Arcanis

We still know so little about the language of the ancients, this strange non verbal, almost pictographic language we use. How did it tie to the elemental tongues as they are spoken now? Is their any relation? Is this language universal, or are the symbols and images used by the Magisters of each order unique to their elemental force, kind of a primordial dialect if you will. How extensive was the alphabet, if it was even an alphabet? Do the symbols convey more than letters, but words or entire phrases. There is so much we do not know, especially when one considers the power this pictographic language grants Magisters with the little bit they use now, without full understanding of its context besides knowing they can communicate in a rudimentary way with whichever force of Creation they are working and with and wielding to achieve a specific desired outcome. It is a most fascinating, if challenging, field of study.

Fendle Hywidge, a top linguistic professor and Arcanis research enthusiast in a lecture hall in Tiate, Susma.

Introduction

The language of Arcanis is something of a lost art and language in the modern day, not fluently spoken by anyone, though it was also unique in not being a spoken language at all. So far as can be understood, there was no verbal component to this language, it was all pictographic, runic and sigils. Images woven in the energies of creation in the Aethyr. Precious little is understood of the language, or its complexities or alphabet, such that it might have one. What is understood is not even really properly researched, it is a but a basic understanding of wielding certain symbols in the Aethyr to achieve specific outcomes as a Magister. Each spell-form has its own sigil or rune, and this is how a magister manifests their magick, having to control, guide and shape the manna of the elemental force they are manipulating into a symbol, which seems to draw an immediate affirmative reaction, a manifesting of power from the primordial force, as if honoring a request.

However, recent archaelogical finds, not the least of which is Arcanis Tablet Orion in the hilly lands of Rohara are starting to help researchers and enthusiastic scholars begin the slow and difficult process of trying to puzzle out this language. The Orion Tablet in particular seems to be of great import, for it is laid out in such a way, with various levels of detail, but with colored stones, as to suggest a certain mixing of symbols and shapes, as if they have some amount of universal capability. In fact it was from studying this tablet that the Magisterium discovered those spell-forms which they call Universal, and it seems that this tablet and the two others like it discovered thus far, are cultural artifacts that seem to basically provide some sort of codified information of unified, shared symbols with shared meanings across all the dialects that may have existed within the various primoridals and elemental realms.

Phonology

Arcanis is not a language with any of the common conceptualization. It is best described as a strange mix of symbolic, pictographic, and runic in nature. To describe Arcanis....Well one must first conceptualize looking into the Aether, this swirling mass of the rawest most brilliant energy and colors. The reds and oranges of Doitean, the ruby passion and fire clashing with, mixing with and shifting amongst the deep blacks and dark greys of shadows. The blues and turqoise of water smashing into such flames, the resulting hissing venting pure amethyst energy, as manna cannot be created or destroyed, merely altered. Entropy lasting but for mere moments, endlessly cycling, fading to deep browns or topaz and ambers, as it falls to the surface, joining the soil. Looking into the Aether is like looking through the most vibrant stained glass one can imagine during the height of the Aurora Arcanis. Except multiplied tenfold. However it is here, in this elemental madness, the tongue of creation is 'spoken'. It is here these symbols are used.

A magister does not harness their power, or control it. They request it, trade for it, requisition it, or manipulate it. They speak to the primordial force they wish to complete their desire, forming a 'request' a 'spell-form' with bits and pieces of this ancient language within the Aether, guiding the very energy they wish to aid them into the shapes of the necessary symbols and hoping the primordial force will deign fit to funnel power and energy within them to bring this well to life, to shape and mold it, to manifest all this energy from the Aether into the Material Realm.

These spell-forms, as they are known, are closely guarded secrets of each of the Eight Collegiates of Magi that make up the Magisterium. Though they all share a handful of unique and universal symbols that all the elemental forces seem to understand, (known as universal spell-forms) each has 20 of their own unique to the elemental force they parley with for power. These are the last vestiges of a language that many would think is the very language of creation itself, the first language. They are an esoteric thing now, yet vital to those whom would practice the arcane arts.

Forming spell-forms in the Aether for the first time....is often described as life changing. A beauty indescribable. There exist artworks, beautiful and instructive, kept closely guarded by each collegiate. It is said these beautiful pieces, storied to seem as if the finest of a unique blend of abstract art in a stained glass styling, are said to be a pale showing to the real event. And yet they are regarded as masterpieces by those whom study the arcane arts, for a 2d rendering on parchment and with mere mortal paints and inks....to come even as close as they do to capturing the raw beauty and experience of weaving your first spell-form in the Aether, both visually seeing, and feeling in your veins the medium, coursing through you with power, well...any attempt would be a pale shadow. However these are instructive and evocative, they are to be commended for their ability to convey at least some of the experience on mere paper.