Khthonic

I brought the scrap of paper to an Expert on Daemonology, or so he Claimed to be, with the Goal to be examined... He spake to me, saying that this Writing were of a Daemonic tongue, but that it was much older than He had Anticipated, perhaps of the Khthonic Variety...

— An amateur novel found in a bookstore in Gratic City

Very few mages take the time to learn demon languages, and anyone who does take an interest in them is treated with a certain degree of suspicion. Those who do tend to gravitate to Devilish or Fay, as these two belong to the demons most likely to try to leave behind writing that requires deciphering. However, a small group of Renathian scholars have begun thieving books from the Library of Glowing Spines in the Tortuous Fire to study a rare language that gives hints to the dæmons' past: Khthonic.

History and Relation to Devilish

Very little is known about Khthonic's early history, but it's believed to be one of the ancient dialects of Devilish that gave rise to that language as the squabbling fiefdoms of dæmons began to unify. It's not known how long it was in use, or even if it isn't currently in use, as captured/interrogated dæmons have not been forthcoming about this or have no idea themselves. What is known (which is very little) is that it shares a significant amount of vocabulary with Devilish, and probably made up the central dialect from which that language was created.

Usage and Effect on Popular Culture

Khthonic is not mentioned in Devilish culture in any way whatsoever; the only reason we know it exists at all is because Fire demons are meticulous record keepers and have kept very old books and records in this language. Some speculate that Khthonic is also a more powerful or more feared language, much how some Terrans associate their dead languages like Sanskrit and Latin with magic and superstition. Until some clear historical record of it is unearthed, this is likely all that we will ever know about it.

Devilish left, Khthonic marginalia right

Successor Languages

• Devilish

Common Unisex Names

Garaá, Naneo, Orrek, Pakhura, Zanai

Geographic Distribution

Used to be widespread among the Fire demons but eventually died out.

What's a Khthonic? Is it a particularly delicious kind of soul?

— A captured Grunt Demon

All images in this article were made by me, EmperorCharlesII, unless otherwise credited.