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The Vast Lore of the Land |
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Our thanks goes to WineGod for originally compiling this guide. References used included, Races of Faerun and The Player's Handbook (v3.5). Languages and Literacy in Faerun Table of Contents Introduction to Language and Literacy Racial
Languages and Literacy |
Depending on the Race/Region of a character, he have one to a few Automatic languages. He may also take Bonus languages based on their Intelligence Bonus. (ex. 12 INT = 1 bonus language). The following languages are always available as bonus languages to characters, regardless of race or region: Abyssal, Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Goblin, Giant, Gnoll, Halfling, Ignan, Infernal, Orc, Sylvan, Terran, and Undercommon. To know how many languages a character will know upon creation, first find his racial entry below. That race's Automatic Languages are languages that all members of that race know. Once Automatic Languages are determined, a number of Bonus Languages may be chosen equal to the character's Intelligence bonus. Example: A Shield Dwarf with an Intelligence score of 16 will know Dwarven and Common as Automatic Languages, and then will be able to choose three additional languages because his Intelligence bonus is +3.
Characters with a negative INT modifier will lose languages from their automatic list depending on the negative score (8 INT is -1 score, so you lose 1 language, 6 INT is -2 score, so you lose 2 languages). However, the DM team has decided that every character will know a minimum of 1 language. So even Half-Orcs with 6 INT will be able to choose either Common or Orc to speak (albeit very, very badly).
Languages have dialects, but a dialect is just a dialect, and not a seperate language. For example, [Wild Elven] is a dialect of the Elven tongue, any Elf who speaks Elven will be able to freely communicate with Elves who speak with a Wild Elven dialect, but that Elf will not speak with a Wild Elven dialect himself (unless he chooses to and is able to for some valid storyline reason). One real world example of this would be the various dialects of the English language. The English that's spoken in England is different from that of Toronto or New York, and those in turn are different from the American southern dialect. But they can all understand one another and communicate (in most cases). It has also been decided that only Elves or Half-Elves will be able to properly understand the lesser known dialects of any language (such as the Wild varieties).
The DM team has decided that both Human and non-Human characters will recieve a Home Region language choice. However, any non-Human PC wanting to choose a Home Region language must do so in exchange for their racial language choice. So, an Elf who wanted to speak Damaran because they are from the Vast loses Elven as an automatic language. Please consult the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting sourcebook (or the listing below for Humans) for a list of regional languages. Please note that these languages are all Human variants of the Common tongue, and no region offers Elven, Dwarven or any other different racial language as a regional choice.
The DM team has decided to use the "Appraise" skill to represent the PnP "Speak Language" skill. Characters wishing to learn additional languages beyond that of their INT bonus languages may take ranks in the Appraise skill to represent a new language learned. Every 1 rank in the Appraise skill will represent 1 language. Note however, that any bonus ranks in the Appraise skill due to your INT modifier do not count toward extra languages. A Player must literally place a rank in the skill to learn a language. |
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Racial Languages and Literacy |
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General Introduction to Dwarven Language and Literacy Dwarves speak Dwarven, which has its own runic script. Dwarven literature is marked by comprehensive histories of kingdoms and wars throughout the millennia. The Dwarven alphabet is also used (with minor variations) for the Gnome, Giant, Goblin, Orc, and Terran languages. Dwarves often speak the languages of their friends (humans and gnomes) and enemies. Some also learn Terran, the strange language of earth-based creatures such as xorns.
Like all dwarves, arctic dwarves speak a dialect of Dwarven and employ the Dethek rune alphabet. They also speak the dialect of Common spoken in Sossal. The Inugaakalikurit dialect of Dwarven is known as Kurit and has strong ties to Uluik, the Ulutiun tongue spoken by the humans of the Great Glacier and the Ice Hunters of the North. Common secondary languages include Uluik, Giant, Damaran, and Draconic, which enable arctic dwarves to communicate with their neighbors. All arctic dwarf characters are literate except for Barbarians, adepts, aristocrats, experts, warriors, and commoners.
