imported>GS4-GYRES: Added Chirasen for Vanadre Chiras half-elves

2025-05-26T16:58:38Z

Added Chirasen for Vanadre Chiras half-elves

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[[Language]]s are systems of communication used by the peoples of Elanthia.
__NOTOC__
== Language mechanics ==

By default, all characters know and speak the '''Common''' language. Players may select a different language for their character by typing {{boldmono|[[SPEAK]]}}, or by using a modifier with {{boldmono|[[SAY]]}}. Anything spoken in a different language can only be understood by someone else who understands that language. To switch back to Common, use the command {{boldmono|SPEAK COMMON}}.

Example usage:
*{{boldmono|SPEAK HALFLING}}
*{{boldmono|SAY ~HALFLING Happy birthday!}}

Additionally, {{boldmono|[[RECITE]]}}, {{boldmono|[[SING]]}}, and {{boldmono|[[WRITE]]}} will automatically use the selected language.

Many written signs across the game world may be written in the local language. When a character tries to {{boldmono|[[READ]]}} a sign, they will only fully understand them if they know the language. Otherwise, they will only be able to tell which language it is written in, but not what the contents are.

There are no graduated fluency mechanics in GemStone IV: either a character understands a language completely, or not at all. However, players are free to roleplay varying levels of familiarity.

== List of languages ==

=== Common ===

The '''Common''' language is known to nearly all inhabitants of Elanith. It is the primary language spoken by humans.

=== Guildspeak ===

Each [[profession]] has its own language. Collectively known as Guildspeak, they include '''Bard''', '''Cleric''', '''Empath''', '''Monk''', '''Paladin''', '''Ranger''', '''Rogue''', '''Sorcerer''', '''Warrior''', and '''Wizard'''.

=== Racial and cultural languages ===

Many [[race]]s have their own language. These include '''[[Aelotian language|Aelotian]]''', '''[[Dark Elven languages|Dark Elven]]''', '''Dwarven''', '''[[Elven Lexicon|Elven]]''', '''[[Erithi Lexicon|Erithian]]''', '''Giantman''', '''[[Gnomish Lexicon|Gnomish]]''', '''Halfling''', '''[[Krolgeh|Krolvin]]''', and '''[[Sylvan Lexicon|Sylvankind]]'''.

Certain languages are only available to specific [[culture]]s. These include '''Dhe'narsi''', '''[[Inyexi Lexicon|Inyexi]]''', '''[[Faendryl Lexicon|Faendryl]]''', '''[[Tehir Lexicon|Tehir]]''', and '''[[Chirasen Lexicon | Chirasen]]'''.

A member of a given race and culture may know several different languages. For example, [[Burghal gnome]]s of the [[Winedotter]] bloodline know both their native [[Gnomish Lexicon|Gnomish]] as well as [[Elven]] from their long history of living with elves, while the [[Aledotter]] gnomes instead know Dwarven as they make their homes near dwarf settlements.

This table shows language availability across all races.
"x" means a race automatically knows that language.
"C" means a race needs to have a specific culture to know that language.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Table: Languages by Race
|-
! width=100px | '''[[Language]]'''
! width=60px | [[Aelotoi]] || width=60px | [[Dwarf]] || width=60px | [[Elf]] || width=60px | [[Dark Elf]] || width=60px | [[Half-Elf]] || width=60px | [[Human]]
! width=60px | [[Sylvankind]] || width=60px | [[Erithian]] || width=60px | [[Burghal Gnome]] || width=60px | [[Forest Gnome]] || width=60px | [[Giantman]] || width=60px | [[Halfling]] || width=60px | [[Half-Krolvin]]
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Common'''
| x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Guildspeak'''
| x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x||x
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Aelotian'''
| x||||||||||||||||||||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Chirasen'''
| ||||||||C||||||||||||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Dark Elven'''
| ||||||x||C||||||||||||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Dhe'narsi'''
| ||C||||C||||||||||||||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Dwarven'''
| ||x||||||||||||||C||||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Elven'''
| x||||x||x||x||||x||||C||||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Erithian'''
| ||||||||||||||x||||C||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Faendryl'''
| ||||||C||C||||||||||||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Giantman'''
| ||||||||||||||||||||x||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Gnomish'''
| ||||||||||||||||x||x||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Halfling'''
| ||||||||||||||||||||||x||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Inyexi'''
| ||||||||||||||||||C||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Krolvin'''
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||x
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Sylvankind'''
| ||||||||C||||x||||||||||||
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''Tehir'''
| ||||||||C||C||||||||||||||
|}<noinclude>

This table show which cultures grant additional languages.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Table: Culture Languages
|-
! width=100px | '''[[Race]]''' || width=100px | '''[[Culture]]''' || width=200px | '''Languages'''
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Burghal Gnome]]'''||Aledotter||Dwarven
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Burghal Gnome]]'''||Winedotter||Elven
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Dark Elf]]'''||Dhe'nar||Dhe'narsi
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Dark Elf]]'''||Faendryl||Faendryl
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Dwarf]]'''||Khanshael||Dhe'narsi
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Forest Gnome]]'''||Inyexat||Erithi and Inyexi
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Half-Elf]]'''||Faendryl||Dark Elven and Faendryl
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Half-Elf]]'''||Shakat||Tehir
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Half-Elf]]'''||Sylvan||Sylvankind
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Half-Elf]]'''||Tehir||Tehir
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Half-Elf]]'''||Vanadre Chiras||Chirasen
|- style="text-align: center"
| '''[[Human]]'''||Shakat||Tehir
|- style="text-align: center
| '''[[Human]]'''||Tehir||Tehir
|}<noinclude>

=== Other Languages ===

* [[Ithzir]]
* [[Trollspeak|Troll]]

== Resources ==
* [[Aelotian language|A Treatise of the Aelotian Language]] (official)
* [[Chirasen Lexicon]] (official)
* [[Dark Elven languages]] (official)
* [[Elven Lexicon]] (official)
* [[Erithi Lexicon]] (official)
* [[Faendryl Lexicon]] (official)
* [[Giantkin History#"Giantman Runes" (in Giant known as Saramar)|Giantman Runes]] (official)
* [[Gnomish Lexicon]] (official)
* [[Ithzir Genesis#Language|Ithzir Language]] (official) - from "Ithzir Genesis"
* [[Ithzir language (essay)|Ithzir language research]]
* [[Krolgeh Language]] (official)
* [[Life and Being in the Sea of Fire#Language|Tehir Language]] (official) - "from Life and Being in the Sea of Fire"
* [[Sylvan Lexicon]] (official)
* [[Research:Tehir Language|Tehir Language research]]
* [[Tehir Lexicon]] (official)
* [[Trollspeak]]

[[Category:Languages| ]]

Language - Revision history

imported>GS4-GYRES: Added Chirasen for Vanadre Chiras half-elves