Orcish - Emegir

Overview

This language was last unified with the creation of the Ziggurat of Ur(The Ziggurat of the Root)
The language itself is known as Eme-Gir (Common Tongue) among the Orcs themselves. This is often referred to as the Main Dialect or the Original Speech. It now has several dialects including one gendlect (gender based dialect) in active use in different parts of Orcish society. The language differences strongly regulate the various roles that are performed in the community.

Eme-sal (Fine/Thin tongue)

This is a Gendlect - a gender based dialect used by Orc Females. It has many words that are completely different from Eme-gir.

Eme-galam (Skilful Tongue)

The speech of Orc artisans, which are few and very authoritarian in managing their workshops.

Eme-Sisa (Spear Straight Tongue)

The dialect of Generals and advanced warriors used when discussing strategic matters.

Eme-te-na (Oblique tongue)

Indirect speech. Said to be the dialect used by Shamans when casting spells - but this has not been confirmed. It is a dialect the general population has not heard.

Eme usan (Whip Tongue)

The Orcish used around Slaves and to give orders to those far below in sooial order.

Magical Significance

No Orc follows any God. And yet their Shamans (Clerics) are still able to cast powerful spells.

All magic users of any type (not Clerics or their sub-classes) gain Orcish as a bonus language - as a natural part of their training. The reasons why are never openly discussed but it is found that the knowledge of Orcish allows for the spells to be cast more effectively. Anyone hearing a caster chanting will not be able to note a particular Orcish element to it - but it has been found among Rogues also that those with a knowledge of Orcish have a +05% increase in their successful reading of magic.

Written Medium

The Orcish language when written needed to be one that would travel well and not be placed on fragile material such as paper. Therefore the Orcs have placed their writings into the Earth itself - Earthen Bricks, and clay tablets that can be carried and discarded when no longer needed. In addition the Orcish clans and tribes have made use of metal plates, pottery and the hides of creatures to etch out anything worthy of being written down.