Titans

In the world of Yavarra, Titans are primordial elemental beings that represent the raw power of nature. They are the building blocks of the world and the forces that shape it. These massive beings are not divine entities, but rather a part of the world itself. They do not possess personalities or individual wills, but instead, they represent the elements they are associated with.

There are many Titans in Yavarra, each representing a different aspect of the world. Some of them are active and constantly shaping the landscape, while others are dormant and only awaken in times of great need. Titans are the source of primal magic, which is one of the magic traditions in Yavarra.

According to legends, the Titans were the first beings to exist in Yavarra. They shaped the land, created the oceans, and grew the trees and mountains. However, when the deities arrived in Yavarra, the Titans were not happy about it. The deities wanted to create a home for new races, but the Titans did not want to give up their plane of existence.

A great conflict erupted between the Titans and the deities. While the deities were powerful, the Titans were not easily defeated. However, eventually, the deities emerged victorious. Most of the Titans were defeated and forced into dormancy, but there were some entities that went dormant by choice to accumulate more power.

Even though the Titans were defeated, their influence on the world of Yavarra is still felt today. They are still responsible for the way the world looks and how it functions. Some of the Titans are still active and shaping the landscape, while others are waiting for the right time to awaken and restore balance to the world.

The Koji Empire in Yavarra is home to an ancient city named Kino. Long ago, the people of Koji discovered a Flaming Core underground, which they extracted with great difficulty. The Flaming Core turned out to be the heart of a sleeping fire Titan, causing the destruction of Kino and the disturbance of ley lines of magic in the region. The Koji Empire now relies on the Guild of Artificers to advance their technology due to the strange behavior of magic in the region.

To the north of Yavarra lies the continent of Ellriverold, a desolate and frozen wasteland. Here, amidst the icy tundras and snow-capped mountains, sleep the frozen Titans. These colossal beings are said to be the embodiment of the bitter cold and icy winds that whip across the northern wastes. The Titans here are dormant, but not defeated, and it is said that they will one day awaken from their slumber to reclaim their dominion over the frozen wastes. The presence of the Titans has attracted a population of frost dragons to the continent, drawn to the frigid climate and the latent power of the Titans. The oceans surrounding Ellriverold are treacherous and icy, and the weather is always harsh and unforgiving, making it a difficult place for any but the most hardy and determined adventurers to brave.

In conclusion, the Titans are an integral part of the world of Yavarra. Their defeat at the hands of the deities shaped the world as we know it today. While they may be dormant, their power and influence on the world are still felt, and they remain a potential source of conflict and adventure for those who seek it.

First gods of Yavarra

In the beginning, Rod, the Creator, looked out into the void and saw chaos. He knew that in order for there to be order and balance, he needed to create a system of opposites. But he also knew that there needed to be something greater than just opposing forces to bring harmony to the world. And so, he created the greatest force that there has ever been - love.

Love was the means to unite opposing forces, to bring balance and harmony to the world. It was through love that creatures could form families, communities, and ultimately societies. And so, Rod called upon love, represented by Lada, the goddess of love and mother of all beings.

Lada was not just the goddess of love, but also of fertility and creativity. She was the one who nurtured life and allowed it to flourish. She was the protector of homes and communities, and the bringer of beauty to the world.

The fragile equilibrium

Together, Rod and Lada set forth to create the other gods and goddesses, each to preside over a realm or a natural feature of Yavarra. They created Bilobog and Chornobog, the avatars of light and darkness, to preside over day and night. Thus, the First Gods of Yavarra were born, each with their own domain and purpose. And it was through their guidance and protection that the world began to take shape, with all of its beauty and complexity.

As Rod and Lada surveyed their world, they recognized the need for other gods and goddesses to preside over the many different realms and natural features of Yavarra. They called upon other deities, each with their own unique domains and responsibilities, to help maintain the balance of the world. Together, these 16 gods and goddesses observed the forces and cycles that presided over all of existence, and used their powers to protect, heal, create, destroy, and transform as necessary to maintain the harmony of the universe. From the light and darkness of Bilobog and Chornobog to the magic and knowledge of Horos, each deity played a crucial role in shaping the world of Yavarra.

As time passed, the major deities of the pantheon began to form relationships with other deities, and even with mortals that they had created. From these alliances, demigods were born, beings that were imbued with divine powers but were not fully divine themselves. In some cases, the major deities created minor deities as a result of their own self-reflection or by bestowing their power upon a particular aspect of the world. These minor deities could be associated with specific objects or natural phenomena, such as a tree or a river, or they could embody particular virtues or vices. Thus, the pantheon grew in size and complexity, as the gods and goddesses created a diverse array of beings to preside over the many aspects of their world.

