Languages
Considering the vastness of the world and the many different peoples that inhabit it, it should come as no surprise that a wide variety of languages are spoken in Avaria. Most heritages will have their own native language that they speak, often in addition to speaking the lingua franca of whatever state they inhabit. For example, a native of the province of Irzal would speak their own Irzali tongue, but they would also be fluent in Sirdabi, the language of the Sirdabi Caliphate.
Acquiring Languages
The acquisition of languages besides one's native tongue is governed by the Linguistics skill. Setting a higher Linguistics skill in character generation will allow you to choose more languages to start with, while afterwards the skill affects the speed with which one can pick up new languages out in the world. Languages are primarily learned by listening to other characters speak them and by practicing them yourself. Linguistics also grants abilities that further facilitate language learning, such as being able to practice a language by yourself. If you know a language well, you can help others learn through instruction by using teach <language name> to <student>.
Using Languages
You can see what languages your character knows by using the LANGUAGE or SPEAK command. To change the language you are speaking, use SPEAK <language name> or LANGUAGE <language name>. If you are writing, you will write in the language you are presently speaking.
Languages of Avaria
| Language | Description | Primary Region of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Amunati | The ancient tongue of the Amunati. Now functionally extinct, but survives in ritual use. | Pagan Amunati priesthood |
| Bissa | The language of the Bissenke, and the official language of the Emirate of Koumbasi. | Koumbasi, Cloud Kingdoms, Gilded Plain |
| Cadenze | The language of Cadenza, evolved from a mingling of the Cateni and Sirdabi tongues. | Cadenza, Saramat |
| Cateni | The language of the Cateni people of the Volusian Republic. | Volusia, southeastern Ensor |
| Elukoi (standard) | The native language of the Elukoi, and also the language of the Kalentoi Church across the known world. | Calentium, home provinces of the Kalentoi Empire, the Kalentoi Church |
| Elukoi (high) | A functionally extinct archaic version of Elukoi, now used in simplified form in Kalentoi liturgy and in magic. | Kalentoi Church |
| Ilexi | The native language of the Ilexi people of Ensor, also spoken among many in the High Hinterlands. | Ensor, the High Hinterlands |
| Irzali | The ancient language of the Irzali people. | Irzal Province, Eastern Sirdabi Caliphate |
| Jalanit | The primary language of the Jalanit people. | Jalanjhur, lands bordering the Sea of Sala'ah |
| Ki'u | The native language of the Kiliku people, incorporating clicks, trills, and whistles. | Izendi Highlands, Desert of Fallen Stars |
| Meroueni | The language of the Meroueni and their neighbors. | Merouen, Nieve, Middlelands Confederacy |
| Molo | The language of the Milombo people. | Kunduz, Izendi Highlands |
| Renish | The language of the Ravenni people and central Ruvera. | Ravenni Principates, Middlelands Confederacy, Jadniez |
| Rhodic | The language of the Rhodish people and the lands of northern Ruvera. | Barendts, Solveig, northwestern Ensor |
| Ruvic | A modernized version of the language of the ancient Ruveran Empire, and now the lingua franca of the Kalentoi Empire. | Ruvera, Kalentoi Empire |
| Ruzur | The language of the Razmani people, seldom spoken with outsiders. | Raziya, Ifru |
| Salawi | The native language of the Salawi people, originating from a blend of Xhalantu and Sirdabi. | Zalawi |
| Sirdabi | The native language of the Sirdabi people, and the lingua franca of the Sirdabi Caliphate. | Sirdabi Caliphate, Koumbasi, Gilded Plain |
| Sylic | The language of the Rusalvi peoples of eastern Ruvera and western Ruleska. | Silenya, Kuslovik, Jadniez |
| Tessouare | The language of the Tessouare peoples, widely spoken across northern Idiri. | Sirdabi Caliphate, Koumbasi, Great Hazari Desert |
| Xhalantu | The language of the Xhalantu in southeastern Idiri, used as the regional lingua franca. | Niyone, Ulamba, Gilded Plain, Zendizi Isles, Opone Grasslands |
| Yash | The language of the Yehani diaspora. | Yehani across Avaria |