"Kerrmieryon; it means the pursuit of perfection in a chosen task or discipline. We of the Uranai -- which you call the Sea Elves -- are not so fixed in our roles as you Humans are, and may follow many kinds of employment in our lifetimes. In all, we are devoted to kerrmieryon, for we are long-lived beings and do not like to be content with a lack of mastery in anything we do."
Eltharin, sometimes spelled Elthárin,[10a] is the language of the Elves. It is incredibly complex in structure and massive in vocabulary, fabled in High Elf culture as being a devolved and very simplified version of the language spoken by the god-like beings the High Elves remember as the Old Ones.
In truth, Eltharin itself is a simplified version of the Elves' arcane language, Anoqeyån, which is the closest surviving mortal language of the Known World to the words spoken by the Old Ones.[1a] The original Eltharin has since fractured into several dialects, with only scholars still studying the original, "pure" dialect of Eltharin.[Needs Source]
These dialects of Eltharin include Tar-Eltharin, the dialect used by the contemporary Asur (High Elves) of Ulthuan; Druhir, the dialect of the Dark Elves of Naggarond; Fan-Eltharin, the dialect of the Wood Elves of Athel Loren and Magick, a derivative of Eltharin mixed with Old Reikspiel that the Human wizards of the Imperial Colleges of Magic use to cast their spells.[Needs Source]
The dead language once used by the ancient Elves of Ulthuan which Eltharin evolved from and replaced was known as Filuan.[11b]
Elven Linguistics[]
Words of the Elves[]
The High Elf language was developed many millennia ago, whilst Men were still uttering guttural exchanges. It has remained largely unchanged for several thousand years, evolving only slightly to adapt to the changing times, much like the Elves themselves.[5a]
At the heart of the Elven language, called Eltharin by the Elves, are few base root-words, or concepts. These words, and combinations of them, form the basis of most Elven communication, other words being derived from the basic concept that underlies the word. These underlying concepts are known as Asai, or Greater Words, while derivative words are called the Onai or Lesser Words. The Asai and Onai relate to the runic alphabets of Ulthuan, as detailed later.[5a]
The Asai form the cornerstone of all Elven communication, stemming from the most basic concepts of the world and Elven culture. A single word has a variety of meanings, depending on the context in which it is written or spoken. The exact context is defined by the Onai in the same sentence, honing down the broad concept into a more practical definition.[5a]
For example, one of the oldest Asai in the Elven language is Asur. This represents the highest of the Elven gods, the creator of Ulthuan. The god himself is named Asuryan, but the word can also mean the "Eternal Flame" (the greatest temple to Asuryan in Ulthuan), rebirth, or lordship, and is often used to define the High Elf people themselves. We can see the commonality between all of these concepts -- the Phoenix King, the chosen of Asuryan, must pass through the Sacred Flame in the god's chief temple and receive the god's blessing, being re-born into his new role as ruler of the Elves, who see themselves as the children of Asuryan.[5a]
The speech of Ulthuan is highly melodic, impossible for any other race to imitate without the heaviest of accents and losing much of the subtlety of meaning implicit in variations of tone, stress and timbre. Thus the language, while at its most fundamental level is very simple in theory, in practice is near-incomprehensible to non-Elven minds and ears.[5a]
Curiously, Flamespyre Phoenixes lack the gift of a civilised tongue, yet they understand Eltharin well enough.[19a]
Runes of the Elves[]
The ancient runescript of the High Elves is the most refined form of writing in the Known World. For thousands of years the High Elves have developed their runes and signs so they could be used to store their accumulated knowledge and safeguard their songs and history for future generations to learn.[5a][7a]
High Elves possess a great deal of respect for the world about them and their runescript largely duplicates the shapes and forms found in nature, or are based upon the complex patterns of the stars in the night sky. Most Eltharin runes can be written in several ways or, like the words they represent, can mean different things in different contexts. For "inferior" races, these double-meanings can often appear contradictory and confusing, but the children of Asur, whose sensibilities and aesthetics are far advanced compared to the other races, know that all things in life are a matter of perspective and interpretation.[5a]
