World of Tyris

There are many more things to know about the world than could be summed up in a thousand volumes written by the most educated sages in all the Western Lands. Accepting that limitation what follows is but a few morsels of information that have been gleaned for your review. In addition to the facts and trivia listed below there are also additional scrolls that contain a great deal of specific information about the world. For your convenience portals to these parcels of knowledge can be found here as well. I hope that the information you gain here will prove useful as you navigate your way through the strange world that is known as Tyris.

To the Atlas of Tyris To the Timeline of Tyris

Known Languages
Human Calendar
Astrological Signs

On Languages - Living, Dead, and Otherworldly

There are many languages spoken across the lands of Tyris, but thankfully the power of the ancient empires was great that they managed to unify the lands they ruled under a smattering of common tongues. Through this shared language the empires ruled well and effectively for a long time, despite corruption and greed at all levels of power. It wasn't until the outside forces of the orcs and undeath that the lands were finally scattered into many independent fiefdoms. Dispite growing regional dialects the many lands of the west still share a common root voice that allows trade from the icy northern timbers to the balmy Crimson Coast in the south. What follows is a collection of the more well known languages found across the lands. With this guide a student of linguistics should have a good basis for expanding their knowledge of the spoken word.
There are four broad categories. The first are the languages of men. There are more of these because men outnumber the other native races so greatly and have spread to every corner of the above ground world. Next are the racial languages. These are the tongues of the less numerous, though equally important, folk of Tyris. Third are the languages from beyond the Veil of Worlds. It includes all that is spoken from the highest heavens to the deepest pits and all the primal forces in between. The last category is made up from the languages of intelligent animals. Not spoken in such a way that any typical folk could pronounce properly and having no written counterpart. Still a properly determined individual with the correct training might learn enough to understand these languages when they are spoken nearby.

Human Languages
Racial Languages
Languages from Beyond the Veil
Animal Tongues
The Secret Words of Druids

Human Languages		Racial Languages
Common - Derived from the melding of many tribal and petty languages that made up the holdings of the Carthian Empire. It is often the primary language of people living south of the Noernen Clans from the western coast to the edge of the Sovereigns. Many in the Sarhden Region also speak it. It uses a variation of the carthian alphabet and the more uniform taunish numbering system.		Khazul (Dwarven) - The language of the now dead dwarven race, its still spoken by their constructed children, the Steadfast. Never a very common language among the human lands, it has gained some popularity in recent times because of the wealth thought to still be in the now empty dwarf catacombs. Smiths and sages find it useful because of the advanced techniques used by the dwarves. Khazul has its own alphabet.
Sahreesi - This is the most common language spoken in the Sarhden Region. Its closest spoken relative is Nehar, but the national language has grown to include a mixing of all the old languages that were once found along the Asteri Sea. For a brief time Because of a brief period of Carthian rule Sahreesi uses the same alphabet and numbers as the Common Tongue.		Synaea (Sylvan) - All the races of fairie seem to share a single language. It seldom changes form and verse, making it seem more static than the languages of men, but it seems to have a word matching anything dreamt of in human speech. It has its own alphabet, but most humans who learn synaea, fail to learn its numbers, preferring to stay with the taunish set.
Thaenum - Originally language spoken by ancient Carthia, Thaenum has been adopted as the official language of the Church. All major services and cerimonies are performed in Thaenum. Its alphabet is very close to common, but it still uses the numeric symbols of Carthia instead of the preferred taunish system.		Olvessa (Elven) - It has past almost unnoticed by most of the sylvan races, but the elven tribes that have settled into the central and southern forests of Tyris have begun to speak a dialect of synaea sufficiently different as to be considered its own language. Olvessa uses the synaean alphabet and numbering system.
Noernen - Spoken by the clans and tribes found along the northern coast. Noernen is thought be the combination of all the north clan dialects. Sages believe that at one point in the history of the north a powerful clan temporarily forged a kingdom from the loose tribes. While it lasted only briefly, it started the path to a common language.		Giantish - First conceived by the titans and kept by their rebellious brethren, now called giants. The titans never saw a need to name the language they spoke, simply calling it the true tongue, so when men learned it they left it as simple giantish. Because titans never developed a written language, those who learn it have adopted the dwarven alphabet as it seems to fit best.
Nehar - At one time this was the second most commonly spoken language in the known world. When ancient Naherra fell this language saw its inevitable decline. Aside from a few tribes isolated on the Southern Isles and antique city-states found on the central southern coast still speak it. Nehar uses a unique alphabet derived from blending elements of draconic and giant. Though fortunately it does use the more common taunish numbering system allowing for easier trade.		Draconic - The ancient tongue of the dragons, this is thought to be the oldest language still in common usage. It is so tied to the mystical that it has become the script used by students of the arcane to record and codify their discoveries. The status as the preferred magical script insures this language's survival. What is strange though are the other races that also speak it. Most notably the kobolds, it is the only language they have ever used. Draconic uses its own alphabet.
Rescik - A now dead language, this tongue is normally reserved for use by scholars and mystics. It was the classical language used by the city-states that once existed along the southwestern tip of the continent. Its alphabet is very close to the one used by the carthians, however, it uses the numbering system found in Sfenai.		Sfenai (Sphinx) - Third of the eldest languages, sfenai is the language spoken by the secretive race known as sphinx. Few individuals have a chance to learn this language but stories tell of many ancient texts scribed so that only someone properly schooled in Sfenai can unlock their secrets. This language has its own alphabet.
Taunish - Before the expansion of Carthia a small empire called Thaunoes grew up in the region dominated by the Trenoes Sea. Their alphabet used a blend of dwarven and draconic characters, but they designed their own numbering system that has become the standard now used by almost everyone.		Pit Tongue - Orcs, goblins, trolls, and other foul man-beasts spawned by the unholy pits speak their own corrupted language that is unlike anything else found in the world. Pit is a harsh language that hurts anyone who speaks it too long. The scrawling that passes for an alphabet is both unique and crude to most folk.
Dalamin - A rare dialect spoken by a small group of near isolationist people living along the central spine of the Sovereigns. It has an alphabet and numeric structure completely different from any other found in the western lands. It is slowly spreading out from their compound along with the philosophy behind their religion.		Fyntish - A strange language originating from somewhere in the Sarhden Region. Legends tell of an ancient and wise race that taught hunting to the local tribesmen. On rare occasions a book is found or a ruin of stone with the pictograph markings made by these ancient people. It is thought that they were related to the dragons or sphinx.
Zarillian - A remote language that was spoken by the ancient eastern empire of Tsa'Ri. Almost nothing is known of this distant land or what became of its inhabitants, but there are a few surviving scrolls in the sanctuary libraries of Carthia, Avalon, and Merovign. It has an alphabet wholy different from any other ever seen.		Hin (Halfling) - A language lost in the western lands, only the halfling clans of the Shire still speak it. Occasionally books and scrolls are found in the west written in this tongue, but most scholars find a spellcaster who has the required knowledge to magically translate it instead of attempting to learn it. Hin has its own alphabet.
*** * * * ***		Ethuulon (Aboleth) - A strange, all but alien tongue, spoken by a race that has chosen to live in the dark recesses of the world where their power is unchallenged. Ethuulon uses pictographs instead of letters, and has on rare occasions been found throughout the western lands.