Like all dwarves, gold dwarves speak a dialect of Dwarven and employ the Dethek rune alphabet. They also speak Common, the trade language of the Realms Above. The primary gold dwarven dialect (sometimes referred to as Riftspeak) has changed little since the glory days of Bhaerynden. Gold dwarves dwelling in the colonies in Unther and the Giant’s Run often learn the languages of the nearby lands. Common secondary languages reflect the extensive trading contacts maintained by gold dwarves with their neighbors in the South and include Shaaran, Untheric, and, to a lesser extent, Durpari, Dambrathan, Mulhorandi, Halfling, and Halruaan. Gold dwarves who have extensive contact with other subterranean races often learn Terran, Gnome, or Undercommon. All gold dwarf characters are literate except barbarians (who are very unusual among the folk of this ancient civilization).
Like all dwarves, gray dwarves speak Dwarven and employ the Dethek rune alphabet. Gray dwarves also speak Undercommon, the trade tongue of the Realms Below. The primary gray dwarven dialect, Duergan, is an offshoot of the shield dwarven dialect, heavily influenced by drow and illithid words and language constructs found in Undercommon. Common secondary languages reflect those spoken by traditional foes, including Draconic, Elven (the drow dialect), Giant, Goblin, and Orc. Those who have extensive dealings with creatures of elemental earth often learn Terran, while those who trade with inhabitants of the Realms Above often learn the trade tongue Common. All gray dwarf characters are literate except for barbarians.
Like all dwarves, shield dwarves speak Dwarven and employ the Dethek rune alphabet. They also speak Common. The primary shield dwarven dialect, Shanatan, dates back to the founding of Shanatar and is still spoken by dwarves along the Sword Coast from the Shining Sea to the Spine of the World. To the east, in northcentral Faerun, most shield dwarves speak the Galenan dialect, strongly influenced by the Damaran human tongue. Common secondary languages reflect the extensive trading contacts maintained by shield dwarves with their neighbors in the North and include Chondathan, Illuskan, and, to a lesser extent, Elven and Gnome. The shield dwarves of northcentral Faerun are more apt to learn Damaran than Illuskan as the secondary language. Many shield dwarves also learn the languages of their traditional foes, including Draconic, Giant, Goblin, and Orc. All shield dwarf characters are literate except for barbarians.
Urdunnirs speak Dwarven and employ the Dethek rune alphabet. They also speak Undercommon, the trade language of the Realms Below. The only known urdunnir dialect, an archaic form of Shanatan, dates back to the founding of Shanatar. Common secondary languages include the dialect of Gnome spoken by the svirfneblin and Terran, the language of elemental earth. Some urdunnir learn the language of their foes, including the drow dialect of Elven, Kuo-Toan, Beholder, and Aboleth. Few venture close to the surface, but those that do occasionally learn Common, Alzhedo, or Illuskan. All urdunnir characters are literate except for barbarians, who are very rare among this people.
Automatic
Languages: Dwarven, Common. Wild dwarves speak a dialect of Dwarven, as well as Common. Those rare individuals who are literate employ the Dethek rune alphabet. The wild dwarf dialect, Authalan, is distantly related to the dialect of the gold dwarves, and betrays a subtle Chultan and Tashalan influence. Common secondary languages reflect the dominant languages of the Chultan peninsula and include Chultan, Draconic, Goblin, Shaaran, Tashalan, and Yuan-Ti. No wild dwarves are literate, except for those who select a Player’s Handbook character class other than barbarian. |
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General Introduction to Elven Language and Literacy Elves speak a fluid language of subtle intonations and intricate grammer. While Elven literature is rich and varied, it is the language’s songs and poems that are most famous. Many bards learn Elven so they can add Elven ballads to their repertoires. Others simply memorize Elven songs by sound. The Elven script, as flowing as the spoken word, also serves as the script for Sylvan, the language of dryads and pixies, for Aquan, the language of water-based creatures, and for Undercommon, the language of drow and other subterranean creatures. Note about Elven: Only Elves of pure blood are able to speak the Elven language fluidly and without error. Half-Elves speak the Elven tongue in a slightly clumsy manner, and Humans or other races who learn the tongue sound awkward and childlike speaking it. This is only detectable by other Elves however, if a Half-Elf and Human communicate in Elven, they will likely not be able to notice anything unusual.
