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On the human and nonhuman languages known to the world of [[Oerth]] and the [[Flanaess]] in particular:
{{TOCleft}}
==Human Languages==
===Amedi===
''{{main|Amedi}}''
'''[[Amedi]]''' is a corrupt form of [[Ancient Suloise]] spoken in the [[Amedio Jungle]] which has a completely different form than the similarly derived Rasol language of [[Hepmonaland]].  There is no alphabet or written form of this language, other than a few glyphs representing important concepts.
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==Human languages==
===Baklunish===
*'''Amedi''' is spoken by the savage [[Suel]] of the [[Amedio Jungle]]. It is rarely written, but when it is its speakers use the Suloise alphabet.
''{{main|Baklunish language}}''
'''[[Baklunish language|Ancient Baklunish]]''' is one of the ancestors of [[Common]], though little resemblance remains between the two in the present day. It is used for formal and commercial dealings.{{csb|FtA|13}} It is the language of all official and religious documents west of the [[Yatil Mountains]] and typically used for literary works instead of Low Baklunish{{csb|LGG|12}}
* '''[[Baklunish language|Low Baklunish]]''' is descended from Ancient Baklunish but much has changed by time. Low Baklunish encompasses the contemporary, colloquial Baklunish dialects.{{csb|LGG|12}} The people of Paynim speak a modern variation{{csb|WoG|16}} and variations are also spoken in Ekbir, Ket, Tusmit, Ull, {{csb|LGG|12}} Zeif ('''Osfaradd, '''named after the clan of the Sultan Ozef)<ref name=":13" /><sup>(p.10)</sup>, and the Tiger and Wolf Nomads ('''Ordai''', which is similar to the Paynim dialect).{{csb|LGG|12}}{{csb|WoG|31}}


*'''Ancient Baklunish''' is one of the ancestors of the Common tongue, though there is little resemblance between the two in the present day, a thousand years since the two have diverged. It is still spoken by the nomads of the [[Plains of the Paynims]], and by the faithful of [[Al'Akbar]]. It is the language of all official and religious documents west of the [[Yatil Mountains]].  
Examples:
* ''Tufak''- a soft, white stone made from volcanic ash.{{csb|FtA|66}} Likely [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuff Tuff].


*The '''Cold Tongue''', also known as Fruz, is heavily rooted in Suloise with some influence by Flan. It is the language of the [[Frost Barbarians]], [[Ice Barbarians]], and [[Snow Barbarians]]. It is unrelated to Common. Speakers of Suloise find it difficult to understand, while speakers of Lendorian find it indecipherable.  
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===Common===
''{{main|Common}}''
'''Common''' is a hybrid language, more properly called the "'''Overking's Common Tongue'''", and it evolved from "Middle-Common", It originally was a combination of the dialect of [[Old Oeridian]] spoken in the [[Great Kingdom]] and Ancient Baklunish. While it began centuries ago, it's still the ''neweset'' language spoken in the Flanaess.  


*'''Common''', the trade tongue of the Flanaess, is a hybrid language, a combination of the dialect of Old Oeridian spoken in the [[Great Kingdom]] and Ancient Baklunish. Virtually everyone in the Flanaess who wishes to communicate with those outside their culture must learn at least a little Common if they hope not to be treated as gibberish-spouting simpletons. Because of its diverse roots, Common is a very flexible language, and it is often easier to translate a text into Common first before translating it into any other tongue.  
It is the trade tongue of the [[Flanaess]].{{csb|WoG|16}} It borrows on Baklunish syntax and grammar and Oeridian elements, and was standardized by the spread of the Aerdi Kingdom.{{csb|LGG|12}}
It is designed to facilitate commerce and diplomacy. One is not as likely to find as many things like poetry, medical treatises, or technical readouts written in Common.


*'''Druidic''' is the secret tongue of the [[Old Faith]]. It shares roots with Flan, but is more specialized, dealing mainly with agriculture and the natural world. It is written using the Druidic alphabet.
There are also pictographs correlating to words or phrases in Common, which are a "pictorial analog" to Common.


*'''Feral''' was originally an [[Oeridian]] tribal language, but it is now a secret known only by the officials of the [[Iron League]]. Agents of the League use it to identify one another, and Feral is otherwise dead.
* Common has "a handful of dialects and sub-languages"{{csb|FtA|14|Atlas}} which are notable enough to be significant.
* '''''Nyrondese''''': A dialect of common with High Oeridian influences. Spoken mostly by the peasants and trade folk around [[Nyrond]].{{csb|WoG|16}} This is believed to be used due to mistrust of non-Nyrondese.{{csb|FtA|14|Atlas}}
* Cants, argot, and jargon such as the Thieves', Beggar's and Assassin's cants and Guild jargons of Greyhawk are based on common.{{csb|FtA|13|Atlas}}
----


*'''[[Flan]]''', the aboriginal human language in the Flanaess, is still spoken in [[Tenh]], although the Tenha form has been much-changed by the [[Great Migrations]] and the passing of time. The [[Rovers of the Barrens]] speak their own odd Flan dialect. Flan is a comparatively stagnant language, and modern concepts, particularly magical ones, are difficult to translate into it.
===Flan===
''{{main|Flan language}}''
The '''[[Flan language]]''' is probably the oldest language spoken to any notable extent, although dialects vary considerably through the Flanaess and have mutated with time. A stagnant language, it is difficult to translate modern concepts (such as magic) into Flan. The people of Tenh speak a more modern version.{{csb|WoG|16}}{{csb|FtA|13}} Variations are also spoken in Geoff and by the Rovers of the Barrens.{{csb|WoG|31}}
* '''Druidic''': a secret language spoken by Gnarley Rangers and Druids across the Flanaess, Druidic has enough similarities to Flan that it's possible it evolved from it, although it is clearly a distinct and not comprehensible to Flan speakers.{{csb|FtA|13}}<sup>(p.74)</sup> It's a static language that does not evolve with use, being primarily used for religious and secret purposes to refer to matters of the natural world{{csb|LGG|12}}
Examples:
* Dwur—Dwarf
* 'Dwur-Rohoi' -' Twisted Dwarf' (Flan term for Derro, that corrupted in 'dwurroh' then derro).<ref name=":14">Dragon Magazine #241, "Legacy of the Suel Imperium", Roger Moore, November 1997, 2e</ref><sup>(p.40)</sup>
* Heuroz- Orc
* Hobniz- Halfling
* Olve- Elf
* Noniz- Gnome
* Vocca- Language/Tongue
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*'''Keolandish''' is a dialect of Old High Oeridian with local influences, spoken in the Kingdom of [[Keoland]] and other nations of the [[Sheldomar Valley]].
=== Oeridian ===
''{{main|Old Oeridian}}''
'''Old Oeridian''' was completely free of outside influences.{{csb|WoG|16}} until the [[Great Migration]]<nowiki/>s{{csb|FtA|}} Its grammar is thus unique and it is almost impossible to translate it into any language other than Common.{{csb|WoG|16}} Many of the books, records, and holy texts of the [[Aerdi]] were written in Old Oeridian. 'Oeridian' is spoken in the Great Kingdom and Ratik.{{csb|WoG|31}} Old Oeridian is the primary language of written literature in the Flanaess as a form of academic elitism and job security, restricting literacy to those who speak it.{{csb|FtA|13}} However it was apparently beginning to die out as a spoken language by [[583 CY]].{{csb|FtA|13}}
* '''''Ferral:''''' A secret tribal oeridian language, used by the officials of The Iron League, purely for command and identification purposes and was more a set of code words than a true surviving dialect{{csb|WoG|16}} After the fall of Iron League, this dialect is now found mostly in documents saved from the fall{{csb|FtA|14}} and the surviving officials.<ref name=":7" /><sup>(p.15)</sup> A 'magic-laced' version is being created in an attempted to protect the language from the Scarlet Brotherhood.{{csb|LGG|}}
* '''''Velondi:''''' A tribal language spoken by rural people along the Furyondy-Veluna border,{{csb|WoG|16}} more so in Veluna.{{csb|WoG|31}} No written form.
* '''''Keolandish:''''' Spoken around Keoland, Gran March and the Yeomanry,{{csb|WoG|31}} it's a dialect that is based on Old High Oeridian, with local variants.{{csb|WoG|16}}
Examples:


*'''Lendorian''' is an obscure Suloise dialect spoken in the [[Lendore Isles]], influenced by Common and containing many nautical terms. It cannot be understood by those who speak only the Cold Tongue.  
'Aerdi' may be old Oeridian for 'Sky People', as it is said to mean in the 'old tongue' of Ahlissa.{{csb|LGG|23}}
----


*'''Low Baklunish''' are the contemporary, colloquial [[Baklunish]] dialects, descended from Ancient Baklunish but much changed by time. Common is also widely used by traders and educated peoples of the Baklunish West.  
=== Olman ===
Found in both [[Hepmonaland]] and the [[Amedio Jungle]].  Olman is spoken by the [[Olman]] people of the Amedio Jungle and those Olman who were enslaved by the [[Sea Princes]]. It has a complex pictograph script.{{csb|LGG|12}} True Olman is an ancient language up to 1,500 years old but is rarely spoken in modern Hepmonaland, with its dialects and child languages being more common.<ref name=":15">The Scarlet Brotherhood, Sean Reynolds, 1999, 2e, ISBN 0-7869-1374-6</ref><sup>(p.38)</sup>  In the original tournament competition adventure, NPCs and their language are described as "Olmec".<ref>Lost Tomaochan- The Hidden Shrine of Lubaatum, Harold Johnson & Jeff R. Leason,  1979, 1e</ref>  When the adventure was published and introduced to the {{smallcaps|World of Greyhawk}} setting, the language and NPCs were called "Olman".
* '''''Etlani'''''- A mix of Olman and Touv, written phonetically like Touv but sharing more spoken similarities to Olman, it can be understood by a speaker of either parent language half of the time. Spoken in Cuheutla, alongside Touv, due to the Kundlandi occupation.<ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.38)</sup>
* '''''Tlaman''''' (See non-human languages below, Spoken by Yuan-ti)
* '''''Xolasa-''''' Spoken by tribes of Xolapeqa. Mostly Olman with some Rasol (See Suloise) influences, it sounds similar but incomprehensible to Suloise speakers, and some words are barely understandable to a Rasol speaker.<ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.38)</sup>
Examples:
* ''Etli'': Powerful <ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.65)</sup>
----


