Shadertongue

Nyx Darkweaver stood before the Council of Shadows. The air was filled with anticipation as the councilors gathered, their faces illuminated by the soft, mystical glow. Nyx raised her hand, and a hush fell over the assembly. With a deep breath, she began to speak in Shadertongue, the ancient and melodious language of the Chaya. The words flowed like shadows dancing in the twilight, each syllable imbued with the magic of the Plane of Shadow. "Sh’ra kel vora'din," she intoned, her voice resonating with the history and power of their people. The phrase, meaning "The shadows guide us," echoed through the grove, a reminder of their deep connection to their heritage. As Nyx spoke, the councilors listened intently, their expressions reflecting the solemnity of the moment. Shadertongue was more than just a means of communication; it was a conduit for their culture, their history, and their magic. Each word carried with it the weight of generations, the wisdom of their ancestors, and the essence of their identity. The language itself was a beautiful blend of melodic sounds and rhythmic cadences, designed to be spoken in harmony with the natural world around them. Words for light, shadow, and magic were particularly nuanced, reflecting the Chaya’s unique relationship with these elements. As Nyx continued, her words wove a tapestry of meaning, invoking the spirits of the Elder Tree, the power of the Great Forge, and the unity of the Chaya people. "Vel’sha nur dra’vin," she concluded, her voice softening into a reverent whisper. "We honor the past, and embrace the future." The councilors nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with resolve. In that moment, the power of Shadertongue was palpable, binding them together and reinforcing their shared purpose. As the meeting adjourned, the councilors dispersed, their hearts and minds uplifted by the power of their language. Nyx remained in the grove for a moment longer, her thoughts lingering on the ancient words she had spoken. Shadertongue was more than a tool; it was the lifeblood of their culture, a living testament to the strength and resilience of the Chaya. With a final glance at the sacred grove, Nyx turned and made her way back to the Council Circle, her heart filled with the knowledge that as long as Shadertongue lived, so too would the spirit of the Chaya.

Writing System

The writing system of Shadertongue is an intricate and beautiful script that reflects the Chaya's connection to the Plane of Shadow and their reverence for nature and magic. This script, known as Shadrune, is composed of flowing, interconnected characters that resemble the tendrils of shadows and the patterns of bioluminescent plants found in the Ashen Wastes. Shadrune is both a practical writing system and an art form, used in everything from daily communication to ceremonial inscriptions.

Script Characteristics

Alphabet and Characters

Shadrune is a logographic and syllabic script. Each character can represent a word, a syllable, or a concept. The script consists of:

Logograms: Symbols that represent entire words or concepts. These are often used for common words and essential concepts like "shadow," "light," "tree," and "magic."
Syllabic Characters: Symbols that represent syllables, used to construct more complex words and inflections.

The characters are written in a flowing, cursive style, with each symbol designed to connect smoothly to the next, creating an elegant, continuous line of text.

Direction and Layout

Writing Direction

Shadrune can be written in several directions, depending on the context and purpose:

Horizontal: Left to right, typically used in books and manuscripts.
Vertical: Top to bottom, commonly used in ceremonial inscriptions and artistic renderings.

Layout

The flowing nature of Shadrune allows for flexible and aesthetically pleasing layouts. Text can be arranged to form shapes, follow natural contours, or enhance the visual impact of the writing. This artistic integration of text and form is a key aspect of Chaya culture, blending practical communication with visual beauty.

Punctuation and Diacritics

Punctuation

Shadrune uses a set of simple punctuation marks to indicate pauses, sentence boundaries, and emphasis:

Period (.): Indicates the end of a sentence or a complete thought.
Comma (,): Indicates a short pause within a sentence.
Emphasis Mark (*): Placed before a word to indicate importance or stress.

Diacritics

Diacritics are small marks added to characters to modify their pronunciation or meaning. Common diacritics include:

Length Mark (¯): Indicates a long vowel or extended sound.
Softening Mark (˘): Indicates a softened or whispered sound.
Emphasis Mark (´): Used to stress a particular syllable.

Ceremonial and Decorative Use

Ceremonial Inscriptions

In ceremonial contexts, Shadrune is used to inscribe important texts, rituals, and spells. These inscriptions are often found on sacred objects, ritual spaces, and the walls of significant buildings. The flowing characters and their integration with artistic elements create an aura of mysticism and reverence.

Decorative Art

Shadrune is also used in decorative art, where its flowing characters enhance the beauty of everyday objects. This can include textiles, pottery, jewelry, and architectural details. The script’s integration into these items reflects the Chaya’s cultural emphasis on harmony and beauty.

Phonology

The phonology of Shadertongue, the ancient language of the Chaya, reflects their deep connection to the Plane of Shadow and their mystical environment. The language is characterized by its melodic and rhythmic qualities, designed to be spoken in harmony with the natural sounds of the Ashen Wastes. Shadertongue features a unique set of phonemes, syllable structures, and phonological rules that distinguish it from other languages in Astralaria.

