World of Aletheia
Languages of Aletheia
The world of Aletheia is linguistically diverse. Language reflects region, history, and culture rather than profession or social class. Most people speak the language of their homeland first, and many have some exposure to other tongues through travel, trade, or religion.
There is no single universal language spoken fluently by everyone. Instead, understanding across cultures relies on a shared religious and institutional language, regional overlap, and practical adaptation.
A Shared Alphabet
Most languages in Aletheia are written using the world alphabet. This makes reading across regions possible when the spoken language is known, even though vocabulary and structure may differ.
Some cultures also maintain traditional scripts for cultural or ceremonial reasons. These scripts are not used casually outside their own communities.
High Speech
Across Aletheia, people are exposed to a shared religious and institutional language commonly called High Speech.
High Speech is used in:
- religious ritual and prayer
- public ceremony
- law and formal authority
- teaching and proclamation
Most people recognise it and may understand portions of it, even if they do not speak it fluently.
Among clergy, scholars, and officials, High Speech is known formally as Canonis. This name is rarely used in everyday conversation, but it signals education and institutional authority when it appears.
Canonis may be written in two ways:
- the world alphabet, used for teaching, administration, and public texts
- Scriptura Canonis, a formal and traditional writing system reserved for sacred, legal, and canonical works
Regional Human and Hobbit Languages
Every region has its own everyday language, tied to place and history.
Vatarese
Spoken in the western regions of the known world. Vatarese is fluid and expressive, shaped by long traditions of storytelling, trade, and public life.
Example: Vatarês é fluida e expressiva, moldada por longas tradições de narrativa, comércio e vida pública.
Thavere
Spoken north of Vatarese lands. Thavere is closely related to Vatarese but distinct in sound and usage, reflecting a shared history and later divergence.
Example : Le Thavère est étroitement lié au Vatarès, mais distinct par sa sonorité et son usage, reflétant une histoire commune et une évolution ultérieure.
Aldren
Spoken in the eastern regions. Aldren is widespread and adaptable, with many local accents and dialects. It is often the first language encountered by travellers moving eastward.
Example: Aldren is a plain language, shaped by daily use and clear speech.
Eskar
Also spoken in the east, alongside Aldren. Eskar is related to Aldren but more conservative in sound and structure, reflecting an older linguistic tradition.
Example: Eskar ist mit Aldren verwandt, aber in Klang und Struktur konservativer und spiegelt eine ältere sprachliche Tradition wider.
Skeldic
Spoken in the far north. Skeldic is distinct from both eastern and western language families and carries strong regional identity.
Example: Skeldíska er ólík bæði austlægum og vestlægum tungumálaættum og ber með sér sterka svæðisbundna sjálfsmynd.
All five of these languages use the world alphabet as their native writing system.
Pirate Tongue
Pirate Tongue is a creole language spoken primarily in the Pirate Isles and along active sea routes. It emerged through contact between many cultures and has no formal standard.
Pirate Tongue:
- is practical and adaptive
- varies widely by region and crew
- is written only in the world alphabet
- has no official spelling or grammar
Different speakers may use the name casually, proudly, or dismissively.
Thieves’ Cant
Thieves’ Cant is a specialised contact language used among criminals, smugglers, fences, and others operating outside the law. It is not tied to any single region and exists alongside local languages.
Thieves’ Cant relies on a combination of spoken language, gesture, posture, and shared context. It usually relies on another spoken language, using ordinary words to hide a second meaning. To anyone listening closely, the conversation sounds normal.
Experienced users can also employ a reduced form of the cant when no shared spoken language exists. In these cases, communication is limited and relies heavily on gesture and situation to convey basic information related to affiliation, danger, territory, or opportunity.
Thieves’ Cant is not a full language. It cannot be used for long conversations or detailed plans. It is rarely written. Some groups use simple marks or signs, but these vary by place and do not form a true written system.
Knowledge of Thieves’ Cant reflects involvement in criminal or underground groups, not education or literacy.
Elvish
The elven language is formally called Sindarin, though most non-elves simply call it Elvish.
All elves speak Sindarin, but writing practices differ:
- High elves use Tengwar as their primary writing system
- Wood elves use the world alphabet almost exclusively for daily writing
Tengwar is not secret, but it is culturally significant among high elves. Transliteration of Sindarin into the world alphabet is common and accepted, especially through wood elven use.
Examples:
I lam edhil enethar Sindarin, ach penni eryn edhil aphadar Elvish.
Dwarven
Outsiders refer to the dwarven language simply as Dwarven.
Among dwarves themselves, the language is called Khardûl. This name is used internally and carries cultural weight, though it is not aggressively concealed.
Khardûl once had its own ancient writing system, which still appears in monuments, oaths, and historical records. In modern use, dwarves almost always write their language using the world alphabet.
Example: Khardûl uznâd kibilu, u khizdâd gabil, akh la khuzdûl gathol.
Exotic Languages
Beyond the languages commonly encountered in Aletheia, there exist exotic languages spoken by beings and cultures far removed from everyday society. These include, but are not limited to, the languages of the Fae courts, demons, elemental entities, ancient spirits, and otherworldly realms.
Exotic languages are rarely heard by mortals and are typically tied to specific places, beings, or supernatural conditions. They often reflect non-human ways of thinking and may not map cleanly onto mortal speech or writing systems.
Knowledge of an exotic language is uncommon and always subject to the Game Master’s approval, based on character background and campaign context. Such languages are not assumed to be available through normal upbringing, travel, or education.