In written form, the Elven language is a flowing text, an unbroken stream of runes. Like the words themselves, these runes are split into Asun (Greater Runes) and Onun (Lesser Runes). Indeed, it is virtually impossible for Humans to decipher High Elf writings, and it is claimed by many scholars who have tried that the runes themselves appear to change shape in the eyes of an untrained reader. Thus most of the translations of Elven text are woefully lacking, being full of inconsistencies, errors and swathes of garbled nonsense.[4a]
Yet, Tileans believe that their ancestors have translated the impossibly complex runes found in the High Elven ruins abandoned in their land after the War of the Beard. From these translations the Tileans claim to have learned the founding principles of modern philosophy, medicine, theology, astronomy, and, most importantly, they uncovered many new gods.[27a] It is no coincidence that many names given to their gods are very similar to the Elven ones for similar deities. Manann, Taal and Rhya are worshipped in Tilea as Mathann (Mathlann), Karnos (Kurnous) and Ishea (Isha).[27b]
Of all Elven texts, the most elegant and dangerous are their tomes and scrolls of magic. The words themselves have power and are written in the most arcane of scripts to deter those who seek such knowledge easily, even amongst Elvenkind.[5a]
High Elves frequently decorate their standards, weapons and armour with runes. The runes used in war often represent the pride and might of the High Elves, but also remind them of the noble principles of Elven warfare. Many standards display runes which depict the unit's role, history, or the personality of its commander, while many battle standards are magical; their runes forming a glowing, swirling pattern that creates otherworldly visions to embolden the High Elves and terrify their foes.[5a][7a]
Likewise, shields and even the robes of individual warriors or High Elf Mages are frequently adorned with runes, either magical or mundane. For a High Elf there is great spiritual value in bearing a rune that proclaims loyalty, or threatens death to the enemies of Ulthuan.[7a]
Eltharin Lexicon[]
A[]
- Aethyr - The Winds of Magic.
- Anurein - Elvish name for the River Reik.[11a]
- Arhaluin - Shadowdeath, a spear forged by Caledor Dragontamer for the first Phoenix King Aenarion, later a valued relic of the High Elves.[12c]
- Arhain-Tosaith - "The shadow from the earth," the Elvish nom de guerre of the great Dwarf general Brok Stonefist during the War of the Beard.[13a]
- Arluii - Elvish name for the Grey Mountains.[4a]
- Asrai - Literally, "The Blessed Ones." This is the formal Elvish name for the Wood Elves of Athel Loren.[21a]
B[]
- Beith-Caradan - "Dragonriders"; term used to indicate the Dragon Princes of Caledor when they mount a Dragon.[20a][29a]
C[]
- Caladh Enru - "Dragon Pass", the future site of the Dragon Gate.[12b]
- Cyarith - Roughly translated as "Dawn's Vengeance", the ancestral sword of House Anar.[23b]
D[]
- Daionillyseiwyn – The Elven name of Mage-Leaf, an herb used by the spellcasters to regain magical power.[29b]
- Daroir 'tal Minai - The Book of Days, the chronicle of Ulthuan's long history.[30a]
- Druchii - Dark Elves; lit. "the Dark Ones."[17a]
E[]
- Enniun Moreir - "Dark Fen", a region in Nagarythe where the loyalists of the Phoenix Throne stood against the followers of Malekith and were defeated.[23a]
- Eyin Uirithas - "Unicorn Pass", the future site of the Unicorn Gate.[12a]
I[]
- Iselendra yevithri anthri - Phrase meaning "By our deaths we serve," which is an ancient Yvressian battle-oath.[26a]
- Ithiltaen - The tall conical helmet worn by Silver Helms. Only High Elven nobles may wear them, though it is considered unseemly to do so without first earning it by serving in a band of said-knights.[9a]
K[]
- Kerrmieryon - The pursuit of perfection in a chosen task or discipline.[28a]
- Khaela Mensha - "The Bloody Handed," infamous title belonging to Khaine, the Elven god of war and murder.
- Khiratoth - lit. "Ruinclaw", the magical spear of Prince Caenthras.[23b]
L[]
- Larhathrai - Icefang, the final incarnation of the Sword of Khaine in the hands of Tyrion during the End Times.[15a]
- Loren Lacoi - The Great Forest.
- Loren Lauroi - The original name of the Laurelorn Forest, meaning "the Golden Wood".[16a]
M[]
- Menlui-Sarath - Sea Dragon[18a]
P[]
R[]
- Rhana Dhandra - Final Battle of the Gods, the Elven apocalypse when the world will face the final onslaught of Chaos.[3a]
S[]
- Saraeluii - Elvish name for the Worlds Edge Mountains.[11a]
T[]
- Tar Uritharhain - Elvish term for the Lands of the Dead.[14a]
- Tor - A city or settlement. Eg: Tor Elyr, Tor Yvresse, Tor Alessi.
