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Lore:High Elvish

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High Elvish[1] (alternatively High Elven[2]:6 or Elvish)[UOL 1] is the language used by the High Elves of the Summerset Isles. It is descended from Aldmeris, and as such is very similar to its relatives like Ayleidoon, Ald Chimeris or the Falmer language. For the longest time, High Elven was the common language used in all legal documentation until it was later replaced by Tamrielic in 1E 2813.[2]:6 The common tongue of the empire, Cyrodilic, is based on the Altmer's speech and writing.[3]:7 To date, there are no known texts written in this language, but some words are known.

PronunciationEdit

In Elvish, there is no soft "c", so when a word begins with "Ce" or "Ci" it is pronounced with a /k/ sound. For example "Cey-Tarn Keep" is pronounced like "Kay-Tarn Keep". Similarly, the letter G is always pronounced /ɡ/, never /dʒ/.[UOL 2]

Words and PhrasesEdit

AEdit

Abameld
From context, probably "Trespasser" (from Aba, "forbidden", and Meld, "driven")[4]
Adma
[to] Listen (from "Adma'na" and "Admanen", as in Ayleidoon)
Adma'na
Poor listener[5] (cf. Ayleidoon "adma"—"hear")
Admanen
"Listening eye", the fulcrum who balances competing theories, collects evidence and interviews suspects[6], a member of an examiner's quorum whose role is to inspect and advise[7]
Aednavorith
Genealogy[8]
Aedra
Ancestors[9]
Alaxon
Perfection[10]
Ald
First, Elder, High (in the sense of a tree being high because it is particularly ancient), Old, Ancient, Elderly[UOL 3]
Aldarch
Religious title given to the High Priest overseeing a High Elvish temple, monastery or other holy ground[11]
Aldmer
First Folk[12][13], Elder Folk[14], the Ancients[15][16]
Aldmeris
Name of the mythical elven homeland or "Old Ehlnofey"[17][18], sometimes used to refer to the language of the Aldmer[19][20]
Ald Mora
A ruin on Summerset Isle; the name means "old forest" in other Elven languages[21]
Aldveyond Beldaburk
An old name for Sea Keep[22], possibly meaning something like "Keep of the Ancient Gray Sea"
Alt
High, Elder, Tall, Proud, Culturally snobbish[23], Cultured
Altmer
High Elves, the Elder Ones, the High Ones[24], Tall People, Cultured People
Altmora
Elvish name for the continent of Atmora, the "Elder Wood"[17][19], an ancient elvish kingdom[25] lost to men in mythic times[26]
Aprax
Outcast, criminal[27][28]
Apraxic
Social outcast[UOL 4], a shamed outcast[28][29]
Apraxis
Exile, the opposite of Praxis, a condemnation for improper and criminal conduct[29]
Arata
True and noble
Aratagnithir
True and noble change[30]
Arcta[4]
Likely means "acknowledge" as in Ayleidoon
Ata
Father (used in the patronymic part of an Altmer's extended name)[31]
Autak
An interjection (seemingly expresses negative emotions, possibly disgust)[32], possibly an injonction for the person to "vanish", to "disappear", to "leave"
Autameld
An exiled individual (lit. "cloud/vanish-driven" in Ayleidoon)[33]
Avad[4]

BEdit

Barra
Welcome[34]
Bela
probably "Thunder", "Storm" or "Lightning" (from Ayleidoon "Belle", Thunderous and Bosmeric "Bella", Storm)[35]
Bet
Beast
Betmer
Beast Folk, Beast People[36]

