low elven
The elven language is the most complex language on Tellene.
Spoken Elven is divided into two classifications: High and Low (or
Common) Elven. Only a full-blooded elf will be fluent in High Elven
as no elf would ever teach a mortal the sacred language of his ancestors.
Low Elven is a language of trade and commerce that elves taught
other races in order to conduct business. Non-elf player characters
and NPCs that speak Elven only know some variety of Low Elven.
Elven grammar centers on the subject. The gender of the subject
and its plurality are reflected in almost every word of a sentence.
Elven uses many vowels, in fact, most elven words contain at least
three vowels. Elven words frequently contain double and even triple
vowel combinations. The average elven word is three syllables long,
and that is before any gender or plurality is added! High Elven is so
intricate that it takes the average elf 50 years of studying to master it.
Both High and Low Elven use the following vowel and consonant
sounds: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W, Y, Z.
The need for written history is minimal. Elven history dates back
to the beginning of time, and their written history would fill millions
of volumes. With most elves living for more than 500 years, elven
history is passed on through various dances and plays that are acted
out during the many elven festivals and holidays. Some people even
contend that elves can communicate solely through the use of
musical notes and tones!
The written language that does exist is very complex. Low Elven
uses runes that were first drawn long ago, before the appearance of
humans on Tellene. High Elven is so complicated that only a very
gifted few ever learn to write it. The words of the elven language are
actually detailed drawings and sketches. The written language is so
ornate that it takes even a skilled elven scribe 3-4 hours to draw one
character! It is rumored that written Elven contains magical power;
some magical spells are written in High Elven.
When dealing with non-elves, elven family names are usually
translated to Low Elven. Some go so far as to reduce their name to the
graceless Merchant’s Tongue. High elves that do so sometimes have
names like Whitehelm, Highspear, and Lightfoot, while wood elves
use arboreal or rural-sounding names, like Woodhall, Oaklimb, and
Greentree. The names of wild elves might refer to an animal or
geographical feature such as Foxtail or Riverrunner. Gray elves prefer
to use their native names, since they are less concerned with making
pronunciation easier for the “lesser races,” but they will go so far as to
use Low Elven translations. If the humans cannot pronounce
Nalabouranna or Welityrn, it simply further demonstrates their
barbarism and lack of culture.
Spoken by
Common Female Names
Ammereia, Asaibakil*, Celamis, Coleiana, Culexi*,
Hanivia, Jelanica, Jeshela, Larelena, Mehamia, Seviavena, Tesseia,
Tulmeree,Wylameia,Wylixolin*
*Dark elf only.
Common Male Names
Amascai, Amelak*, Batidell, Cateine, Hullitee, Huridin,
Kiteine*, Melidor, Sellitad, Shifyrn, Sinatai,Teleseine,Toratin,Welityrn,
Xeb’beth*
*Dark elf only.
Common Family Names
Adralabriria, Aladan’na*, Bereralaen, Calaeclya,
Cebaenaryn, Daramariel, Halamaela, Isachariel, Jenneriaeclya,
Kexithemios*, Laberiaddlaen, Naedredar, Nalabouranna, Onaeriel,
Sharasiki*,Tendriliamar
*Dark elf only.