*This article includes deities of the Major Pantheon. Please see Minor Pantheon for other deities and demigods.

Age of Arcanum and War of Magic

During the Age of the Divine Prosperity, deities of Yavarra were eager to help creatures and peoples in their life and shared their divine magic. But at the Age of Arcanum, when scholars discovered that magic is not a solemnly gods' power, not all deities supported their creations in learning and mastering arcana.

Gods that were most interested in the new way of magic were Veles and Mokosh, deities of all the nature, and Horos – god of the Moon, keeper of knowledge.

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\\language in brackets is a real-world reference\\

Yavarra is a land rich in cultural and linguistic diversity, owing to the unique history of each region and the ancestral traditions of its people. As a scholar and traveler, I have spent years exploring the lands of Yavarra and studying its languages. In this article, I will share my knowledge with you about the languages spoken in Yavarra.

Common, also known as Slavic

This language is native to Zorenka, the oldest country in Yavarra. It is the most widely spoken language in Yavarra and serves as the lingua franca of the land. Slavic is a versatile language, with a grammatical structure that has evolved over centuries of use.

Slavic has a relatively large number of consonants, including many sounds that are not present in other languages like Elven or Arcanum. The language has a stress accent, which means that one syllable in each word is emphasized more strongly than the others. In terms of phonetics, Slavic language is known for its "hard" or "soft" consonants, which are characterized by the presence or absence of a specific type of vowel sound following them.

Arcanum (Latin)

Arcanum is a language native to Midland Counties, a region known for its magical traditions. The language is highly specialized and used primarily among scholars, mages, and other arcane practitioners. It is a complex language with a sophisticated vocabulary that is designed to express highly technical concepts. It is characterized by its highly inflected grammar, which means that the endings of words change to indicate their role in a sentence. In terms of its sound, Arcanum has a very precise and deliberate pronunciation, with each letter and syllable pronounced clearly and distinctly. It has a rhythmic quality with stress on certain syllables depending on the word's emphasis.

Overall, Arcanum has a very distinct and elegant sound, with a precise and deliberate pronunciation that reflects its historical importance as a language of scholarship, science, and religion.

Arcanum is widely used in scientific and academic circles for research documentation and publications. This is probably due to the influence of the ancient Harwan Archives, which were renowned for their vast collection of knowledge and writings on the arcane arts. The Archives were a hub of academic activity since they were founded, attracting scholars and researchers from across Yavarra and beyond, and it is likely that the widespread use of Arcanum in academic circles can be traced back to this institution. The language is known for its precise and technical vocabulary, making it an ideal choice for scholarly works that demand a high degree of accuracy and clarity.

Alballan (Spanish)

Alballan is a language native to Alballa, a region renowned for its vibrant culture and artistic traditions. The language has a rhythmic, melodic quality, with many words having multiple syllables and some being pronounced with a rolling "r" sound. One notable feature of Alballan is its use of gendered articles and adjectives. Just like Common, Alballan assigns gender to nearly everything, with masculine nouns taking masculine articles and adjectives, and feminine nouns taking feminine ones. This means that Alballan speakers must be very precise in their use of language, and must pay close attention to the gender of the words they are using.

Overall, the language is melodious and expressive, its unique sound and structure make it a joy to speak and listen to. It is loved by bards, poets, and artists, popular because of Alballan literature and music.

Nordic (Swedish)

Nordic is a language native to Ellriverold, a region known for its mountainous terrain and harsh winters. Nordic has a relatively simple grammar, and a distinctive melody with a sing-song quality, due to its tonal accent. It also has a variety of vowel sounds, including long and short vowel sounds, as well as diphthongs. Nordic also has a number of guttural sounds, produced at the back of the throat, which can be difficult for non-native speakers to master.

Some features of Nordic pronunciation include the rolled 'r' sound, which is similar to the Apballan 'r'; the long vowel sounds, which can be very distinct and drawn out; and the tonal accent, which can make Nordic sound quite melodic and rhythmical. The language also has some unique features, such as the use of the 'sj' sound (similar to the 'sh' sound in Common) and the 'a with a ring' (å) sound, which does not exist in Common or many other languages. The language often features the use of umlauts, which modify vowel sounds, and the letter "å," which has a sound similar to the "o" in "hot." Nordic is a language of strength and resilience, and is spoken by many in the north of Yavarra.