All aquatic elves speak Elven, written with a distinctive style of Espruar characters that shows Aquan influences. Aquatic elves native to the Sea of Fallen Stars also speak Serusan, the trade language of the marine peoples of the Inner Sea, while aquatic elves from the Great Sea or the Trackless Sea speak Aquan. Both of these languages use the Aquan alphabet. Those aquatic elves who have the inclination also learn various languages of the surface world, notably Common, Chondathan, and Sylvan. All aquatic elf characters are literate, except for barbarians, warriors, and commoners.
All avariels can speak Elven and Common, and each learns an additional language based on his or her native region. Most winged elves are intelligent enough to pick up at least one additional language. This additional language is usually Auran, so the avariels can speak with allied creatures of the air such as the giant eagles they adore. Additional languages often learned by avariels include Goblin, Orc, Sylvan, and the predominant human language(s) of their home region. Avariels also often learn the Draconic and Giant languages so that they can converse with their hated enemies if the need arises. All avariels are literate, except for avariel barbarians (assuming they exist).
Most drow speak Elven, Undercommon, and a language appropriate to their native region. Those with the time or inclination, particularly warriors, learn Drow Sign Language (see below) or languages commonly spoken by beings that settle nearby, including Abyssal, Common, Draconic, and Goblin. Drow also learn common languages spoken on the surface near the entrances to their particular corner of the Underdark, such as the Illuskan language. Drow have developed a unique sign language, Drow sign Language, which allows silent communication with hand gestures up to 120 feet away as long as both parties can see each other. Drow Sign Language has no alphabet or written form. All drow characters are literate except for barbarians.
All moon elves speak Elven, Common, and the human language of their home region. Their nomadic nature encourages them to pick up additional languages as they travel as well, and most moon elves can speak at least one or two additional languages beyond these. Common choices include Auran, Chondathan, Gnoll, Gnome, Halfling, Illuskan, and Sylvan. All moon elf characters are literate, except for barbarians.
All sun elves speak Elven, Common, and the human language of their home region. Although they often learn other languages (in particular Auran, Celestial, Chondathan, Gnome, Halfling, Illuskan, and Sylvan), they prefer to use magic to communicate with neighbors or simply insist that visitors learn Elven. Many sun elves choose to study dead languages such as Aragrakh, Loross, or Seldruin in order to increase their access to ancient works and lore. All sun elves are literate, except for barbarians, if any exist.
All wild elves speak Elven, Common, and the language of their home region. They are isolationists and do not trust outsiders, so they rarely learn the languages of their neighbors, especially their enemies. Common additional languages include Gnoll, Illuskan, Mulan, Orc, Shaaran, Sylvan, and Tashalan. Wild elf characters who choose a player character class (other than barbarian) are literate, but all other wild elf characters are illiterate.
All wood elves speak Elven, Common, and the language of their home region, if any. The average wood elf has neither the interest nor the dedication required to learn other languages, but those who do often learn Chondathan, Draconic, Gnome, Goblin, Gnoll, and Sylvan. All wood elf characters are literate except for barbarians. |
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General Introduction to Gnomish Language and Literacy The Gnome Language, which uses the Dwarven script, is renowned for its technical treatises and its catalogs of knowledge about the natural world. Human herbalists, naturalists, and engineers commonly learn Gnome in order to read the best books on their topics of study.
Svirfneblin speak Gnome, Undercommon, and whatever tongue is used by those on the surface of their region. Those who deal with outsiders often pick up a bit of Common as well. Given the nature of their closest neighbors in the Underdark, it’s not uncommon for deep gnome linguists to also learn languages like Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Illuskan, and Terran. All deep gnome characters are literate except for barbarians.
Forest gnomes speak Common, Gnome, and Sylvan. If they pick up an additional language, it’s often Elven, but it could just as well be Halfling, Treant, or the human language of the surrounding region. Those forest gnomes who fight to defend their homes sometimes pick up a bit of Draconic, Goblin, or Orc too, just so they can converse with their attackers and—if possible—spy on them. Forest gnomes have a special ability to speak with animals at will. They make good use of this talent, persuading forest animals to observe intruders and report any trouble in the woodlands. All forest gnome characters are literate, except for barbarians. The next forest gnome barbarian one meets is likely to be the first and may well be the last.
