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shike
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USA
71 Posts

Posted - 21 Oct 2005 :  04:26:00  Show Profile  Visit shike's Homepage Send shike a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
Hey, I'm not familiar with the language Alzhedo. Can anyone give me some bacground please?

The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31726 Posts

Posted - 21 Oct 2005 :  04:33:29  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
As I recall, Alzhedo is a language used in Calimshan, mostly at court. It's connected to the dialect of various jinni types from the Elemental Plane of Air, and is likely derived from it.

Most of the 2e tomes dealing with Calimshan in some way, shape, or form have details on the language.

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Edited by - The Sage on 21 Oct 2005 04:43:45
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shike
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USA
71 Posts

Posted - 21 Oct 2005 :  13:05:36  Show Profile  Visit shike's Homepage Send shike a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Thank's Sage.

Unfortunately I do not have any of the 2e stuff.
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe

USA
552 Posts

Posted - 21 Oct 2005 :  13:13:29  Show Profile  Visit Chosen of Bane's Homepage Send Chosen of Bane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I believe it is also mentioned in Player's Guide to Faerun if you are someone who has access to 3/3.5 books.
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 21 Oct 2005 :  14:33:29  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Alzhedo was supposed to be the equivalent to Arabic, if I am not mistaken. Wasn't it delved into more with the Al-Qadim set? I remember it being mentioned in there even those that was not part of Faerun.

C-Fb

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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31726 Posts

Posted - 21 Oct 2005 :  14:58:32  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by shike

Thank's Sage.

Unfortunately I do not have any of the 2e stuff.

Well then, I'll quote the relevant text from the Empires of the Sands supplement, from pgs. 48-49:-

quote:
The language of Calimshan is called Alzhedo. It is very closely related to the language spoken on the Elemental Plane of Air, and this fact lends creedence to the theory that the first civilizations in the Calimshan area were made up of travelers from that plane. Alzhedo is spoken at court, in all government and judicial proceedings, and throughout polite Calimshan society.
The Chult and Shaar races in Calimshan speak their native languages among themselves, but speak either Alzhedo or common when dealing with other Calishites.
Alzhedo is a very difficult language to learn; even many natives who grow up speaking it do not speak it well. Calishites are well aware of this fact, and while they are proud of their language and are honored by outsiders' attempts to use it, they understand the need to speak common in many situations.

I hope that helps .

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Edited by - The Sage on 21 Oct 2005 14:59:24
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36797 Posts

Posted - 21 Oct 2005 :  17:34:03  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by shike

Thank's Sage.

Unfortunately I do not have any of the 2e stuff.



Though it's not the ideal solution for some, there's a good amount of older stuff for free on the Wizards downloads page.

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Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 21 Oct 2005 17:35:03
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Gray Richardson
Master of Realmslore

USA
1291 Posts

Posted - 21 Oct 2005 :  21:13:43  Show Profile  Visit Gray Richardson's Homepage Send Gray Richardson a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane

Alzhedo was supposed to be the equivalent to Arabic, if I am not mistaken. Wasn't it delved into more with the Al-Qadim set? I remember it being mentioned in there even those that was not part of Faerun.
Midani is the language of Zakhara and the Bedine of Anauroch.

Presumably Midani is the language of the human peoples that migrated to Zakhara from another world by way of portals. While Alzhedo is derived from the language of the Djinn.
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Dhomal
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USA
565 Posts

Posted - 22 Oct 2005 :  03:53:07  Show Profile Send Dhomal a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson

Midani[/i] is the language of Zakhara and the Bedine of Anauroch.




Hello-

Hmmm - not that its directly related - and I'm more curious than anything - but has there been any reasoning/explanation of why Zakhara natives and the Bedine both speak the same language?

Dhomal

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Kuje
Great Reader

USA
7915 Posts

Posted - 22 Oct 2005 :  05:06:20  Show Profile Send Kuje a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dhomal

Hello-

Hmmm - not that its directly related - and I'm more curious than anything - but has there been any reasoning/explanation of why Zakhara natives and the Bedine both speak the same language?

Dhomal



Races of Faerun. Some of the Bedine ancestors moved from Zakhara to Anauroch.

For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

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Edited by - Kuje on 22 Oct 2005 05:06:44
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 22 Oct 2005 :  16:15:43  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
For what reason? Who knows? Because they would have had to come after the Anauroch became the desert that it is - and that means the people from Zakhara had to cross through the Silver Marches before choosing to live in the harshest environs known to Realmsmen.