*'''Nyrondese''' is a High Oeridian dialect of Common, spoken primarily by peasants and commonfolk in the Kingdom of [[Nyrond]]. The learned almost always speak Common as well.
===Ralat===
A Hepmonaland Language. Ralat is a basic Trade Tongue based on Touv, Olman and Rasol. Unlike Common, the trade tongue in the Flanaess, Ralat is only used if the speakers share no other language.<ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.38)</sup>
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===Rhopan===
Also known as the 'Rhenee Cant',{{csb|FtA|13}} '''[[Rhopan]]''' is the secret tongue of the Rhennee. Descended from some non-[[Oerth|Oerthly]] tongue, it has incorporated terms from the criminal argot of many peoples, mostly from Oeridian and Common. While called a cant, it is a true language.<ref name=":7" /><sup>(p.15)</sup>


*'''Old Oeridian.''' was completely free of outside influences until the [[Great Migrations]]. Its grammar is thus unique and it is almost impossible to translate it into any language other than Common. Many of the books, records, and holy texts of the [[Aerdi]] were written in Old Oeridian, and it is still widely known in the lands of the former [[Great Kingdom]].
(''Note: First mentioned in WoG (Boxed Set)'',{{csb|WoG|47}}'' but not expanded upon.)''
----


*'''Olman''' is the language of the [[Olman]] people, written with complex pictographs.  
===Suloise===
''{{main|Suloise language}}''
'''Suloise''' or '''Ancient Suloise''' is an ancient and widespread language that became almost extinct after the destruction of the [[Suel Imperium]]. It is rarely used in modern time aside from the [[Scarlet Brotherhood]],{{csb|FtA|13}} a few isolated scholars,{{csb|WoG|16}} and lawyers in Greyhawk.<ref name=":7" /><sup>(p.15)</sup> It is reported to be dangerous to use in spellcasting, as many inflections and spoken use of the language have been lost{{csb|LGG|12}} although knowing Ancient Suloise is needed to become a Suel Arcanamach.<ref>Complete Arcane, Richard Baker, 2004, 3.5, ISBN 9788882881481</ref><sup>(p.63)</sup>


*'''Ordai''' is the language of the [[Wolf Nomads]] and [[Tiger Nomads]], most similar to the Baklunish spoken by the nomads of the Plains of the Paynims. It uses the Baklunish script.  
In addition to the standard Suloise writing, there is also a runic alphabet known to almost no one.{{csb|CoG|19|Folks, Feuds, and Factions}}


*'''Rhopan''' is the secret cant of the [[Rhennee]]. Descended from some non-Oerthly tongue, it has incorporated terms from the criminal argot of many peoples.  
* '''''Amedi''''' is a corrupt form of Ancient Suloise spoken in the [[Amedio Jungle]].{{csb|LGG|12}}
* '''''The [[Cold Tongue]]''''': Also known as ''Fruz'', is a strong dialect based on Suloise with Flan influence, spoken by the Snow, Ice and Frost Barbarian. It is unrelated to common and difficult to understand even to speakers of Suloise.{{csb|WoG|16}}
** Examples: ''Rhizia'' (The name of the Thillonrian peninsular), ''Fruztii'' (The name of the frost barbarians), ''Schnaii'' (The name of the Snow Barbarians), ''Cruskii'' (The name of the Ice Barbarians).{{csb|FtA|}}
** The extra 'i' at the end of Cruskii and Schnaii is dropped by 590 CY/3e D&D.{{csb|LGG|12}}
* '''''Derro''''' (See non-human languages below, spoken by Derro)
* '''''Lendorian''''': An obscure dialect based on Suloise, Lendorian is mostly used as a secondary language to Common in the Lendore Isles.{{csb|WoG|16}} Comprehensible to both Suloise and Common speakers, it's mainly used by seafarers and has many terms relating to meteorology.{{csb|FtA|14}} It's nearly extinct especially after the human exodus from Lendore in [[583 CY]].<ref name=":7" /><sup>(p.16)</sup>
* '''''Leraran Suloise''''': a corrupt form of ancient Suloise, influenced by Drowic Elven. It can be understood half of the time by speakers of Suloise, but is incomprehensible to speakers of modern Suloise dialects/languages, such as Fruz, Lendorian, Amedi and so on.<ref name=":14" /><sup>(p.46)</sup>
* '''''Rasol:''''' Derived from ancient Suloise, it has a basic writing system based on ancient Suloise runes and is sometimes comprehensible to a speaker of Ancient Suloise. After long use in the [[Hepmonaland]] jungles, it now uses mostly basic Suloise terms with words loaned heavily from Olman. It is spoken in [[Zar]], [[Lerga]], [[Sharba]], and [[Sharbakal]].<ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.38)</sup>
Examples:
* A-/al-: Preffix denoting female (TSB, p.95)
* Ko / Ako: Man / Woman (TSB, p.95)
* Sahey/ Asahey: Brother/Sister (TSB, p.95)
* Thurg: Little/small (TSB, p.95)
* Maz: Mine(TSB, p.95)
* Mazar: Miner (TSB, p.95)
* Thurgamazar: 'Little Miners' (The name originally used for Derro)<ref name=":14" /><sup>(p.40)</sup>
* Murma / Se-Murma: Mother/ Our Mother (the latter is also used by the Lerara to refer to their 'deity', 'The Mother'.<ref name=":14" /><sup>(p.45)</sup>
* Sahar: Father (TSB, p.95)
* Karuth: Ruby Skull (TSB, p.95)- see Wee Jas
Note: TSB, ''The Scarlet Brotherhood''<ref name=":15" />, has an extended lexicon. This is just a selection to give an idea of the language.
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*'''[[Suloise]]''', the language of the ancient [[Suel Imperium]], is a nearly dead tongue, spoken only by a minority of sages in order to read ancient books and scrolls, and by the [[Scarlet Brotherhood]]. It can be dangerous to translate spells written in Suloise into other magical languages, as the significance of some Suel inflections has been lost.  
===Touv===
A Hepmonaland Language. Touv is a 'polyglot' tongue based on many tribal languages, meaning it has many homonyms and is easy to learn if difficult to master.It's spoken in all former Kundali nations and is a strong influences on other neighbouring languages.<ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.38)</sup>
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*'''Ulagha''' is a debased form of Baklunish spoken by the people of [[Ull]].
===Ur-Flan===
'''Ur-Flan''' was an ancient language used by the [[Ur-Flan]] people thousands of years ago in the Flanaess. It died along with the Ur-Flan empire and is never spoken aside from by a tiny number of scholars. Some fragmentary writings survive. Unsurprisingly, Flan is closely related.{{cn}}
----


*'''Velondi''' is an Old Oeridian tribal language spoken mostly by the peasantry of [[Furyondy]] and [[Veluna]]. Those who speak only Common find it incomprehensible.  
== Demihuman Languages ==
Demihuman languages apparently share common enough roots and are supported by divine means that while the dialects vary across the Flanaess, any speaker of the same racial tongue could understand each other no matter how far they travel. Outside of communication between two members of the same race, these languages see use in official documents from places such as Greyhawk, that send letters in the appropriate racial language as well as common.{{csb|FtA|13}}<sup>(p.73)</sup>


==Nonhuman languages==
=== Dwarven ===
*'''Abyssal''' is the language of the [[Abyss]] and the [[demon]]s who inhabit it, spoken by beings of chaotic evil. Among lower demons, it resembles the agitated barking of canines, while among more refined sorts it sounds like the droning of ocean waves blended with the implied violence of a wasp's nest, though as a language of Chaos there are infinite exceptions to every rule. It uses the Infernal alphabet.
''{{main|Dwarven language}}''
Dwarven is guarded carefully and not easily shared with non-dwarves.{{csb|GA|124}}  It is colloquially known as ''dwura-vocca'' (which is of [[Flan]] derivation).{{csb|TAB|73}}


*'''Aquan''' is the language of water elementals, nereids, tritons, and other water-based creatures. It uses the flowing alphabet of the elves.  
Duergar speak a language{{csb|MMII1e|61}} which is described as a dialect of dwarven.{{csb|MM2e|97}}


*'''Auran''' is the language of air elementals, sylphs, and other air-based creatures. It uses the Draconic alphabet today, but it originally used a script called Vaati, the ancient alphabet of the [[Wind Dukes of Aaqa]].
=== Elvish ===
{{Main|Elven language|}}


*'''Celestial''' is the common language of the [[Upper Planes]], spoken by devas, guardinals, archons, and other creatures of incarnate Good. It is thought to be a debased form of a now-lost tongue called the ''Words of Creation'', a language so potent that a mortal mind can comprehend no more than three or four words, and which no evil mind can bear to hear. Celestial is much easier on the brain, comprehensible by mere mortals. It uses the Celestial alphabet.
'''Elvish''' (sometimes called '''Elven''') is the customary language found in elven cultures, but it is spread throughout the [[Flanaess]], and indeed, all of [[Oerth]] and [[Greyspace]]. It is colloquially known as ''olve-vocca'' (which is of [[Flan]] derivation).{{csb|TAB|73}}


*'''Derrosh''' is a combination of Dwarven and Suloise, spoken by the [[derro]].
Elves of all types speak Elvish along with many other tongues.{{csb|MM1e|}}<sup>(p.39)</sup>  Many aquatic elves and other isolated elven places only speak Elvish,{{csb|MM1e|p.39}}  Wood elves {{csb|MM1e|40}} and wild elves{{csb|MMII1e|63}} speak some woodland tongues and Elvish—this may be a different dialect than Sylvan as Satyrs speak an elven only understandable by wood elves {{csb|MM1e|85}} called Sylvan Elvish{{csb|MC1||s.v. Elf}}.