Consonants

Shadertongue features a rich set of consonants, many of which are soft and sibilant, evoking the whispering nature of shadows. The consonant inventory includes:

Plosives: /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/
Fricatives: /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʒ/ (zh), /θ/ (th), /ð/ (dh)
Affricates: /tʃ/ (ch), /dʒ/ (j)
Nasals: /m/, /n/, /ŋ/ (ng)
Liquids: /l/, /r/
Glides: /j/ (y), /w/

Consonants often occur in clusters, especially at the beginning and end of syllables, giving Shadertongue a fluid and connected sound.

Vowels

The vowel system in Shadertongue is relatively simple but includes some unique diphthongs that add to the language's melodic quality. The vowel inventory includes:

Monophthongs: /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/
Diphthongs: /ai/ (as in "high"), /ei/ (as in "say"), /oi/ (as in "boy"), /au/ (as in "how"), /ou/ (as in "go")

Vowels in Shadertongue can be short or long, with long vowels often carrying more emphasis and being used in key parts of words to convey importance or intensity.

Syllable Structure

The typical syllable structure in Shadertongue is (C)(C)V(C)(C), allowing for a wide variety of syllable types. Here are some examples:

Simple syllables: /ka/, /vel/, /nur/
Complex syllables: /dra/, /sh’r/, /t’rai/

Syllables often begin with consonant clusters and can end with either a single consonant or a consonant cluster, adding to the language's fluid and whispering quality.

Stress and Intonation

Stress in Shadertongue tends to fall on the first syllable of a word, though secondary stress can occur in longer words. The language’s intonation patterns are melodic, often rising and falling in a way that mirrors natural rhythms. This melodic quality is particularly evident in ceremonial and ritual speech, where intonation is carefully modulated to convey respect and reverence.

Phonological Rules

Shadertongue follows several key phonological rules that affect how words are pronounced:

Assimilation: Consonants within clusters often assimilate to the place of articulation of neighboring consonants, making the language sound smooth and connected. For example, /nd/ might become [n̪d̪] in rapid speech.
Elision: In fast speech, unstressed vowels between consonants can be elided, leading to more fluid and quick pronunciations. For example, /vel’sha/ might be pronounced [vɛlʃa].
Palatalization: Consonants followed by /i/ or /j/ often become palatalized. For instance, /t/ followed by /i/ might be pronounced [tʲ].
Vowel Harmony: Vowels within a word often harmonize to match in frontness or backness, particularly in longer words. This rule helps maintain the melodic quality of Shadertongue.

Morphology

The morphology of Shadertongue, the language of the Chaya, reflects its complex and nuanced nature, suitable for conveying the intricate ideas and mystical concepts of the Chaya culture. Shadertongue employs a combination of agglutinative and fusional features, allowing for the creation of rich and detailed expressions through the use of prefixes, suffixes, infixes, and compound words.

Word Formation

Roots and Affixes

Shadertongue relies heavily on roots and affixes to form words. Roots are typically short, consisting of one or two syllables, and can be modified with various affixes to alter their meaning. The language uses:

Prefixes: Added to the beginning of a root to modify its meaning. For example, "dra-" (shadow) can become "dra’vel" (shadowless) with the prefix "vel-" (without).
Suffixes: Added to the end of a root to change its grammatical category or meaning. For example, "nur" (light) can become "nurai" (lightness) with the suffix "-ai" (abstract noun).
Infixes: Inserted within a root to modify its meaning. These are less common but add nuance to certain words. For example, "sha" (speak) can become "sh’ra" (whisper) with the infix "-’ra-".
Compounds: Combining two or more roots to create new words. For example, "dra" (shadow) and "nur" (light) combine to form "dranur" (twilight).

Reduplication

Reduplication is used in Shadertongue to indicate plurality, intensity, or continuous action. For example:

"dra" (shadow) becomes "dradra" (many shadows or deep shadow).
"sha" (speak) becomes "shasha" (speak continuously or chatter).

Nouns

Number

Nouns in Shadertongue can be singular or plural. Plurality is often indicated through reduplication or by adding a suffix:

Singular: "el" (tree)
Plural: "elel" (trees) or "el-nai" (trees, with "-nai" as a plural suffix).

Case

Shadertongue uses suffixes to indicate grammatical case, including nominative, accusative, genitive, dative, and locative:

Nominative (subject): No suffix (e.g., "el" - tree)
Accusative (direct object): "-en" (e.g., "elen" - tree as a direct object)
Genitive (possession): "-ir" (e.g., "elir" - of the tree)
Dative (indirect object): "-an" (e.g., "elan" - to/for the tree)
Locative (location): "-il" (e.g., "elil" - in/at the tree)

Verbs

Tense and Aspect

Verbs in Shadertongue are marked for tense and aspect through prefixes and suffixes:

Present tense: No prefix (e.g., "sha" - speak)
Past tense: Prefix "a-" (e.g., "asha" - spoke)
Future tense: Prefix "i-" (e.g., "isha" - will speak)
Perfect aspect: Suffix "-ir" (e.g., "shair" - has spoken)
Progressive aspect: Suffix "-el" (e.g., "shael" - is speaking)

Mood and Voice

Shadertongue verbs also indicate mood (indicative, imperative, subjunctive) and voice (active, passive) through affixes:

