Elven

The Elven language has several dialects but the core elements remain the same. It is layers of complexity upon complexity within a relatively short collection of sounds and characters. While not difficult to learn the general meaning of its words, to actually use it within elven society is a completely different task. Simple variations of words, such as the length of a vowel or a lower pitched consonant, can have completely different means based on who you are talking to and where you are located.
Political leaders are spoken to with generally slower drawn out syllables, unless you work with them in which case those pauses should cut out and words shortened. Students speak to their teachers in higher tones while teachers respond in lower tones unless they are apprenticed exclusively to said teacher in which case they both end their words in sharply with a rising tone. Only though if you are in your place of learning, if you are not then no matter how many students the teacher has, both end their words with sharp rising tones. It is a complex dance and if you break stride you risk severally insulting the person you are speaking with. While the other dialects try and break away from these confusing and stressful rules, the core of the language remains and many parts of the social standard are alive and well.

Geographical Distribution

Core elven remains in prevalent use within the nation of Valash and its largest cities. However its spread in its base form is not very far. Because of the difficulty in learning its innumerable nuances, practically no one bothers to learn it "properly". Much preferring simpler forms such as Trade or Wood Elven. Even still, there are some locations in the Vudra Trade Empire which are connected enough to Valash that it is spoken commonly.

Common Phrases

• Giut Goo Dia (Gee-ut Goo Dia):: Improve oneself for the challenges you fail at.

• Coo Tamper (Coo- ra-am-per):: An insult at apparent laziness.

• Yoalo (Yow-a-low):: Embrace your life to its fullest before you die.

• Foo Til Wan (Fu til wane):: Expressing encouragement to drive others forward to succeed at a task.

• Nobe (No-bee):: An insult at younger people and races. Implying lack of experience and skill because of age.

• Urglee Roosh (Er-glee Roo-sh):: A hunting tactic used to overpower prey with numbers and speed, now used commonly whenever a group of people charge into a situation.

• Cu Til Lug (Chew Til Loog):: An insult which refers to someone as slow to learn and lacking in skills.