Languages in the Realms

Languages in the Forgotten Realms

posted by Bobby Nichols <catdrag@vnet.net>

First off, let me stress that what follows is not cannon. In fact, I made most of the languages up. So, chances are you will not see any of these languages mentioned in any FR supplement or elsewhere other than my materials.

I created the families of languages for the FRs mainly because I found it to be unreasonable (unrealistic) for everyone to know Thorass (common). So I implemented the following rules:

  1. Only humans and halflings get Thorass for free (in terms of non-weapon proficiencies). All other races must buy Thorass as a non-weapon proficiency (based on I). Elves get Espruar and Dwarves get Dethak for free. Half-elves get either Thorass or Espruar, depending on their background, for free.
  2. All modern languages are based on Intelligence as non-weapon proficiencies.
  3. All ancient languages are based on I-2 as a non-weapon proficiency.
  4. Really ancient languages are based on I-2 also, but take two proficiency slots to learn.
  5. An ancient language that has "evolved" into a modern language can be defaulted to as I-6. A really ancient language that has roots in a known modern language can also be defaulted to as I-12.
  6. A character that is from a border area where two or more modern languages are spoken side by side (such as the Western Heartlands where Northern, Cormish, and Calish are spoken side by side) may, at the DM's option, know several languages for free.

Modern Languages
LanguageWhere SpokenSpoken Roots found in
AglarishAglarondTayish, Espruar, Cormish
AlarishEstagund, Var the Golden,
Durpar		Arkian
AllesianTheskRaumish, Auld Naric
BatiricChultgoblin tongues
BedineAnaurochNetherian
CalishCalimsham, Tethyr, AmnAmnic, Tramic, Waelish
ChandicVaasa, Damara, Impiltur,
Tantras, Raven's Bluff,
across the Vast		Tharish, Raumish, Auld Naric
ChessicChessentraAlambish
CormishCormyr, Sembia, DalelandsTharish, Turmish, Amnic
DamishDambrathArkian, Drow Elvish, Shaartan
DethakdwarvesAuld Dethak and varous other
tongues.
EspruarelvesAuld Espruar and various other
tongues.
HalricHalruaaNetherian
IlluskanLuskan, Mintarn,
Moonshaes, Ruathym		Tramic
LantishLantanNetherian
LuiricLuirenArkian, halfling tongues
Malic tonguesChult (dwarves)Auld Malic, dwarvish
Naric
Auld Naric		Narfell, The Great Dale,Ashanath
NorthernWaterdeep, north to
Silverymoon, south to
Llork, west back
to Waterdeep		Tramic
RasallesianRashamenRaumish
SempishSemphar, MurghomRaurish, Turamish, Mulanish
Shaartanlands across the ShaarAlambish, Arkian, Calish, Reian,
Enlilic
SossicSossal
TabaxanChultinfluences of Malic
Tharishregions near the Moonsea,
common tongue for the
Zhentarim.		Auld Tharish
ThayishThayAlambish
Thorassacross the Realms; trading
tongue.		Auld Thorass and varous
regional tongues.
TurmishTurmish, ChondathAlambish, Cormish
UlgarishUlgarthTurmish, Shaartan
Ulutiunthe Great Glacier
Uthgaricbarbarians of the North,
barbarians of the High
Moor.		Tramic
Waelishthe Moonshae Isles
ZhentishZhentil Keep, Darkhold,
only used by the Zhentarim.		Tharish, words common to the
priesthood of Cyric (Bane).

Ancient Languages (mostly not spoken anymore)
Ancient LanguageWhere Spoken
AlambishSouth of the east end of the Sea of
Fallen Stars.
Auld TharishNorth of the Moonsea
Auld ThorassTrade Language, nearly everywhere
Auld Naricnorth east of the Sea of Fallen Stars
Mulanisheast end of the Shaar
RaumishEast of the Sea of Fallen Stars
TramicNorthman's tongue
Turamisheast end of the Shaar

Really Ancient Languages

These languages are not spoken anymore anywhere. Generally, these are the languages that are 3000+ years old. Mostly only sages know these langauges.

Really Ancient Languages
Really Ancient LanguagesWhere Spoken
Amnicthe southern Sword Coast
ArkianThe Shining South
Auld Espruarancient elvish
Enlilicsouth east of the Alambic Sea (south
east end of the Sea of Fallen Stars)
EshouishChult
NetherianAncient land of Netheril (under
Anauroch)
Raurishwhere the Raurin Desert now lies
Reiansouth west of the Alambic Sea (south
east end of the Sea of Fallen Stars)

Note: The languages above are mostly human tongues. Each of the races also have their own tongues. Additionally, several cults have their own language, as does the school of illusion and various thieves' guilds.

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