Languages

The languages of Perion can be split into general, racial lingua francas that have developed over time to become prominent in urban areas in addition to regional languages. For instance, the Common language, the most widespread language that is used by many people of the continent, is the racial lingua franca of Human languages in addition to regional languages.

## Human Languages

### Common

Common, or Vulgar Courtrachi, is the most widespread and commonly spoken language on Perion. It developed from Courtrachi, the former lingua franca of the Northern Empire, whose influence has eventually led to it being adopted in many courts and city-states. Contemporary Common and Courtrachi share many words and grammar, though not enough to enable effective communication, only enough to pick up on key words and basic ideas. Though widespread, Common is especially prominent in major cities and urban areas - nexuses for trade. In secluded rural areas, humans are, at best, bad at speaking common, relying on their regional language for day-to-day conversation instead.

### Vendish

The language of the northwestern inhabitants of the empire, Vendish is the most commonly used language in arcane texts and works on the continent. Though not many people speak it as their native tongue, the significance of Vendimark within the empire and its near monopoly over arcane education has led to its proliferation in the continent. It is a melodic, sing-songy language that, while not grating, can be a bit annoying to listen to.

### Balovan

The primary language used amongst the merchant lords of Liezegrad and the Apotian Gulf in addition to the nation of Balovar, Balovan is a very significant regional language that has been spread through the influence of the Tempest League. There are three major dialects of Balovan, with Western Balovan being the most commonly used due to it being the dialect of native inhabitants of Liezegrad.

### Escalian

Escalian is a major regional language that is used in the Kingdom of Escalon in addition to some smaller southern monarchies. In a similar manner to how Courtrachi ended up being a transnational lingua franca, so too has Escalian to some extent within its sphere of influence. Escalian loanwoards and phrases have found their way into many other regional languages, the most notable of those being Arroyan which frequently employs its usage.

## Elvish Languages

### Elvish

Elvish is the common language of the elves and is a language that is actually rarely used among elves, its usage restricted only to communicating between different elvish races. It is a derivative language of Sylvan which means that it bears the closest resemblence to wood elf language. While essentially all elves are customarily taught Elvish, since they so seldom get a chance to actually practise it most elves are typically quite bad at speaking and pronounciation. This has led to many instances of mockery and elitism, leading some more snobbish elves to outright refuse to speak elvish. As elves have long lives, their culture and languages develop far slower than those of humans which has resulted in all elvish languages sharing many similar words and grammar. Communication between the different languages, while possible, is extremely inefficient, confusing and prone to mistakes though for those especially arrogant elves it is a price worth paying if it meant not having to stoop so low as to communicate in this 'bastard language'.

### Sylvan

Sylvan, or Wood Elvish, is the language of the wood elves and the fae. While all elvish languages are descended from Ancient Sylvan, Sylvan Elvish, as it is commonly referred to, has developed in tandem with the language of the fey and continues to retain many of its past forms while other elvish languages have developed in their own ways. Wood elf language has developed in this manner due to their continued and extensive exposure to fey creatures and the Feywild. Even for continental elves, who lack such a close connection to the Feywild that those on Elyrion have, their long lives and adherence to tradition meant that even after centuries of estrangement, the wood elves of the continent still speak the same language as those on Elyrion, though with a different accent.

### Elran

Elran, or High Elvish is the language of the high elves and half-elves of Elyrion.

### Ilvan

Ilvan, also known as Snow Elvish, is the language of the snow elves of the northern peninsula of Elyrion.