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File Listing: Language: Diavallen
Last Updated: Dec 12, 2012, 12:52:34 pm
File version: 1.0
For DF version: Multiple
Downloads: 67 Size: 54.8 KB
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Description
This is the "Diavallen" language. I had to write a special program to generate it. It closely imitates english, being just far enough apart to seem "different". If we assume that dwarves speak Dwarven, elves speak Elven, and humans speak Human, then English would be wholly alien to them. It might also seem somewhat familiar, as Toady's primary language (English) heavily influenced the languages he created. That was the idea behind Diavallen.

Diavallen is not intended for actual use in dwarf mode. It is intended, rather, as a dictionary of sorts. If you haven't heard of Spearbreakers, and aren't aware of the canon magic, this following portion won't make sense to you.

There are two types of magic in Spearbreakers: Dark Magic and Light Magic.
  • Dark magic involves the use of runes, which appear on one's skin as tattoos when someone reads a spell tome. Dark Magic will work on any world you visit, as it draws its power from the evil of that particular dimension. To cast, someone simply says the name of the rune, such as "Spark", for example. The spell is then cast. Runes can be "drained", but refill over time, and faster if the person commits evil deeds. If a rune is overused, it burns into the person's skin, eventually progressing to a third degree burn. Smaller spells are unlikely to do this through normal use, but powerful spells are dangerous to the caster. Dark Magic IS, though, inherently much more powerful than light magic. I imagine it would be very tempting to use.
  • Light Magic involves the use of spells without runes. Spells are learned not through tomes, but are passed down from master to student. Each spell consists of two words, preceded by the name of the character's god, for example: "(Godname), (spellword spellword)". As all gods speak the same language, the "language of the divine", the spells must be spoken in that language: Diavallen. While Dark Magic draws its power from evil, Light Magic draws its power from the gods themselves. If spells are overused (more especially powerful ones), your god will eventually become annoyed with you. Unlike Dark Magic, spells aren't learned instantly. Powerful spells take much longer to learn to cast, let alone master. Light Magic spells are usually less sinister than Dark Magic, as well. I could go on for a while longer, but I think this is sufficient.

This language is "Diavallen", the language of the gods. I wrote a short preview, generated with the same script. The words are slightly different, as it wasn't made in the same run. I was also careful to include as many longer words as possible, and I tried to keep all the words above three letters long.

Preview:
Volcen uparm a timen diren vas a dirl namide Villya. Scen vas barotaafone, smirtro, folly armde kirmde. Scen vas Elvirm, botus hiategen withirm dwaurvirm feirtrissis andi faraiiring far hir lafen. Kauraisane armde Baillpoermtro folrmde hir armde altiride hir mimiris. Jisiph armde Eraas usidi hir armde stilen hir siastir, Salaia. Scen foltro milly years dittegen hir buantas, maraitaagen ni frinds aloing den vay, liken Urithen andi Reudh. Faallally, scen cimen upeirm den Scytheids, wo lidi hir acroisus den blolde plairms, viren scen dasceiviridi Kauraisane elcaumpintrus. Dis soorm bicamen dalgirols, bicausen warfaren waus evirywhiren.

(Once upon a time there was a girl named Vanya. She was beautiful, smart, funny and kind. She was Elven, but hiding (typo on my part) within dwarven fortresses and fearing for her life. Parasol and Ballpoint found her and altered her memories. Joseph and Eris used her and stole her sister, Salaia. She fought many years getting her back, meeting new friends along the way, like Urist and Reudh. Finally, she came upon the Scythods, who led her across the blood plains, where she discovered Parasol encampments. This soon became dangerous because warfare was everywhere.)


As you can see, the words bear a slight similarity to their English counterparts, enough that you can, with effort, pick your way through it... much in the same way as a Spanish-speaking person can do for Italian, or other Latin-oriented languages. This is what I wanted. It gives a familiar feel while still looking otherworldly.

The language was designed to be a cross between English, Irish, German, Latin, and Finnish, with my own personal touch.

Example spells:
(godname), magia arril - magic arrow
(godname), vendi scild - shield of wind (wind shield)
(godname), deovaang liagen - guiding wings
(godname), wimir stoirmas - winter storm
(godname), caithen litro - cast light
(godname), haraiine woulnde - heal wounds
(godname), diavallen skinte - divine spark
(godname), scata clontas - shadow cloak
(godname), sommeirm spiritus - summon spirits

I imagine that calling upon gods that relate to the spell you're casting (e.g. god of ice, for winter storm) would make the spell more powerful... But it would be wise to note that switching gods often isn't a good idea. Gods get jealous, as you might expect.
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