World Languages

Overview

The Alterverse is full of many races and because of this, there are many kinds of languages that are spoken. Below is a brief overview of some of them. Please note, that due to the variety of races, clans, guilds and so on, it is impossible to give a detailed description of them all.

Commonly Used

Amarian, Maldoran, Hafarian, Wood Elf, Hill Elf, Common Dwarf, Orc, Ogre, Wildling, Kobold, Goblin, Hob Goblin, Bugbear, Brownie, Minotaur, Troll, Cyclops, Giant ( hill, ice, cave )

Rarely Used

Gobblytalk, Cave Elf, Ice Dwarf, Drixie, Grey Dwarf, Trent, Fairy, Puck, Centaur, Harpy, Nixie, Leprechaun, Griffon, Nagas, Gorgon, Manticores, Boca, Pooka, Golem ( flesh, stone, iron )

Secret Languages

Thieves Cant, The Whisper, Sand Speak, Guild Talk, Alley Speak, Nobles Hand,

THE SECRET LANGUAGES

There are several languages that are called the Secret Languages. These are long secret and mysterious ways of communication that are not always involving speech. Some of these languages may use gestures or other forms of communication. These languages are used by secret societies, and those that do not want their communications easily understood or intercepted. Below are the various secret languages and a brief description of what they are and how they are used. There are other secret languages but they are described in detail in other tomes that are yet to be discovered in some long forgotten dungeon or tomb.

Thieves Cant

The common language of thieves guilds in the Alterverse. There are literally hundreds perhaps thousands of variations of this language, as each guild tends to make their own unique variations.

The Whisper

Used also by thieves guilds this version of Thieves cant adds whispered talk combined with facial expression in order to get their point across and communicate with one another. This is a very popular language among the various guilds in large cities like Dark Home and Loc Amar

Sand Speak

Spoken by small nomadic tribes that inhabit the deep deserts of Hafaria, it is a language that is very difficult to learn due to these nomadic bands that speak it do not usually teach it to outsiders. It is important to note, that the use of this language by non natives in some areas, especially in Hafaria could be an offense that warrants the death penalty.

Alley Speak

Commonly used in large cities and towns, it is used by the street people, harlots, and those that ply the dark alley ways and streets. It is made up of looks, gestures, and slang. It is the most “common” of the secret languages. Various large cities like Dark Home will even have various dialects of this used depending on the block or area. Such as in The Darks they may use one form of this language, and in another area a totally different version would be used.

Nobles Hand

This is a sign language made up of complicated finger movements, it is used mainly by nobility thus its name. If a “non” noble is caught using it, in some areas it could bring a death sentence to the user. As in some areas it is for the “exclusive” pleasure of the Nobles.