Languages from Beyond the Veil
Celestial - Spoken across all the higher heavens, this language is a melodious and pure. It was taught to mortals by guides and mentors from the distant outer realms. When mortal races use celestial it is normally to record something of great importance or religious value. Celestial has a unique alphabet and numeric structure.
		Entish - A purely spoken language. Some say it sounds like the wail of wind through the boughs of a great tree on a stormy night. Entish is one of the harder languages that can be learned by men.
Infernal - Some say that this was a form of celestial twisted beyond recognition, others claim that the rigid nature and unyielding structure is purely a result of evil tyranny inflicted upon grammar itself. This is the language of devils scripted by the deepest Hells. Devils taught it to men so that their evil might spread into the mortal world and corrupt more souls for their tormented furnaces. Infernal uses its own alphabet and numbering system.		Oseril - Another now dead language, legends tell of an ancient race that appeared from the "Crypts of Heaven" and set about enslaving and killing all they encountered. After a great time mystics from the three elder races came together and slaughtered the otherworldly invaders. Once in a great while texts written in this damned language are found. It uses strange symbols for sounds, but are not whole words in and of themselves.
Abyssal - When the lower powers aligned against all that is good they were at first unified. Unfortunately for them, over time the chaotic and rebellious nature of the demons forced them to strike out against their devilish allies. To better undermine the cruel organization imposed by the devils the demons took the infernal language and turned it into a mockery of lies and deceit. Yet the demons' need for communication allowed the new language to still make some form of sense. When they learned the value of mortal souls in the lower realms the demons taught their lies to them. Ever since that first day the abyssal language has spread like a cancer across the world. It uses the same alphabet as infernal.		*** * * * ***

		Animal Tongues
		Ahuizotl Jackal Kin Asperi Pegasus Barrow Rat Timber Spider Blink Dog Warg Giant Eagle Winter Wolf


		*** * * * *** Secret Words of the Druids - An unusual language that defies proper classification. It uses an alphabet composed of unique characters that combine elements of normal letters and the markings left by animals to show their territory. The language has existed for as long as anyone can remember, some old scrolls predate Carthian advancement into the central and northern plains. There are claims relating the finding of scrolls and tablets along the southern coast, but the church denies the existence of all such artifacts. Druids are very pretective of their language, teaching it only to the most trusted members of their order.
Aquan (water), Auran (air), Ignan (fire), & Terran (earth) - There are four distinct languages spoken by the primal races of the Maelstrom. Each language is unique with its own structure and phrasing systems, but all share the same base alphabet called Elam by the natives found within the Maelstrom. It is most frequently used by creatures and men who are closely aligned with the goals or nature of the elemental plane.

