Ravenspeech Language in Arcathia: The new Order | World Anvil
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Ravenspeech

A language from behind the Veil

Ravenspeech is known as the language of the shadows, as it does not carry it's origin from the realm of Equilibrium but from beyond our world in a realm known as the home to the pantheon of Death.   It is a language mostly spoken corvids, such as Ravens and Crows, but is also the native language of the Corvex. The tongue is widely utilized by Blackbloods, Ravenknights and other groups which hold corvid companions as it lets them commune with these animals.   The Ravenspeech also serves as a direct requirement to whisper in order to weave spells of the Illusion and Shadowmancy schools of the Occult arts which stands as evidence that the language was created by the forces of the universe more so than any species or culture.  

The tongue of Secrets

If one learns to understand Ravenspeech, it soon becomes evident that the words spoken are not full blunt sentances, but often tuned into riddles. Words such as, there's snow on the mountain would instead be spoken like frozen rain coat the elevated earth or the question; What is your name? Would be asked by the words; What destiny has life beget unto thy? as the name itself is seen as pointless in the corvidae language, unlike the prophetic meaning to the name. A name such as Avery for example would quite literally mean Ruler of the Elves and would imply a destiny of either kinship and high status among the elven, likely Dyskhari population.  

The Flow

To learn Ravenspeech, one must be able to feel it resonate within. It's not a language which can be taught by research and practice, but is a secret from the universe which requires the mind to be open to the shadows whispers.   To be able and hear these whispers, one must consentrate deeply on their surroundings. Listen in on everything untill it becomes eerie quiet within and the sounds around becomes a whirling chaos of different sounds and emotions. This can be daunting and a source of anxiety, though if pressed through one will hear voices in a language they don't know but still understand perfectly fine. Once this flow has been reached, speaking in the tongue of corvidae comes as natural as breathing.

The sounds

The language of Ravenspeech is known to be near impossible to study, because the entire tongue is more or less one big exception. The few rules it does seem to follow is that every sentance starts with the most S, Chi, or Krr like sounds and always end on sounds like kwe, skree, qwe or awq. The language hence has no logical rules what words would beggin and end a sentence. Instead it focuses completely on rythm and beat, to what sounds have the most flow.

Comments

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Dec 27, 2022 03:39 by Starfarer Theta

My unlikely traveling companion explained that what I heard was ravenspeech. Turns out, when this raven speaks to me I was not imagining any of those encounters. Apparently it is associated with shadows, death, and illusions. My companion expressed concern that this raven seems interested in me in particular. I think I'm about to express concern the more I think about it. - Nemo, World Traveler

Jan 12, 2023 13:33 by Koi

I love how much you've managed to write here. It's lovely <3

Jan 14, 2023 00:41

Thank you!

Jan 18, 2023 20:22 by Kay

A fun idea for a language, one that can't be learned in the traditional sense, lacking many rules and strongly tied to magic. Though it seems like speaking in riddles all the time might get a bit annoying!

Jan 18, 2023 21:29

Ravens are intelligent enough to troll people, so..! >:3 Thanks!