Languages of Ilbarych

The following languages are the main languages of Ilbarych.

These languages are organized into "language groups," which are linguistically related to one another. If a character is trained in one language in a group, they may make Languages ability checks to roughly translate written or spoken words in one of the other languages.

Imperial Languages

• Imperial: Also sometimes termed "Common," this is the general language used in all of Ilbarych. It is descended from Old Imperial, with significant linguistic drift and inclusion of some Folkish phrases and concepts, and even a smattering of Habersi.
• Old Imperial: The formal tongue of the Old Empire, now used as a scholarly language (due primarily to the number of original sources written in it). There are numerous dialects of Old Imperial. One of them, a dialect used by the Imperial Legions for discussion of tactics and relaying of commands, is the basis for the Imperial tongue of Ilbarych. Another is focused around arcane concepts, with most magical texts from the Old Empire being written in it.
• Tongues of the Four Lands: It is known that some localized languages from each of the Four Lands were part of Imperial linguistics, but those languages are lost.

Folkish Languages

• Folkish: Originally a rough pidgin language that allowed what limited communication occurred between wrightfolk and wealdfolk. With the coming of the Legion, it is the tongue that the wrightfolk taught the Imperials as their own, and has essentially become a sort of Common tongue for wrightfolk communities.
• Wrightspræc: Originally the general language of the wrightfolk, its use has diminished such that it is only used in old writings, religious functions, and cultural ceremonies. Only about half of wrightfolk – usually those raised in forgeholds – can speak or understand it.
• Wealdspræc: The language of the wealdfolk. This tongue is reportedly still in use by the wealdfolk, who have apparently begun to forget the general Folkish tongue as well in their isolation.

Habersi Languages

• Trade Tongue: The Habersi Trade Tongue is one of several languages the Habersi speak, although it is nearly the only Habersi language ever encountered by the people of Ilbarych, because the traders are the only Habersi they ever really deal with. The Habersi have indicated that each of the Habersi castes has a tongue of their own, although they tend not to say much beyond that about their culture or languages.