Nonhuman languages of Golarion

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Although there are many human languages across Golarion, there are many more of nonhuman origin. Some of them have existed longer than humanity itself.

Adlet

The language of the adlet, a snow-wolf-like humanoid species.1

Alghollthu

The language of alghollthus,2 also known as the Aboleth language,3 is one of the oldest on the face (and below the waters) of Golarion.[citation needed] It is spoken by the various species of alghollthus as well as some of their traditional enemies.4

Amurrun

In addition to Taldane, most catfolk also speak their own language, called "Amurrun", which is also the term they use for themselves.5 Amurrun is spoken widely in the large community of catfolk living in the Valashmai Jungle.6 As the language of catfolk, this language is sometimes also referred to as Catfolk.7

Arboreal

The language of arboreals and other plant-like creatures is presumably used during moots.84 Arboreal regents are also known as "treants", so this language is sometimes also referred to as Treant.9

Boggard

This language of croaks and belched pops is spoken by the boggards of the Mushfens in Varisia. A crude pidgin of it is also spoken by marsh giants, and is supposedly even more disgusting to hear.1011

Ceratioidi

The language of the ceratioidi.12

Cyclops

The language of the cyclops was also once spoken by giants. It developed before the coming of humans, among the cyclops of the legendary realm of Ghol-Gan.1314

Draconic

It is believed that Draconic is among the oldest, if not the oldest language of the multiverse. Because of this, nearly all other languages can trace some roots back to this primordial tongue.15 Draconic is one of the two major languages spoken on the planet Triaxus,16 and is commonly spoken in the Tian Xia nation of Xa Hoi, as it is the racial language of the Tian-Dan people.1718 It has a throaty character and defaults to an imperative tone.19

Druidic

This language has been guarded so vigilantly by the druids of Golarion that it remains a secret language to this day. Speakers of Elven or Sylvan may be able to discern a few individual words here and there, but even they remain baffled without a greater context to place them in.15

Dwarven

For another meaning of "Dwarven", please see Dwarf.

Dwarven is a clipped language of hard consonants and guttural pronunciation. Dwarven shares its runic alphabet with Terran, along with a number of other similarities.15 Dwarven names are full of harsh-sounding consonants, and rarely include soft, or sibilant sounds. Honorifics are common in given names, such as "-sun" ("-son"), "-dam" ("-daughter"), and "-hild" ("-wife"). Family names sometimes contain words in Common such as "gold" or "hammer". Also, the letters Q and X do not appear in Dwarven.20 Dörak is a dwarven term meaning "off-plan", which is not a good thing for dwarves to do.21

Elven

Main article: Elven

Elven is believed to be among the eldest, if not the eldest of the languages mortals speak on Golarion. Scholars conjecture that it was formed when elven speakers of Sylvan tried to introduce grammatical rules and vocabulary from both Celestial and Draconic.15 The elven alphabet contains thirty-three letters (twenty-four consonants and nine vowels).22 It is a complex language, but sounds poetic in tone and cadence.14 In Tian Xia, Elven is naturally most commonly spoken in the elven nation of Jinin, although it is also common in Kaoling, Zi Ha, Shokuro, and Amanandar.17

Garuda

Garuda is the name of the language and the name of the creature that speaks it. Garudas are brightly coloured avian creatures living in tropical climates, including on the island nation of Jalmeray. Garudas, being intelligent creatures, may also speak Common and Vudrani.23

Giant

The language of the various races of giants—sometimes called Jotun,24 or more simply, Giant—that exists today is a mixture of Cyclops and Thassilonian. First used by the giant slaves of the runelords in the time before Earthfall, it spread to the rest of Golarion after the destruction of that realm.15 In Tian Xia, Giant is most commonly spoken in the brutish nation of Chu Ye.17

Girtablilu

Girtablilu is the language spoken by the humanoid-scorpion hybrid creatures of the same name.25

Gnoll

This language is hard for non-gnolls to understand and speak, as it is made up of countless barks, growls and yips. Like many other racial languages, its construction is a clear reflection of the cultural priorities of its speakers: gnoll has 37 words for the term "slave" and only two for "work".15

Gnome

In terms of the sheer number of words in its vocabulary, Gnome, or Gnomish,26 is the largest language known. It has changed dramatically since gnomes first introduced it to Golarion, a process which has by no means halted.15 It shares certain similarities with both Aklo and Sylvan.1419

Goblin

Goblin vocabulary is shared by the goblin, bugbear, and hobgoblin races, even if the pronunciations, inflections, and usage differs wildly among them. When spoken by goblins, it is nearly incomprehensible to outsiders, and sounds more like high-pitched yapping. Among the martial hobgoblins, it takes the form of short, barked commands, while the bugbears speak their taunts with a sibilance not heard among the other goblinoid races.14 It is an extremely flexible language, containing a plethora of terms related to subservience, fear, and death.15 In Tian Xia, Goblin is the official language of the hobgoblin nation of Kaoling, although the dialect is different from the Goblin spoken in the Inner Sea region. Goblin speakers there also use the Tien alphabet.17