*'''Draconic''' is the ancient tongue of dragons, spoken in various dialects by other reptilian creatures such as [[kobold]]s, [[troglodyte]]s, and [[lizardfolk]]. It is often used by wizards as the language of magic. It uses the Draconic alphabet.
[[Triton]]s only know elven as spoken by sea elves {{csb|MM1e|96}}{{csb|MC2||s.v. Triton }}


*'''Dwarven''' is the language of the [[dwarf|dwarves]]. It uses the Dwarven alphabet.
After [[583 CY]], the elves of the [[Lendore Isles|Lendore/Spindrift isles]] speak [[Lendorian Elvish]], a language divinely given to elves who live on the isles.{{csb|FtA|30}} Elvish is rarely heard outside of elven settlements and nations with high elven populations like [[Celene (realm|Celene]], as many elves have withdrawn and communication with outsiders is rarer.{{csb|FtA|13}}
==== Drow ====
''{{main|Drowic}}''
:[[Drow]] speak their own language occasionally called '''[[Drowic]]'''{{csb|FF1e|34}} which uses its own runes{{csb|D1|7}} and is described as a strange version of Elvish{{csb|MC2||s.v. Drow}}.


*'''Elven''' is the language of the [[elf|elves]]. It uses the Elven alphabet.
===Gnomish===
The language commonly spoken by most [[gnome]]s is colloquially known as ''nonis-vocca'' (which is of [[Flan]] derivation).{{csb|TAB|73}}


*'''Gnome''' is the language of the [[gnome]]s. It uses the Dwarven alphabet.
A variant of Gnomish is spoken by Deep Gnomes<ref name=":5">Unearthed Arcana, Gary Gygax, 1985, 1e</ref> <sup>(p.11)</sup>, which is different enough that surface gnomes can only understand it a little over half the time{{csb|FF1e|34}} <sup>(p.85)</sup>.


*'''Goblin''' is the language of the [[goblin]]s, [[hobgoblin]]s, and [[bugbear]]s. It uses the Dwarven alphabet.
===Halfling===
Little seems to be known about the Halfling tongue in Greyhawk.  It is colloquially known as ''hobnis-vocca'' (which is of [[Flan]] derivation).{{csb|TAB|73}}


*'''Giant''', or ''Jotun'', is the language of [[ettin]]s, [[ogre]]s, and [[giant]]s. It uses the Dwarven alphabet.
===Orcish===
Primarily spoken by those of orcish ancestry, especially if they were raised in orcish culture. Dialects may be separated by tribes.{{csb|MM1e|76}}


*'''Gnoll''' is the language of the [[gnoll]]s. When written, it uses the Common alphabet.
Examples: ''Nilon'' (Hot){{csb|Scourge of the Slave Lords|96}}


*'''Halfling''' is the language of the [[halfling]]s. It uses the Common alphabet.
== Humanoid languages ==


*'''Ignan''' is the language of fire elementals, salamanders, azers and other fire-based creatures. It uses the Draconic alphabet.
=== Beastfolk ===
Beastfolk speak their own language{{Csb|GA|124}} which is a complex language using spoken word, gestures, body language and using the beastfolk's inherent ability to change the patterning of their fur{{csb|MC5||s.v. Beastfolk}}. This language is based on Sylvan and can be understood by sylvan speakers  <ref name=":13">Living Greyhawk Journal V1 #05, Erik Mona,July 2001, 3.0 </ref><sup>(p.24)</sup>


*'''Infernal''' is the language of the [[Baator|Nine Hells]], spoken by beings of lawful evil. It is divided into several different castes, ranging from a rough barking tongue spoken by the least [[baatezu]] to the bewildering court language of the pit fiends and nobles. It uses the Infernal alphabet.
=== Dakon ===
Dakon is the language of the apelike [[dakon]]. It is largely based on hoots, grunts, finger and hand gestures, and body postures.


*'''Lendorian Elven''' is a new language spoken only by the high elves and aquatic elves of the Lendore Isles. It is a philosophical, religious language, and cannot be learned except through visions sent by [[Sehanine Moonbow]].
===Derro===
Derro speak their own language<ref name=":14" /><sup>(p.42)</sup> based on ancient Suloise and Dwarven roots.<ref name=":14" /><sup>(p. 42)</sup>


*'''Orc''' is the language of [[orc]]s, descended from older human and elven languages. It uses the Dwarven alphabet.
=== Goblin ===
''{{main|Goblin language}}''
The [[Goblin language]], or '''Goblinoid''' is frequently spoken by [[goblin]]s, [[hobgoblin]]s, [[bugbear]]s, [[norker]]s, and [[xvart]]s. It uses the same script as the [[Dwarven language]].


*'''Sylvan''' is the language of the [[fey]] races, including dryads, brownies, and leprechauns. It uses the Elven alphabet.
===Kech===
Spoken by the Kech, it has loan words from Olman and Amedi (see Suloise).<ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.64)</sup>


*'''Terran''' is the language of earth elementals, xorn, pech, and other earth-based creatures. It uses the Dwarven alphabet.
===Tlaman===
Spoken by the yuan-ti in Hepmonaland, it's heavily based on the Human language Olman, mixed with serpentine languages. to the point an Olman speaker could understand most of what a Tlaman speaker is saying.<ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.38)</sup>


*'''Undercommon''' is the trade language of the [[Underdark]], used by [[drow]], [[illithid]]s, [[svirfneblin]], the [[true ghoul]]s of the [[White Kingdom]], and other deep-dwelling races to communicate with one another. It uses the Elven alphabet.
===Undercommon===
The trade tongue of the subterranean races such as [[Duergar]], Drow<ref name=":5" /><sup>(p.11)</sup>, Kuo-toans{{csb|FF1e|34}} <sup>(p.59)</sup>. Also known as the Underworld Cant {{csb|FF1e|34}} <sup>(p.85)</sup>.


==Bibliography==
; Silent Undercommon/ Drow Sign Language : The Silent Language{{csb|FF1e|34}}<sup>(p.34)</sup> or the Silent Tongue: A combination of complex hand signals, facial expression, and body language which subterranean races use to silent communicate, but only fully mastered by the drow.<ref name=":5" /><sup>(p.11)</sup>  Duergar are known to use it.{{csb|MM2e|97}}  It's implied the version which Drow use is their own {{csb|MC2||s.v. Drow}}
*[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983 (ISBN 0-88038-344-5).


*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K. Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
=== Examples of non-human languages ===
'''Tjalf''<nowiki/>' meaning 'Toil' in giant{{csb|LGG|49}} (Unspecified which type, due to 3e D&D moving away from AD&D's more subdivided languages).


*[[Mona, Erik]]. "The Whispering Cairn." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #124. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005.
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*McComb, Colin. ''Faces of Evil: The Fiends.'' Renton, WA: TSR, 1997.
==Publication history==
=== Greyhawk-specific languages ===
AD&D 1e had five main languages for the Flanaess: Suloise, Flan, Ancient Baklunish, Old Oeridian and Common, along with six dialects: Ferral, Nyrondese, The Cold Tongue, Keolandish, Velondi, and Lendorian.{{csb|WoG|11}}  In 1992, AD&D second edition introduced these categories as in-character lore with Revort Leyhar, a linguist and sage from the Grey College of the University of Greyhawk, having written a 44-volume work on the languages of the Flanaess (''Exegesis of Linguistic Usage by the Flanaess peoples''). It declared these five 'dialects' the most widely used enough to be considered languages. second edition also changed the nature of Old Oeridian from being an isolated language to an open one.{{csb|FtA|13}}
'''[[Lendorian Elvish]]''' was introduced in second edition, in 1992.{{csb|FtA|}}


*[[Sean K. Reynolds|Reynolds, Sean K.]] "A Dwarven Lexicon." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #278. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
The '''[[Rhopan|Rhenee Cant]]''' was expanded in 1998.<ref name=":7">Greyhawk Player's Guide, Anne Brown, 1998, 2e, ISBN 0-7869-1248-0</ref><sup>(p.15)</sup><ref name=":8">Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins, Roger E. Moore, 1998, 2e, ISBN 0-7869-1249-9</ref><sup>(p.73)</sup>


*[[Roger E. Moore|Moore, Roger E]]. "Legacies of the [[Suel Imperium]]." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #241. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1997.
The '''Olman''', '''Touv''', and '''Amedi''' languages made their first appearances in ''[[The Scarlet Brotherhood]]'', in 1999.<ref name=":15" /><sup>(p.10,38,64)</sup>


*[[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[From the Ashes]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
'''Ulagha''' and '''Ordai''' dialects were introduced in 3e D&D, 2000.{{csb|LGG|12}}


*Stephens, Owen K.C. "By Any Other Name: Races of the Underdark." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #281. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
=== First and second edition languages ===
AD&D 1e and 2e had a great deal many languages. '''Animals''' might have a rudimentary language, categorized by region, type or species, such as woodland, Burrowing, or corvid {{csb|MMII1e|}}<sup>(p.105)</sup><ref name=":12">Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix, TSR, 1990, 2e</ref>. Particularly intelligent or '''magical animals''', such as Giant lynxes or eagles, or pegasi, perytons or even dolphins and so on, might have their own language. Most '''fey''' creatures had their own tongue, or spoke the tongue of their kin, such as Buckawns speaking Brownie{{csb|MM1e|}}<sup>(p. 11)</sup> <ref name=":12" />.


*Tweet, Jonathan. ''[[Player's Handbook]].'' Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
Alignment languages were used in AD&D Greyhawk, more so in second edition Greyhawk, due to growing unrest and unease.{{csb|FtA|20}} These could be seen as semi religious languages or cants only really known by those who grew up within a type of alignment and thus could reveal someone's upbringing and culture.


