or undecipherable sections; inaccuracies and paragraphs of garbled nonsense. However by the same token, Elven writing is distinct in it's qualities and even the lowliest peasant is able to recognise a rune of Elven origin.
Tar-Eltharin
Tar Eltharin is spoken by the Asur or High Elves and is the purest form of Eltharin, bearing the most resemblance to the language when it was first devised and spoken. Tar-Eltharin is also spoken in a more limited capacity by the nobility of the Druchii, as they are forced to learn the language of their ancestors and their hated kin as children. While all of the Asur speak Tar-Eltharin, the various kingdoms of Ulthuan speak various sub-dialects and have their own peculiar accents (though it is usually only the Elves who can distinguish between these), though this was more true in the ancient past and in modern times the various accents have merged a little.
Tar-Eltharin is based on a series of central (usually somewhat abstract) concepts represented by words called the Asai which are represented by fundamental runes called the Asun. From this set of fundamental concepts, the entirety of Tar-Eltharin comes. There is also a second, extremely numerous lesser set of words; the Onai which serve to give specific meaning to the more fundamental concepts. The Onai are represented by lesser runes called the Onun. However even when speaking specifically, the nature of Elven language is such (and this is true for all dialects)
The Asun
The Asun are as follows:
Ahrain - Shadows, night, stealth, secrets, perfidiousness
Asur - Asuryan, The Eternal Flame, rebirth, Lordship, the Phoenix, the High Elves
Cadaith - Grace, power, music of the stars
Caladai - The line of Kings, the Dragons of flame
Ceyl - Law, order, justice, passion, sword that draws blood
Cynath - Chill, death, silence, loneliness
Cython - Lileath, the serpent, wisdom, knowledge, futility
Daroir - Remembrance, memory, the strength of stones
Elthrai - Doom, hope, inexorable fate
Elui - Ending, denial
Harathoi - Youth, boundless energy, jealousy
Lacoi - Might, glory, fear of death
Lathain - Storm, wrath, gently falling rain which brings eternal sleep
Lecai - Light, nobility of the soul, lightness of being
Melui - Water, life, majesty, weakness, torrential rain, thunder in the distant mountains
Minaith - Skill in arms, spirituality, the Lost Way
Oriour - Blood, birth
Quyl-Isha - The tears of Isha, sorrow, mercy, endurance, mourning for lost children
Sarathi - The rune of the World Dragon, defiance, something that is unyielding
Sariour - The moon, magic, fortune, evil deeds, destruction wrought by nature
Saroir - Eternity, infinity, the flame of love that burns all it touches
Senlui - Swiftness, accuracy
Senthoi - Unity, loyalty, broken promise or oath
Sethai - Flight, wind, cry in the far mountains
Thalui - Hatred, vengence
Thanan - Hidden power, inner strength, indecisiveness
Urithair - Destruction, conquest, sacrifice, innocence
Yenlui - Balance, harmony, Chaos
Tar-Eltharin DictionaryThese are known Tar-Eltharin words, in alphabetical order. It should be noted that many of these words are common to many languages, particularly those relating to magic, which exist unchanged in the Dark Tongue of Chaos, in the Lingua Praestantia spoken by Imperial Wizards invoking their spells, and in the ancient Elven language Anoqeyån, now only spoken in the incantations of High Mages.
Aethyr - The Winds of Magic, the Realm of Chaos
Aqshy - The wind of fire, red
Asai - Greater words
Asrai - Wood Elves
Asun - Greater runes
Asur - High Elves
Azyr - The wind of the heavens, blue
Chamon - The Wind of metal, yellow, gold
Dhar - Dark or Chaotic magic
Druchii - Dark Elves
Elthin Arvan - The Old World
Ghur - The wind of beasts, brown, amber
Ghyran - The wind of life, green
Hysh - The wind of light, white
Onai - Lesser words
Onun - Lesser runes
Qhaysh - High magic
Shyish - The wind of death, purple, amethyst
Sith Rionnasc'namithshir - "Star Gem of the Sea", An Elven fortress that existed at the mouth of the River Reik, the site of modern day Marienburg in the Wasteland. Destroyed during the War of the Beard.
Ulgu - The wind of shadow, grey
Ulthuan - The Island home of the Asur
DruhirMain article : Druhir.
Druhir is the dialect of Eltharin spoken by the Druchii or Dark Elves and is based on the original Eltharin dialect spoken in Nagarythe in the time before the civil-war called The Sundering split the race of Elves in two.
