Calishite

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The native tongue of Calishites is Alzhedo, a language derived millennia ago from Midani (the language of Zakhara) and Auran. Alzhedo is one of the two root tongues of both Thorass ("Old Common") and Common. Alzhedo employs the Thorass Alphabet, a set of characters used to represent the trade tongue that came into use thousands of years ago along the shores of the Lake of Steam. Most Calishites also speak Common, particularly the singsong Calant dialect. Those who trade with or live in the Realms Below prefer Undercommon, the trade language of the Underdark.

Given their extensive contact with genie-kind, Calishites often learn Auran or Ignan dialects of Primordial. Other common second languages include Chultan, Halfling, Lantanese, Shaaran, or Tashalan, languages spoken by many who dwell along the shores of the Shining Sea. Few Calishites learn other nonhuman tongues.

All Calishites are illiterate except for barbarians and commoners.

Related Locations

• Amn
• Calimshan
• Dragon Coast
• Lake of Steam
• Nelanther Isles
• Tethyr
• the Shaar
• Vilhon Reach
• Western Heartlands