*Winninger, Ray. ''Giantcraft''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.  
In addition to those above, these are some of the languages used by prominent races and creatures in the Greyhawk setting during AD&D:
<div style="-moz-column-count:4; -webkit-column-count:4; column-count:4;"><font size="2">
<small>
* '''Aarakocra  (FF,p.8), (MC2)'''
* Aspis  (MM2, p.11)† 
* '''Beholder  (MM,p. 10),(MC1)''' 
* '''Bugbear  (MM, p.12), (MC2)'''
* Bullywug  (FF, p.17)
* '''Centaur  (MM, p.14), (MC1)''' 
* '''Dragon, by type  (MM, p.30)'''
* ''Dragon Common, by alignment (MC5)''
* Ettin (DMG, p.102)†
* '''Gargoyle (DMG, p.102), (MC2)'''
* '''Giant, by type  (MM, p.44)'''
* '''Genie, by type  (MM2, p.32), (MC1)'''
* '''Gnoll (MM, p.46), (MC1)'''
* '''[[Goblin language|Goblin]]  (MM, p.47),(MC1)'''
* ''Grippli (MC5)''
* Grung  (GA, p.28)
* '''Hobgoblin  (MM, p.53), MC1)'''
** ''Koalinth(MC1)''
** ''Norker (MC5)''
* '''Hook Horror (FF, MC5)'''
* Ixitxachitl  (MM, p.84)
* Jermlaine  (FF, p.54)
* '''Kobold  (MM, p.57), (MC1)'''
* '''Kuo-toan  (FF, p.59), (MC2)'''
* '''Lammasu  (MM, p.59), (MC2)'''
* '''Lizard man  (MM, p.62), (MC1)'''
* '''Locathah  (MM, p.70), (MC2)'''
* '''Lycanthrope, by type  (MM, p.63), (MC1)'''
* '''Medusain  (MM, p.66), (MC1)'''
* '''Merman  (MM, p.70), (MC2)'''
* Mindflayer  (MM, p.70)†
* '''Minotaur  (MM, p.71), (MC1)'''
* Naga, by type (DMG, p.102)
* '''Ogre  (MM, p.75), (MC1)'''
** '''Ogre, Aquatic  (MM2, p.96), (MC1)'''
* Ogre, Japanese/magi  (MM, p.76)
* '''Sahaugin  (MM, p.84), (MC2)'''
* Shedu  (MM, p.87) 
* '''Sphinx, by type  (MM, p.90), (MC2)''' 
* Tabaxi  (FF, p.86)
* ''Taer (MC5)''
* '''Tasloi  (MM2, p.118), (MC2)'''
* Titan  (MM, p.95)
* '''Triton  (MM, p.96), (MC2)'''
* ''Troglodyte (MC2)''
* Troll  (MM, p.46)†
* '''Umber hulk  (MM, p.98), (MC1)''' 
* '''Wolf, Mist  (GA,p.33), (MC5)'''
* '''Yuan-ti  (MM2, p.130), (MC1)'''
</small>
</font></div>


*Wyatt, James, Darrin Drader, and Christopher Perkins. ''Book of Exalted Deeds.'' Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.
'''Abbreviations:''' '''MM,''' AD&D Monster Manual{{csb|MM1e|}}, '''MM2, ''' AD&D Monster Manual II{{csb|MMII1e|}}, '''GA,''' Greyhawk Adventures<ref name=GA group=note>''Greyhawk Adventures'' was designed for and published at the end of first edition (1988), but was designed to be compatible with second edition(1989). That fact was specifically called out in a special notice on the cover.</ref>{{csb|GA|}}. '''FF,''' Fiend Folio{{csb|FF1e|34}} . '''MC1''', Monstrous Compendium Volume 1<ref>Monstrous Compendium Volume 1, TSR, 1989, 2e</ref>, '''MC5''', Greyhawk Monstrous Compendium Appendix<ref name=":12" />. Page numbers are given where the language is mentioned, and where possible, as the same page as the creature it is named for. Monstrous Compendiums lack page numbers but are ordered alphabetically. Languages in '''bold''' are confirmed to be used in AD&D 1e and 2e. Those in ''italics'' are only confirmed in 2e. Those with a '†' next to them are confirmed to be 1e only and changed later. Those which are indented are dialects of the language before them in the list.


==External links==
=== Third, fourth, and fifth edition languages ===
*[http://www.canonfire.com/cfhtml/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=732 The Development of the Common Tongue on Canonfire!]
''More information on each edition's languages can be found in the System Reference Documents for each edition: [http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/speakLanguage.htm third edition], [http://web.archive.org/web/20090603060652/https://www.wizards.com/d20/files/4E_SRD.pdf fourth edition], and [https://5thsrd.org/character/languages/ fifth ediiton].''
*[http://www.d20zines.com/v7/node/814 Language and the Fey]
*[http://www.canonfire.com/cfhtml/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=588 The Secrets of Runes on Canonfire!]


[[Category:Greyhawk]]
One crucial difference between these and earlier editions is '''alignment languages''' were removed from third edition forward.
 
From '''third edition''' forward, many languages were streamlined to be more comprehensive and reduce the massive number of languages.  For example, the [[fey]] of Greyhawk all share '''Sylvan''' as their language, rather than having individual languages. '''[[Goblin language|Goblin]]''' became the shared tongue of most [[goblin]]s, [[hobgoblin]]s, [[bugbear]]s and so on. In this edition, '''Draconic''' and '''Giant''' are not separated by subtype and are spoken by other creatures, as well. [[Humanoid]]s, especially, have a reduced number of languages native to their cultures and many who spoke their own language instead speak a dialect or version of a more common language, such as [[Beastfolk]] speaking a dialect of '''Sylvan''' rather than their own language.
 
'''Fourth edition''', however, only ever had a total of ten languages because it "keeps the game moving" and to ensure "language never has to be an issue in the game."{{csb|DMG4e|171}}  Fourth edition promoted the concept that languages evolved, each from the previous.  '''Supernal''' was the language of the gods and was universally understood, regardless of the language of the listener.  Each mortal race derived their own language from it (e.g.—[[Common]], [[Languages#Dwarven|Dwarven]], [[Elven language|Elven]], [[Goblin language|Goblin]], and [[Draconic]]).
 
In '''fifth edition''', the list was expanded to once again include more languages, similar to as it was in third edition.  But, the streamlining was reiterated, making clear "some of these languages are actually families of languages with many dialects. For example, the '''Primordial''' language includes the '''Auran''', '''Aquan''', '''Ignan''', and '''Terran''' dialects."{{csb|PH5e|123}}  A list of languages follows which includes main PC languages like [[Languages#Dwarven|Dwarvish]], [[Elven language|Elvish]], Gnomish, Halfling, and Orc.{{csb|PH5e|123}}  For example, Elvish may include any of the various previously known dialects such as Aquatic or Sylvan Elven, or the various [[goblinoid]]s who speak [[Goblin language|Goblin]] may speak their own dialect which was previously referred to as its own language.  The list continues with rarer languages, and the same can be applied to '''Abyssal''', '''Celestial''', '''Draconic''', '''Giant''', '''Infernal''', '''Sylvan''' and '''Undercommon'''. Additionally, "creatures that speak different dialects of the same language can communicate with one another."{{csb|PH5e|123}}
 
==== Draconic ====
Dragons have spoken their own language(s) since the original edition of D&D,{{csb|Basic Set|34}}{{csb|MM1e|30}} each by its own subspecies.  During first and second editions, they also spoke dialects of their language based on their alignments,{{csb|MC5||s.v. "Dragon, Greyhawk"}} but those were removed from the game in third edition. 
 
The term "draconic" was first used in third edition{{csb|PH3e|73-74|Table 4-6}} and continued forward in following editions.  It was often described as the language of many ancient texts regarding magic were written in, and that many wizards often learn it as apprentices.{{csb|PH3e|54}}  As mentioned above, the streamlining of languages led to all dragons speaking Draconic,{{csb|MM3e|61}}{{csb|MM3.5e|68}} or their own dialect of it.
 
==== Planar languages ====
'''Third edition''' also saw the introduction of standard languages based on planar origins, such as [[Outer Planes|upper]] and [[Outer Planes|lower planes]]—'''Celestial''', '''Abyssal''', and '''[[Infernal language|Infernal]]'''.  Others include the elemental planar languages—'''Aquan''', '''Auran''', '''Ignan''', and '''Terran'''.  Though at least one of these, Infernal, had origins in second edition, then being called "Mabrahoring".  These were kept in fourth edition.
 
Later, in '''fifth edition''', the four planar languages related to the [[elemental planes]] are described as dialects of a larger, older language called '''Primordial'''.{{csb|PH5e|123}}<ref name=Primordial group=note>"For example, the Primordial language includes the Auran, Aquan, Ignan, and Terran dialects, one for each of the four [[Elemental planes]]."—''Player's Handbook 5e (2014), p.123</ref>
 
'''Primordial''' was its own language, and '''Abyssal''' was a corrupted derivation of it.
----
 
== See also ==
* '''Cynidicean''' is spoken in the lost, underground city of Cynidicea.{{csb|Return to the Keep on the Borderlands|18}} Note, however, while Cynidiceans are mentioned in ''Return to the Keep on the Borderlands'', it is based on the original B2-''Keep on the Borderlands'' and the 'B' series Cynidicea comes from is typically set in the "Known World" setting, also known as "Mystara".  Although, because the adventure can optionally take place in the {{smallcaps|World of Greyhawk}} setting,{{csb|Return to the Keep on the Borderlands|7}} the adventure is typically ''also'' accepted as officially published material for Greyhawk.  The adventure does, however, specify that the adventure should be customized for individual campaigns,{{csb|Return to the Keep on the Borderlands|2}} and it would be presumed this would include nations which don't exist in the World of Greyhawk.  There are some fans, however who use it as existing language in Greyhawk.
 
== External links ==
{{External link disclaimer}}
* [http://www.www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=732 The Development of the Common Tongue] on Canonfire.com.
* [http://www.www.canonfire.com/cf/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1741 Greyhawk dictionary] on Canonfire.com.
 
