Breimian Language

## Breimian Accents and The Common Tongue

Just like the rest of Hireath, Breimian equines speak the common tongue. Still, the horses of Sirith have very distinct accents that often act as a dead give away for where they're from. Breimians tend to speak their words quickly and more towards the front of their mouth in a lilting tone. Umare speech tends to sound a bit more wispy and light, often having what others would consider a slight lisp. Their Kawaru counterparts tones tend to be a bit heavier and more grounded with an almost metallic twang. Providers on the surface tend to have looser accents that resemble the Umarian way of speech mixed with other influences, a result of working with Vagabonds who pass through their territories and generations of living on the surface.

### Common Idioms, Phrases, and Slang Terms

While all of Hireath's equines speak the common tongue, idioms, phrases, and slang varies from herd to herd. Below you can find some common Breimian terms, as well as faction variants.

**Universal Breimian Terms:**

* Iron Shoes Will Rust Eventually - meaning that nothing lasts forever, often used to remind others to enjoy things while they can rather than waiting for an "ideal time" that may never come. (ex: "I might as well get it now, even iron shoes will rust eventually.)
* Every failure is an accomplishment - A reminder that even in failure, knowledge is gained.
* Send a bird - Send a message/letter, originated from the herd's use of birds in their postal services.
* Lost in the Labyrinth - To be aimless, without purpose, going nowhere.
* Ghost Garden - Slang term for cemeteries and memorial sites, though it is considered rude.
* (This/You/They) Smell of ash - A phrase used to indicate that someone or something is incredibly untrustworthy or suspicious.
* Flame tongue - A liar
* Gem/Jewel  - Term of endearment, used primarily with family members. Children are often referred to as "Little gems"
* Telepad - Slang term for the teleportation pads found throughout both factions
* Rock and Ash! / Ashes! - An exclamation used to express intense emotion; either amazed awe or sudden anger, shock, or surprise. References the falling rocks and ash during the Gods War.
* Rockdust! - A less offensive version of the above.
* " - Fall into the Abyss" - Usually preceded by "Go" or "I hope you", it's a rather dark insult wishing hardship and misery on another. While older Breimian will not use this term lightly, younger equines have been known to throw it around jokingly at each other; though not in front of their elders.
* Float Like A Stone - To fail at something, to perform a task poorly.

**Umare Specific:**

* They have seen us meet - A common, semi-formal greeting. Refers to Argus watching over the herd, implies good terms between the speaker and the one(s) they're greeting.
* Turning rock dust in to gems - A futile task with no hope of success.
* Stirring up Spirits - Making things worse, looking for trouble.
* Thinking With Your Heart and Loving With Your Mind - Doing things backwards, to
* Arcane Touched / The Touch - One who has been blessed by Argus
* Argus's Breath-  an exclamation similar to "oh my god"
* Waiting for the dead to return - Waiting for something that will never happen, often used when people express waiting for a perfect time for something, or not moving on from a tragedy

**Provider Specific:**

* A single hole can mean disaster - used by providers as a reminder to be careful, originated from warnings of the labyrinths skylights.
* Polished hooves yield nothing - Those that do not work will never grow. Often used as both an admonishment and encouragement.
* Small Bites, Small Delights - Take pleasure in the little things.
* Tunnelers - Slang term for Breimians living in the Labyrinth or those who grew up underground.

**Kawaru Specific:**

* Make a meal out of nothing - An impossible task (typically used in the lower district)
* Saving It For Yesterday -
* Imagination is a powerful ally - Used to encourage horses to think outside the box or to think creatively. Also sometimes used to remind older horses to let younger horses have their fun.
* 'Canetapped - Slang for someone blessed by Argus
* The Basement - Slang term for the lower district

## Sign Language

Sign language among the Breim is easily accessible, and most schools and/or teachers (Umare and Kawaru alike) provide sign language courses for any who wish to learn. While it's not the most popular course of study, about one eighth of the population opts in to learning at least basic conversational signs regardless of their own ability to speak or hear at the time, as it becomes incredibly useful as loved ones grow older and hard of hearing and they are distinctly aware that they too will likely experience hearing loss as they age. Breimian sign language relies more on movements of the ears, head, neck, and forehoof tapping and stomping rather than on the body as a whole, as it was utilized in the relatively dim light of the labyrinth for hundreds of years, and subtle movements could be difficult to catch. Because of this, Breimian signers tend to appear incredibly expressive.

## Written Breimian

The Breim have had a written language as long as they can remember. Over the years it has remained relatively the same, though much of their knowledge and records were lost to the gods war.