Sithral (SEET-hral)
Ancient Serpentine Tongue
Description
Sithral (SEET-hral) is an ancient, sibilant language whose phonemes mirror the hissing cadence of its speakers. Every word is thought to carry serpentine breath, invoking subtle power from the sands and stars. The language is primarily oral, though sigil-runes carved in sand or stone hold ceremonial potency. The tone and duration of a hiss or fricative can alter a word’s intent or magical charge. Sithral is often used for incantations tied to secrecy, shadow, transmutation, and the memory of the desert.Phonology
Vowel Sounds:
Sithral vowels tend toward short and sharp, often centralized in the mouth.
Common vowels: A, I, U, E, O, with rare diphthongs like ui or ao pronounced as glides.
Example: Sikar (SIH-kar), Uthis (OO-this), Kaeloth (KAI-loth)
Consonant: Rich in sibilants and fricatives. Dominant clusters include: -ss-, -th-, -kh-, -zr-, -sk-, -sh-.
Example: Isshath, Zrual, Thissakar
Syllable Patterns: Tends to be 2–4 syllables per word. CVC, CCVC, or CVCC patterns are common, sometimes ending in aspirated or glottal sounds.
Morphology
Noun Derivation:
Base Nouns describe things known to serpentine culture: sand, fate, dreams, venom, vision.
Example: Skaar = fate, Ithul = sand, Vesh = eye
Adding suffixes modifies meaning:
-iss: Emphatic or sacred aspect (e.g., Thuliss = "Sacred Sand")
-ak/-ekh: Diminutive or corrupted form (e.g., Veshak = "blinded eye")
-ath: Denotes collective or essence (e.g., Zinrath = "dream essence")
Verb Derivation:
Derived from nouns or adjectives.
Example: Vesh (eye) → Veshtai = “to see or gaze”
Example: Skaar (fate) → Skaariss = “to determine destiny”
> Often end in -ai, -ess, or -thari.
Adjectives:
Formed by adding:
-il = descriptive (e.g., Thessaril = venomous)
-an = comparative (e.g., Uthan = sandier)
-uth = essence-of (e.g., Zaruluth = of the stars)
Syntax
Word Order:
Primarily VSO (Verb-Subject-Object) — emphasizes action over identity.
Example: “Skaariss Kael Veshak” = “Fate determines the blind one”
Reflexive Verbs: Use -hai to indicate the subject acts upon itself.
Example: Zrukhai = “coil oneself”
Reciprocal Constructions:
Use the root “Nirr-” (mutual, entwined) for entwined fates or mutual actions.
Example: Nirrthessakar = “they share venom” (metaphor for shared vengeance)
Tenses
Present: Root form or with slight inflection.
Example: Zural = “dreams”)
Past: Add -thar or -ekh.
Example: Zuralthar = “dreamed”)
Future: Add -ka or -zir.
Example: Zuralzir = “will dream”)
Imperative: Prolong sibilants or end in -ai!
Example: ZSSKAI! = “Strike!”)
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