Smudge-script

Silence has its own language. You just have to know the right way to listen…

- Danrion Uave, Herbalist of the Embermyst Fellowship

In the lands of Summerdark, silence is sometimes not only golden, it can save a person’s life. This is especially true for the moorstriders of Trailwatch. During their work as scouts and wilderness guards, they have moments where they need to communicate with each other but not make a sound. If they did, it could mean someone’s life. For years, this was a problem.

The solution came in the form of a thousand year old alphabet, called smudge-script. This language provided the expression and depth of conversation they needed. Runes and calligraphy symbols that could convey a message silently and secretly for other moorstriders. It wasn’t long before this became the official writing script for all of Trailwatch.

Smudge-script on a rock by CB Ash *

A Dark History

Smudge-script’s history is as dark and mottled as the brush-strokes of its characters. This writing system was born during the dire years of the Age of Twilight. At that time, the language was used by the Ashen Quill, an order of assassins, who relied on secrecy to communicate between members. Numerous records survive even to the Fourth Age that describe the murderous deeds performed by the order, while kingdoms across the land fell into bloody strife and finally collapsed.

Explorers and scouts later revived and adapted a version of this clandestine script in the Second Age. During that time of peace and prosperity, smudge-script became a force for learning instead of a tool for death. But it wasn’t until the chaotic times of the Third Age that smudge-script came into its own.

Those were the years of strife where moorstriders of Trailwatch were called on to more than just guard the wildlands. They were scouts, spies, and more than once sent to rescue innocents held captive by bandit lords, or the nefarious Shrouded of the Shadow Council. The moorstriders were the ones who transformed this former sinister code into an art form of silence communication with a poetic nuance. Writing with the purpose of learning, give hope, and help rescue those lost in the wilds or to war.

By A Simple Stroke of Smudge

This unusual form of writing is closely guarded by Trailwatch to this day. But some details can be determined by comparing it back to the earlier forms from the Second Age, and the nefarious messages from the Age of Twilight.

Unlike typical writing, smudge-script isn’t drawn using ink or even etched into wood or stone. Instead, this is painted using smudge marks made from charcoal, wet wood ash, or crushed leaves. A combination of all three is not unusual and is often durable against weather and time.

The result is a combination of symbols that, to the untrained eye, look like common animal tracks or even natural weathering on stone buildings or trees. But for any student of this writing system, those few smudges and marks are an entire conversation in miniature.

Writing smudge-script takes similar to calligraphy and requires both calm and patience to learn. Each stroke requires a deliberate act to draw the character but also leave it in the shape of a bird’s footprint, burn or claw mark on a tree. Since each symbol is a word, only a few joined together can convey an entire message.

Symbol of a Language

For the moorstriders, smudge-script is a valuable tool. But under their hands, this silent form of communication has grown beyond that. It’s become a symbol of silent vigil and protection. A quiet statement to their oath to rescue those who are lost in the wilds. A silent written language that speaks loud about learning, exploring, and even hope when needed.

It’s been said more than once that the quiet whispers of Trailwatch are often punctuated by the silent conversations written in smudge-script.

- Danrion Uave, Herbalist of the Embermyst Fellowship