U[]
- Uluthain - Elvish name for the Galleon's Graveyard.[22a]
W[]
- Wahnil - This is the battle-cry of the Caledorians, calling for vengeance and death upon their foes.[20a]
Y[]
- Ylvathoi - "Imperfect youth," a derogatory term for intelligent mortal species deemed inferior to the Asur.[25b]
Eltharin Rune Lexicon[]
A[]
- Arhain - Shadows, night, stealth, or perfidiousness.[7a]
- Aroth - Fortress, courage, taciturnity.[7a]
- Asur - High Elves, the Eternal Flame, the Mark of Asuryan, symbol of rebirth and lordship.[7a]
C[]
- Cadaith - Grace, power, the music of the stars.[7a]
- Ceyl - Law, order, justice, passion, sword that draws blood.[7a]
- Charoi - Strength, ferocity, a mane of hair.[7a]
- Cynath - Chill, death, silence, loneliness.[7a]
D[]
- Danoi - Sleep, peace, lethargy.[7a]
- Daroir - Remembrance, memory, the strength of stones.[7a]
- Dassoir - Scrying, sight, forbidden knowledge.[7a]
- Denla - Freedom, fulfillment, emptiness.[7a]
- Drathro - Sinister, black-hearted, unwoken heroism.[7a]
- Drome - The Underworld Stair, descent, inevitability.[7a]
- Dromui - Hope, ascent, the Heavenward Stairs.[7a]
E[]
- Eanith - Honour, burden, a contest of wills.[7a]
- Eddu - Pain, longing, determination.[7a]
- Edra - Laughter, the cruelty of fate.[7a]
- Eldoir - Flight, true aim, skyward sight.[7a]
- Elrith - The forge, spark of the anvil, boldness[7a]
- Elthrai - Doom, inexorable fate, hope.[7a]
- Elui - Ending or denial.[7a]
- Endri - Ennui, endlessness, steadfast loyalty.[7a]
- Enthlai - Concordance, twins, war without end.[7a]
- Estroi - The Trident, war at sea, defence against invasion.[7a]
G[]
- Galri - Destiny entwined, sorrow, joy.[7a]
- Garior - Darkness, gloom, strength of ancient days.[7a]
H[]
- Hadri - Ships, exploration, the endless voyage.[7a]
- Hanor - The Season of Rain, boldness, ingress.[7a]
- Harathoi - Youth, boundless energy, jealousy.[7a]
- Harvoi - Music, song, an eternity of joy.[7a]
- Histo - Plenty, dominance, the Golden Age of the Elves.[7a]
- Horinar - Trade, treaty, corruption.[7a]
I[]
- Ildyr - The Chained Dragon, duty, obedience.[7a]
- Ildra - Expediency, the balance restored.[7a]
- Indrast - The heavens awoken, fate fulfilled.[7a]
- Indrion - The heavens, portent, doom of mortals.[7a]
- Ismuir - Mists, cloud, the secret paths.[7a]
- Issth - The Serpent of Light, dexterousness, trickery.[7a]
- Istryn - Symbol of the Arespan, alliance, common cause.[7a]
K[]
- Keldri - Anguish, murder, victory, the Last Path.[7a]
- Kenui - War without end, a lingering death.[7a]
- Kindra - Final victory, the death of all hope.[7a]
- Kirior - The path of leadership, formless art, knowledge of ancient days.[7a]
L[]
- Lacoi - Might, glory, fear of death.[7a]
- Ladroi - The Season of Sun, apex, joy.[7a]
- Lalinoi - Herald, splendor, hubris.[7a]
- Larime - The Season of Frost, caution, egress.[7a]
- Lathain - Storm, wrath, gently falling rain which brings eternal sleep; as well as the name of Kurnous.[7a]
- Lavrai - Torrent, endless flight, death at sea.[7a]
- Lecai - Light, nobility of soul, lightness of being.[7a]
- Lithri - Vision, farsightedness, the palace of the gods.[7a]
M[]
- Malavoi - Savagery, creatures of the deep.[7a]
- Menlui - Water, life, torrential rain and thunder in the distant mountains.[7a]
- Minaith - Skill in arms, spirituality, the lost way.[7a]
N[]
- Nadrur - The Season of Storm, dwindling, sorrow.[7a]
- Nastirr - Path of the Soul, oblivion, remembrance.[7a]
O[]
- Odri - Deception, Inner Truth, The Road Not Taken.[7a]
- Oriour - Blood, birth.[7a]
Q[]