Grippli

Gripplis are humanoids that are clearly related to frogs. They may speak Common but, amongst their own kind, they speak their own language called Grippli.27 Grippli language is spoken widely in the Valashmai Jungle as there is a large community of grippli living there.6

Halfling

The language of halflings is believed to have developed from a coded version of Taldane and Varisian. It was first used in Cheliax among the halfling slave population and eventually spread across Avistan and Garund.15 The language has many regional dialects to the point that halflings may find difficulty communicating with foreign halflings in complex areas. Modern halfling has the same grammar structure as Azlanti; scholars can only suggest why this is the case, but it tends to suggest halflings were present within the ancient Azlanti empire alongside the humans.28

Jotun

See Giant above

Kasatha

Kasathas are four-armed humanoids who have their own language, also called Kasatha.29

Kech

Keches are evil simian creatures found in warm jungles who have their own language, also called Kech.30

Kuru

Kuru is the racial language of the cannibalistic kuru who make their home in the Shackles.31

Munavri

Munavri is the racial language of the albino munavri who make their home deep beneath the continent of Arcadia.32

Nagaji

The hissing Nagaji language is spoken almost exclusively by the inhabitants of Nagajor, specifically the Nagaji. The Nagaji tongue has been heavily influenced by the Naga over the centuries, and even when translated possesses various terms considered strange by non-native speakers.3317

Orc

Much like the folk who speak it, Orc, or Orcish,24 is a harsh and violent language, full of sharp delivery and hard consonants.1519 It uses the Dwarven alphabet,15 and is spoken as a majority language only in the Hold of Belkzen.34

Plantspeech

Many sentient plants manage to communicate with other plants through a 'language' that is equivalent to a continuous speak with plants spell, called plantspeech. Sometimes, this plantspeech is only effective for communication with plants of the same species.35

Rougarou

Rougarous are a shapechanging wolf-headed humanoid, though emphatically not a type of lycanthrope. Usually able to speak Common to those outside their community, rougarous use their own racial language, also called Rougarou, to communicate amongst themselves.36

Sahuagin

The language of the sahuagin sometimes spoken by merfolk37 and gillmen.38

Samsaran

Even though the Samsaran language is primarily spoken in the mountainous Tian Xia nation of Zi Ha, it is also the racial tongue of the samsaran people,17 and a secondary language of the kitsune,39 nagaji,40 and wayang peoples.41

Sasquatch

Sasquatch is the name of the language spoken by the simian species of humanoid called sasquatch or, sometimes, "bigfoot". As well as more normal vocal words, the language is supplemented by howls and "knocking" sounds. The latter are produced when a sasquatch bangs a tree or rock with an implement. This complex language sounds similar to the normal sounds in a forest and thus aids in protecting the privacy of the species.42

Senzar

Senzar is the truly ancient language of the spirits of Tian Xia, and spoken most frequently by the kami of the Forest of Spirits as well as the inhabitants of the Wall of Heaven Mountains. Scholars believe that it may be the root language of all human tongues on the continent, as many words associated with the spirit world or dragons have Senzar roots.17 Senzar is also spoken natively by the kitsune,39 and as a secondary language by the nagaji,40 samsarans,43 and wayang.41 Although the Sylvan language is known in Tian Xia, most creatures that one would expect to speak it, instead speak Senzar.17

Sphinx

Sphinx is spoken by the guardians of Osirion. The ability to speak this language is needed to become a living monolith.44

Strix

The language of the winged men of Cheliax is a pidgin of Azlanti and Infernal.45 The language sounds to human ears more like an eagle screeching than a form of humanoid communication. The strix refer to their own race as itarii in their own language.46

Sylvan

The language of the fey, Sylvan is one of the most linguistically static of all languages. Thought to be nearly as old as Draconic or Abyssal, Sylvan has a tiny vocabulary, which has barely changed over the eons.15 Although Sylvan is spoken by a small minority on the continent of Tian Xia, most creatures whom one would expect to speak Sylvan there instead speak Senzar.17

Syrinx

Syrinxes are an owl-like humanoid resident on the continent of Arcadia that have their own language also called Syrinx.47

Tengu

The language of the tengu, which may be found in a number of dialects.48 The language is also spoken by Yamabushi tengus: oni that resemble tengus,49 and is the national language of the tengu nation on Kwanlai in Tian Xia.17

Thriae

Thriae is the language spoken by the female bee creatures of the same name.50

Vanaran

Vanaran is the racial language of the forest-dwelling, simian humanoids known as vanara.51

Vishkanya

The same word, Vishkanya, is used for the name and the racial language of the dark-skinned humanoids, who are famous for their ability with poison.52

Wayang

The wayang's racial language is spoken in Tian Xia most commonly in the Wandering Isles.17