CEdit

Calan
Family Clan[29][37][38]
Calian
A praxic talisman, a symbol of a person's membership in the civilized High Elf society[39]
Canonreeve
An official title given to diplomats and bureaucrats who administer to county seats, a mayor[40], a chief administrator[41]
Canvaroth
Scout[42]
Cerum,[43] Ceruval[27]
Unknown, but known usage suggests a polite way to address someone (like "sir" or "madam"); both terms appear to have no gender-specific use
Cey
"Shadow", same as in Ayleidoon (cf. "Cey-Tarn" and "Ceythalmor")[44]
Cey-Tarn
Shadow-Portal[21]
Ceythalmor
"Shadow Thalmor", an unofficial para-military shadow-organisation that existed in 2E 582, secretly led by corrupt officials from inside the Thalmor proper who resented the rulers of the Aldmeri Dominion[44]
Chi
probably "Change" or "Changed"
Chimer
Changed Ones[45], the Changed[46]
Chimera
Beast of change[46]
Culanda
Shining golden crystal used by the Altmer to light their ancient crypts, probably means "Fruit-Stone" (from Falmeric "Cullei", Fruits, and Ayleidoon "Culle", Food, and "Anda", Stone)[47]

DEdit

Daedra
Roughly means "Not our ancestors"[9]
Darre
Likely means "Mercy" as in Falmeric[48]
De'nt
Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult[49]

EEdit

 
"Eluvein" written in the Altmer script
Eluvein
Another name for the hilas owl, which abandons its eggs after laying them. The term is also used to describe someone who is cold-hearted or aloof[7]
Eld
Likely means "Old" as in Ayleidoon[21]
En
Eye (from "Admanen")
Ephem
Non-Altmer, outsider[50]
Eye
Unknown but likely related to the concept of "sanctuary", perhaps "isolation"
Eyevea
Sanctuary[UOL 5] (made of the two Ayleidoon words "Eye", unknown meaning, and "Vea", the sea)

FEdit

Fala
Likely means "Cold" as in Ayleidoon[51]

GEdit

Glan'nt
Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult[52]
Gnithir
Change (from "Aratagnithir" and "Oegnithir")
Gravia
Likely means "Ugly" as in Ayleidoon[53]
Graxifalas
Disgraceful "on a scale unimaginable"[54]

HEdit

Hame
Lair (from "Tor-Hame-Khard", probably also means Home as in Ayleidoon)
Haelia
Likely means "Terrible" as in Ayleidoon[55]
Halsoriel
Sewer[54]
Hul
Broken (from "Hulkynd")
Hulkynd
Broken child; refers to Altmeri children abandoned by their parents because of their imperfection, such as physical deformity[56] (cf. Ayleidoon "kynd"—"child")

JEdit

Jurisreeve
High Examiner, an investigator of the Divine Prosecution, a detective. They always come in a group of three called an "examiner's quorum", composed of a revelator-naganwe, an admanen and a thalmilan.[7]

KEdit

Kamlehal
Shrieking terror[57]
Khard
Warlord (from "Tor-Hame-Khard")
Kynd
Child (from "Hulkynd" and as in Ayleidoon)[39]

MEdit

Malatu
Likely means "Truth" as in Ayleidoon[48]
Malondo
Shining golden crystal used by the Altmer to contain and replenish magicka, probably a compound word of "Mala" (High or Loving in Ayleidoon) and "Ondo" (of unknown meaning).[47]
Mer
Folk, People, Elf, Elves
Mera
perhaps "Beast"

NEdit

Nagaia
Likely means "Death" as in Ayleidoon[4]
Naganwe
Unknown but likely related to "death"; used in the translingual word "revelator-naganwe", meaning "death seer", whose role in an examiner's quorum is to use magic to solve murders[58]
Naril
Likely means "Final" as in Ayleidoon[35]
Nebarra
Unwelcome (also used as a pejorative reference to outsiders)[49][59]

OEdit

Oe
Bad
Oegnithir
Bad change[60]

PEdit

Praxic
Proper, conform to the Praxis, part of Altmer society[39]
Praxis
Customs or established practices[61][62][63], the set of spoken and implicit rules and guidelines of Altmer society[64][65], the act of belonging in Altmer society[29], also sometimes the practical applications of a field of study (when used outside the context of Altmer society)

REdit

Riasen
A critical witness in a criminal investigation[66] Could probably be break down as Rias (probably related to rias in Falmeric meaning for/because) and en (from Admanen) as to mean someone there for what their eyes saw ("eye witness")
Rielle
Likely "Beauty" as in Ayleidoon[51]