Fan-Eltharin
Fan-Eltharin is the dialect of Eltharin spoken by the Asrai or Wood Elves. Little is known about this form, although it is known that the language has changed much over the millennia the Asrai have spent in isolation in Athel Loren in the Old World. Fan-Eltharin has grown to resemble the Asrai themselves in their inextricable link with the magical forest. Asrai never speak Fan-Eltharin in front of outsiders, (and the Asrai speaking to outsiders is a rare occurrence in itself) preferring instead to speak in the native tongue of the member of the race they are talking to. All Elves have a natural affinity for language so this is not a difficult feat.
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« Reply #1 on Aug 11, 2008, 7:18am » | |
[edit] OverviewDruhir is a harsher language than Tar-Eltharin and although it has the melodious sound and flowing rune-writing of all Elven languages, Druhir has an air of cruelty and malice to it that is not present in the other Eltharin dialects, this is perhaps due to the use of harsh consonant sounds like "K" and "G" along with more traditional rolling Eltharin sounds. The written form of Druhir is simply called Druhir and the runes appear darker, with more jagged edges than a traditional Elven rune. Druchii runes almost always have at least a loose conenction with Dhar and it is said that scholars attempting to decipher Druhir have gone mad.
[edit] Druhir DictionaryThese are known Druhir words, in alphabetical order.
Autarii - The Shades of the Blackspine Mountains, also the outlying areas of Naggaroth.
Caedlin - Silver or gold mask worn by highborn of Hag Graef to protect their faces from fog which sweeps over the city at night.
Courva - Midly addictive stimulant extracted from the roots of a Lustrian plant. Believed to enhance senses.
Dalakoi - Padded aketon with mail sleeves and shirt, lined with leather eg: doe or human. (Literally "strength against death.")
Drachau - Title held by rulers of Druchii cities. (Literally "Hand of the Night".)
Draich - Long two-handed sword primarily used by Executioners.
Drannach - Long heavy-bladed spear (literally "sky-piercer".)
Dru Perim - A Council of male Sorcerers who helped govern Naggaroth after the Sundering. Were all killed by Malekith after his edict that only females may become magic-users, in WAR's Age of Reckoning, this has been lifted.
Glaith - Short sickle-shaped blade used for ritual combat. (Literally "spine-blade".)
Hadrilkar - Torc worn by members of a noble's reutine, (literally "collar of service.")
Hakseer - A right of passage for nobles in which they go on a year-long sea raid.
Hanil Khar - The "Bearing of Chains". Annual festival where nobles make an offering to the Drachau and restate their loyalty. Marks end of raiding season and start of winter.
Hithuan - A social rule which measures how close one Druchii is allowed to another, this depends on social rank and is measured in sword lengths.
Keikalla - Bells which superstitious Druchii hang around their necks to ward off evil spirits and bad fortune. (Literally "Spirit-bells".)
Khaitan - Long flowing robe made from silk, usually patterned with runes.
Maelith - Malevolent spirits of dead Druchii sometimes used by Sorceresses.
Maibd - "Bride of Khaine".
Nauglir - A Cold One.
Sa'an'ishar - "Shields and spears!" Meaning to stand at attention or be ready.
Tulluch - A Witch Elf.
Uraithen - Repeater Crossbow. (Literally "death rain".)
Vaulkhar - "Maker of the Chains". Title held by leader of a Drachau's army. Comes from his right to enslave prisoners of war if he wishes.
Vauvalka - Illegal (mostly male) users of Dhar who often sell their services. (Literally "Shadow-casters".)
[edit] Drukh-EltharinThe popular Dark Elf fan-website Druchii.net has invented an unofficial set of runes that the they imagine the Druchii would supposedly use as a writing system called "Drukh-Eltharin". Many of these runes however, are based on actual Druchii runes found in Warhammer source books and other resources, though they have not been given a specific meaning such as the Asur's Asun runes have, until now. The following list from their January 2004 newsletter is included to illustrate an overall tone for Druhir, and to help expand a player's role playing lexicon.
[edit] Harthani - Phonetic RunesIn the construction of Drukh-Eltharian, Druchii.net created a set of thirty-nine phonetic runes to further illustrate the small dictionary of words they created and aid players in creating more of their own. Note that some double-vowel elements are pronounced as diphthongs and some are not. Any double-vowel element not represented by a single runeform should be pronounced as two distinct sounds. In the case of three or more consecutive vowels, the first vowel pair that can be represented as a single runeform should be pronounced as such, while the remaining vowels should be pronounced as distinct sounds.