Rock gnomes normally speak Gnome and Common, as well as whatever language is predominant in their home region. They often pick up Dwarven and Sylvan because they live in areas favored by these races. Additionally, they regularly come into contact with those who speak Chondathan, Draconic, Goblin, Illuskan, and Terran, although this isn’t always under the best of circumstances. All rock gnomes are literate, except for barbarians. |
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General Introduction to Half-Elven Language and Literacy Half-elves speak the languages they are born to, Common and Elven. Half-elves are slightly clumsy with the intricate Elven language, though only elves notice, and even so half-elves do better than nonelves. Automatic
Languages: Elven, Common.
The half-elves of the Yuirwood speak Common, Elven, and Aglarondan. Aglarondan is a relatively young language that developed from the blending of Elven with the Damaran tongue of the human settlers who colonized the Yuirwood’s coasts five hundred years ago. For bonus languages, half-elves often choose Chessentan, Damaran, Draconic, Elven, Mulhorandi, Orc, or Sylvan. All common half-elves are literate, except for barbarians.
Half-aquatic elves speak Common and Elven. All half-aquatic elves are literate except for barbarians, commoners, and warriors.
Half-drow speak Elven. If they were raised in the Underdark or Dambrath, they speak Undercommon. Otherwise, they speak Common. All half-drow are literate except for barbarians. |
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General Introduction to Half-Orc Language and Linguistics Orc, which has no alphabet of its own, uses Dwarven script on the rare occasions when someone writes something down. Orc writing turns up most frequently in graffiti.
The gray orcs speak a complex variant of the Orc tongue. Anyone who can speak Orc can understand this language, but many words, inflections, and pronunciations vary wildly between tribes and usually a period of a few days is required to sort out and get used to the idiosyncrasies of a new tribe. Gray orcs are not fond of learning new languages, but a tribes’s clerics typically know Common (to interrogate captives) and Giant and Goblin (to interact with possible allies). Gray orcs are not literate unless they have a level in a player character class other than barbarian.
All half-orcs speak both Common and Orc. They are accepted on the fringes of both orc and human societies, and being able to communicate clearly with both dramatically increases a half-orc’s chance to find allies. Although they don’t particularly make gifted linguists, half-orcs learn a number of other languages simply as a result of their nomadic, wandering lifestyles. Other languages commonly learned by half-orcs include Damaran, Giant, Gnoll, Goblin, Illuskan, and Undercommon. All half-orcs are literate except for barbarians, adepts, commoners, and warriors.
All mountain orc characters can speak Orc and Common. Unlike the gray orcs, the various northern tribes speak very similar dialects of Orc, most likely due to the fact that there is much more interaction among the various mountain tribes than there is among the independent tribes of the east. Mountain orcs often learn Giant and Goblin as well, so they can communicate with their like-minded neighbors, and Common so that they can interrogate prisoners. All mountain orcs are illiterate, except for those who have a player character class other than barbarian. Orog (Deep Orc) Orogs speak Orc and Undercommon. Those few who have a knack for languages learn another tongue common in the Underdark, such as Dwarven or the drow dialect of Elven. Now that the orogs are exploring Anauroch, it’s likely some orog characters will learn the tongues of the surface world as well. All orogs are literate, except for barbarians, commoners, and warriors. |
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General Introduction to Halfling Language and Literacy Halflings speak their own language, which uses the Common script. They write very little in their own language, so, unlike dwarves, elves, and gnomes, they don’t have a rich body of written work. The Halfling oral tradition, however, is very strong. While the Halfling language isn’t secret, Halflings are loath to share it with others. Almost all Halflings speak Common, since they use it to deal with the people in whose lands they are living or through which they are traveling. Ghostwise
Halflings Because of their peculiar racial talent (telepathy), the ghostwise hin do not learn tongues other than their own with as much frequency as other races. The matriarchs and patriarchs of the various clans are apt to learn, in addition to their native language, Chondathan and Sylvan, while clerics and druids most commonly express an interest in Sylvan and sometimes Gnoll. The typical ghostwise clan member, however, speaks only those languages that the race receives automatically (Common, Halfling, and regional). No ghostwise are literate, except for individuals with player character classes other than barbarian. Lightfoot
Halflings Lightfoots speak Halfling, Common, and the language of their home region—which, given lightfoot wanderlust, could be almost anywhere. Wandering lightfoot Halflings pick up the languages of the places they live, and often learn other widely spread tongues. All lightfoot nonbarbarians (the vast majority of the race, in other words) are literate. Strongheart
Halflings Strongheart Halflings speak Halfling and Common, and many pick up Shaaran as well. All but the very rare barbarians are literate. |
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General Introduction to Human Language and Literacy Humans speak Common. They typically learn other languages as well, including obscure ones, and they are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues: Orc curses, Elven musical expressions, Dwarven military phrases, and so on. Automatic
Languages: Common, home region.