== References ==
=== Notes ===
<references group="note" />
=== Citations ===
<references />
=== Bibliography ===
* Beach, Tim.  Doug Stewart, ed.  ''Monstrous Manual, Premium Edition''.  Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 2013. Item code TSR2140. {{ISBN |1-56076-619-0}}
* Collins, Andy, [[Skip Williams]], and James Wyatt. ''Draconomicon''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.
* [[David Cook|Cook, David]], [[Allen Hammack]], [[Harold Johnson]], [[Tom Moldvay]] and [[Lawrence Schick]]. A1-4 ''[[Scourge of the Slave Lords]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986. Item code TSR9167.  {{ISBN|0-88038-275-9}}
* [[David Cook|Cook, David]], Steve Winter, Jon Pickens, et al.  MC2 ''Monstrous Compendium Volume Two''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. Item code TSR2103.  {{ISBN |0-88038-753-X}}
* [[Decker, Jesse]], Michelle Lyons, and [[David Noonan]]. ''Races of Stone''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
* [[Findley, Nigel]], Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss, and [[Robert J. Kuntz]]. ''[[Fate of Istus]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
* [[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983 (ISBN 0-88038-344-5).
* Heaton, Clyde. "Even Orcish is logical." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #75. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
:———. "Old Dwarvish is still new to scholars of language lore." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #66. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
* [[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K. Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
* [[Lenard Lakofka|Lakofka, Lenard]]. "Leomund's Tiny Hut: Adding Depth to the Flanaess." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #52. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1981.
* Locsin, Aurelio. "Thieves' Cant: A primer for the language of larceny." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #66. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
* McComb, Colin. ''Faces of Evil: The Fiends.'' Renton, WA: TSR, 1997.
* [[Mona, Erik]]. "The Whispering Cairn." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #124. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005.
* [[Roger E. Moore|Moore, Roger E]]. "Legacies of the [[Suel Imperium]]." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #241. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1997.
* Parenti, Nick. "The Ecology of the Dakon." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #187. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
* [[John D. Rateliff|Rateliff, John D.]]. ''[[Return to the Keep on the Borderlands]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 1999. Item code TSR11327.
* [[Sean K. Reynolds|Reynolds, Sean K.]] "A Dwarven Lexicon." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #278. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
:———. "An Elven Lexicon." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #279. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
:———. ''[[The Scarlet Brotherhood]]''. Renton, WA: TSR, 1999.
* Rogan, A.D. "Language rules leave lots of room for creativity in your campaign." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #66. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
* [[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[From the Ashes]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
* Stephens, Owen K.C. "By Any Other Name: The Drow." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #267. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
:———. "By Any Other Name: Dwarves." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #261. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
:———. "By Any Other Name: Gnomes and Halflings." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #262. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
:———. "By Any Other Name: Races of the Underdark." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #281. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
:———. "Dragontongue: A Draconic Language Primer." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #284. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
* Stromberg, Paul. "Ye Auld Neblin: Or How to Say Hotfoot in Gnomish." ''[[Oerth Journal]]'' #12. [[Council of Greyhawk]], 2001.  Available online: [http://www.oerthjournal.com/oj12.html]
* Tweet, Jonathan. ''Player's Handbook.'' Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
* [[Williams, Skip]]. ''Races of the Wild''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.
* Winninger, Ray. ''Giantcraft''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.
* Wyatt, James, Darrin Drader, and Christopher Perkins. ''Book of Exalted Deeds.'' Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.
{{index|title=%' AND Description LIKE '%Language}}
 
 
[[Category:Languages| ]]

Latest revision as of 21:53, 13 August 2025

Human Languages

Amedi

Main page: Amedi

Amedi is a corrupt form of Ancient Suloise spoken in the Amedio Jungle which has a completely different form than the similarly derived Rasol language of Hepmonaland. There is no alphabet or written form of this language, other than a few glyphs representing important concepts.

Baklunish

Main page: Baklunish language

Ancient Baklunish is one of the ancestors of Common, though little resemblance remains between the two in the present day. It is used for formal and commercial dealings.[1] It is the language of all official and religious documents west of the Yatil Mountains and typically used for literary works instead of Low Baklunish[2]

  • Low Baklunish is descended from Ancient Baklunish but much has changed by time. Low Baklunish encompasses the contemporary, colloquial Baklunish dialects.[2] The people of Paynim speak a modern variation[3] and variations are also spoken in Ekbir, Ket, Tusmit, Ull, [2] Zeif (Osfaradd, named after the clan of the Sultan Ozef)[4](p.10), and the Tiger and Wolf Nomads (Ordai, which is similar to the Paynim dialect).[2][5]

Examples:

  • Tufak- a soft, white stone made from volcanic ash.[6] Likely Tuff.

Common

Main page: Common

Common is a hybrid language, more properly called the "Overking's Common Tongue", and it evolved from "Middle-Common", It originally was a combination of the dialect of Old Oeridian spoken in the Great Kingdom and Ancient Baklunish. While it began centuries ago, it's still the neweset language spoken in the Flanaess.

It is the trade tongue of the Flanaess.[3] It borrows on Baklunish syntax and grammar and Oeridian elements, and was standardized by the spread of the Aerdi Kingdom.[2] It is designed to facilitate commerce and diplomacy. One is not as likely to find as many things like poetry, medical treatises, or technical readouts written in Common.

There are also pictographs correlating to words or phrases in Common, which are a "pictorial analog" to Common.

  • Common has "a handful of dialects and sub-languages"[7] which are notable enough to be significant.
  • Nyrondese: A dialect of common with High Oeridian influences. Spoken mostly by the peasants and trade folk around Nyrond.[3] This is believed to be used due to mistrust of non-Nyrondese.[7]
  • Cants, argot, and jargon such as the Thieves', Beggar's and Assassin's cants and Guild jargons of Greyhawk are based on common.[8]

Flan

Main page: Flan language

The Flan language is probably the oldest language spoken to any notable extent, although dialects vary considerably through the Flanaess and have mutated with time. A stagnant language, it is difficult to translate modern concepts (such as magic) into Flan. The people of Tenh speak a more modern version.[3][1] Variations are also spoken in Geoff and by the Rovers of the Barrens.[5]

  • Druidic: a secret language spoken by Gnarley Rangers and Druids across the Flanaess, Druidic has enough similarities to Flan that it's possible it evolved from it, although it is clearly a distinct and not comprehensible to Flan speakers.[1](p.74) It's a static language that does not evolve with use, being primarily used for religious and secret purposes to refer to matters of the natural world[2]

Examples:

  • Dwur—Dwarf
  • 'Dwur-Rohoi' -' Twisted Dwarf' (Flan term for Derro, that corrupted in 'dwurroh' then derro).[9](p.40)
  • Heuroz- Orc
  • Hobniz- Halfling
  • Olve- Elf
  • Noniz- Gnome
  • Vocca- Language/Tongue

Oeridian

Main page: Old Oeridian

Old Oeridian was completely free of outside influences.[3] until the Great Migrations[10] Its grammar is thus unique and it is almost impossible to translate it into any language other than Common.[3] Many of the books, records, and holy texts of the Aerdi were written in Old Oeridian. 'Oeridian' is spoken in the Great Kingdom and Ratik.[5] Old Oeridian is the primary language of written literature in the Flanaess as a form of academic elitism and job security, restricting literacy to those who speak it.[1] However it was apparently beginning to die out as a spoken language by 583 CY.[1]

  • Ferral: A secret tribal oeridian language, used by the officials of The Iron League, purely for command and identification purposes and was more a set of code words than a true surviving dialect[3] After the fall of Iron League, this dialect is now found mostly in documents saved from the fall[11] and the surviving officials.[12](p.15) A 'magic-laced' version is being created in an attempted to protect the language from the Scarlet Brotherhood.[13]
  • Velondi: A tribal language spoken by rural people along the Furyondy-Veluna border,[3] more so in Veluna.[5] No written form.
  • Keolandish: Spoken around Keoland, Gran March and the Yeomanry,[5] it's a dialect that is based on Old High Oeridian, with local variants.[3]

Examples:

'Aerdi' may be old Oeridian for 'Sky People', as it is said to mean in the 'old tongue' of Ahlissa.[14]

Olman

Found in both Hepmonaland and the Amedio Jungle. Olman is spoken by the Olman people of the Amedio Jungle and those Olman who were enslaved by the Sea Princes. It has a complex pictograph script.[2] True Olman is an ancient language up to 1,500 years old but is rarely spoken in modern Hepmonaland, with its dialects and child languages being more common.[15](p.38) In the original tournament competition adventure, NPCs and their language are described as "Olmec".[16] When the adventure was published and introduced to the World of Greyhawk setting, the language and NPCs were called "Olman".

  • Etlani- A mix of Olman and Touv, written phonetically like Touv but sharing more spoken similarities to Olman, it can be understood by a speaker of either parent language half of the time. Spoken in Cuheutla, alongside Touv, due to the Kundlandi occupation.[15](p.38)
  • Tlaman (See non-human languages below, Spoken by Yuan-ti)
  • Xolasa- Spoken by tribes of Xolapeqa. Mostly Olman with some Rasol (See Suloise) influences, it sounds similar but incomprehensible to Suloise speakers, and some words are barely understandable to a Rasol speaker.[15](p.38)

Examples:

  • Etli: Powerful [15](p.65)

Ralat

A Hepmonaland Language. Ralat is a basic Trade Tongue based on Touv, Olman and Rasol. Unlike Common, the trade tongue in the Flanaess, Ralat is only used if the speakers share no other language.[15](p.38)

Rhopan

Also known as the 'Rhenee Cant',[1] Rhopan is the secret tongue of the Rhennee. Descended from some non-Oerthly tongue, it has incorporated terms from the criminal argot of many peoples, mostly from Oeridian and Common. While called a cant, it is a true language.[12](p.15)

(Note: First mentioned in WoG (Boxed Set),[17] but not expanded upon.)

Suloise

Main page: Suloise language

Suloise or Ancient Suloise is an ancient and widespread language that became almost extinct after the destruction of the Suel Imperium. It is rarely used in modern time aside from the Scarlet Brotherhood,[1] a few isolated scholars,[3] and lawyers in Greyhawk.[12](p.15) It is reported to be dangerous to use in spellcasting, as many inflections and spoken use of the language have been lost[2] although knowing Ancient Suloise is needed to become a Suel Arcanamach.[18](p.63)

In addition to the standard Suloise writing, there is also a runic alphabet known to almost no one.[19]

  • Amedi is a corrupt form of Ancient Suloise spoken in the Amedio Jungle.[2]
  • The Cold Tongue: Also known as Fruz, is a strong dialect based on Suloise with Flan influence, spoken by the Snow, Ice and Frost Barbarian. It is unrelated to common and difficult to understand even to speakers of Suloise.[3]
    • Examples: Rhizia (The name of the Thillonrian peninsular), Fruztii (The name of the frost barbarians), Schnaii (The name of the Snow Barbarians), Cruskii (The name of the Ice Barbarians).[10]
    • The extra 'i' at the end of Cruskii and Schnaii is dropped by 590 CY/3e D&D.[2]
  • Derro (See non-human languages below, spoken by Derro)
  • Lendorian: An obscure dialect based on Suloise, Lendorian is mostly used as a secondary language to Common in the Lendore Isles.[3] Comprehensible to both Suloise and Common speakers, it's mainly used by seafarers and has many terms relating to meteorology.[11] It's nearly extinct especially after the human exodus from Lendore in 583 CY.[12](p.16)
  • Leraran Suloise: a corrupt form of ancient Suloise, influenced by Drowic Elven. It can be understood half of the time by speakers of Suloise, but is incomprehensible to speakers of modern Suloise dialects/languages, such as Fruz, Lendorian, Amedi and so on.[9](p.46)
  • Rasol: Derived from ancient Suloise, it has a basic writing system based on ancient Suloise runes and is sometimes comprehensible to a speaker of Ancient Suloise. After long use in the Hepmonaland jungles, it now uses mostly basic Suloise terms with words loaned heavily from Olman. It is spoken in Zar, Lerga, Sharba, and Sharbakal.[15](p.38)

Examples:

  • A-/al-: Preffix denoting female (TSB, p.95)
  • Ko / Ako: Man / Woman (TSB, p.95)
  • Sahey/ Asahey: Brother/Sister (TSB, p.95)
  • Thurg: Little/small (TSB, p.95)
  • Maz: Mine(TSB, p.95)
  • Mazar: Miner (TSB, p.95)
  • Thurgamazar: 'Little Miners' (The name originally used for Derro)[9](p.40)
  • Murma / Se-Murma: Mother/ Our Mother (the latter is also used by the Lerara to refer to their 'deity', 'The Mother'.[9](p.45)
  • Sahar: Father (TSB, p.95)
  • Karuth: Ruby Skull (TSB, p.95)- see Wee Jas

Note: TSB, The Scarlet Brotherhood[15], has an extended lexicon. This is just a selection to give an idea of the language.