Indicative (statement): No suffix (e.g., "sha" - speaks)
Imperative (command): Suffix "-a" (e.g., "shaa" - speak!)
Subjunctive (possibility): Suffix "-en" (e.g., "shaen" - might speak)
Active voice: No prefix (e.g., "sha" - speaks)
Passive voice: Prefix "u-" (e.g., "usha" - is spoken)

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives

Adjectives typically follow the nouns they modify and agree in number and case:

Singular: "el" (tree), "vel" (tall) - "el vel" (tall tree)
Plural: "elel" (trees), "velen" (tall) - "elel velen" (tall trees)

Adverbs

Adverbs are formed by adding the suffix "-ly" or "-is" to adjectives:

"vel" (tall) becomes "velis" (tallly/tall manner)
"nur" (light) becomes "nuris" (lightly)

Syntax

The syntax of Shadertongue, the language of the Chaya, reflects the structured yet fluid nature of their culture and environment. Shadertongue follows a predominantly Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order, although this can be flexible for emphasis or poetic effect. The language features a rich set of syntactic rules that govern sentence structure, agreement, and the use of modifiers.

Basic Sentence Structure

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) Order

The basic word order in Shadertongue is Subject-Object-Verb:

Example: "El nur sha" (The tree [subject] light [object] absorbs [verb]) - The tree absorbs the light.

Flexible Word Order

While SOV is the default word order, Shadertongue allows for flexibility to emphasize different parts of the sentence. For example:

"Nur el sha" (Light the tree absorbs) - Emphasizing "light."
"Sha el nur" (Absorbs the tree light) - Used in poetry or for dramatic effect.

Noun Phrases

Modifiers and Agreement

Adjectives and other modifiers typically follow the nouns they describe, and they must agree in number and case with the nouns:

Example: "El vel-nai en" (The tall trees [accusative case] see) - I see the tall trees.

Possessive Constructions

Possessive relationships are expressed using the genitive case, with the possessor noun following the possessed noun:

Example: "Elir shael" (The tree's shadow) - The shadow of the tree.

Verb Phrases

Tense, Aspect, and Mood

Verbs in Shadertongue carry markers for tense, aspect, and mood, which are conveyed through prefixes and suffixes:

Example: "El nur shaen" (The tree light might absorb) - The tree might absorb the light.
Example: "El nur asha" (The tree light absorbed) - The tree absorbed the light.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs are used to indicate more complex tenses and aspects. These typically precede the main verb:

Example: "El nur vel sha" (The tree light continues to absorb) - The tree continues to absorb the light.

Questions and Negation

Forming Questions

Questions are formed by adding a question particle "na" at the end of the sentence or by using intonation:

Example: "El nur sha na?" (The tree light absorbs?) - Does the tree absorb the light?

Negation

Negation is indicated by adding the particle "ne" before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis:

Example: "El nur ne sha" (The tree light not absorbs) - The tree does not absorb the light.
Example: "Ne el nur sha" (Not the tree light absorbs) - The tree does not absorb the light (emphasizing the negation).

Subordinate Clauses

Relative Clauses

Relative clauses follow the noun they modify and are introduced by relative pronouns such as "tai" (who/which/that):

Example: "El tai nur sha" (The tree that light absorbs) - The tree that absorbs light.

Complement Clauses

Complement clauses are introduced by conjunctions such as "krai" (that):

Example: "Sha krai el nur sha" (Say that the tree light absorbs) - Say that the tree absorbs the light.

Coordination and Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

Common coordinating conjunctions include "ai" (and), "or" (or), and "ba" (but):

Example: "El ai nur sha" (The tree and light absorbs) - The tree absorbs light.
Example: "El ba nur ne sha" (The tree but light not absorbs) - The tree does not absorb the light.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses and include "tai" (when), "rai" (if), and "sai" (because):

Example: "El nur sha tai el nur elen" (The tree light absorbs when the tree light sees) - The tree absorbs light when it sees the light.

Focus and Emphasis

Focus Particles

Focus particles like "la" (indeed) and "na" (only) are used to emphasize specific elements of a sentence:

Example: "El la nur sha" (The tree indeed light absorbs) - The tree indeed absorbs the light.
Example: "El nur na sha" (The tree only light absorbs) - The tree absorbs only the light.

Word Order for Emphasis

Changing the word order can also serve to emphasize different parts of the sentence:

Example: "Nur el sha" (Light the tree absorbs) - Emphasizing "light."

Vocabulary

The vocabulary of Shadertongue is rich and evocative, deeply rooted in the Chaya’s environment, culture, and mystical heritage. The lexicon reflects their connection to the Plane of Shadow, their social structures, and their natural surroundings. Words in Shadertongue often carry multiple layers of meaning, allowing for nuanced and poetic expression.