The native tongue of Calishites is Alzhedo, a language derived millennia ago from Midani (the language of Zakhara) and Auran. Alzhedo is one of the two major root tongues of both Thorass (“Old Common”) and Common. Alzhedo employs the Thorass alphabet, a set of characters used to represent the trade shores of the Lake of Steam. Most Calishites also speak Common, particularly the singsong Calant dialect. Those who trade with or live in the Realms Below prefer Undercommon, the trade language of the Underdark. Given their extensive contacts with geniekind, Calishites often learn Auran or Ignan. Other common second languages include Chultan, Halfling, Lantanese, Shaaran, or Tashalan, languages spoken by many who dwell along the shores of the Shining Sea. Few Calishites learn other nonhuman tongues. All Calishite characters are literate except for barbarians and commoners.
Chondathans speak Common and Chondathan, two closely related tongues. Chondathan, one of the root tongues of Common, is the modern form of Jhaamdathan (“Old Chondathan”), which was one of the two root tongues of Thorass (“Old Common”), Chondathan employs the Thorass alphabet, a set of characters used to represent the trade tongue that came into use thousands of years ago along the shores of the Lake of Steam. As many Chondathans dwell amid other Human cultures (or at least have extensive trade contacts with such societies), many individuals learn the local tongue or the language of their nearest neighbor. Commonly learned second languages include Illuskan if the individual in question lives in the Western Hearlands or the North, Damaran if she lives in northcentral Faerun, Shaaran if she lives south of the Vilhon Reach, Turami if she lives on the northern shore of the Vilhon Reach, or Alzhedo if she lives along the shores of the Lake of Steam. Spellcasters, particularly those who dwell in Cormyr or the Dalelands, usually learn Netherese and Elven in order to acquire magic from old sources. Few Chondathans outside those areas learn Elven, a legacy of generations of conflict and a likely contributor to future conflicts. All Chondathan characters are literate except for barbarians.
Most Damarans speak Common and Damaran, two closely related tongues. Damaran employs an alphabet of Dethek runes, a legacy of early cooperation between the inhabitants of Impiltur and the dwarves of the Earthfast Mountains. The exceptions are the inhabitants of Aglarond and Altumbel, who speak Common and Aglarondan, a tongue closely related to Damaran that incorporates many Elven words and uses the elven script of Espruar. Common second languages in Impiltur include Chondathan, Dwarven, Aglarondan, or Chessentan. In Damara and Vaasa, second languages frequently known include Chondathan, Dwarven, Orcish, or Uluik. Many Nars can speak Rashemi or Uluik, and Tuigan is becoming increasingly popular. The inhabitants of the Great Dale are most likely to learn Rashemi, although some learn the Thayan dialect of Mulhorandi In southern Theak, Aglarondan is the most popular second language, while Chondathan and Turmic are the preferred second tongues along the coast around Telflamm. In Aglarond, most inhabitants also speak Elven. Other common second languages include Damaran, Chessentan, Sylvan, or Mulhorandi. All Damaran characters are literate except for barbarians, commoners, and warriors.
