Lore:Reach-tongue

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A piece of text written in Reach-tongue by a Reachfolk author
A Reachfolk missive

Reach-tongue is the language of the Reachfolk.[1] As an isolated culture, they've developed their own dialect over time.[UOL 1] There are multiple languages within Reachfolk culture, some of which are ancient. At least some dialects have been documented by scholars who have translated ancient texts into the modern tongue.[2]

The Reachfolk have rich oral traditions, and usually don't commit their stories to paper as scholars from most other provinces do.[3] Many from clans who live in the wilderness are illiterate, and do not care to learn.[4] Some Reachfolk are even opposed to the idea of learning to read and write.[5] Some Reachfolk who served the Longhouse Emperors in Cyrodiil during the Second Era encouraged their children to learn their letters. Following the fall of the Longhouse Dynasty, there was not much call for reading and writing in the Karth Valley, barring major settlements like Markarth, where such skills were more widespread.[6][7]

Reachfolk occasionally adorn their weapons with Daedric inscriptions.[8] They also utilize glyphs and runes.[9][10][11] Verses of the Red Eagle's Song were carved into stone pillars in the sacred cave in Red Eagle Redoubt.[12]

Despite the prevalence of the oral tradition, Reachfolk used their own script. Some scholars believed it was more widespread during the ancient times, when the Reach culture was at its apex, and considered it dead as of 2E 322. According to some sources, the poems of legendary vateshran Tosmorn were written in this ancient script. Foreign scholars frequently and erroneously disregarded this idea.[13] Nonetheless, there exists tangible evidence of written texts in the Reachfolk language by Reachfolk authors, like Fynboar the Resurrected.[14][2]

Known Words[edit]

Ard
"King of the Fort", the strongest clan-chief in charge, usually in the context of Markarth[15]
baugh[16]
bran[16]
Caern[16]
Camare[16]
Cidhna
Silver[17]
co[16]
Dhun
A fortified hilltop village that is common along the frontier.[18]
dunna[16]
Faolan
"Red Eagle"[19]
Fellihboh[20]
Fir[16]
goen[16]
il[16]
Madoora[16]
Markarth
Literally; Above the Karth (Mar-Karth)[15]
na[16]
noch[16]
nog[16]
non[16]
non[16]
Og[16]
oh[16]
Pater[16]
Sanuarach[21]
Shal[16]
Shillelagh
Staff [22]
shug[16]
Tagh Droiloch
High Dark Wizards[23]
Travern[16]
Vateshran
Lore or history keeper[24]

Known Sentences[edit]

Og il dunna travern. Shal shug oh pater noch.[16]
Fir co non madoora. Fir na nog camare![16]
Caern co bran baugh goen![16]

Reachfolk usage of common words[edit]

Reachfolk use terms "Witch" and "Witch-man" to describe powerful magicians. Both are titles of utmost respect.[25]

"Keep-Witch" is a term equivalent to Court Mage. Unlike the word "Witch" it has a pejorative undertone, due to the belief that the Witches should devote themselves to the arcane rather than politics.[26]

"Reeker"[27][28] and "Thinblood" are insults commonly used by Reachfolk. The second of the two is used primarily towards outsiders,[29][30] but it is not always the case.[31]

"Gravesinger" is a term used to describe Reachfolk necromancers who broker deals with Molag Bal[32] in exchange for the power to command the loathsome dead.[33]

The word "Freehand" is used as a term of respect.[34][35][36]

The word "Wilder" is used as a noun to describe Reachfolk people and clans who do not inhabit Markarth.[37][38]

Known Glyphs[edit]

Reachfolk Snake Glyph

Reachfolk have a rich glyph system.[9] They decorate various items, banners, and walls with numerous sigils. Glyphs can be commonly found in many Reach clan camps and settlements as well as in their capital Markarth.[39] While the meaning of most known symbols is unknown, some have known meaning associated with them.[40]

Glyphs with known meaning[edit]

Certain symbols are dedicated to the Great Spirits of the Reach:

Other symbols:

Glyphs with unknown meaning[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Meet the Character - AranaJano Vestalis, Imperial Cartographer
  2. ^ a b Destozuno's dialogue in ESO
  3. ^ The Battle of Karthspire LeaVateshran Barth
  4. ^ An Imperial in MarkarthConsul Cardea, the Ard's Administrator
  5. ^ Living on the Karth RiverAodhsil
  6. ^ Ardanir's dialogue in ESO
  7. ^ Arloakh's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  8. ^ Appearance of weapons of Ancestral Reach Style in ESO
  9. ^ a b Shrunken Werewolf Head contraband in ESO
  10. ^ Valthume's loading screen in ESO: Markarth
  11. ^ Crafting Motif 55: Dreadhorn StyleGherig Bullblood of the Dreadhorn Clan [Notes by Rena Hammerhands]
  12. ^ Events of Red Eagle's Song in ESO
  13. ^ The Translated Works of Tosmorn, IVanesse Aurilie
  14. ^ Fynboar the Resurrected
  15. ^ a b History of Markarth: A Story in StoneConsul Cardea, the Ard's Administrator
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Dialogue overheard from Reachmen within Shadowgreen in ESO: Greymoor
  17. ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
  18. ^ A Year Among the Eagleseer ClanGlabrian Tuliel, University of Gwylim
  19. ^ The Legend of Red EagleTredayn Dren
  20. ^ Crafting Motif 54: Bloodforge StyleStoneheart the Heartstone
  21. ^ Sanuarach Mine in Skyrim
  22. ^ Madearn's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  23. ^ High Chancellor's Papers: The Tagh DroilochAbnur Tharn
  24. ^ Scary Tales of the Deep Folk, Book 1Cassia Volcatia, Traveling Scribe
  25. ^ Lady Belain's dialogue in ESO
  26. ^ Meet the Character - Lady BelainLady Nilene Devieren, Royal Envoy to the Reach
  27. ^ Malkor's dialogue in ESO
  28. ^ Gwenyfe's dialogue in ESO
  29. ^ Aeodfaern's dialogue in ESO
  30. ^ Tayfaern's dialogue in ESO
  31. ^ Reach Bedtime StoriesIsa Truiand, Teller of Tales
  32. ^ Zhagush gro-Korlag's dialogue in ESO
  33. ^ The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Northern Bangkorai and the MountainsFlaccus Terentius, 2E 581
  34. ^ Faorin's dialogue in ESO
  35. ^ Esgiana's dialogue in ESO
  36. ^ Bodgrannagh's dialogue in ESO
  37. ^ Arllonal's dialogue in ESO
  38. ^ Anslettar's dialogue in ESO
  39. ^ Appearance of Markarth and Karthwasten in ESO
  40. ^ Events of After the Storm in ESO
  41. ^ Glenmoril Wyrd Body Markings item description

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.