Core Vocabulary

Nature and Environment

El - Tree
Nur - Light
Dra - Shadow
Val - Water
Sha - Speak/Voice
Kel - Stone
Fal - Fire
Mar - Earth
Tar - Wind

Cultural and Social Terms

Vel - Leader/Chief
Krai - Council
Vora - Wisdom
Ten - Ritual
Mai - Family
Sul - Friend
Fen - Enemy
Kai - Peace
Din - War

Mystical and Magical Terms

Sh’r - Whisper
Lor - Magic/Spell
Tir - Spirit
Tai - Time
Zal - Secret
Nai - Power
Rai - Life
Sai - Death

Compound Words

Shadertongue frequently uses compound words to convey more complex concepts:

Dranur - Twilight (dra - shadow + nur - light)
Faltar - Storm (fal - fire + tar - wind)
Kelmar - Mountain (kel - stone + mar - earth)
Valnur - Reflection (val - water + nur - light)

Verbs

Verbs in Shadertongue are versatile and can be modified with prefixes and suffixes to convey different tenses, aspects, and moods:

Sha - Speak

Asha - Spoke (past tense)
Isha - Will speak (future tense)
Shael - Is speaking (progressive aspect)
Shaen - Might speak (subjunctive mood)

Lor - Cast (as in casting a spell)

Alor - Casted (past tense)
Ilor - Will cast (future tense)
Lorel - Is casting (progressive aspect)
Loren - Might cast (subjunctive mood)

Adjectives

Adjectives typically follow the nouns they modify and agree in number and case:

Vel - Tall

El vel - Tall tree
Elel velen - Tall trees

Nai - Powerful

Lor nai - Powerful spell
Lorai naien - Powerful spells

Adverbs

Adverbs are formed by adding the suffix “-ly” or “-is” to adjectives:

Vel - Tall

Velis - Tallly/in a tall manner

Nur - Light

Nuris - Lightly/in a light manner

Pronouns

Personal pronouns in Shadertongue are straightforward but reflect formality and respect:

I - I/Me
Ti - You (singular informal)
Lir - You (singular formal)
Vi - He/She/It
Sin - We
Tir - You (plural)
Vir - They

Common Phrases

Greetings and Farewells

Shara ti - Hello (literally "Speak you")
Vel’ten - Goodbye (literally "Leader’s peace")

Expressions of Respect

Krai vel vora - Honor to the council (literally "Council great wisdom")
Tai dra’vel - Thank you (literally "Time of shadowless")

Ceremonial Phrases

Ten vora’din - Ritual of wisdom (used in ceremonies)
Sha tai el nur - Speak when the light comes (used in rituals of truth)

Specialized Vocabulary

Shadow Magic

Zan - Darkness
Thur - Bind (as in binding a spell)
Keth - Hidden
Vel’thar - Summon (literally "Leader’s call")

Crafting and Trade

Mel - Create/Make
Ten’mel - Craft (literally "Ritual of making")
Fal’kel - Forge (literally "Fire-stone")
Var - Trade/Exchange

Phonetics

The phonetics of Shadertongue, the language of the Chaya, are characterized by a harmonious and melodious quality, reflecting the Chaya's connection to the mystical and natural world. The language features a range of sounds, including consonants, vowels, and diphthongs, each with distinct articulatory features. The phonetic system of Shadertongue is designed to be spoken softly and fluidly, enhancing its aesthetic and rhythmic appeal.

Consonants

Shadertongue includes a variety of consonant sounds, with an emphasis on sibilant and soft sounds that evoke the whispering nature of shadows. Plosives: /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/

/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive, as in "pal" (peace)
/t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive, as in "tai" (time)
/k/: Voiceless velar plosive, as in "kel" (stone)
/b/: Voiced bilabial plosive, as in "bel" (bridge)
/d/: Voiced alveolar plosive, as in "dor" (gate)
/g/: Voiced velar plosive, as in "gar" (protect)

Fricatives: /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʒ/ (zh), /θ/ (th), /ð/ (dh)

/f/: Voiceless labiodental fricative, as in "fal" (fire)
/v/: Voiced labiodental fricative, as in "val" (water)
/s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative, as in "sul" (friend)
/z/: Voiced alveolar fricative, as in "zan" (darkness)
/ʃ/: Voiceless postalveolar fricative, as in "sha" (speak)
/ʒ/: Voiced postalveolar fricative, as in "zhai" (shadow)
/θ/: Voiceless dental fricative, as in "thar" (summon)
/ð/: Voiced dental fricative, as in "dhor" (guide)

Affricates: /tʃ/ (ch), /dʒ/ (j)

/tʃ/: Voiceless postalveolar affricate, as in "che" (path)
/dʒ/: Voiced postalveolar affricate, as in "jai" (call)

Nasals: /m/, /n/, /ŋ/ (ng)

/m/: Bilabial nasal, as in "mai" (family)
/n/: Alveolar nasal, as in "nur" (light)
/ŋ/: Velar nasal, as in "sang" (song)

Liquids: /l/, /r/

/l/: Alveolar lateral approximant, as in "lor" (magic)
/r/: Alveolar trill, as in "rai" (life)

Glides: /j/ (y), /w/

/j/: Palatal approximant, as in "yel" (joy)
/w/: Labio-velar approximant, as in "wun" (wind)

Vowels

Shadertongue has a range of vowel sounds, including both monophthongs and diphthongs, which contribute to its melodic quality.