And Zakhara was more based on Central America, was it not? And since Djinn are the in the province of Arabia, I would think Alzhedo would be more Arabic.

C-Fb

Still rockin' the Fey'ri style.
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Kuje
Great Reader

USA
7915 Posts

Posted - 22 Oct 2005 :  17:11:38  Show Profile Send Kuje a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane

For what reason? Who knows? Because they would have had to come after the Anauroch became the desert that it is - and that means the people from Zakhara had to cross through the Silver Marches before choosing to live in the harshest environs known to Realmsmen.

And Zakhara was more based on Central America, was it not? And since Djinn are the in the province of Arabia, I would think Alzhedo would be more Arabic.

C-Fb



No, you're thinking of Maztica. Zakhara is more ancient middle-east while Maztica is more ancient central america. Zakhara is also SW of Kara-tur or SE of Faerun.

For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 22 Oct 2005 :  17:31:17  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Oh yeah... that's right. Too many outlying lands to keep track of. :)

C-Fb

Still rockin' the Fey'ri style.
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Kajehase
Great Reader

Sweden
2104 Posts

Posted - 23 Oct 2005 :  12:51:33  Show Profile Send Kajehase a Private Message  Reply with Quote
And they'd not have to cross the Silver Marches if they came through portals.

There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett
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warlockco
Master of Realmslore

USA
1695 Posts

Posted - 23 Oct 2005 :  13:14:47  Show Profile  Visit warlockco's Homepage Send warlockco a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane

For what reason? Who knows? Because they would have had to come after the Anauroch became the desert that it is - and that means the people from Zakhara had to cross through the Silver Marches before choosing to live in the harshest environs known to Realmsmen.

And Zakhara was more based on Central America, was it not? And since Djinn are the in the province of Arabia, I would think Alzhedo would be more Arabic.

C-Fb



The Bedine arrived via a portal a very long time ago.
As to how that occurred, I'm not sure if it was ever officially given.
Best sources would be Races of Faerun (3E) and FR13 Anauroch (2E).

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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 23 Oct 2005 :  15:14:08  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
It just doesn't make sense that a group of people would stay in the Anauroch by choice. Not when on either side of it, there is fresh, fertile land. I guess it's the same way I felt when the Barabarians left Settlestone and headed back to the tundra plains. Just doesn't make sense to step your people backwards. Ah well..

C-Fb

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Kuje
Great Reader

USA
7915 Posts

Posted - 23 Oct 2005 :  17:36:05  Show Profile Send Kuje a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane

It just doesn't make sense that a group of people would stay in the Anauroch by choice. Not when on either side of it, there is fresh, fertile land. I guess it's the same way I felt when the Barabarians left Settlestone and headed back to the tundra plains. Just doesn't make sense to step your people backwards. Ah well..

C-Fb



They're old Zakharans with thier crazy Loregiver and belief in thousands of deities. What other reason do you need? :) Besides, they like the desert because Zakhara is mostly desert. Of course, the Bedine no longer worship the same deities as thier ancestors.

For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium

Edited by - Kuje on 23 Oct 2005 17:58:02
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31726 Posts

Posted - 23 Oct 2005 :  17:48:04  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane

It just doesn't make sense that a group of people would stay in the Anauroch by choice. Not when on either side of it, there is fresh, fertile land. I guess it's the same way I felt when the Barabarians left Settlestone and headed back to the tundra plains. Just doesn't make sense to step your people backwards. Ah well..

C-Fb

Well, it's there home for one. It's where they've made a culture for themselves. Their beliefs and their identities as a people are intimately tied to the land... it's part of who they are.

Cherishing and supporting your cultural identity doesn't seem like taking a step back to me... it's obviously important for the Bedine tribes, and in the end, that's all that really matters.

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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 23 Oct 2005 :  18:42:42  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Ok, so, the aborigines that dwell in your country that adapt your ways and succeed aren't good, because they are not supporting their cultural identity?

You can keep your cultural identity and progress in the world. If you want to see an example of it, come to Los Angeles. Tons of people have left their homes and kept their cultural identity. It's about progress forward in the world. Progression towards a service-based economy is natural and should be embraced.

The Bedine can keep their cultural identity, but torturing themselves by living in a harsh land when they do not have to is idiotic.