- Quul - The Tree of Life, regrowth, decay.[7a]
S[]
- Sarathai - The rune of the World Dragon, symbolising defiance, unyielding determination.[7a]
- Sariour - The moon, magic, fortune, evil deeds, destruction wrought by nature.[7a]
- Saroir - Eternity, infinity, the flame of love that burns all it touches.[7a]
- Sarumar - Temptation, fulfillment, discipline, the Watcher in the Dark.[7a]
- Sendai - Dedication, sacrifice, resentment.[7a]
- Senlui - Swiftness, accuracy.[7a]
- Senthoi - Unity, loyalty, broken promise.[7a]
- Sethai - Flight, wind, cry in the far mountains.[7a]
- Sevir - Wind, storm, the anger of the world.[7a]
- Skale - Guardian dragon, strength and honour.[7a]
T[]
- Thalui - Hatred or vengeance.[7a]
- Thanan - Hidden power, inner strength, indecisiveness.[7a]
- Thanlui - Injustice, necessity, the unbalanced scale.[7a]
- Tiroir - The broken tower, the world reborn.[7a]
U[]
- Urithair - Destruction, conquest, sacrifice of innocence.[7a]
V[]
- Varinor - Strength, fire, the Pride of Caledor.[7a]
- Varour - Aggression, lightning, downfall.[7a]
- Verdan - Woodland, continuity, defence.[7a]
- Volroth - Supremacy, royalty, heroic death.[7a]
Y[]
- Yennla - The Seed, the promise of Isha.[7a]
- Ylvan - Pride, honour, imperfection.[7a]
- Ylvoir - Throne of Kings, guardianship, servitude.[7a]
- Yngra - Rescue, imprisonment.[7a]
- Ytha - Waves, swiftness, the hungry ocean.[7a]
Trivia[]
Eltharin is likely inspired by Eldarin, a group of elven languages created by J.R.R Tolkien.
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Realms of Sorcery (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 49
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (7th Edition)
- 2a: pg. 71
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (8th Edition)
- 3a: pg. 51
- 4: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (7th Edition)
- 4a: pg. 23
- 5: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (6th Edition)
- 5a: pg. 78
- 6: Warhammer Armies: Dark Elves (6th Edition)
- 7: Warhammer: Uniforms & Heraldry of the High Elves (Background Book)
- 8: Warhammer Fantasy Battles Rulebook (8th Edition)
- 9: Defenders of Ulthuan (Novel) by Graham McNeill
- 9a: Chapter 6
- 10: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 10a: pg. 125
- 11: Master of Dragons (Novel) by Chris Wraight
- 12: Malekith (Novel) by Gav Thorpe
- 13: The Curse of the Phoenix Crown (Novel) by Chris Wraight
- 13a: Ch. 4
- 14: Liber Necris (Background Book)
- 14a: pg. 4
- 15: Curse of Khaine (Novel) by Gav Thorpe
- 15a: Ch. 22
- 16: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Archives of the Empire - Vol I (RPG)
- 16a: pg. 73
- 17: Caledor (Novel) by Gav Thorpe
- 17a: Ch. 10
- 18: Gotrek and Felix: Elfslayer (Novel) by Nathan Long
- 18a: Ch. 12
- 19 Warhammer Armies: High Elves (8th Edition)
- 19a: pg. 52
- 20: Warhammer Armies: Dogs of War (5th Edition)
- 20a: pg. 42
- 21: Guardians of the Forest (Novel) by Graham McNeil
- 21a: Ch. 4
- 22: Dreadfleet (Novel) by Phil Kelly
- 22a: Ch. 15
- 23: Shadow King (Novel) by Gav Thorpe
- 24: Town Cryer 1
- 24a: pg. 7
- 25: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Lustria (RPG)
- 26: The End Times: Nagash (8th Edition)
- 26a: pg. 152
- 27: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Tome of Salvation (RPG)
- 28: Tales of Orfeo: Storm Warriors (Novel) by Brian Craig
- 28a: Ch. 3
- 29: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: Apocrypha Now (RPG)
- 29: Dark Storm Gathering (Novel) by Chris Wraight
- 29a: Prologue
- 30: Liber Chaotica (Background Book)
- 30a: pg. 138