Zeshem Language

Zeshem is the language of Holy Zeshema and of the Zesheko religious group more broadly. Far-flung Zeshem communities may speak other languages in daily life, but use this language for their rituals, their formal writing, and their commerce.    Outside of Zeshem spaces this is considered a rare and unusual language. It is unusually formalized as well, as Holy Zeshema began issuing edicts on "proper" and "correct" vocabular and grammar during the Third Empire. Linguistic conformity is considered important, since improper speech can leave a person vulnerable to false contracts and spiritual corruption - edicts on proper speaking and writing are seen as wrapped up with the formalized Law of Masks, which also began in the early-mid 1800s ME. These edicts are uncommon enough to largely ignore things like slang or linguistic fads, but can be quite forceful in rejecting foreign loan words. People do this anyways, of course, but not in formal documents.   The Zeshem language has some overlap with the Herilzek language group across the sea, likely due to ancient trade routes and migrations.    Zeshem first names include:

• Sinyel, Sinya, Sinyar, or Sinyen (owner of purity)
• Kisen (star)
• Nazagon (child of the sun)
• Ukogon (child of the moon)
• Selgiv (white flower)
• Murkos, Murko, Murka, Murkara, Murkal (warrior)
• Kamar, Kamara, Kamari (soldier)
• Inketa, Inketel (dutiful)
• Batwa (brave)
• Sitebra (pure born)
• Sellita, Sellet (white flame)
• Zukam (water spirit)
• Zovezna (obeys divinity)
• Yalasna (divinely inspired)
• Keletez (erases corruption)
• Otoe, Otollo, Otolla (without taint)
• Ugeza (healthy)
• Masagon (second child)
• Kelenoz (destroys/moves mountains)
• Kalwaz, Kalwaza (slays the enemy)
• Yalusa (guided by ghosts)
• Zukinza (heavenly spirit)
• Parmasa, Parsem (marked in red - culturally denotes someone who will avenge wrongs)
• Elkar, Elkarza (Sharp claw)
• Elesel (sharp-purposed)
• Ijosa (washed by heaven - denotes particular purity)
• Sukut, Sukua, Sukuta (beloved)
• Yosk, Yask, Yoska, Yaska (honest)
• Rogo, Roga (good child)
• Sediv, Sediva (pure flower)
• Rugeza, Rugez (has fortitude)
• Inda (bird)
• Veshta, Veshto, Veshi (like a sparrow)
• Bwonya, Bonna, Boina (has wisdom)
• Hemyo (correctly rooted - denotes a loyalty to the true faith)
• Halantu, Halantwa (without curse)
• Befzo, Befza (anointed child)
• Halchi, Holshwa (without sin or transgression)
• Ejava, Ejavi (born in the night-time)
• Biwimba (lamb-like)
• Foroga, Forogo (river child)
• Sikiba, Sikibo (gate of purity - denotes a resistance to corruption)
• Nabu (born large)
• Ktobu (born small)
• Tuhar, Tuhara (patient)
• Huja (dawn)
• Rori, Rorada (good song)
• Nabumi (long-lived, lots of life)
• Setapar (sacred command)
• Isnapaj, Isnapa, Isnapi, Isna (gift from god)
• Uthapa, Uthapaj, Uthapaja, Utha (gift to the house)
• Zewanya, Zewan (has luck, is lucky)
• Kangogo, Kagogo, Kago, Kanga (child of the community - common orphan name)

Religious names include:

• Vikazu (belongs to Vikaja)
• Alizu (God's servant)
• Zivoga, Zivong (child of Zidova, keeper of islands)
• Oziga, Ozigo (child of the laughing aspect of God)
• Ozuago, Ozuaga (child of the wrathful aspect of God)
• Norzu (servant of Norinar - shortened for respect)

Last names are often tied to specific clans or lineages. These clans are not always prestigious and are common among even the poor in Zeshema. Clan names include:

• Omsum (farmers)
• Ibriss (farmers)
• Jemem (farmers)
• Tusem (farmers)
• Muvra (farmers)
• Botta (richer farmers)
• Munyum (richer farmers)
• Hawatriss (merchants)
• Eposem (merchants)
• Tamadriss (artisans)
• Gwepem (artisans)
• Bawazri (courtiers)
• Erezyeb (courtiers)
• Setoriss (courtiers)
• Mukamriss (courtiers)
• Atavaro (courtiers)
• Zorazol (elite)
• Vogavaro (elite)
• Atmariss (elite)

'Courtiers' in this instance refers more to the upper class that isn't super-elite: lesser nobles, priests, bureaucrats, army commanders. 'Elite' refers to clans that inhabit the top layers of political power.   Other surnames for those outside the clan system:

• Halso ('without a lineage' - for unadopted orphans)
• Halriss ('without a clan', often for un-adopted converts)
• Gisem, Gisom, Gusem, Giosem, Gusell (new family, for established converts or returning exiles)
• Zamkess, Zamkem, Zamko ("returned family", for exiles or far-flung descendants)
• (Location Name) + -Vo ("from that place")

  Zeshem who travel abroad often also have Masknames. These are aliases used to prevent witches and corrupting spirits from cursing, haunting, or harming Zeshem who are in impure lands. Masknames are taken seriously as a matter of spirituality and health - giving your true name to an outsider is seen as both dangerous and a vector for illness. Masknames are consistent; each Zeshem is instructed to use the same name for all outsiders, though there is no law enforcing this. Masknames are also translated into different languages, to assert the artificiality and consistency of the name.   Some example masknames are often traits the person wishes to assign themselves, animals, or items. These include:

• Owl
• Patience
• Shark
• Moss
• Willow
• Hornet
• Invincible
• Charming
• Curious
• Wisdom
• Dandelion
• Thistle
• Sparrow
• Hawkeye
• Sugarcube
• Dancer
• Clay
• Handsome
• Beetle
• Determination
• Flea
• Justice
• Gecko
• Finch

How to Generate new Zeshem

Generally speaking, Zeshem is a mashup of Hungarian and Kinyarwanda. While these are linguistically mulched beyond most recognition, you could probably dabble a bit in either if you wanted. Hungarian names would indicate a community or family with ties to Garadel or the Mejika Isles outside of the Zeshem core, while Kinyarwandan names would indicate a greater closeness to the original riverlands.