C-Fb

Still rockin' the Fey'ri style.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
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36797 Posts

Posted - 23 Oct 2005 :  20:08:22  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane

The Bedine can keep their cultural identity, but torturing themselves by living in a harsh land when they do not have to is idiotic.

C-Fb



It's a way of life for them. Their culture was shaped, in part, by their environment. For some cultures, leaving their ancestral lands just to have an easier life is absolutely unthinkable.

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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 23 Oct 2005 :  22:59:53  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Ok, maybe I am just applying real-world logic when I shouldn't. I apologize. It's not like my arguments would move the Bedine if I could make them personally to them.

C-Fb

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warlockco
Master of Realmslore

USA
1695 Posts

Posted - 24 Oct 2005 :  01:30:34  Show Profile  Visit warlockco's Homepage Send warlockco a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane

Ok, maybe I am just applying real-world logic when I shouldn't. I apologize. It's not like my arguments would move the Bedine if I could make them personally to them.

C-Fb



Hmm, I seem to recall the Oil Princes of the Middle East still living in the deserts of their forefathers...

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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
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Posted - 24 Oct 2005 :  01:40:26  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Yeah, but aren't they living in mansions now? They have not reverted to the way of their ancestors. That was the point I was making. And unless there is oil underneath the Anauroch and a diesel engine from Lantan, might as well give it up.

C-Fb

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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31726 Posts

Posted - 24 Oct 2005 :  01:46:39  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane

The Bedine can keep their cultural identity, but torturing themselves by living in a harsh land when they do not have to is idiotic.

C-Fb



It's a way of life for them. Their culture was shaped, in part, by their environment. For some cultures, leaving their ancestral lands just to have an easier life is absolutely unthinkable.

Right! Exactly what I was saying...

quote:
Ok, so, the aborigines that dwell in your country that adapt your ways and succeed aren't good, because they are not supporting their cultural identity?
And just to relate this to the actual discussion, most aborigines who have adapted to the ways of western culture in Australia still find some way to promote their own beliefs and cultural customs in their daily lives. In fact, some even still return to their tribes for extensive periods to observe some element of their culture.

I would imagine that many Bedine who integrate themselves into the more modernised societies of locales to the south of Anauroch would do the same... returning to their homeland every so often... to remember and reflect upon who they are and where they come from.

quote:
The Bedine can keep their cultural identity, but torturing themselves by living in a harsh land when they do not have to is idiotic.
How is living in a harsh environment torturing themselves, especially when that environment is what makes them who they are as a people?

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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore

USA
1378 Posts

Posted - 24 Oct 2005 :  02:41:26  Show Profile Send Crennen FaerieBane a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I was agreeing with you for the most part, Sage. I was just saying - ok, listen to my example -

American Indians - they now live on reservations in my country and on those reservations, they still speak their language, practice their customs - the whole lot. But they now use things that are not from their culture, and they had been since the Pilgrims first landed.

Torturing was a bit strong. I know they know how and like to live in the desert - but I am just thinking that they would do better if they had local trade w/some of the outlying regions beyond the Anauroch, especially now that the Shades are back.

C-Fb

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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
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Posted - 24 Oct 2005 :  02:59:13  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
We're starting to stray from the original topic...

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shike
Seeker

USA
71 Posts

Posted - 25 Oct 2005 :  00:51:05  Show Profile  Visit shike's Homepage Send shike a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

quote:
Originally posted by shike

Thank's Sage.

Unfortunately I do not have any of the 2e stuff.

Well then, I'll quote the relevant text from the Empires of the Sands supplement, from pgs. 48-49:-

quote:
The language of Calimshan is called Alzhedo. It is very closely related to the language spoken on the Elemental Plane of Air, and this fact lends creedence to the theory that the first civilizations in the Calimshan area were made up of travelers from that plane. Alzhedo is spoken at court, in all government and judicial proceedings, and throughout polite Calimshan society.
The Chult and Shaar races in Calimshan speak their native languages among themselves, but speak either Alzhedo or common when dealing with other Calishites.
Alzhedo is a very difficult language to learn; even many natives who grow up speaking it do not speak it well. Calishites are well aware of this fact, and while they are proud of their language and are honored by outsiders' attempts to use it, they understand the need to speak common in many situations.

I hope that helps .




Thank you. I don't actually have any of the territory specific realms books, considering I haven't played in the realms since just before the PG came out. But thank you very much for the information.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31726 Posts

Posted - 25 Oct 2005 :  01:44:46  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Not a problem.

As always, we are here to help .

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