Solus Elven

Overview

The Solus Elves were the first Elves, the originators of all modern Elven races—Felidar, Almidar, and Besidar. The language they spoke, known simply as Serëthar (literally, "The Tongue of the Beginning"), is the primordial form of Elvish. It predates nearly every known language in the world, save for Divine and Daemonic, and served as the foundation for all Elven dialects to come.

Serëthar is timeless, as it was forged during the age of the Solus, before the first differentiation between Elven cultures. It is an ancient language, rich with metaphysical depth, and its syntax, phonetics, and structure reflect the deep connection the Solus Elves had to the world, the cosmos, and each other. The language is elegant, almost sacred, designed to convey not only the surface meaning of words but their very essence.

Serëthar is a highly melodic, complex, and flowing language, designed to express the harmony and balance the Solus Elves felt with the universe. The sounds of the language reflect the cosmic harmony of their worldview, with consonants and vowels that are almost sung when spoken, creating a fluid, breathy sound.

• Vowels: Serëthar's vowels are deep, drawn out, and central to the language’s musical nature. Each vowel has a sacred, almost spiritual significance, and when pronounced, it carries the weight of its associated meaning.
• A – Pure and deep, like the vastness of space. It conveys strength, origin, and permanence.
• E – Soft, like the first breath of creation, representing light and beauty.
• I – Sharp and bright, like stars piercing the night. It represents knowledge and revelation.
• O – Round and full, evoking the rhythm of time and cycles. It carries meaning of completion and unity.
• U – Heavy, like the grounding force of the earth. It embodies life, growth, and the solid foundation of existence.
• Consonants: The consonants of Serëthar are smooth and often glide into each other. The sound of the language mirrors natural phenomena, with particular emphasis on liquid sounds (such as L, M, N, R), which represent the flow of life and cosmic balance.
• Soft consonants, such as L, M, N, R, V, are frequent, evoking fluidity, gentleness, and peace.
• Rare, sharp consonants, such as K, C, and Th (as in "thunder"), appear only in words relating to more forceful concepts like destruction, change, or power.
• Tone and Rhythm: Serëthar is not just a language but a musical composition. It has a distinctive tonal quality. Each word or phrase carries inflections that reflect not only the meaning but the emotional intent and the spiritual essence behind it. The flow of speech is slow and deliberate, allowing every sound to be felt as much as it is heard.

Grammar and Structure

The Solus Elves were beings of creation, and their language is built around the principle of harmony. The structure of Serëthar is, therefore, fluid and adaptive, but there are certain key features that distinguish it from more modern Elvish dialects. Serëthar has no direct translations for many modern concepts and instead expresses them in a way that mirrors the cosmic forces and natural cycles.

Serëthar tends toward a flexible syntax, but the most common word order is subject-object-verb (SOV). This order emphasizes the substance of the object and the action that brings it to life rather than focusing on the doer.

• Example:
• Elenathor, alandarë‘ros – "I am the light-bringer (literally, I am light brought by action)."
• Solvan, ilïa rëma – "The sun will shine (literally, the sun shines into existence)."

This word order places emphasis on the object and its relationship to the world, which reflects the Solus Elves’ worldview.

Pronouns:

In Serëthar, pronouns are less personal and more about connection. The concept of the self is viewed as an extension of the larger cosmos, and therefore, pronouns reflect a deeper, spiritual relationship.

• First Person Singular: Elen – “I”, but more deeply “the essence of me as part of all things.”
• First Person Plural: Eleni – “We”, but with an understanding that all are part of a unified whole.
• Second Person Singular (Informal): Thil – “You” (used for close relationships, family, or nature).
• Second Person Singular (Formal): Thilan – “You” (used for respect, when addressing higher beings or entities).
• Third Person Singular: Ilë – “He/She/It” (but also encompasses the idea of existence itself).
• Third Person Plural: Ilëa – “They” (again, implying that all life, as a collective, is bound together).

Tense:

Serëthar places a heavy emphasis on the balance of time, and their verb system reflects this. The language incorporates timelessness, cyclic repetition, and change.

• Present: Simple form; the verb represents the eternal present.
• Future: Expressed through a verb with an overarching concept of the coming cycle or inevitable change.
• Example: Vana’karan – “To rise, yet to be.” (the future in an eternal sense, as the sun rises but will eventually set).
• Past: Conveyed with a reverent tone indicating that what was is still part of the present.
• Example: Liranah – “Once, I have been.”
• Timeless/Omnipresent: For universal truths or eternal forces. It is often not conjugated at all, or it’s used with light verb forms like thëra (become).
• Example: Thëra solven – “The world is.”

Verbs:

Serëthar verbs are often constructed in the form of root words attached to a conceptual framework. For example, to create would be expressed not just as an action but as part of the creation cycle.

• Basic Verb Structure: Root + Modifier for Tense/Aspect.
• Vana (to rise/ascend) + karan (to grow/expand) = Vana'karan – “To rise, to grow, to be reborn in the light.”

Example of Serëthar Phrases:

• "Solvan en althëra" – “The sun has risen, and we are one with the light.”
• "Ilë alorenéth" – "They are timeless, forever changing."
• "Elenathor Vana’karan" – "I am the light-bringer, rising and becoming."

- The best approximation of a full understanding of the Solus Alphabet.