Icon representing the Wood Elves of Athel Loren
Fan-Eltharin is a dialect of the Elven language of Eltharin utilised by the Wood Elves of Athel Loren.
Elves are subtle creatures at heart, and live in the details of thought and deed that lesser mortal creatures seldom notice. They live for intrigue and find joy in a clever tongue wielded by an accomplished mind. The speech of a Wood Elf is particularly incomprehensible to an outsider. This is not because the words themselves make little sense, but because there are always at least two possible interpretations of the intended meaning.[1b]
In this way, a promise of assistance can sound disturbingly like a threat, and a death sentence like an offer of clemency. Thus does the speech of the Wood Elves reflect their own complicated relationship with the mortal world. Until backed up with deeds, words are just empty prophecies that speak to possible outcome; sometimes, even the Wood Elves do not know what they intend until the moment of action.[1b]
Writing[]
The written form of Fan-Eltharin features swirling, spiralling runes which differ greatly from the clear, elegant runes of the dialect of Eltharin called Tar-Eltharin spoken by the Asur or High Elves, or the sharp, aggressive, criss-crossing angular runes of the dialect of Eltharin called Druhir that is spoken by the Druchii or Dark Elves. Like all Elven writing, it is extremely hard for non-Elves to read as the runes seem to flow across the page and change shape.
We know the name of one Fan-Eltharin rune: Astian, which represents the eternal struggle against Chaos. The rune appears similar to the real world symbol for infinity ∞. A stylised version of this rune is worn by all members of the Wood Elven Eternal Guard of Athel Loren.[1d]
Lexicon[]
A[]
- Arahain - Scout Kindred. From the Eltharin word Arhain, meaning shadows, night, stealth and perfidiousness.[2h]
- Athel - Wood or forest[1a]
- Athel Caiellin - Dreaming Wood
- Auryaur - A Wild Rider Kindred. From the Eltharin word Oriour, meaning blood and birth.[2h]
B[]
C[]
- Caellin - Dreaming[1a]
- Caidath - Wardancer Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Cadaith, meaning grace, power, music of the stars.[2g]
- Corrigyn - "Daughter of Mists," name given by Ariel to the spirit of the Silverspire, known by Men as the Lady of the Lake.
- Cromarc - Heath[1a]
- Cyanathair - Literally "Corruptor," Wood Elf name for Morghur, given by Ariel during the Season of Withering.
- Cythral - The Wildwood. Possibly from the same root word as the Eltharin Cytharai.[1a]
D[]
- Darna-Cáoch - "The Forgotten Pool"[5a]
E[]
- Edri - Oak[1a]
- Edryl - Glade or natural clearing[1a]
- Eternos - Ages, time[1a]
- Ethris Yl Idrion - "The Maker's Tears." A phrase inscribed on the flint arrows carried by members of the Glade Guard.[1c]
H[]
- Haroith - Younger Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Harathoi meaning youth, boundless energy, jealousy.[2d]
I[]
- Ìobrass - Sacrifice[5b]
K[]
- Kegh-mon - Mankind (Somewhat pejorative)[2j]
- Kel-Isha - Spellsinger Kindreds. From the Eltharin root word Quyl-Isha, meaning the tears of Isha, sorry, mercy, endurance and mourning for lost children.[2c]
- Koiran - King[1a]
L[]
- Laithu - Moonblade[4a]
- Laith-Kourn - Alter Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Lathain, meaning storm, wrath and gently falling rain which brings eternal sleep; as well as the name of Kurnous.[2h]
- Lakoys - Warrior Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Lacoi, meaning might, glory and fear of death.[2c]
M[]
- Mureth Vai - An archery contest held once every ten years.[6a]
N[]
- Nymraif - Waywatcher Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Minaith. meaning skill in arms, spirituality, or the lost way.[2h]
O[]
- Ostaliss - The spring equinox[7a]
S[]
- Saearath - Spear-staves[2i]
- Sehenlu - Glade Rider Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Senlui, meaning swiftness and accuracy.[2d]
- Sethayla - Windrider Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Sethai, meaning flight, wind, cry in the far mountains.[2c]
- Shy-gwythiar - Warhawks, Keen Ones, Wind Riders[3a]
T[]
- Talu - Vengeance Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Thalui, meaning hatred or vengeance.[2f]
- Turas-Alvar - Literally "Land of Sky," a sub-realm of Wydrioth[5b]
W[]
- Wyldyr - Wild[1a]
Y[]
- Yenayla - Glamourweave Kindred. From the Eltharin root word Yenlui, meaning balance, harmony and chaos.[2h]
- Yn, Yl - The comma used with Yl indicates a possessive.[1a]
- Yn Cromarc Wyldyr - The Wild Heath[1a]
- Yn Edri Eternos - The Oak of Ages[1a]
- Yn Edryl Koiran - The King's Glade[1a]
- Ystin - Temple, shrine[1a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (8th Edition)
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves (6th Edition)
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Bestiary (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 34
- 4: Guardians of the Forest (Novel) by Graham McNeil
- 4a: Ch. 12
- 5: Orion - The Vault of Winter (Novel) by Darius Hinks
- 6: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Career Compendium (RPG)
- 6a: pg. 207
- 7: Orion – The Council of Beasts (Novel) by Darius Hinks
- 7a: Ch. 14