On the Calendars of Tyris

The Common Calendar of the Western and Sarhden Regions
A single year is made by a cycle of 15 months, each month is composed of four weeks, and each week is composed of seven days. The current configuration of the calendar was ordaned by the Church of the Holy Matron in the year 1168cy to commemorate the formal elevation of three lesser saints to the status of Sacred Peerage. The Grand Matriarch charged that the months be reordered to 15 from the previous 12 to represent the number of saints that rested at the station of Sacred Peerage. Setting the number of months at 15 realigned the calendar so that it perfectly matched the old calendar used by the Carthian Emperors. Why the church changed from the calendar to the 12 month system in 631cy is still the subject of much debate in scholarly circles.
Each year watches the moon pass through 14 cycles, each of the night cycles forming one of the astrological signs recorded by scholars of ancient Rescia.

Months of the Year	Passing of Seasons & Moons
Draekest (corrupted from Drake's Rest)	1st - Winter Begins, Last Day of New Moon 14th to the 16th - Full Moon Passes
Evinreat (corrupted from Heaven's Retreat)	1st to the 3rd - New Moon Passes 16th to the 18th - Full Moon Passes
Kilseech (corrupted from Chills Reach)	3rd to the 5th - New Moon Passes 18th to the 20th - Full Moon Passes
Frausend (corrupted from Frosts End)	5th to the 7th - New Moon Passes 20th to the 22nd - Full Moon Passes 22nd - Spring Begins
Planting (in honor of the elder ways)	7th to the 9th - New Moon Passes 22nd to the 24th - Full Moon Passes
Howrfel (corrupted from Showers Fall)	9th to the 11th - New Moon Passes 24th to the 26th - Full Moon Passes
Ayrdenin (corrupted from Herd Tending)	11th to the 13th - New Moon Passes 26th to the 28th - Full Moon Passes
Isen (corrupted from High Sun)	13th to the 15th - New Moon Passes 15th - Summer Begins 28th - Full Moon Begins
Fyereth (corrupted from Fires Breath)	1st and 2nd - Full Moon Ends 15th to the 17th - New Moon Passes
Scoereld (corrupted from Scorched Field)	2nd to the 4th - Full Moon Passes 17th to the 19th - New Moon Passes
Heiroweld (corrupted from Harrow Field)	4th to the 6th - Full Moon Passes 19th to the 21st - New Moon Passes
Reaping (in honor of the elder ways)	6th to the 8th - Full Moon Passes 8th - Fall Begins 21st to the 23rd - New Moon Passes
Tribute (classical time of taxation)	8th to the 10th - Full Moon Passes 23rd to the 25th - New Moon Passes
Brewel (corrupted from Brew Well)	10th to the 12th - Full Moon Passes 25th to the 27th - New Moon Passes
Laseevs (corrupted from Last Leaves)	12th to the 14th - Full Moon Passes 27th and 18th - New Moon Begins

The days of the week are all based off the weekly routine held by all the carthian legions at the height of the empire. Despite the changing months of the year, the western and sarhden regions have always used the 7 day cycle for counting the week. This is attributed to the harsh drills and regiment that all legions were forced to endure. The constant routine, while harmful in the last years of the empire, burnt this seven day cycle into the psyche of all folk living in the territories once ruled by the mighty empire.

Days of the Week	Origin of the Name
Thaeusday	This was the traditional Carthian holy day, Thaeus is Carthian for the word god.
Scoutday	The second day of the week was set aside for foraging and reinforcing patrols when legions are stationary.
Barterday	This was the day when merchants and traders came to town and bonded servants offered tribute to the legion.
Smithday	All local smiths were expected to attend to the legion's repair needs on the fourth day with only limited payment.
Drillday	On the fifth day the legion would review their primary and secondary attack manuevers for the high command.
Desariday	The sixth day was the standard payday for the legion. It was only a small amount and only paid out in peacetime.
Fraedday	Those who showed exceptional merit and superior prowess during their tasks would be rewarded with this day of rest.