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Yazzuie
Acolyte
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2007 : 14:24:56
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I'm trying to find what the written and spoken language of ancient Miyeritar was? I haven't been able to find any references that specifically mention this.
I know that in neighboring Illefarn they spoke Seldruin and used the Hamarfae alphabet (found WoTC references) but I don't want to just assume that Miyeritar did as well.
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To err is human, so be something else... |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
   
USA
1727 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2007 : 02:51:11
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The language would be elvish as a trade/common language taught to centaurs and others working with the two subraces of elves who dominated Miyeritar. If there were other specific languages, there'd probably be at least one lost tongue/written language common ONLY to the High Mages (of which there were far more BEFORE the Vyshanti started hunting and killing them all).
Steven who never planned to have to detail Miyeritar but he supposes he ought to have some ideas, seeing as he's resurrected some of its denizens....
PS: Dunno if it's mentioned, but I suspect that people can find Kraanfhaor's Door lies open, and an empty chamber lies beyond it after about 1377....  |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Yazzuie
Acolyte
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2007 : 16:03:14
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Thanks for you answer Steven, that helps. I didn’t realize what a can of worms this might be. For my next round of mental torture, let me outline kinda what/why I wanted to know.
Ok, so speaking hypothetically…if someone were to find an artifact made by High Mages of Miyeritar (before the Vyshanti reign of terror) and that artifact had writing on it of some magical nature, would anyone in the year DR 1368 be able to read it?
Honestly I thought that would have been a simple question. Now I believe several questions come up;
Please keep in mind: Miyeritar time period = the golden age before they get whacked Current time period = 1368, before the events in the Blackstaff novel (which is on my ‘must read’ list)
1 – Common/Trade Elvish: I assume that this would basically be the same as current Elvish. Given that language is fluid and a LONG time has past (but we’re talking about long lived elves, not humans), I expect some differences but in general a modern elvish speaker would at least recognize Miyeritar Common. Am I way off on this?
2 – Language of the Lost This one could be complicated, but first the simple question “Do High Mages of Miyeritar speak their own Lost Language or would they speak Seldruin as in Illefarn?” I’m guessing it’s not the same being that the subraces of Miyeritar didn’t originate from the same place that the Sun/Moon elves came from.
and to complicate matters…
2a – In Miyeritar, would the Dark Elf Lost Language be the same as the Green Elf Lost Language? We are talking about two different subraces but they do live together in at least one place so maybe historically they have always shared territory (and language).
2b – Lost Language Alphabet: This one is dependant on a few things… (1) If the Lost Language of the Dark/Green elves is different from the Sun/Moon elves due to different places of origin, then the alphabets would also be different. (2) If the Dark/Green elves did not have a written language at the time that the Sun/Moon elves showed up, then they might have adopted their alphabet (like Japan adopted Kanji from China). So the same alphabet but different spoken language.
3 – and finally, if the lost language of Miyeritar is unique, would there be anyone alive in 1368 who could read it? Any surviving books that would help translate it? And where would all that be found (Evermeet, Evereska…)?
I’ll be happy to supply beer and Advil for any comments 
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To err is human, so be something else... |
Edited by - Yazzuie on 05 Oct 2007 16:04:17 |
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