Monophthongs

/a/: Open front unrounded vowel, as in "tar" (wind)
/e/: Close-mid front unrounded vowel, as in "ten" (ritual)
/i/: Close front unrounded vowel, as in "kir" (path)
/o/: Close-mid back rounded vowel, as in "lor" (magic)
/u/: Close back rounded vowel, as in "nur" (light)

Diphthongs

/ai/: As in "kai" (peace)
/ei/: As in "mei" (beauty)
/oi/: As in "loi" (song)
/au/: As in "tau" (moon)
/ou/: As in "kou" (night)

Prosody

Stress

Stress in Shadertongue generally falls on the first syllable of a word, though secondary stress can occur in longer words. Stress is used to emphasize important words in a sentence.

Primary Stress: "TA-ran" (leader)
Secondary Stress: "TA-ran-dor" (leadership)

Intonation

Intonation patterns in Shadertongue are melodic, often rising and falling to reflect the natural rhythms of speech. This melodic quality is particularly evident in ceremonial speech and poetry.

Tone

While Shadertongue is not a tonal language in the traditional sense, it uses pitch variation for emphasis and emotional expression. Higher pitches can indicate questions or excitement, while lower pitches often denote seriousness or solemnity.

Tenses

Tenses in Shadertongue are expressed through the use of prefixes and suffixes attached to the verb root. These affixes convey the time of the action relative to the present. Shadertongue includes a range of tenses to indicate past, present, and future actions, as well as aspects that provide additional information about the nature and duration of the action.

Present Tense

The present tense in Shadertongue indicates actions that are currently happening or habitual actions. There is no specific prefix for the present tense; the verb root is used in its base form.

Example: "Sha" (speak)

Sentence: "El sha nur." (The tree absorbs light.)

Past Tense

The past tense indicates actions that have already occurred. It is formed by adding the prefix "a-" to the verb root.

Example: "Asha" (spoke)

Sentence: "El asha nur." (The tree absorbed light.)

Future Tense

The future tense indicates actions that will occur. It is formed by adding the prefix "i-" to the verb root.

Example: "Isha" (will speak)

Sentence: "El isha nur." (The tree will absorb light.)

Perfect Aspect

The perfect aspect indicates completed actions or states that have relevance to the present. It is formed by adding the suffix "-ir" to the verb root.

Example: "Shair" (has spoken)

Sentence: "El shair nur." (The tree has absorbed light.)

Progressive Aspect

The progressive aspect indicates ongoing actions. It is formed by adding the suffix "-el" to the verb root.

Example: "Shael" (is speaking)

Sentence: "El shael nur." (The tree is absorbing light.)

Imperfect Aspect

The imperfect aspect indicates actions that were ongoing in the past. It is formed by combining the past tense prefix "a-" with the progressive suffix "-el."

Example: "Ashael" (was speaking)

Sentence: "El ashael nur." (The tree was absorbing light.)

Future Progressive Aspect

The future progressive aspect indicates actions that will be ongoing in the future. It is formed by combining the future tense prefix "i-" with the progressive suffix "-el."

Example: "Ishael" (will be speaking)

Sentence: "El ishael nur." (The tree will be absorbing light.)

Pluperfect Aspect

The pluperfect aspect indicates actions that were completed before another action in the past. It is formed by adding the suffix "-air" to the past tense form of the verb.

Example: "Ashair" (had spoken)

Sentence: "El ashair nur." (The tree had absorbed light.)

Future Perfect Aspect

The future perfect aspect indicates actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future. It is formed by adding the suffix "-air" to the future tense form of the verb.

Example: "Ishair" (will have spoken)

Sentence: "El ishair nur." (The tree will have absorbed light.)

Examples in Sentences

Present: "El sha nur." (The tree absorbs light.)
Past: "El asha nur." (The tree absorbed light.)
Future: "El isha nur." (The tree will absorb light.)
Perfect: "El shair nur." (The tree has absorbed light.)
Progressive: "El shael nur." (The tree is absorbing light.)
Imperfect: "El ashael nur." (The tree was absorbing light.)
Future Progressive: "El ishael nur." (The tree will be absorbing light.)
Pluperfect: "El ashair nur." (The tree had absorbed light.)
Future Perfect: "El ishair nur." (The tree will have absorbed light.)

Sentence Structure

The sentence structure of Shadertongue follows a predominantly Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, which is flexible for emphasis or stylistic purposes. This structure allows for clear and direct expression, while also accommodating the language's poetic and rhythmic qualities. Shadertongue's syntax includes rules for noun phrases, verb phrases, questions, negation, and subordinate clauses.

Basic Sentence Structure

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) Order

The basic word order in Shadertongue is Subject-Object-Verb, providing a straightforward framework for constructing sentences.

Example: "El nur sha." (The tree absorbs light.)

Subject: El (tree)
Object: Nur (light)
Verb: Sha (absorbs)

Flexible Word Order

While SOV is the default word order, Shadertongue allows for flexibility to emphasize different parts of the sentence or for poetic effect.