Most Illuskans speak Illuskan, a language derived largely from Old Illuskan (spoken by the folk of Old Illusk) mixed with a smattering of Netherese. They usually speak Common as well, but few are literate. Along the northern coast of the mainland, particularly in the city of Waterdeep, many Illuskans speak Chondathan, the language of their Tethyrian neighbors. Although Old Illuskan had an alphabet of its own, today it is only found in the ancient fragments of lore stored within the Host Tower of the Arcane in Luskan. Although rarely put in written form, the modern Illuskan tongue uses the Thorass alphabet introduced by Tethyrian migrants. All Illuskan characters are literate except for barbarians, aristocrats, commoners, experts, and warriors.
Depending on their homeland, Mulan speak one of the various tongues of the Rauric language family—all derived, at least in part, from the slave argot of ancient Imaskar. The language of Unther is Untheric, while the language of Mulhorand, Murghom, Semphar, and Thay is Mulhorandi. Untheric employs Dethek runes for its alphabet, suggesting a strong tie between the gold dwarves of the Great Rift and the early inhabitants of Unther. Mulhorandi is rendered in the Celestial alphabet, first introduced by a manifestation of Thoth. In Chessenta and the Wizards’ Reach, Chessentan, a tongue closely related to Untheric with strong Chondathan and Shaaran influences, has largely supplanted Untheric. The folk of Chessenta have long used the Thorass alphabet in addition to Dethek runes, and Chessenthan is almost exclusively written using Thorass characters. Both They and the cult of Set render Mulhorandi in the Infernal alphabet, consciously repudiating the rule of the current god-kings. Common is less frequently spoken in Mulan-dominated lands than elsewhere in Faerun, but it is still widely known nonetheless. Mulan who learn second tongues often choose one of the other Rauric languages mentioned above, Aglarondan (among the cities of the Wizards’ Reach), Chondathan (Chessenta), Durpari (southern Mulhorand), Rashemi (Thay and the Wizards’ Reach), Shaaran (southern Unther), Shou (Semphar), and Turmic (Chessenta and Mulhorand). All Mulan are literate except for barbarians (very rare among this ancient race), commoners, and warriors.
Rashemi speak Common and their national language, whatever that may be. The Rashemi language, derived from Raumvira and the dead language Halardrim, uses the Thorass alphabet introduced by Chondathan traders traveling along the Golden Way. The Rashemi tongue is commonly employed only within the borders of Rashemen. In fact, more Rashemi speak the Thayan dialect of Mulhorandi as their mother tongue than speak Rashemi. Other languages with a significant number of Rashemi speakers include Aglarondan, Chondathan, and Damaran. The most common secondary languages among the Rashemi are Mulhorandi (particularly the Thayan dialect) or Rashemi, depending on whether they live in Rashemen or Thay, respectively. Those Rashemi who dwell farther west often learn Chondathan, Damaran, Aglarondan, Chessentan, or Untheric. All Rashemi characters are literate except for barbarians, adepts, experts, warriors, and commoners.
Most Tethyrians speak Common as their primary language, usually a singsong dialect known as Calant that is heavily influenced by Alzhedo and popular along the Sword Coast. They employ the Thorass alphabet. As Talfir and other languages of the original western tribes vanished long ago, there is no ancestral “Tethyrian” tongue. Instead, Tethyrians have always adopted the languages of the latest wave of immigration. Today, most Tethyrians speak Chondathan, a legacy of the mercantile invasion from the east in recent centuries, although a few speak Illuskan or Alzhedo instead. All Tethyrian characters are literate except for barbarians, commoners, and warriors. |
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The Bedine retained the spoken language of their Netherese ancestors, Midani, but lost all knowledge of the written word. Centuries later, traders from the surrounding lands sought them out and introduced the alphabet of Thorass.
Chultans, who speak Chultan, adopted the Draconic alphabet before the founding of Mezro and spread it to the other Chultan tribes.
The Durpari speak a language of the same name—derived from a mixture of Draconic, Mulhorandi, and Rauric—and employ the Thorass alphabet brought back from the west.
