Vezhanni

Vezhanni is an ancient tongue once spoken by the priest-scholars and stone-chroniclers of Vandalar. Though now considered a dead language, Vezhanni survives in religious texts, arcane formulae, and, perhaps most pervasively, in idioms and ceremonial expressions used throughout Tanaria.   Vezhanni’s grammar is rigid and hierarchical, mirroring the castes of the civilization that spoke it. It was said that to “speak incorrectly” was to "insult the gods of structure." Each social tier had its own acceptable forms, and misuse could be a punishable offense. Because of this, many idioms carried layered meaning, what was safe for a noble to say might damn a peasant.  

Modern Use of Vezhanni

Though the Vezhanni tongue hasn’t been spoken conversationally in centuries, its influence is far from extinct. Today, it lingers as a symbol of authority, permanence, and old-world power. Across the continent, you’ll find remnants of the language woven into everyday expressions, ceremonial rites, and scholarly discourse, especially in cultures that value history, formality, or arcane discipline.  

Idioms & Oaths

Vezhanni idioms are so ingrained in modern Tanarian speech that most speakers don’t even realize they’re quoting a dead language. Common examples include:   “Blood remembers” – A warning that familial loyalty (or vengeance) endures   “Stone does not yield” – Used to signify stubbornness, resilience, or refusal to bend   “To speak with split tongues” – Accusing someone of deceit or diplomacy laced with lies   “By hand and flame” – A binding oath, originally used in magical contracts   Such phrases are especially popular in Fyrgar (where tradition is vital), and Rinoth, whose legal and military institutions still invoke Vezhanni to formalize contracts and swear in officials.  

Arcane and Religious Rites

Vezhanni endures in wizardry and clerical liturgy. While not required for spellcasting, certain high-level mages, particularly chronomancers or ritual arcanists, prefer its precision. Vezhanni’s rigid structure and layered syntax make it ideal for binding contracts, enchantments, or planar negotiations, especially those where wording matters.   In religion, several old sects, particularly those tied to Velmorra, Umbra, or Enkira, still preserve Vezhanni prayers, chants, or funeral rites. The Order of the Shattered Oath, for instance, recites binding penances in Vezhanni to symbolize the weight of their vows.  

Academic and Cultural Study

In universities and magical academies, Vezhanni is a required course for scholars of pre-Harmonium history. It's also used in deciphering ruins, sacred texts, or ancestor tablets still found in Vandalar or parts of Drakoria. Bards often learn it to give weight to their performances, while diplomats might memorize key phrases to impress old families or make veiled threats sound poetic.   Even artisans and stonemasons sometimes carve Vezhanni blessings or curses into works meant to last, believing the old words still hold weight in stone.