Touv

A Hepmonaland Language. Touv is a 'polyglot' tongue based on many tribal languages, meaning it has many homonyms and is easy to learn if difficult to master.It's spoken in all former Kundali nations and is a strong influences on other neighbouring languages.[15](p.38)

Ur-Flan

Ur-Flan was an ancient language used by the Ur-Flan people thousands of years ago in the Flanaess. It died along with the Ur-Flan empire and is never spoken aside from by a tiny number of scholars. Some fragmentary writings survive. Unsurprisingly, Flan is closely related.[citation needed]

Demihuman Languages

Demihuman languages apparently share common enough roots and are supported by divine means that while the dialects vary across the Flanaess, any speaker of the same racial tongue could understand each other no matter how far they travel. Outside of communication between two members of the same race, these languages see use in official documents from places such as Greyhawk, that send letters in the appropriate racial language as well as common.[1](p.73)

Dwarven

Main page: Dwarven language

Dwarven is guarded carefully and not easily shared with non-dwarves.[20] It is colloquially known as dwura-vocca (which is of Flan derivation).[21]

Duergar speak a language[22] which is described as a dialect of dwarven.[23]

Elvish

Main page: Elven language

Elvish (sometimes called Elven) is the customary language found in elven cultures, but it is spread throughout the Flanaess, and indeed, all of Oerth and Greyspace. It is colloquially known as olve-vocca (which is of Flan derivation).[21]

Elves of all types speak Elvish along with many other tongues.[24](p.39) Many aquatic elves and other isolated elven places only speak Elvish,[25] Wood elves [26] and wild elves[27] speak some woodland tongues and Elvish—this may be a different dialect than Sylvan as Satyrs speak an elven only understandable by wood elves [28] called Sylvan Elvish[29].

Tritons only know elven as spoken by sea elves [30][31]

After 583 CY, the elves of the Lendore/Spindrift isles speak Lendorian Elvish, a language divinely given to elves who live on the isles.[32] Elvish is rarely heard outside of elven settlements and nations with high elven populations like Celene, as many elves have withdrawn and communication with outsiders is rarer.[1]

Drow

Main page: Drowic
Drow speak their own language occasionally called Drowic[33] which uses its own runes[34] and is described as a strange version of Elvish[35].

Gnomish

The language commonly spoken by most gnomes is colloquially known as nonis-vocca (which is of Flan derivation).[21]

A variant of Gnomish is spoken by Deep Gnomes[36] (p.11), which is different enough that surface gnomes can only understand it a little over half the time[33] (p.85).

Halfling

Little seems to be known about the Halfling tongue in Greyhawk. It is colloquially known as hobnis-vocca (which is of Flan derivation).[21]

Orcish

Primarily spoken by those of orcish ancestry, especially if they were raised in orcish culture. Dialects may be separated by tribes.[37]

Examples: Nilon (Hot)[38]

Humanoid languages

Beastfolk

Beastfolk speak their own language[20] which is a complex language using spoken word, gestures, body language and using the beastfolk's inherent ability to change the patterning of their fur[39]. This language is based on Sylvan and can be understood by sylvan speakers [4](p.24)

Dakon

Dakon is the language of the apelike dakon. It is largely based on hoots, grunts, finger and hand gestures, and body postures.

Derro

Derro speak their own language[9](p.42) based on ancient Suloise and Dwarven roots.[9](p. 42)

Goblin

Main page: Goblin language

The Goblin language, or Goblinoid is frequently spoken by goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears, norkers, and xvarts. It uses the same script as the Dwarven language.

Kech

Spoken by the Kech, it has loan words from Olman and Amedi (see Suloise).[15](p.64)

Tlaman

Spoken by the yuan-ti in Hepmonaland, it's heavily based on the Human language Olman, mixed with serpentine languages. to the point an Olman speaker could understand most of what a Tlaman speaker is saying.[15](p.38)

Undercommon

The trade tongue of the subterranean races such as Duergar, Drow[36](p.11), Kuo-toans[33] (p.59). Also known as the Underworld Cant [33] (p.85).

Silent Undercommon/ Drow Sign Language
The Silent Language[33](p.34) or the Silent Tongue: A combination of complex hand signals, facial expression, and body language which subterranean races use to silent communicate, but only fully mastered by the drow.[36](p.11) Duergar are known to use it.[23] It's implied the version which Drow use is their own [35]

Examples of non-human languages

'Tjalf' meaning 'Toil' in giant[40] (Unspecified which type, due to 3e D&D moving away from AD&D's more subdivided languages).

Publication history

Greyhawk-specific languages

AD&D 1e had five main languages for the Flanaess: Suloise, Flan, Ancient Baklunish, Old Oeridian and Common, along with six dialects: Ferral, Nyrondese, The Cold Tongue, Keolandish, Velondi, and Lendorian.[41] In 1992, AD&D second edition introduced these categories as in-character lore with Revort Leyhar, a linguist and sage from the Grey College of the University of Greyhawk, having written a 44-volume work on the languages of the Flanaess (Exegesis of Linguistic Usage by the Flanaess peoples). It declared these five 'dialects' the most widely used enough to be considered languages. second edition also changed the nature of Old Oeridian from being an isolated language to an open one.[1] Lendorian Elvish was introduced in second edition, in 1992.[10]

The Rhenee Cant was expanded in 1998.[12](p.15)[42](p.73)

The Olman, Touv, and Amedi languages made their first appearances in The Scarlet Brotherhood, in 1999.[15](p.10,38,64)

Ulagha and Ordai dialects were introduced in 3e D&D, 2000.[2]

First and second edition languages

AD&D 1e and 2e had a great deal many languages. Animals might have a rudimentary language, categorized by region, type or species, such as woodland, Burrowing, or corvid [43](p.105)[44]. Particularly intelligent or magical animals, such as Giant lynxes or eagles, or pegasi, perytons or even dolphins and so on, might have their own language. Most fey creatures had their own tongue, or spoke the tongue of their kin, such as Buckawns speaking Brownie[24](p. 11) [44].

Alignment languages were used in AD&D Greyhawk, more so in second edition Greyhawk, due to growing unrest and unease.[45] These could be seen as semi religious languages or cants only really known by those who grew up within a type of alignment and thus could reveal someone's upbringing and culture.

In addition to those above, these are some of the languages used by prominent races and creatures in the Greyhawk setting during AD&D:

  • Aarakocra (FF,p.8), (MC2)
  • Aspis (MM2, p.11)†
  • Beholder (MM,p. 10),(MC1)
  • Bugbear (MM, p.12), (MC2)
  • Bullywug (FF, p.17)
  • Centaur (MM, p.14), (MC1)
  • Dragon, by type (MM, p.30)
  • Dragon Common, by alignment (MC5)
  • Ettin (DMG, p.102)†
  • Gargoyle (DMG, p.102), (MC2)
  • Giant, by type (MM, p.44)
  • Genie, by type (MM2, p.32), (MC1)
  • Gnoll (MM, p.46), (MC1)
  • Goblin (MM, p.47),(MC1)
  • Grippli (MC5)
  • Grung (GA, p.28)
  • Hobgoblin (MM, p.53), MC1)
    • Koalinth(MC1)
    • Norker (MC5)
  • Hook Horror (FF, MC5)
  • Ixitxachitl (MM, p.84)
  • Jermlaine (FF, p.54)
  • Kobold (MM, p.57), (MC1)
  • Kuo-toan (FF, p.59), (MC2)
  • Lammasu (MM, p.59), (MC2)
  • Lizard man (MM, p.62), (MC1)
  • Locathah (MM, p.70), (MC2)
  • Lycanthrope, by type (MM, p.63), (MC1)
  • Medusain (MM, p.66), (MC1)
  • Merman (MM, p.70), (MC2)
  • Mindflayer (MM, p.70)†
  • Minotaur (MM, p.71), (MC1)
  • Naga, by type (DMG, p.102)
  • Ogre (MM, p.75), (MC1)
    • Ogre, Aquatic (MM2, p.96), (MC1)
  • Ogre, Japanese/magi (MM, p.76)
  • Sahaugin (MM, p.84), (MC2)
  • Shedu (MM, p.87)
  • Sphinx, by type (MM, p.90), (MC2)
  • Tabaxi (FF, p.86)
  • Taer (MC5)
  • Tasloi (MM2, p.118), (MC2)
  • Titan (MM, p.95)
  • Triton (MM, p.96), (MC2)
  • Troglodyte (MC2)
  • Troll (MM, p.46)†
  • Umber hulk (MM, p.98), (MC1)
  • Wolf, Mist (GA,p.33), (MC5)
  • Yuan-ti (MM2, p.130), (MC1)

Abbreviations: MM, AD&D Monster Manual[24], MM2, AD&D Monster Manual II[43], GA, Greyhawk Adventures[note 1][46]. FF, Fiend Folio[33] . MC1, Monstrous Compendium Volume 1[47], MC5, Greyhawk Monstrous Compendium Appendix[44]. Page numbers are given where the language is mentioned, and where possible, as the same page as the creature it is named for. Monstrous Compendiums lack page numbers but are ordered alphabetically. Languages in bold are confirmed to be used in AD&D 1e and 2e. Those in italics are only confirmed in 2e. Those with a '†' next to them are confirmed to be 1e only and changed later. Those which are indented are dialects of the language before them in the list.

