Languages, Accents, Names, etc

Here are guides to all of our various languages, common naming practices, and more. Do note that these are not set in stone, and can often be worked around or - in the case of our languages - words added. Please refer to this thread for more information on adding words.

Languages and More

Accents and Dialects

Found across the Realms are a variety of accents and dialects, ranging from region to region and individual to individual. While regional accents are most common, they also have a basis in the soul; these 'inborn' accents may be much different than the accent most common in their region, or they may be very similar. Inborn accents are thought of being remnants of a past life imprinted upon the spirit, but this has not been proven.

Accents trend towards the location commonality but sometimes the inborn accent is stronger and holds out, even though long years spent among others speaking the regional dialect. Sometimes, these inborn accents are seen as omens by various places; some good, some bad. Most often, however, no mind is paid to them - the lives of one with an inborn accent is not affected at all.

Inborn accents exist in the spirit, and often remain largely the same from birth until death. They are formed when the infant has not yet been birthed or hatched, generated when the soul joins the body in development. Regional accents begin in childhood, overtaking either a weak inborn accent or settling into the niche where there is none. These location-based accents are instilled and solidified when a child, cub, hatchling, etc is learning language, and can be altered in this stage by moving to an area with other local accents.

Learning a new accent is possible, but difficult, especially at older ages. Performers, such as bards or actors, and spies often practice for months to years at a time to develop and maintain new accents, but their original accent - especially if inborn - may still resurface in times of stress or great emotion.

Regional accents are sorted by Realm, and are found on each Realm's splash page.

Languages

Here is a comprehensive list and guide to our various custom languages. These are generally set to a specific species or world, some separated by region within a Realm. This list is constantly being updated, and will always be open for new additions. To add something, please post in this topic. But be sure that you follow the general style of the language!

Some languages have runic languages attached to them; some hold power in them, others are simple markings. If a language doesn't have runes, it's commonly held that they are written as using Common lettering.

Language of the Demons

Demonic Runes

Demonic runes often hold dark power, but only when carved into something, or written in blood; otherwise, they are quite powerless. Often found on Kurai-made weaponry, and are always written in a vertical format.

	A		B		C		D		E
	F		G		H		I		J
	K		L		M		N		O
	P		Q		R		S		T
	U		V		W		X		Y
	Z

Language of the Dragons

Draconic Runes

Runes that are the closest of any language to kv'naer, and hold a significant amount of unbound power. While these runes cannot often be refined into specific spells as kv'naer runes can, they are often carved into places as wards or guarding runes, and siphon small amounts of reiatsu from whatever they're carved within.

	A		B		C		D		E
	F		G		H		I		J
	K		L		M		N		O
	P		Q		R		S		T
	U		V		W		X		Y
	Z

Language of the Drow

Language of the Dwarves

Language of the Elves

Elven Runes

Elven runes aren't known to hold any power; however, it is a decorative written script that is often used for inscriptions, formal letters, and many other things. Most elves and elvenkin take great pride in their handwriting; sloppy runework is looked down on by all.

	A		B		C		D		E
	F		G		H		I		J
	K		L		M		N		O
	P		Q		R		S		T
	U		V		W		X		Y
	Z

Language of the Aethyrians

Aethyrian Runes

Used for both written text and glyphwriting magic, these are runes best suited to claws, but may be adapted to smaller, agile hands as well.

	A		B		C		D		E
	F		G		H		I		J
	K		L		M		N		O
	P		Q		R		S		T
	U		V		W		X		Y
	Z

Language of the Halgians

Language of the Xeriin

Language of the Lyzards

Language of the Thieves

Language of Ristell

Language of the Nzani

Common Curses

In each Realm, there are curses and oaths that many of the citizenry have invented over the years, many pertaining to the gods and their various charges. Normal profanity is also common, though not nearly as much as these.

General

Evylon

Felnova

Kurai

Lizzarkyth

Millirand

Noctis

Ristell

Xaeri

Names and Surnames

Average Naming Tendencies

Many different countries in our Realms tend towards certain practices in naming - though these are by no means restricting to certain species being named within a few parameters, it is to be used as a suggestion for played characters, as well as a guide to name NPCs, side characters, and parents/siblings/other relatives for your own characters.

Realm of Evylon, Halgia

The Halgian Empire generally names its children similarly to those of the ancient Roman and Greek peoples of Old Earthrealm, as well as the ancient Earthian language of Latin. Common naming tendencies include ending names with 'us', 'ion' or 'na', along with longer names and the usage of dashes.

Realm of Kurai, all Kingdoms

The Kingdoms of Kurai generally names its children similarly to those of the ancient Japanese people of Old Earthrealm, as well as similarly to other Earthian Asian dialects. Common naming tendencies include using short, brief syllables and flowing, multi-part names. Most have specific meanings behind them, though this trend has faded over the years.

Realm of Ristell, Aboveground

The Aboveground of Ristell generally names its children similarly to those of the ancient Egyptian people of Old Earthrealm. Common naming tendencies include sharp, unusual combinations of syllables, and endings that may include 'tep', 'hut', and 'hk'.

Surnames

Surnames in BTACD's lore are unique, title-like last names given to individuals for deeds done by gods, Ethers, Sages, or god Wards. The deed must have gained the attention of any being falling into those categories, whether good or evil, who will approach and grant the name later on. These names are often two-part, formed of combined words, such as Redscale or Darksword, but can also be of other languages, singular words, or completely made-up.

family names

Some surnames may be passed down through family lines from an individual who has earned it far in the past. For example, an elf who has earned the surname Argentquil may pass it to their children, and then grandchildren, and so on; but keep in mind that any family surnames must have a reason for their initial earning! Other characters may comment on the surname, and inquire as to its origin. Remember to come up with a tale about how the family name came about.

dragon royal surnames

The royal line of dragons, including Verridith and her kin, have a unique way of surname inheritance not shared by any other race or faction. The offspring of two dragons with royal blood take on parts of their parents' surnames, decided by the mother at fledging. They may earn different names later on, but the original surname is always included.

An example would be Verridith Skystriker x Narath Thundersight = Nagase Skysight; if she were to earn the name 'Lightweaver', for example, her name would be Nagase Lightweaver Skysight.

demon surnames

Higher-class demons and demonkin who have not earned a surname are often called by a Kingdom-specific surname; and their gender. For those that are genderfluid, 'child' or 'ward' may be added after the Kingdom name. Such examples include, but are not limited to, Deathsdaughter, Faminesson, Warschild, and so on.