Unlike their mainland cousins, the Tethyrian Ffolk speak Illuskan, but they still employ the Thorass script.
Speakers of an ancient dialect of Rashemi among themselves, the honor obsessed Gurs employ the Thorass alphabet and speak Chondathan with non-Gurs.
Traces of Netherese culture are strong in Halruaa, including the Draconic alphabet once employed by speakers of Netherese and Loross. The Halruaan tongue is simply a modern dialect of ancient Netherese.
The Imaskari spoke Roushoum, a precursor of such varied tongues as Durpari, the Rauric family (Chessentan, Mulhorani, and Untheric), Raumvira, and the various Tuigan dialects. The Imaskari alphabet has wholly fallen out of use and is only found inscribed on a few ancient artifacts and the walls of Imaskari ruins.
Speakers of Lantanese, the Lantanna employ the Draconic alphabet used by most cultures descended from Netheril. As the Lantanna are not believed to be in any way descended from ancient Netheril, some scholars suspect that early Halruaan or Nimbrali traders introduced this alphabet to the Lantanna.
The Nexalans are the only group to have journeyed east to Faerun, so all Faerun-dwelling Mazticans are speakers of Nexalan, the language of the nations of Pezelac, Huacli, Kultaka, and Nexal. The Nexalan tongue is written using the Draconic alphabet.
Although they once spoke Narfelli, a forgotten tongue strongly influenced by Abyssal, the Nars now speak the Damaran tongue common to lands near the Easting Reach as well as a smattering of Common. As most Nars can be considered barbarians, few can read or write, but those that do employ the Dethek runes adopted by speakers of Damaran.
Although all Netherese used the Draconic alphabet, the language of Low Netheril, and the commoners of High Netheril was Netherese, while the nobles of High Netheril spoke Loross.
Members of this ethnic group speak Raumvira, a tongue closely related to Rashemi, Dwarven, and a northern dialect of Imaskari. Raumvirans employ an alphabet of Dethek runes taught to them before the founding of Raumathar by the Siremun dwarves of the Firepeaks, a range of mountains to the east of the Lake of Mists.
Speakers of Shaaran employ an alphabet of Dethek runes, adopted from the gold dwarf traders of the Great Rift before the Rise of the Shoon Empire.
The Shou worship a pantheon of deities known as the Celestial Bureaucracy and employ the Draconic alphabet to represent the Shou language.
Sossrims speak Damaran and use the Dethek runes.
The Talfir are speakers of Talfiric, a long-lost human tongue based on the Draconic alphabet.
Tashalans speak Tashalan and employ the Dethek alphabet.
Each tribe has its own dialect, derived in varying degrees from the old empires of Shou, Raumvira, and Imaskari, each of which conquered or extended its influence over the Endless Wastes at its height.
Speakers of Turmic, the Turami adopted the Thorass alphabet from Calishite and Chondathan traders.
The Ulutiun are speakers of Uluik, a tongue that only in recent centuries acquired a written form based on the Thorass alphabet.
Vaasans speak Damaran and employ the Dethek alphabet, a legacy of long-standing trade ties with the nations of Impiltur and Damara.
Zakharans speak Midani. |
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Goblinoids Most goblins speak only Goblin. Smarter ones often speak Common as well. Hobgoblins and bugbears speak both Goblin and Common—they have more need to, as they are often in charge of bossing around other creatures and need to be able to speak to the creatures they enslave. Dekanter goblins speak Goblin and Undercommon, since they spend most of their lives in the depths of the Dekanter mines. Goblinoids of all sorts are illiterate, except for those who have player character classes other than barbarian.
Lizardfolk speak Draconic. The more intelligent ones sometimes pick up Common, the better to frighten potential prey. More rarely, they learn languages like Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, Orc, or the language of neighboring home regions, depending on where they live. All lizardfolk are illiterate, except for those who have a player character class other than barbarian. |
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Druid A druid knows Druidic, a secret language known only to druids, which she learns upon becoming a 1st-level druid. Druids are forbidden to teach this language to nondruids. Druidic has its own alphabet. Monk A monk of 17th level or higher can speak with any living creature. |
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