Third, fourth, and fifth edition languages

More information on each edition's languages can be found in the System Reference Documents for each edition: third edition, fourth edition, and fifth ediiton.

One crucial difference between these and earlier editions is alignment languages were removed from third edition forward.

From third edition forward, many languages were streamlined to be more comprehensive and reduce the massive number of languages. For example, the fey of Greyhawk all share Sylvan as their language, rather than having individual languages. Goblin became the shared tongue of most goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears and so on. In this edition, Draconic and Giant are not separated by subtype and are spoken by other creatures, as well. Humanoids, especially, have a reduced number of languages native to their cultures and many who spoke their own language instead speak a dialect or version of a more common language, such as Beastfolk speaking a dialect of Sylvan rather than their own language.

Fourth edition, however, only ever had a total of ten languages because it "keeps the game moving" and to ensure "language never has to be an issue in the game."[48] Fourth edition promoted the concept that languages evolved, each from the previous. Supernal was the language of the gods and was universally understood, regardless of the language of the listener. Each mortal race derived their own language from it (e.g.—Common, Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, and Draconic).

In fifth edition, the list was expanded to once again include more languages, similar to as it was in third edition. But, the streamlining was reiterated, making clear "some of these languages are actually families of languages with many dialects. For example, the Primordial language includes the Auran, Aquan, Ignan, and Terran dialects."[49] A list of languages follows which includes main PC languages like Dwarvish, Elvish, Gnomish, Halfling, and Orc.[49] For example, Elvish may include any of the various previously known dialects such as Aquatic or Sylvan Elven, or the various goblinoids who speak Goblin may speak their own dialect which was previously referred to as its own language. The list continues with rarer languages, and the same can be applied to Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic, Giant, Infernal, Sylvan and Undercommon. Additionally, "creatures that speak different dialects of the same language can communicate with one another."[49]

Draconic

Dragons have spoken their own language(s) since the original edition of D&D,[50][51] each by its own subspecies. During first and second editions, they also spoke dialects of their language based on their alignments,[52] but those were removed from the game in third edition.

The term "draconic" was first used in third edition[53] and continued forward in following editions. It was often described as the language of many ancient texts regarding magic were written in, and that many wizards often learn it as apprentices.[54] As mentioned above, the streamlining of languages led to all dragons speaking Draconic,[55][56] or their own dialect of it.

Planar languages

Third edition also saw the introduction of standard languages based on planar origins, such as upper and lower planes—Celestial, Abyssal, and Infernal. Others include the elemental planar languages—Aquan, Auran, Ignan, and Terran. Though at least one of these, Infernal, had origins in second edition, then being called "Mabrahoring". These were kept in fourth edition.

Later, in fifth edition, the four planar languages related to the elemental planes are described as dialects of a larger, older language called Primordial.[49][note 2]

Primordial was its own language, and Abyssal was a corrupted derivation of it.

See also

  • Cynidicean is spoken in the lost, underground city of Cynidicea.[57] Note, however, while Cynidiceans are mentioned in Return to the Keep on the Borderlands, it is based on the original B2-Keep on the Borderlands and the 'B' series Cynidicea comes from is typically set in the "Known World" setting, also known as "Mystara". Although, because the adventure can optionally take place in the World of Greyhawk setting,[58] the adventure is typically also accepted as officially published material for Greyhawk. The adventure does, however, specify that the adventure should be customized for individual campaigns,[59] and it would be presumed this would include nations which don't exist in the World of Greyhawk. There are some fans, however who use it as existing language in Greyhawk.

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Greyhawk Adventures was designed for and published at the end of first edition (1988), but was designed to be compatible with second edition(1989). That fact was specifically called out in a special notice on the cover.
  2. ↑ "For example, the Primordial language includes the Auran, Aquan, Ignan, and Terran dialects, one for each of the four Elemental planes."—Player's Handbook 5e (2014), p.123

Citations

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j From the Ashes (1992), p.13.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.12.
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.16.
  4. ↑ a b Living Greyhawk Journal V1 #05, Erik Mona,July 2001, 3.0
  5. ↑ a b c d e World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.31.
  6. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.66.
  7. ↑ a b From the Ashes (1992), p.14, Atlas.
  8. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.13, Atlas.
  9. ↑ a b c d e f Dragon Magazine #241, "Legacy of the Suel Imperium", Roger Moore, November 1997, 2e
  10. ↑ a b c From the Ashes (1992).
  11. ↑ a b From the Ashes (1992), p.14.
  12. ↑ a b c d e Greyhawk Player's Guide, Anne Brown, 1998, 2e, ISBN 0-7869-1248-0
  13. ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000).
  14. ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.23.
  15. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k The Scarlet Brotherhood, Sean Reynolds, 1999, 2e, ISBN 0-7869-1374-6
  16. ↑ Lost Tomaochan- The Hidden Shrine of Lubaatum, Harold Johnson & Jeff R. Leason, 1979, 1e
  17. ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.47.
  18. ↑ Complete Arcane, Richard Baker, 2004, 3.5, ISBN 9788882881481
  19. ↑ The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.19, Folks, Feuds, and Factions.
  20. ↑ a b Greyhawk Adventures (1988), p.124.
  21. ↑ a b c d The Adventure Begins (1998), p.73.
  22. ↑ Monster Manual II (1983), p.61.
  23. ↑ a b Monstrous Manual (1993), p.97.
  24. ↑ a b c Monster Manual (1977).
  25. ↑ Monster Manual (1977), p.p.39.
  26. ↑ Monster Manual (1977), p.40.
  27. ↑ Monster Manual II (1983), p.63.
  28. ↑ Monster Manual (1977), p.85.
  29. ↑ MC1 Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), s.v. Elf.
  30. ↑ Monster Manual (1977), p.96.
  31. ↑ MC2 Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), s.v. Triton .
  32. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.30.
  33. ↑ a b c d e f Fiend Folio (1981), p.34.
  34. ↑ D1 Descent Into the Depths of the Earth (1978), p.7.
  35. ↑ a b MC2 Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989), s.v. Drow.
  36. ↑ a b c Unearthed Arcana, Gary Gygax, 1985, 1e
  37. ↑ Monster Manual (1977), p.76.
  38. ↑ A1-4 Scourge of the Slave Lords (1986), p.96.
  39. ↑ MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix (1990), s.v. Beastfolk.
  40. ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.49.
  41. ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.11.
  42. ↑ Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins, Roger E. Moore, 1998, 2e, ISBN 0-7869-1249-9
  43. ↑ a b Monster Manual II (1983).
  44. ↑ a b c Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix, TSR, 1990, 2e
  45. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.20.
  46. ↑ Greyhawk Adventures (1988).
  47. ↑ Monstrous Compendium Volume 1, TSR, 1989, 2e
  48. ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2008), p.171.
  49. ↑ a b c d Player's Handbook (2014), p.123.
  50. ↑ D&D Basic Set (1981), p.34.
  51. ↑ Monster Manual (1977), p.30.
  52. ↑ MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix (1990), s.v. "Dragon, Greyhawk".
  53. ↑ Player's Handbook (2000), p.73-74, Table 4-6.
  54. ↑ Player's Handbook (2000), p.54.
  55. ↑ Monster Manual (Oct 2000), p.61.
  56. ↑ Monster Manual v3.5 (2003), p.68.
  57. ↑ Return to the Keep on the Borderlands (1999), p.18.
  58. ↑ Return to the Keep on the Borderlands (1999), p.7.
  59. ↑ Return to the Keep on the Borderlands (1999), p.2.