Kojin (Japanese)

Kojin is a language native to the Koji Empire, a region known for its advanced technology and highly regimented society. To a non-native speaker, Kojin can sound melodic and musical, with a singsong quality created by the syllable timing and pitch accent system. This is a syllable-timed language, meaning that each syllable has roughly equal length and stress. It is characterized by a relatively small vowel inventory of five sounds (a, i, u, e, o) and a larger consonant inventory that includes several sounds not found in Common, such as the voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative "sh" sound (represented by the character し).

Kojin also features a pitch accent system, in which the pitch of a syllable can change its meaning. For example, the word "hashi" can mean either "bridge" or "chopsticks," depending on whether the pitch on the second syllable is high or low. Additionally, the use of honorific language and the varying levels of politeness can make Kojin sound very polite and respectful.

Ithiral (Bengali)

Ithiral is a language native to the Ithiral Dynasty, a region known for its sophisticated courtly culture and architectural marvels. The language is known for its melodious and rhythmic quality, with a relatively high-pitched intonation. has a rich and varied phonology, with 29 consonants and 7 vowels, including nasalized vowels. It is a tonal language, which means that the pitch of a syllable can change its meaning. Ithiral has a number of fricatives, which are produced by forcing air through a narrow gap, resulting in a hissing or buzzing sound.

Ithiral is also known for its use of retroflex consonants, which are produced by curling the tongue back and making contact with the roof of the mouth. This gives the language a distinctive sound, with a pronounced "r" sound that is often described as a cross between a "t" and a "d".

In terms of rhythm, Ithiral is known for its use of stress on the first syllable of a word, and a tendency to elongate vowels in stressed syllables. This gives the language a flowing and poetic quality that is often used in literature and music.

Ontarian (Turkish)

Ontarian is a language native to the Onthar Steppe, a region known for its nomadic lifestyle and equestrian traditions. Ontarian has a unique and distinctive sound due to its system of vowel harmony and consonant clusters.

The language has eight vowels, each of which can be either short or long. Vowel harmony means that the vowels in a word must match, either as front or back vowels. This gives the language a pleasing and rhythmic quality. Ontarian also has many consonant clusters, which can make it sound quite different from other languages.

When spoken, Ontarian has a musical quality to it, with the intonation rising and falling in a distinctive pattern. The language also features a number of soft, mellow sounds, including the "ğ" sound, which is a voiced velar fricative that is pronounced with the tongue placed towards the back of the mouth.

Mediterranean (Greek)

Mediterranean is a language native to the Toran Kingdom and the islands Ellaya, Marinna, Katerna and Lanka in the Ocean of Empty, a region known for its seafaring traditions, many sailors and traders.

Mediterranean has a distinctive sound characterized by its accent and intonation. It is a melodic language with a tonal accent system that emphasizes the importance of the pitch of words. The language has a variety of vowel sounds, including the letter "i" which can be pronounced like "ee" or "ih", and the letter "o" which can be pronounced like "oh" or "aw".

Mediterranean also has a number of unique consonant sounds, such as the "χ" (chi) sound, which is similar to the "х" in Slavic "хліб", and the "γ" (gamma) sound, which can be pronounced like a soft "g" or a voiced "h" sound.

In terms of grammar, Mediterranean is an inflected language, meaning that words have different endings depending on their role in a sentence. It also has a complex system of verb conjugation with different tenses and moods, including the subjunctive and optative moods, which are not found in many other languages.

Svallian (Arabic)

Svallian is a language native to the people of Sva-Delle. Svallian is known for its unique script, which is written from right to left, and its rich history and cultural significance.

The Svallian language features many distinct sounds, including a set of guttural consonants and emphatic consonants, which are pronounced with a stronger articulation. Svallian vowels are also distinctive, with a few sounds that are not found in other languages.

Overall, the Svallian language has a unique and distinctive sound, with a rich history and cultural significance that continues to influence people.

West Elven (Old English)

West Elven is spoken mostly by the people of Northshire. It is a language that has been passed down through the generations, and has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries.

The language has rather guttural, harsh quality to it. Some notable features of West Elven pronunciation include a strong emphasis on consonants, especially in the middle and end of words. Vowels, on the other hand, tended to be shorter and more clipped than in Elven.

One of the most distinctive features of West Elven is its use of different vowel sounds to indicate grammatical case. For example, the word "stan" (stone) would change its vowel sound depending on whether it was the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or in possession of something.

Overall, West Elven sounds quite different from Elven, and requires some effort to understand and pronounce correctly.

