Languages

Low Sour

A mongrel language that has developed in the years since the shattered post-Verdancy cultures started making contact with each other. Low Sour is the closest thing to a ‘common tongue’ on the waves, and doesn't come with any particular lore or cultural knowledge besides what every wildsailor would know about the world they live in.

Cthonic

An ancient human language, once split into thousands of unique dialects spoken by different groups of ardent survivors and now slowly merging into one true tongue again. Lore might include the details of ancient human rituals and spirit-knowledge, as well as cultural information on the ardent.

Saprekk

The thick, rolling tongue of the ektus, almost entirely unchanged despite hundreds of years of development on the wild waves. For non-ektus to have learned even a smattering of Saprekk is often seen as a great mark of respect. Lore might include tales of deserts, heat, and winds, as well as cultural information on the ektus.

Gaudimm

A chemical language of subtle twitches and soft clicks used by the gau. Though the structure and grammar are surprisingly easy to learn, pheromonal bursts are required to communicate complex concepts. Lore might include detailed knowledge of caves, tunnels, and the progression of rot, as well as cultural information on the gau.

Knock

The hissing, chittering voice of the tzelicrae hive-minds. Many of the sounds are impossible for a single mouth to form, so most outsiders that learn Knock speak a simplified form, relying partly on gesture. Lore might include a deeper understanding of insects and arachnid habits, as well as cultural information on the tzelicrae.

Brasstongue

A clipped and precise language used by experienced traders, adapted from the punch-cards of ancient ordinators. Knowledge of Brasstongue is likely to garner respect among merchants and grifters. Lore might include cargo routes and tales of great sales or negotiation tactics.

Raka Spit

The rapid patter of hunting-families and leviathaneers, known for its incredible depth of descriptive words. Lore might include facts about the beasts and birds of the waves, and great conquests of hunters across the wilds.

Lyre-Bite

The lilting tongue of poets and songwriters across the wild waves, well-suited to performances and long-form poetry. Lore might include ancient pre-verdant songs and a deeper understanding of whispers.

Old Hand

An entirely gesture-based language with no spoken component, perfect for those naturally quiet types. Old Hand has existed since before the Verdancy, and has changed remarkably little despite the passage of years. Lore might include expansive descriptions of long-lost relics.

Signalling

An unspoken code broadcast with flags, flares, or signal-lamps, often known by experienced travellers, military types and smugglers. Relies partly on colour. Lore might include information on various ships, weather types, and seagoing hazards.

Highvin

Exceedingly difficult to master, Highvin is a primarily written language often found on old pre-verdant ruins. Usually understood by scholars, antiquarians, and treasure-hunters. Lore might include details of the pre- verdant times, though always fragmentary.