Arkaenic is the most commonly spoken language on known N’Ume (the continent of Damunger) and the Official language of both the Adzar Empire and the Commonwealth of Arten. The dialect spoken in Stormhaven varies interestingly from standard Arkaenic due to the city’s particularly diverse population.
An Introduction to Arkaenic as a Language of Kai-Consciousness
Compiled by Khalid Johnstone, Once of Earth now Fellow of Stormhaven University
“To speak Arkaenic correctly is to remember that every word names not only a thing, but the light within it.”
— Varin al-Selar, Marginalia on the Word Kai
1. “Who, from where, and why?”
Arkaenic: Varan, de’sel, ta’ver?
Literal: “Who (are you), from what place, for what purpose?”
Use: Formal inquiry; guards and officials use it at city gates, but in ordinary speech it has softened into an ice-breaker for strangers.
Cultural Note: When preceded by Saren tal… it changes from interrogation to polite curiosity.
2. “Welcome to Stormhaven.”
Arkaenic: Saren tal Stormhavn.
Etymology: Saren = “peace upon arrival”; tal = directional preposition “to/toward.”
Connotation: A blessing rather than a mere greeting — “Peace as you enter.”
Usage: Hosts often greet guests simply with Saren tal, leaving the destination understood.
3. “Welcome to the Sleeping Dragon.”
Arkaenic: Saren tal Drakar’Resten.
Literal: “Peace upon arrival to Dragon’s Resting.”
Notes: Drakar = dragon; Resten = resting/sleeping. The name over Boz Taverner’s famous tavern is carved in Bondwood letters that glow faintly at dusk.
4. “Welcome, Stranger.”
Arkaenic: Saren, var’shai.
Literal: “Peace, one from afar.”
Root meanings:
- Var = “who / person / being.”
- Shai = “one set apart, distant.”
Used warmly, it carries curiosity without suspicion; tone determines friendliness or irony.
5. “My soul sees your soul.”
Arkaenic: Hai Kai.
Literal: “Yes / Behold, Soul.”
Roots:
- Hai = affirmation, recognition, “I see / I honour.”
- Kai = soul, consciousness, the individuated form of universal being.
Usage: Universal greeting and farewell in Stormhaven; equivalent to “Namaste.”
Historical Note: Ulf Pendragon introduced Kai terminology to affirm personhood among all sentient peoples — hence Manakai, Dwarakai, Elvakai, Orakai.
6. “Peace on your path.”
Arkaenic: Seren’kai ta venar.
Literal: “Peace-of-soul upon your way.”
Use: Common farewell among travellers and traders.
Morphology:
- Seren (peace, calm) + kai (soul) form a compound implying inner harmony that extends outward.
- Venar = path, course, destiny.
7. “Strength is empty without soul.”
Arkaenic: Kel dorath min kai.
Literal: “Power devoid-of soul.”
Context: A Paladin maxim; spoken as gentle rebuke to pride.
Etymology:
- Kel = strength, power.
- Dorath min = hollow / lacking.
- Kai restores meaning to power.
8. “The Light is within all who remember.”
Arkaenic: Numa’ar kai ren.
Literal: “Inner-light dwells-in all who recall.”
Notes:
- Numa = metaphysical light, awareness (contrasted with Luma, physical light).
- Ren = remembrance, mindfulness.
Philosophy: Consciousness itself is divine illumination; forgetting it is the world’s only darkness.
The same root Numa gives N’Ume — “the world that remembers.”