Agh - to ‘g’ as ‘kh’ is to ‘k’
Aibh - a very soft ‘v’ sound as in Irish "medb"
Ail - an ‘aiyee’ sound
Akh - ‘a’ as in cat
Beth - somewhere between a ‘b’ and a ‘p’
Dae - ‘é’ as in Spanish "olé"
Dar - somewhere between a ‘d’ and a ‘t’
Dhar - ‘th’ as in that
Dhy - ‘ie’ as in die
Eam - an ‘eiyah’ sound
Edh - ‘e’ as in send
Eil - an ‘eiyee’ sound
Eyl - ‘ai’ as in "nail"
Fei - ‘f’ as in "feather"
Gor - ‘g’ as in "gate"
Han - ‘h’ as in "hat"
Ian - an ‘eeyah’ sound
Ikh - ‘i’ as in "kill"
Ith - ‘ee’ as in "tree"
Khou - like ‘ch’ in Scottish "loch", but harsher
Ku - ‘c’ as in "cat"
Loi - an ‘oiyee’ sound
Lu - ‘l’ as in "laughter"
Mu - ‘m’ as in "man"
Nu - ‘n’ as in "no"
Nui - like French "oui"
Odh - ‘o’ as in "go"
Oer - ‘oa’ as in "oar"
Okh - ‘o’ as in "not"
Our - ‘eu’ as in French "beurre"
Rou - a rolled ‘r’
Sham - ‘sh’ as in "ship"
Sin - ‘s’ as in "serpent"
Thar - ‘th’ as in "thorn"
Ur - ‘ou’ as in "tour"
Uyl - ‘ui’ as in "quill"
Vekh - ‘v’ as in "victory"
Yeth - ‘y’ as in "yellow"
Zhul - like ‘ge’ in French "rouge"
[edit] Drukh-Eltharin DictionaryMany of the below words carry double (sometimes quintuple) meanings. While this is a fan-made list, it illustrates the single mindedness of Drukh-Eltharian. Where some words (such as "Kuyl") may have two completely unrelated meanings, multiple words will work together to illustrate one concept (such as killing, which is mentioned multiple times below.)
Arha - Darkness or Night. May also indicate shadows or the color gray.
Daro - Memory or written records. May also indicate stones or the color blue.
Drukh - Merciless, harsh. May also be used to describe steel.
Elthrai - Doom or hopelessness.
Elu - Ending and/or denial.
Ganth - Execution, sacrifice. May be used as the English version of "sacrifice" to mean both a gift to a god, and something given up for another purpose.
Har - Place, home, city.
Harath - Youth, energy, jealousy, ambition.
Kar - Despair, numbing cold.
Khadath - Immense power, and potency. May also refrence stars, or change.
Khae - Murder, slaughter. May also indicate brass or the color bronze.
Khaladh - Dragon, nobility, or flames. May also indicate the colors yellow and orange.
Kheyl - Judgement, iron rule, punishment.
Khlar - Eternal damnation or slavery.
Kuyl - Sorrow or cowardice.
Kynth - Cold, death, silence, wilderness, loss. May also indicate the color black.
Kython - Knowledge, serpent, danger, and pleasurable pain.
Lakh - Glory, & victory. Especially in the face of certain death.
Lath - Anger, strife, & storm. May also mean sleep.
Maibd - Brides of Khaine, Witch Elves
Menlu - Water, & life. May also indicate rain or the color green.
Minaith - Skill.
Nagh - Ice, or something being pale.
Oriour - Blood, birth, and the the color crimson.
Sarath - Defiance, undying hatred, & quixotically duty to one's superiors. May reference the overall struggle against High Elves.
Sarious - Sorcery, good and bad fortune, and cataclysm. May also indicate the moons or the color white.
Saro - Eternity, infinity, and intensity.
Senlu - Speed and accuracy.
Senth - Loyalty, & strength in numbers.
Sheth - Flight, wind, and screaming.
Thalu - Hatred and vengeance.
Than - Hidden power, subtlety, and feigned weakness.
Urith - Destruction through conquest and warfare.
Yenlu - Chaos, or opposing forces.
Retrieved from "http://warhammeronline.wikia.com/wiki/Druhir"
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