References

  1. ↑ Jesse Benner et al. (2011). Bestiary 3 (First Edition), p. 9. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1
  2. ↑ Logan Bonner, Jason Bulmahn, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Mark Seifter, et al. (2019). Bestiary (Second Edition), p. 12. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-170-2
  3. ↑ Jason Bulmahn. (2009). Bestiary (First Edition), p. 8. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Logan Bonner, Jason Bulmahn, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Mark Seifter, et al. (2020). Bestiary 2 (Second Edition), p. 311. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-223-5
  5. ↑ Logan Bonner, Jason Bulmahn, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Mark Seifter, et al. (2019). Bestiary (Second Edition), p. 54. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-170-2
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 40. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
  7. ↑ Jason Bulmahn. (2009). Bestiary (First Edition), p. 47. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1
  8. ↑ Logan Bonner, Jason Bulmahn, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Mark Seifter, et al. (2019). Bestiary (Second Edition), p. 24–25. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-170-2
  9. ↑ Jason Bulmahn. (2009). Bestiary (First Edition), p. 266. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1
  10. ↑ F. Wesley Schneider. (2007). Rise of the Runelords Player's Guide, p. 14. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-059-9
  11. ↑ Stephen S. Greer, Joshua J. Frost, Mike McArtor, & F. Wesley Schneider. (2008). Bestiary. Sins of the Saviors, p. 82. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-040-7
  12. ↑ Adam Daigle, Ed Greenwood, Rob McCreary, Sean K Reynolds, and James L. Sutter. (2010). Bestiary. Rivers Run Red, p. 80. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-233-3
  13. ↑ Jason Bulmahn. (2009). Bestiary (First Edition), p. 52. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 251. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
  15. ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 15.11 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 221. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  16. ↑ James L. Sutter. (2013). Planet of Dragons. The Frozen Stars, p. 65. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-495-5
  17. ↑ 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 49–51. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
  18. ↑ James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 5. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Benjamin Bruck, et al. (2015). Inner Sea Races, p. 7. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-722-2
  20. ↑ James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 24. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
  21. ↑ Michael Kortes. (2015). Pathfinder's Journal: Tall Tales 2 of 6: "Going Dörak". The Hill Giant's Pledge, p. 77. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-726-0
  22. ↑ Mike McArtor. (2008). Guide to Darkmoon Vale, p. 49. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-100-8
  23. ↑ Matt Goodall. (2011). Cult of the Ebon Destroyers, p. 29. Paizo Publishing, LLC.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Logan Bonner et al. (2019). Pathfinder Core Rulebook, p. 65. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-64078-168-9
  25. ↑ Jesse Benner et al. (2011). Bestiary 3 (First Edition), p. 130. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1
  26. ↑ James Jacobs. (2019). Age of Ashes Player's Guide, p. 4. Paizo Inc.
  27. ↑ Wolfgang Baur et al. (2010). Bestiary 2 (First Edition), p. 149. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5
  28. ↑ Hal Maclean and Amber E. Scott. (2010). Halflings of Golarion, p. 15f. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-278-4
  29. ↑ Dennis Baker et al. (2013). Bestiary 4, p. 174. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-575-4
  30. ↑ Jesse Benner et al. (2011). Bestiary 3 (First Edition), p. 167. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1
  31. ↑ Mike Shel. (2012). Isles of the Shackles, p. 51. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-408-5
  32. ↑ Josh Colon et al. (2015). Occult Bestiary, p. 34. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-767-3
  33. ↑ Alex Greenshields. (2012). Red Harvest, p. 7. Paizo Publishing, LLC.
  34. ↑ James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 46. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
  35. ↑ Dennis Baker et al. (2015). Bestiary 5, p. 307. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-792-5
  36. ↑ Robert Brookes et al. (2017). Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 6, p. 242. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-931-8
  37. ↑ Jason Bulmahn. (2009). Bestiary (First Edition), p. 204. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1
  38. ↑ James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 310. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 9. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 10. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 13. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
  42. ↑ Jesse Benner et al. (2011). Bestiary 3 (First Edition), p. 236. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1
  43. ↑ James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 11. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
  44. ↑ Jason Eric Nelson & Amber Stewart. (2008). Osirion, Land of Pharaohs, p. 22–23. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-144-2
  45. ↑ Sean K Reynolds, et al. (2009). The Bastards of Erebus, p. 82–83. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-190-9
  46. ↑ John Compton et al. (2015). Inner Sea Monster Codex, p. 52 & 55. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-752-9
  47. ↑ Jim Groves, James Jacobs, Rob McCreary, et al. (2012). Inner Sea Bestiary, p. 51. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-468-9
  48. ↑ Jason Bulmahn. (2009). Bestiary (First Edition), p. 263. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-183-1
  49. ↑ James Jacobs, Tim Nightengale. (2011). Bestiary. The Brinewall Legacy, p. 88. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-361-3
  50. ↑ Jesse Benner et al. (2011). Bestiary 3 (First Edition), p. 264. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1
  51. ↑ Jesse Benner et al. (2011). Bestiary 3 (First Edition), p. 280. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1
  52. ↑ Jesse Benner et al. (2011). Bestiary 3 (First Edition), p. 281. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-378-1
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Languages of the Pathfinder Campaign Setting
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