Ryūji

Ryūji (龍字, "Dragon Characters") is the classical **logographic writing system** of the High Elves, derived from the sacred and ancient language of the Ryūshu. First developed in the early centuries of Ryūshu contact with the peoples of Erthas, Ryūji had reached a stable, canonical form by the 3rd century of the First Age.   Structure and Principles Ryūji characters are primarily semanto-phonetic, meaning each character conveys both:

• A core semantic concept (logogram)
• One or more phonetic readings, known as on’yomi—based on Ryūshu pronunciations filtered through Old Elven phonology

  The characters are deeply tied to the sacred and philosophical worldview of the Ryūshu. Writing in Ryūji is not merely a matter of conveying meaning—it is a ritual act, encoding power, hierarchy, and cosmic order.   Usage in High Elven Society Ryūji is the script of:

1. Formal literature and scripture
2. Imperial decrees and ceremonial documents
3. High Elven classical education
4. Religious rites and sacred art

  Due to its complexity and spiritual significance, Ryūji is considered the domain of the noble, the scholarly, and the divine. Learning it is a rite of passage for High Elven nobility and priesthood, and mastery of Ryūji confers immense social prestige.   Linguistic Role Though originally tied to the language of the Ryūshu, Ryūji has long since been used to write High Elven itself, often in an elevated, highly stylized register. The grammar used in Ryūji compositions is distinct from the vernacular, drawing upon a fossilized set of syntactic forms modeled after the divine speech of the Ryūshu.   In this regard, Ryūji plays a role similar to Classical Chinese on Earth: a non-native literary standard used across centuries and cultures, whose influence shapes not only literature but also diplomacy and scholarly thought.   Legacy and Derivatives Several writing systems have evolved from Ryūji:

• Hakuji (伯字) – Phonetic use of Ryūji characters to transcribe non-elven languages
• Hakugana (伯仮字) – A simplified phonetic script ultimately derived from Hakuji

  Despite these offshoots, Ryūji remains the most revered and enduring script of the Elven world—a script of divine origin, imperial legacy, and eternal tradition.