Bibliography

———. "Old Dwarvish is still new to scholars of language lore." Dragon #66. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
———. "An Elven Lexicon." Dragon #279. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
———. The Scarlet Brotherhood. Renton, WA: TSR, 1999.
  • Rogan, A.D. "Language rules leave lots of room for creativity in your campaign." Dragon #66. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
  • Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
  • Stephens, Owen K.C. "By Any Other Name: The Drow." Dragon #267. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
———. "By Any Other Name: Dwarves." Dragon #261. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
———. "By Any Other Name: Gnomes and Halflings." Dragon #262. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999.
———. "By Any Other Name: Races of the Underdark." Dragon #281. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
———. "Dragontongue: A Draconic Language Primer." Dragon #284. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
  • Stromberg, Paul. "Ye Auld Neblin: Or How to Say Hotfoot in Gnomish." Oerth Journal #12. Council of Greyhawk, 2001. Available online: [1]
  • Tweet, Jonathan. Player's Handbook. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
  • Williams, Skip. Races of the Wild. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.
  • Winninger, Ray. Giantcraft. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995.
  • Wyatt, James, Darrin Drader, and Christopher Perkins. Book of Exalted Deeds. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #359 76
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #147 66, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73, 75, 80
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 41
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 81, 231, 238, 240, 243, 246
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #05 24
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #06 6,7
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #11 12,34
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #13 13
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #17 53,54
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #18 12
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #20 11,49
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #21 40,41,44,48,56,57
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #22 10,12,52,58,60
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #23 26,36,44,50,52,54
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #24 18,20,21,32,36,42,44,48,49,50
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #25 17,29,38,41,42
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #26 41,43,44,52,53,54,57
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #27 19,41
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #28 13,26
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #32 8,9
Abyssal Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #33 16
Amedi {Amedian} language Verbal communication Language, Reference SEE Amedi
Aquan Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 58, 107, 132, 236, 243, 244, 246, 248
Aquan Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #21 55
Aquan Verbal communication Language, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e 95
Aquan Verbal communication Language, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 11, 18, 19, 20,
Aquan Verbal communication Language, Stormwrack, D&D 3.5e 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 60, 68, 71, 75, 80, 137, 138, 139, 144, 150, 152, 153, 155, 158, 160, 194, 196, 203, 204, 208, 209
Aquan Verbal communication Language, The Kopru Ruins, D&D 3.5e 10, 11, 12
Auran Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #1 23
Auran Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #21 55
Auran Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #23 44,46,48,52,56
Auran Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #25 34,35
Auran Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #32 41
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Against The Giants: The Liberation of Geoff 88
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, LT2 Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad 47
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #052 20
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #019 7, 13
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 13, 14, 66
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Castles: Hart 37
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 42
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 5, 11-12, 32, 37, 42, 66, 83, 114, 115, 122, 133, 136, 165
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #5 10, 12, 17
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 15
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Reference SEE Baklunish
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Return of the Eight 62
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Sea of Death 35
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, Vortext #08, Spring 1993 #08 28
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, WG8 Fate of Istus 16, 37, 45, 121
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, WGA4 Vecna Lives! 94
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) 8, 17
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 16, 38
Bakluni {Baklunish} language Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 31
Balok Verbal communication Language, Vecna Reborn 20
Beggars Cant Verbal communication Language, The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions 45
Celestial Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #359 76
Celestial Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #147 72, 73, 75, 80
Chaotic Evil Verbal communication Language, Vortext #08, Spring 1993 #08 20
Common Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #359 76
Common Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #147 68, 70
Common Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 31, 35, 41
Common Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 9, 40, 45, 46, 48, 55, 64, 68, 79, 80, 81, 84, 90, 92, 100, 132, 220, 233, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 252, 254, 255
Common Verbal communication Language, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 12
Common Verbal communication Language, Vortext #08, Spring 1993 #08 24
Cyndicean Verbal communication Language, Return to the Keep on the Borderland 18
Darkonese Verbal communication Language, Vecna Reborn 20
Deep Speech Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 184, 215, 246, 254
Demodand Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #147 69, 70
Derrosh Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #241 42
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #359 76
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #114 38
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #147 67, 68, 72, 73, 75, 80
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 41
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 9, 55, 64, 68, 69, 79, 80, 81, 241, 242
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #05 13,14,15
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #06 6,7,8
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #07 10,12
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #08 29,30,31
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #13 1,8
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #17 40
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #18 12,38,40
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #20 8,11,13,14,38,47,49
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #21 31,37,39,41,46,48,55,56
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #22 15,21,38,57
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #23 17,18,19,26,30,31,50,52
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #24 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,20,21,32,36
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #25 17,29,37,38,41,42
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #26 44,54
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #27 40
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #31 6,38
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #32 8,9
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #33 16
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e 103, 104, 105, 108
Draconic Verbal communication Language, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 12
Drowic Verbal communication Language, D1 Descent into the Depths of the Earth 7, 9
Drowic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #14 8
Drowic Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #28 10,11
Drowic Verbal communication Language, PHBR8 - The Complete Book of Elves 48-49
Elvish language {Elven, Olve} Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 31
Elvish language {Elven, Olve} Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 9, 58, 160, 245, 246
Elvish language {Elven, Olve} Verbal communication Language, PHBR8 - The Complete Book of Elves 48-49
Etlani Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 38
Ferral {Ferrel} Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #302 100
Ferral {Ferrel} Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 14
Ferral {Ferrel} Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 42
Ferral {Ferrel} Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 12
Ferral {Ferrel} Verbal communication Language, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 15
Ferral {Ferrel} Verbal communication Language, The Adventure Begins 74
Ferral {Ferrel} Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 16
Ferral {Ferrel} Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #052 20, 22
Flan language {Flannish} Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #200 106
Flan language {Flannish} Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #359 76
Flan language {Flannish} Verbal communication Language, Reference SEE Flan {Flannae}
Flan language {Flannish} Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000) 12,
Flan language {Flannish} Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983) (Folio) 16
Flan language {Flannish} Verbal communication Language, The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (1980) (Folio) 8,
Flan language {Flannish} Verbal communication Language, Player's Guide 15,
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #052 20, 22
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #256 48
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #350 28
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, The Fright At Tristor 11
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 13, 14
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 12, 44, 54, 55, 89, 105, 108
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 15, 16
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, The Adventure Begins 10, 22, 38, 74
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, WG8 Fate of Istus 124
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, WGS1 Five Shall Be One 5, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, WGS2 Howl From the North 7, 16, 25, 54, 55, 56, 57
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 16
Fruz {The Cold Tongue} Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 31
Giant Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 41
Glyphs Verbal communication Language, Bastion of Faith 51-53
Gnoll {Kell} language Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 41
Gnoll {Kell} language Verbal communication Language, Vortext #08, Spring 1993 #08 19
Gnomish language Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 9
Goblin language Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 31, 35, 41
Goblin language Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 46, 238, 239
Halfling language Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 9
Hepmonaland Runes Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 37
Ignan Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #147 68
Ignan Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #23 52
Ignan Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #26 21,49,50
Ignan Verbal communication Language, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e 75
Infernal language Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #147 67, 70, 80
Infernal language Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 178, 238
Infernal language Verbal communication Language, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e 118
Lendorian Elvish Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 14, 30
Lendorian Elvish Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 12, 68
Lendorian Elvish Verbal communication Language, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 16
Lendorian language {Lendorese} Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #052 20, 22
Lendorian language {Lendorese} Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 14
Lendorian language {Lendorese} Verbal communication Language, Greyhawk Adventures 90
Lendorian language {Lendorese} Verbal communication Language, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 16
Lendorian language {Lendorese} Verbal communication Language, The Adventure Begins 74
Lendorian language {Lendorese} Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 35
Lendorian language {Lendorese} Verbal communication Language, WG8 Fate of Istus 124
Lendorian language {Lendorese} Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 16
Merchants Cant Verbal communication Language, Saga of Old City 25
Oeridian language Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 2, 4, 11-14, 22, 26, 35, 36, 39, 42, 82
Oeridian language Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Campaign Book 37, 47, 78
Oeridian language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #3 9, 11, 13, 16
Oeridian language Verbal communication Language, Reference SEE Oeridian {Oerid}
Oeridian language Verbal communication Language, WGR4 The Marklands 3, 24, 58, 61, 71, 73, 74, 78, 90, 91, 94
Oeridian language Verbal communication Language, WGR5 Iuz the Evil 20, 31, 37, 56, 61, 64
Oeridian language Verbal communication Language, WGS1 Five Shall Be One 12
Oeridian language {Old Oeridian} Verbal communication Language, Bastion of Faith 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 43, 45, 53, 88, 89, 91, 92
Olman {Olmec} language Verbal communication Language, C1 The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 16, 20, 26
Olman {Olmec} language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #351 63, 71
Olman {Olmec} language Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #114 54, 58, 63, 64
Olman {Olmec} language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 42
Olman {Olmec} language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 12, 100
Olman {Olmec} language Verbal communication Language, Lost Tomaochan: The Hidden Shrine of Lubaatum 3, 8
Olman {Olmec} language Verbal communication Language, Reference SEE Olman
Olman {Olmec} language Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 38
Orc {Orcish} language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #075 54-57
Orc {Orcish} language Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 41
Orc {Orcish} language Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 9
Ordai Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 12, 114, 133
Ordai Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #21 28
Osfaradd language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #5 10, 11, 16
Osfaradd language Verbal communication Language, Reference SEE Osfaradd
Ralat Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 38
Rasol Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 42
Rasol Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 38, 64
Rhennee Cant Verbal communication Language, The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions 46
Rhopan Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 12, 40, 51, 123
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, College of Wizardry 9
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #272 55
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #290 106
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #114 35
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 3, 6, 11-14, 22, 25, 26, 28, 30, 35-37, 39, 40, 44, 51, 54, 56, 62, 63, 67, 82, 89, 93
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: References Card #01
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: References Card #02
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Greyhawk Adventures 46, 75, 90, 92, 95, 96, 98, 99
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Castles: Hart 37
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #3 11, 14, 16, 20, 30
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #5 31
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Escape from Scant, RPGA 2, 3, 4, 6, 11
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, The Glaive's Gambit, RPGA 5, 14
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Remember the Farmers, RPGA 8
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Rashtai's Brother, RPGA 4, 9, 12
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Polyhedron magazine #101 31
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Polyhedron magazine #128 28
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Reference SEE Suel {Suloise}
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Return of the Eight 5, 58, 60
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Shattered Circle 2
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Slavers, AD&D 2e 8, 13, 32, 34, 43, 44, 53, 57, 91, 92, 117, 120, 123
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Sea of Death 62, 129, 130, 134, 153, 176, 214, 221, 234, 239, 249, 269, 270, 272, 300
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, Saga of Old City 71, 106, 125, 288
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil 120
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, LT3 The Doomgrinder 9
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 1-10, 12-20, 22, 23, 25-28, 30, 35-38, 43-48, 50-52, 55, 57, 61-65, 67, 68, 71-73, 77-84, 87, Map
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, LT1 The Star Cairns 2, 4, 5, 9-11, 13, 19-23, 30, 33-36, 43, 44
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, WG8 Fate of Istus 16, 27, 66, 105, 107, 109-112, 114, 116-119, 124
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, WGA4 Vecna Lives! 6, 22, 24, 47, 60, 91, 92
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, WGR2 Treasures of Greyhawk 18
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, WGR3 Rary the Traitor 15, 16
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, WGR4 The Marklands 3, 22, 91
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, WGR5 Iuz the Evil 20, 45, 85
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, WGS1 Five Shall Be One 3, 4, 12, 23, 30
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, WGS2 Howl From the North 5, 7, 53
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 8, 9, 13-16, 21, 22, 26-28, 30, 33, 36, 37, 42, 55, 58, 60-62
Suel {Suloise} language Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 27, 31
Suloise (Ancient) language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #359 76
Sylvan Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #351 62
Terran Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #24 25
Terran Verbal communication Language, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, D&D 3.0e 101, 102, 105
Thieves' Cant Verbal communication Language, The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions 46
Thieves' Cant Verbal communication Language, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 11
Thieves' Cant Verbal communication Language, Saga of Old City 30, 71, 118, 229
Tlaman Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 38
Touv language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #3 30
Touv language Verbal communication Language, Reference SEE Touv
Touv language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 4, 6
Touv language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #0 12
Touv language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #1 30
Touv language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Journal #2 30
Ulagha Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 12, 122
Ulagha Verbal communication Language, Oerth Journal #19 5,9,15,16
Vaati Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #224 68
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #052 20, 22
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #256 50
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, Dragon magazine #306 100
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 14
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, Castles: Hart 37
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 12, 45, 128
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 15
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, The Adventure Begins 74
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, WGA4 Vecna Lives! 93
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 16
Velondi language Verbal communication Language, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 31
Xolasa Verbal communication Language, The Scarlet Brotherhood 38
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