Example: "Nur el sha." (Light the tree absorbs) - Emphasizing "light."

Noun Phrases

Modifiers and Agreement

Adjectives and other modifiers follow the nouns they describe and agree in number and case.

Example: "El vel-nai sha." (The tall trees absorb.)

Noun: El (tree)
Modifier: Vel-nai (tall, plural)
Verb: Sha (absorb)

Possessive Constructions

Possessive relationships are expressed using the genitive case, with the possessor noun following the possessed noun.

Example: "Elir shael." (The tree's shadow)

Possessed Noun: Elir (tree's)
Possessor Noun: Shael (shadow)

Verb Phrases

Tense, Aspect, and Mood

Verbs in Shadertongue are marked for tense, aspect, and mood through prefixes and suffixes.

Example: "El asha nur." (The tree absorbed light.)

Subject: El (tree)
Object: Nur (light)
Verb: Asha (absorbed)

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs are used to indicate complex tenses and aspects, typically preceding the main verb.

Example: "El nur vel sha." (The tree continues to absorb light.)

Subject: El (tree)
Object: Nur (light)
Auxiliary Verb: Vel (continues)
Main Verb: Sha (to absorb)

Questions and Negation

Forming Questions

Questions are formed by adding a question particle "na" at the end of the sentence or by using intonation.

Example: "El nur sha na?" (Does the tree absorb light?)

Question Particle: Na

Negation

Negation is indicated by adding the particle "ne" before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.

Example: "El nur ne sha." (The tree does not absorb light.)

Negation Particle: Ne

Example: "Ne el nur sha." (The tree does not absorb light. - emphasizing negation)

Subordinate Clauses

Relative Clauses

Relative clauses follow the noun they modify and are introduced by relative pronouns such as "tai" (who/which/that).

Example: "El tai nur sha." (The tree that absorbs light)

Relative Pronoun: Tai

Complement Clauses

Complement clauses are introduced by conjunctions such as "krai" (that).

Example: "Sha krai el nur sha." (Say that the tree absorbs light.)
Conjunction: Krai

Coordination and Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

Common coordinating conjunctions include "ai" (and), "or" (or), and "ba" (but).

Example: "El ai nur sha." (The tree and light absorbs.)

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses and include "tai" (when), "rai" (if), and "sai" (because).

Example: "El nur sha tai el nur elen." (The tree absorbs light when it sees the light.)

Conjunction: Tai

Focus and Emphasis

Focus Particles

Focus particles like "la" (indeed) and "na" (only) are used to emphasize specific elements of a sentence.

Example: "El la nur sha." (The tree indeed absorbs light.)

Focus Particle: La

Example: "El nur na sha." (The tree only absorbs light.)

Focus Particle: Na

Word Order for Emphasis

Changing the word order can also serve to emphasize different parts of the sentence.

Example: "Nur el sha." (Light the tree absorbs.) - Emphasizing "light."

Examples in Sentences

Basic Sentence: "El nur sha." (The tree absorbs light.)
Question: "El nur sha na?" (Does the tree absorb light?)
Negation: "El nur ne sha." (The tree does not absorb light.)
Relative Clause: "El tai nur sha." (The tree that absorbs light)
Complement Clause: "Sha krai el nur sha." (Say that the tree absorbs light.)
Coordination: "El ai nur sha." (The tree and light absorbs.)
Subordination: "El nur sha tai el nur elen." (The tree absorbs light when it sees the light.)
Emphasis: "Nur el sha." (Light the tree absorbs.) - Emphasizing "light."

Adjective Order

In Shadertongue, adjectives follow a specific order when multiple descriptors are used to modify a noun. This order ensures clarity and harmony in expression, reflecting the Chaya's appreciation for structure and beauty in language. The typical sequence of adjectives in Shadertongue is as follows: quantity, quality, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose.

Adjective Order

Quantity
Quality
Size
Age
Shape
Color
Origin
Material
Purpose

Detailed Breakdown

Quantity

Adjectives indicating quantity or number come first in the sequence. These can be specific numbers or general terms like "many" or "few."

Examples:

"Kel" (one)
"Vel" (many)

Quality

Adjectives describing the quality or nature of the noun come next. These include descriptors of characteristics or conditions.

Examples:

"Mar" (beautiful)
"Lor" (magical)

Size

Adjectives describing size follow quality. These can range from small to large.

Examples:

"Sha" (small)
"Tar" (large)

Age

Adjectives describing age come next, indicating whether something is old or new.

Examples:

"Tai" (ancient)
"Krai" (young)

Shape

Adjectives describing the shape of the noun follow age. These can include descriptors like round, square, etc.

Examples:

"Fal" (round)
"Nur" (sharp)

Color

Adjectives describing color come next. These include basic colors and more specific shades.

Examples:
"Dra" (black)
"Velir" (blue)

Origin

Adjectives describing the origin or source of the noun follow color. These indicate where something comes from or its heritage.

Examples:
"Shal" (Chaya)
"Tal" (foreign)

Material

Adjectives describing the material the noun is made from come next. These can include wood, stone, metal, etc.