Elven (Quenya)

Elven is the language originated from the elves of Daskocia, and spoken throughout the country. It is known for its musicality and fluidity. In terms of pronunciation, Elven features many long vowels and consonants, as well as a distinctive emphasis on the first syllable of words. It also contains many consonant clusters and diphthongs. The language is known for its use of various phonetic features, including velar and labialized consonants, as well as retroflex and dental fricatives. Overall, Elven is a highly structured and poetic language.

Mestilian (Finnish)

Mestilian is a language native to the people of Mestil, a land of lush forests and rolling hills. It is a language known for its many complex vowel sounds and subtle inflections. It has a unique sound that distinguishes it from other Efri languages. Mestilian is known for its complex grammar and vowel harmony, which means that the vowels in a word must all be of the same type.

The language has a relatively small set of consonants, but it has a rich inventory of vowels, including both short and long vowels, front and back vowels, and rounded and unrounded vowels. The intonation in Mestilian is relatively flat, meaning that there are no significant pitch changes within words or sentences.

Mestilian also features extensive use of "double vowels," which are two adjacent vowels that are pronounced as separate sounds. This feature can make Mestilian sound musical and lyrical, especially when combined with the language's distinctive rhythm and stress patterns.

In addition to these languages, there are also several languages that are shared within specific communities.

Azarketi (Na'vi)

Azarketi is a language spoken by the Azarketi people, who live in the deep waters surrounding the island of Lanka. The language sounds exotic and alien, it has a relatively large inventory of consonants, including clicks and ejectives, which are not typically found in many Yavarran languages. There are also a number of fricatives, including voiceless and voiced dental and alveolar fricatives, and a uvular fricative. The language also features a number of vowels, including front and back vowels and diphthongs.

Overall, the sounds of Azarketi convey a sense of fluidity and harmony with the natural world, and sound distinct from other languages. The language has a rhythmic quality to it, with an emphasis on stress and pitch accent that gives it a unique musicality. The language is believed to have evolved as a means of communication in the underwater environment.

Dwarven (German)

Dwarven is a language spoken by the dwarves of Yavara, who are known for their skill in metalworking and masonry. It has a reputation for being a harsh-sounding language due to its use of guttural sounds and consonant clusters.

One of the most distinctive features of the Dwarven language is its use of umlauts, which are two dots placed over a vowel to indicate a different sound. For example, the letter "a" with an umlaut becomes "ä" and is pronounced like the "e" in "bed". The letter "o" with an umlaut becomes "ö" and is pronounced like the "u" in "burden".

Another notable aspect of Dwarven pronunciation is the use of the "ch" sound, which can be pronounced differently depending on the word and location. In Yandoran Dwarven, it is pronounced as a guttural sound like the "ch" in "loch", while in the dwarven cities of Onthar Steppe it can sound like a "sh" sound.

Overall, Dwarven can sound harsh and guttural to those unfamiliar with the language. It is a language that is both precise and efficient, with a focus on technical vocabulary related to crafting.

Tengu (Swahili)

Tengu is a language spoken by the Tengu and Strix communities, who are known for their fierce independence and love of the open skies. It is a language known for its many bird-like sounds, and is believed to have evolved as a means of communication among the tengu and strix tribes who once roamed the skies.

Tengu is known for its beautiful melodic quality, which is attributed to the fact that it has a large number of vowels and a rhythmic structure that emphasizes certain syllables. The language has 5 vowel sounds: a, e, i, o, and u. Consonants are pronounced clearly and crisply, without much aspiration. Tengu has a rich inventory of consonants, including voiced and voiceless plosives, fricatives, affricates, and nasals.

One of the most distinctive features of Tengu is its extensive use of loanwords from Arcanum, Svallian and other languages, particularly in the fields of religion, science, and culture. As a result, Tengu has a unique blend of Sva-Delle and Midland Counties linguistic elements that give it a rich and varied character.

Summary

It is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Yavarra that so many languages are spoken and celebrated throughout the land. Each tongue is a treasure, passed down through the ages and imbued with the wisdom and knowledge of those who came before. As a scholar and a traveler, I feel privileged to have witnessed this vibrant tapestry of voices, and I look forward to continuing my studies in this fascinating land. While my travels have taken me far and wide throughout Yavarra, I must admit that I have likely only scratched the surface when it comes to the many languages spoken in this land. There are so many rare and unique ancestries here that it's entirely possible that there are countless other languages that I have yet to encounter. From the reclusive Azarketi to the mysterious Tengu and Strix, there are so many hidden corners of this world that I have yet to explore. Who knows what other languages and dialects might be waiting for me out there? One thing is certain, the linguistic tapestry of Yavarra is as complex and diverse as its people, and there is always something new to discover for those willing to seek it out.