Post by Ophelia Harrington on Nov 28, 2013 4:05:01 GMT -5
The Language of the Universe and Truenames
Written by Tesarik One
Written by Tesarik One
When you speak a word in the true, original language of the universe, you tap the power of creation itself -- for the ability to describe something is the ability to define it. A wielder of truename magic understands a language older and more fundamental than all others -- a "mother tongue" whose words and phrases are the building blocks of the universe. Something we call Primordial here in Arith.
None are certain of the precise origins of truename magic. Some claim that with the act of creation undertaken by the gods and primordials, existence was shaped by the words of power used by these beings. Reality consequently came to reflect its essential nature through its own language. Many runepriests and other divine casters that learn the words of creation used by the gods claim that their power is a form of truename magic. The fundamental forces that hold the world together resist the changes wrought by truename rituals, however. Each syllable intoned demands incredible precision to have an effect, making truename magic a taxing endeavor for those attempting to use it.
The truename of individuals and objects also fluctuates over the course of a day. The precise condition and location of an object is expressed in the complex vocalizations the rituals demand, so accumulating changes to these qualities means that dedicated followers of truename magic are forever researching and chasing down the linguistic formulae required for directing these rituals."
Except perhaps the gods themselves, no one can speak this original tongue in its entirety, though many spend their lives learning a certain elementary level of Primordial. It is possible that no one ever did speak it -- truenames might be more a set of instructions encoded into a language, rather than a means of communication. But through careful study, the masters of truename magic can understand a smattering of this fundamental language.
ASSIGNMENT ONE: Think about the universe, the very world we live upon, and the objects around us. Why do you think that truenames fluctuate as much as they do? Why do you think that truenamers wish to know so much about the Primordial tongue?
The Power of Truename Magic
Why do we want to know truenames? When such masters name a thing aloud in the tongue of truenames, they can exert unparalleled control over the creature or object they name. They can command it, alter it, renew it, or destroy it simply by speaking their desire aloud. The cosmos seems to hear a truenamer's instruction and reorders the universe in accordance with the spoken words.
Truenamers engage in ceaseless study of the world around them, learning the truenames of as many creatures and objects as they can. As they advance in their studies, they can uncover the personal truenames of friends or foes, enabling still more powerful magic.
Some traditional spellcasters also dabble in truename magic. By incorporating a bit of truename speech into their spells, they can achieve targeted but powerful effects beyond the reach of traditional arcane or divine magic. The language of truenames is fiendishly difficult to pronounce, however, so such spells press the skill of their casters to the utmost.
If you want to cause the very earth to tremble when you say "thremcheumalach-tura'abachnir!" then truename magic is for you. If you want to force a babau demon to do your will simply because you know its truename is Kyethel-cramuothanpraduvashedeo, then truenames can be your path to power.
The Methods of Truename Magic
Truenames encompass reality in its entirety. Everything in the world, everything that ever was, and presumably everything that ever will be has a truename. Even the most wizened truename sage doesn't know every word in the language of truenames -- or even most of them. While the grimoires of truename masters have thousands of truenames within them, truenames undoubtedly exist beyond their knowledge, truenames that await rediscovery through magical exploration and experimentation.
Truenames are an entirely oral language. Merely writing down a truename has no particular power. Only speaking a truename aloud can reorder the universe -- assuming the speaker says the name properly. The language of Truespeech is composed of hundreds of consonant sounds and thousands of delicately inflected vowels. The rhythm of the speech is likewise essential. A book might require several pages just to describe a single truename, because the speaker needs so much guidance in pronunciation.
The language of truenames is more than just a list of names. Most of the language consists of the truename equivalent of nouns. In terms of effect, there's a truename for "orc," for "door," and for "sword." But from the truenamer's point of view, it's much more complex. There's a word for "orc berserker charging toward me," a word for "ironbound, locked wooden door with something unknown on the other side," and a word for "flame tongue longsword wielded by an ally." Even an apprentice in the magic of truenames knows hundreds of these truenames.
"Truenames can also name actions, such as "vanish," "sharpen," or "destroy." When these actions are combined with the truenames that describe nouns, a truenamer can remake the universe in accordance with his wishes. Combining the truename for "destroy" with the truename for "orc" can cause harm to the orc charging toward you, for example. Combining "sharpen" - yichtho'pratanuul-khadaan.... with "sword" gremeneth'hradoshikell. ...can make the weapon more potent against your foes.
ASSIGNMENT TWO: Choose five simple objects and determine the truenames for them. For instance, the word "blade", or "fire"; or perhaps "Giant" or "mother".
(ooc: Truename magic is no exact science, this is fantasy roleplay so come up with your own intricate truenames for objects. There is no right or wrong answer. If you want "fire" to be flisss'bughement-gishis, then that will be it's truename for your magic.)
TRUENAME CLASS
In class we will discuss the third type of truename: personal truenames. You will be asked to decide on your own personal truename (but not share it of course, lest you be bent to the will of the instructor!). We will learn the difference between utterances and recitations as well as the various Lexicons that truenamers have full of truename magic.
