Khuzan language
Khuzan is a harsh, consonant-heavy, agglutinative dwarven language with SOV word order, strict syllable structure, and a unique angular runic script optimized for stone carving. Hierarchy and craftsmanship are encoded directly in morphology, while the phonetics reflect a culture grounded in earth, metal, and precision.
Writing System
Khuzan Stonescript (Khuzûl-Khazrim)
A block-based, angular runic writing system developed for carving in stone and metal. All glyphs use straight lines only, with angles restricted to 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°.
Curves do not exist. Circles do not exist. The script is carved, not written.
Khuzan can be written:
- Vertically in pillars (formal, sacred)
- Horizontally left → right (everyday)
Phonology
Consonants (dominant in the language)
/k g d t b p m n ŋ r l s z ʒ kh/Salient Khuzan features:
- Heavy use of ZH /ʒ/
- Guttural KH
- Frequent NG /ŋ/ in word endings
- Double consonants allowed (kk, dd, zz)
Vowels
/a u o e i/All vowels are short; diphthongs do not exist.
Back vowels (u, o, a) are preferred.
Syllable structure
(C)(C)V(C)(C) — always heavy and consonant-rich. Stress always falls on the first syllable.Morphology
Khuzan is agglutinative, with orderly stacking of morphemes.
denek → denekum
khaz → khazaz (“of the mountain”)
Core morphemes
- uzh- = master / high rank
- tam- = depth, earth, stone mass
- den- / dun- = work, structure, clan
- bor- = metal
- mâd- = mine, shaft
- zhem- = fire, smelting
Affix pattern
- Prefix = hierarchy, function
- Root = primary meaning
- Suffix = profession / output / title
Number
Plural suffix: -im / -umdenek → denekum
Genitive
Suffix: -az / -uzkhaz → khazaz (“of the mountain”)
Syntax
Default word order is SOV:
Subject – Object – Verb
Example:
Khazdin boral gor.
“The dwarf shapes the metal.”
Adverbials appear before the verb.
No true prepositions.
Relations expressed through suffixes and compound stems.
Subject – Object – Verb
Example:
Khazdin boral gor.
“The dwarf shapes the metal.”
Adverbials appear before the verb.
No true prepositions.
Relations expressed through suffixes and compound stems.
Vocabulary
A. People & Creatures
English
Khuzan
dwarf
khazrim
dwarves
khazdun
clan
dûn
clan-chief
dûnek
elder
urun
warrior
rukhar
guard
thrakul
smith
boranek
master smith
uzhboranek
miner
mâdenik
master miner
uzhtamdenek
child
nurin
outsider
zhorum
enemy
morghaz
friend
zhalin
B. Nature, Stone & Places
English
Khuzan
mountain
khaz
stone
durm
cavern
khurlam
deep hall
mâd-tamur
mine
mâd
tunnel
khurden
iron
boral
steel
borin
copper
zhakal
silver
ghanol
gold
zarik
ore
dunekh
fire
zhar
forge-fire
zhem
darkness
modh
C. Tools & Craft
English
Khuzan
hammer
karâl
pickaxe
khurmal
tongs
brunak
chisel
zalekh
anvil
boraz
chain
drakul
bellows
zhemdu
lamp
mâdlik
measure
khezor
furnace
zhemkal
forge
borazhem
craft
den
mastercraft
uzhden
seal / stamp
zür-mark
D. Actions & Verbs
English
Khuzan
to strike / shape
gor
to carve
deth
to dig
mâdor
to smelt
zhemor
to guard
garum
to lead
uzhor
to build
dunor
to measure
khezorim
to carry
zulakh
to hold / resist
khuror
to polish
bruzhen
to bind / fasten
shurim
to lift
uzhrok
to descend
tamor
to forge
borim
E. Qualities & Concepts
English
Khuzan
honor
zhazür
duty
huzram
strength
khurzhin
value
zhelûr
pride
dûrak
tradition
brunekh
silence
morakh
precision
khezdal
wisdom (deep)
mâdrun
clan-bond
dunhal
law / oath
dârûm
right/justice
tharam
danger
morgham
secret
khurlaz
treasure
zarûm
F. Everyday Speech
English
Khuzan
yes
dur
no
nor
welcome
zhal-dur
farewell
dûn-mor
strong
khurin
good
zharin
deep
tamin
high / upper
uzhîn
low / lower
tamîn
heavy
durak
light (weight)
zorin
old
urun
new
nakhin
true
tharum
worthy
zürin
G. Phrases & Compounds
English
Khuzan
"Well done!"
Zhalden!
"Honor to you."
Zhazür-dur.
"Stone endures."
Khaz khuror.
"By the Deep!"
Tam-uzh!
"Hold the line!"
Khurden garum!
"Master at work"
Uzhden goraz.
Phonetics
Khuzan speech is:
- crisp
- guttural
- sharply articulated
- rhythmically broken
- dominated by back vowels
- All consonant clusters are pronounced without epenthesis
- /ʒ/ and /kh/ are forceful and rasping
- Final /ŋ/ is common
- Stress always on the first syllable
Tenses
Khuzan uses three simple tenses marked with suffixes:
gor = he shapes
gordar = he shaped
gorzun = he will shape
Tense markers follow the verb root.
- Present: no marker
- Past: -dar
- Future: -zun
gor = he shapes
gordar = he shaped
gorzun = he will shape
Tense markers follow the verb root.
Sentence Structure
Standard pattern
[Subject] – [Object] – [Adverbial] – [Verb] Example:
Khazrim boral tam gor.
“The dwarf deeply shapes the metal.”
Negation
Negation marker: nor- before the verb nor-gor = “does not shape”Interrogatives
Either rising intonation or final particle -khur?Adjective Order
Adjectives appear before the noun, never inflected.
Order:
Example:
uzh-boral-khazdin = “the master-metal dwarf (the dwarven smith)”
Order:
- Quantity
- Rank / status
- Material
- Descriptive quality
- Noun
Example:
uzh-boral-khazdin = “the master-metal dwarf (the dwarven smith)”
Structural Markers
Khuzan uses:
Example:
Khazdun Dûn-Mâdur
“Dwarf of Clan Mâdur.”
Case-like suffixes
- Genitive: -az / -uz
- Dative-like: -um
- Locative: -khur / -tam (context-based)
Discourse particles
- dur = therefore / thus
- zhal = properly / honorably
- mor = quietly / of importance
Clan marker
dûn indicates house/family lineage.Example:
Khazdun Dûn-Mâdur
“Dwarf of Clan Mâdur.”
ver. 1.0
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