Alvarese

Collectively a group of very similar languages is thought to be unique to each Alvar or possibly family group of Alvar that wrote them. They share much in common, and with proficiency can be translated by scholars. The alphabet is composed mostly of vertical lines of varying lengths with thick and thin sections resembling skinny triangles. Stylistic differences are common as are more formal, maybe calligraphic, styles used for official documents. Nearly always with these formal styles, the material they are written, painted, or inscribed on contains faint magical traces. Across all known findings of Alvar script, there is no perceptible evolution of the language. This hints at the language coming from fantastically long-lived people. Despite this properly translating the Alvar words is not so simple. Each set of characters, while representing an idea or word, also contains a secondary meaning. Depending on tense, voicing, and topic chain simple sentences become full of other possible translation orders. Some words are implied based on context. Without translating enough previous words, understanding what is written becomes impossible. A simple statement that initially translates as “I like that hat” may, after translating the preceding paragraph, be “How dare you dislike the veil of the Earl’s Bride’s Mother.” In the preceding sentences, there might be mention of a previous wedding, an anecdote about whether it is proper to voice opinions about bridal fashion, and an overly defensive father. Even then this might not be enough to uncover the real meaning, which might be about family politics. The “veil” mentioned might be a mother-in-law’s ploy to convince someone to do something on the Earl’s behalf. That ploy might be a gift of some sort, and the phrase can be taken to mean “hate the politics but don’t dishonor the gift.” Further research might uncover what was happening at the time, and provide further context for other writings from the same time period. It might also uncover some odd bit of trivia for a King to use. Should they need to parley with an Alvar, mention such odd cultural minutiae seems to intrigue them.