Examples:
"Kel" (stone)
"Val" (wood)

Purpose

Adjectives describing the purpose or function of the noun come last. These indicate what something is used for or its intended function.

Examples:
"Ten" (ritual)
"Nur" (light-bearing)

Examples

One beautiful small ancient round black Chaya stone ritual object

Kel mar sha tai fal dra shal kel ten

Kel (one)
Mar (beautiful)
Sha (small)
Tai (ancient)
Fal (round)
Dra (black)
Shal (Chaya)
Kel (stone)
Ten (ritual)

Many magical large young sharp blue foreign wood light-bearing tools

Vel lor tar krai nur velir tal val nur

Vel (many)
Lor (magical)
Tar (large)
Krai (young)
Nur (sharp)
Velir (blue)
Tal (foreign)
Val (wood)
Nur (light-bearing)

Structural Markers

Structural markers in Shadertongue serve to clarify the relationships between different parts of a sentence, indicate grammatical functions, and provide cues for interpretation. These markers include particles, prefixes, suffixes, and infixes that denote case, tense, aspect, mood, and other syntactic relationships. They are essential for maintaining the clarity and fluidity of the language, ensuring that complex ideas can be conveyed precisely.

Case Markers

Case markers in Shadertongue are suffixes added to nouns to indicate their grammatical role in a sentence, such as subject, object, or possessive.

Nominative (subject): No marker

Example: "El" (tree)

Accusative (direct object): "-en"

Example: "Elen" (tree as direct object)

Genitive (possession): "-ir"

Example: "Elir" (of the tree)

Dative (indirect object): "-an"

Example: "Elan" (to/for the tree)

Locative (location): "-il"

Example: "Elil" (in/at the tree)

Tense Markers

Tense markers are prefixes or suffixes added to verbs to indicate the time of the action relative to the present.

Present: No marker

Example: "Sha" (speaks)

Past: Prefix "a-"

Example: "Asha" (spoke)

Future: Prefix "i-"

Example: "Isha" (will speak)

Aspect Markers

Aspect markers are suffixes added to verbs to indicate the nature or duration of the action.

Perfect: Suffix "-ir"

Example: "Shair" (has spoken)

Progressive: Suffix "-el"

Example: "Shael" (is speaking)

Imperfect: Prefix "a-" + Suffix "-el"

Example: "Ashael" (was speaking)

Future Progressive: Prefix "i-" + Suffix "-el"

Example: "Ishael" (will be speaking)

Pluperfect: Suffix "-air"

Example: "Ashair" (had spoken)

Future Perfect: Suffix "-air"

Example: "Ishair" (will have spoken)

Mood Markers

Mood markers are suffixes or particles added to verbs to indicate the speaker's attitude towards the action.

Indicative: No marker

Example: "Sha" (speaks)

Imperative: Suffix "-a"

Example: "Shaa" (speak!)

Subjunctive: Suffix "-en"

Example: "Shaen" (might speak)

Negation Markers

Negation is indicated by adding the particle "ne" before the verb.

Example: "Ne sha" (does not speak)
Example: "El nur ne sha." (The tree does not absorb light.)

Question Markers

Questions are formed by adding the particle "na" at the end of the sentence or by using intonation.

Example: "El sha na?" (Does the tree speak?)
Example: "El nur sha na?" (Does the tree absorb light?)

Focus Markers

Focus particles like "la" (indeed) and "na" (only) are used to emphasize specific elements of a sentence.

Example: "El la sha." (The tree indeed speaks.)
Example: "El nur na sha." (The tree only absorbs light.)

Relative Clauses and Subordinate Clauses

Relative clauses are introduced by the pronoun "tai" (who/which/that).

Example: "El tai nur sha." (The tree that absorbs light)

Complement clauses are introduced by the conjunction "krai" (that).

Example: "Sha krai el nur sha." (Say that the tree absorbs light.)

Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions

Common coordinating conjunctions include "ai" (and), "or" (or), and "ba" (but).

Example: "El ai nur sha." (The tree and light absorbs.)
Example: "El nur ba ne sha." (The tree absorbs light but does not speak.)

Subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses and include "tai" (when), "rai" (if), and "sai" (because).

Example: "El nur sha tai el nur elen." (The tree absorbs light when it sees the light.)
Example: "El nur sha rai el nur elen." (The tree absorbs light if it sees the light.)
Example: "El nur sha sai el nur elen." (The tree absorbs light because it sees the light.)

Dictionary

124 Words.

Common Phrases

Greetings and Farewells

Greetings

Shara ti - Hello (literally "Speak you")

Example: "Shara ti, vel sul." (Hello, great friend.)

Tai dra’vel - Good day (literally "Time of shadowless")

Example: "Tai dra’vel, el shal." (Good day, tree of Chaya.)

Farewells

Vel’ten - Goodbye (literally "Leader’s peace")

Example: "Vel’ten, mai." (Goodbye, family.)

Rai nur shai - Until we meet again (literally "Life light sees")

Example: "Rai nur shai, sul." (Until we meet again, friend.)

