Infernal

Infernal is the language of devils and other lawful beings native to the lower planes associated with tyranny, structure, and punishment. It is a language built for contracts, oaths, and unambiguous communication. It is not designed to inspire or to soothe, but to command, record, and endure. Every sound and every word exists to support authority and precision. Although feared and distrusted, Infernal remains an object of study among mortal scholars, warlocks, and clerics who deal with extraplanar forces or forbidden texts.   The spoken form of Infernal is low, deliberate, and rhythmic. It uses deep tones and sharp consonants, with a cadence that feels ritualistic. Sentences are spoken with heavy emphasis on each syllable. Nothing is rushed. Even casual phrases sound formal. There is no softness in its delivery. Every utterance has weight. It is meant to be heard clearly and remembered exactly. Among native speakers, the smallest deviation in tone can shift the meaning of a sentence. This precision makes it extremely difficult for outsiders to speak without extensive training.   Infernal grammar is complex and rigid. Sentence structure places the subject first, the action second, and the object last, but many clauses and qualifiers are embedded throughout. The language uses a strict system of noun classification based on the source and permanence of the concept being discussed. For example, names of living creatures, places, or emotions fall into separate grammatical groups. Verb tense is indicated by prefixes that reflect the moral weight of the action. Words for past, present, and future are less important than whether the action was permitted, enforced, or condemned. There are no informal forms in Infernal. Even familiar address maintains a formal structure.   The vocabulary of Infernal focuses on control, obligation, and enforcement. It includes many words for law, punishment, contracts, binding, obedience, and rank. Words for rebellion, freedom, and disorder exist, but they are framed as conditions to be corrected rather than states to be accepted. Descriptions are direct, with little room for metaphor or poetic speech. Idioms are rare and often limited to legal or military applications. A common phrase might translate to something like, the chain that moves is still bound, which refers to those who follow rules under protest.   Infernal has a distinct written script, composed of sharp, angular symbols designed to be carved into stone or etched into metal. The writing is intended to last. It avoids curves and delicate lines, favoring forms that survive time, fire, and tampering. Each symbol carries multiple components, some phonetic and others grammatical. Writing in Infernal requires not only copying shapes but understanding the hierarchy of meanings behind them. Formal documents in Infernal often contain layered clauses and embedded meanings that can take hours to fully interpret.   The language is often feared not just for its association with devils, but for its effectiveness. Those who master Infernal gain the ability to speak with force, to bind agreements with clarity, and to command attention in any negotiation. It is a language of order, where words are not just spoken, but enforced.