Expressions of Respect and Gratitude

Respect

Krai vel vora - Honor to the council (literally "Council great wisdom")

Example: "Krai vel vora, ten’lor." (Honor to the council, ritual of magic.)

Vel shara - Great respect (literally "Great speak")

Example: "Vel shara, tar vel." (Great respect, leader.)

Gratitude

Tai dra’vel - Thank you (literally "Time of shadowless")

Example: "Tai dra’vel, nurai." (Thank you, light.)

Lor tai - Many thanks (literally "Magic time")

Example: "Lor tai, elir shael." (Many thanks, shadow of the tree.)

Ceremonial and Ritual Phrases

Invocation

Ten vora’din - Ritual of wisdom (used in ceremonies)

Example: "Ten vora’din, lor krai." (Ritual of wisdom, magic of the council.)

Sha tai el nur - Speak when the light comes (used in rituals of truth)

Example: "Sha tai el nur, dra." (Speak when the light comes, shadow.)

Blessing

Lor vel rai - Blessings of life (literally "Magic great life")

Example: "Lor vel rai, mai ten." (Blessings of life, family ritual.)

Ten nur vel - Light of the leader’s ritual (literally "Ritual light great")

Example: "Ten nur vel, krai." (Light of the leader’s ritual, council.)

Social Interactions

Compliments

Mar vel - Beautiful (literally "Beautiful great")
- Example: "El mar vel." (The tree is beautiful.)

Vel nurai - Brilliant (literally "Great light")

Example: "Vel nurai, sul." (You are brilliant, friend.)

Apologies

Ne tai lor - I am sorry (literally "Not time magic")

Example: "Ne tai lor, mai." (I am sorry, family.)

Shaen ne nur - Forgive me (literally "Might not light")

Example: "Shaen ne nur, ten." (Forgive me, ritual.)

Daily Life

Asking for Help

Krai shara ten - Please help (literally "Council speak ritual")

Example: "Krai shara ten, vel nur." (Please help, leader of light.)

Sha rai nur - Assist me (literally "Speak life light")

Example: "Sha rai nur, sul." (Assist me, friend.)

Expressions of Well-Being

Tai nur lor - I am well (literally "Time light magic")

Example: "Tai nur lor, sul." (I am well, friend.)

Rai shai dra - I feel at peace (literally "Life sees shadow")

Example: "Rai shai dra, mai." (I feel at peace, family.)

Common Female Names

Female names in Shadertongue are often melodic and imbued with meanings related to nature, magic, and spiritual concepts. These names reflect the Chaya’s deep connection to their environment and their mystical heritage. Female names typically consist of two to three syllables and can include elements that signify beauty, strength, wisdom, and harmony.

Ailira - (ai-LI-ra) "Moonlight"
Nyssara - (NIS-sa-ra) "Shadow dancer"
Lorena - (lo-RE-na) "Magical being"
Velora - (ve-LO-ra) "Great light"
Myrina - (mi-RI-na) "Beautiful song"
Shadara - (sha-DA-ra) "Whisper of shadows"
Elaria - (e-LA-ri-a) "Tree spirit"
Kairana - (kai-RA-na) "Peaceful dawn"
Thalira - (tha-LI-ra) "Stormbringer"
Zorina - (zo-RI-na) "Bright star"
Lyrala - (ly-RA-la) "Melodic spirit"
Neritha - (ne-RI-tha) "Mystic healer"
Velindra - (ve-LIN-dra) Protector of light"
Shaelina - (sha-E-li-na) "Voice of shadows"
Elinara - (e-li-NA-ra) "Guardian of the forest"

Common Male Names

Male names in Shadertongue are often strong and resonant, with meanings connected to nature, power, wisdom, and the mystical elements of Chaya culture. These names typically consist of two to three syllables and convey attributes such as strength, leadership, and harmony with the natural world.

Arion - (A-ri-on) "Moon warrior"
Kelan - (KE-lan) "Stone guardian"
Valon - (VA-lon) "Light bearer"
Tharion - (THA-ri-on) "Storm leader"
Lorcan - (LOR-can) "Magic wielder"
Eldan - (EL-dan) "Tree protector"
Marek - (MA-rek) "Sea warrior"
Zalen - (ZA-len) "Shadow hunter"
Draven - (DRA-ven) "Dark raven"
Kairos - (KAI-ros) "Peaceful time"
Thalos - (THA-los) "Storm bringer"
Nerion - (NE-ri-on) "Mystic sage"
Velan - (VE-lan) "Light guardian"
Shaelan - (SHA-e-lan) "Voice of shadows"
Elian - (E-li-an) "Forest spirit"

Common Family Names

Family names in Shadertongue often reflect the Chaya's deep connection to their environment, heritage, and the mystical elements of their culture. These names typically signify the family's ancestral role, notable traits, or their bond with nature and magic. Family names are usually composed of two parts, combining descriptive elements that convey the family's identity and legacy.

Nightshade, Moonshadow, Darkroot, Lightbringer, Stormweaver, Shadowflame, Starfall, Elderwood, Whisperwind, Stoneforge, Moonfire, Ravenwood, Ironleaf, Silverbranch, Shadowgrove