SEdit

Sapiarch
Sage affiliated with the College of Sapiarchs, an order of keepers of the Crystal Tower, scholars dedicated to specific fields of study, and academics who oversee the Ceremoniarchy of High Elf society by interpreting the Scrolls of Praxis[67]
Seliffrnsae
Grave and faithful counsel[68]
Shauta
Likely means "[to] Come" as in Ayleidoon[4]
Sila
Likely means "Shining" as in Ayleidoon[69]
Slek
An interjection (seemingly expresses negative emotions),[49] an insult[70]
Sunna
Likely means "Blessed" as in Ayleidoon[71]

TEdit

Tar
Likely means "Wood" as in Ayleidoon[69]
Tarn
Likely means "Portal" as in Ayleidoon (cf. "Cey-Tarn")
Thalmilan
Inspector whose job it is to parse clues and render a verdict during an investigation[7], possibly related to the word "Thalmor"
Tor
Mountain (from "Tor-Hame-Khard", probably also means Hill as in Ayleidoon)
Tor-Hame-Khard
Warlord's Mountain Lair[72] (cf. Ayleidoon "tor"—"hill", "hame"—"home")

VEdit

Vea
Sea (as in Ayleidoon, together with the word "Eye", make the compound word "Eyevea" meaning Sanctuary)
Vey
Likely means "to" (indicating movement), as in Ayleidoon[4]
Veyond
Likely "Gray Sea" (from "Vea"+"Yond", Gray in Ayleidoon)
Veyond Wyte[21]

WEdit

Wel
Likely means "Sky" as in Ayleidoon[71]
Welkynar
The gryphon-riding protectors of Cloudrest; likely related to "Wel", Sky[73]
Wyte

YEdit

Yond
Gray (from "Veyond", as in Ayleidoon)

SentencesEdit

From the Cavern Dwellers:

  • "Vey Arillas! Abameld shauta!" - "To Arillas! (The) trespassers (are) coming!"
  • "Arcta nagaia!" - "Face death!" (literally: "Acknowledge death!")

Altmer Locations, Settlements and RegionsEdit

Below are the Altmeri names (and their translated meanings, where available) of some known locations, settlements and regions of the Summerset Isles.

Altmer Creature NamesEdit

Below are the Altmeri names (and their translated meanings, where available) of some creatures, tamed or wild, found in the Summerset Isles.

  • Belanaril - Final (Thunder, Storm or Lightning)
  • Cel-hinwe - perhaps Red Wind
  • Falarielle - Cold Beauty
  • Darremalatu - probably Merciful Truth (lit. Mercy-Truth)
  • Graveld - Old Ugly or Ugly Elder (lit. Ugly-Old)
  • Haeliata - Terrible Father (identified by Justiciar Farowel as male, and as the mate of Nagravia)
  • Kargaeda - (Shares the same "-eda" suffix as Silaeda. Since most Altmer seem to name their gryphons based on their appearance or magical abilities, Kargaeda's name might be related to his appearance as an Aurulun Gryphon: "A rare, tropical breed with dark plumage highlighted by streaks of vivid orange. Like the last embers of the sun lingering in the night sky."[74])
  • Mafremare - Frost (?) (Probably related to Mafremare's plumage, being a Snowcap Gryphon: "A white, alpine breed far from her natural habitat."[74])
  • Nagravia - Is Ugly (She's identified by Justiciar Farowel as the mate of Haeliata, and her name should probably be translated in context as She-Who-Is-Ugly)
  • Silaeda - Shining (?) (Given the context of its magical abilities and those of its Welkynar master, perhaps Shining Sun or Shining Fire/Flame)
  • Sunnawel - Blessed Sky
  • Welkadra - Sky-(?)-Ancestor (Given its seemingly out of place and unique ability name "Elder Shockwave", perhaps this is what this hechatere's name is meant to translates to, something like Ancestral Sky-Break)

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Pure Language Pearl contraband item in ESO
  2. ^ a b The Daggerfall Chronicles — Ronald Wartow
  3. ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
  4. ^ a b c d e f Cavern Dwellers' dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  5. ^ Ulliceta gra-Kogg's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  6. ^ Tarnamir's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  7. ^ a b c d Jurisreeve Lorne's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  8. ^ Monastery of Serene Harmony's loading screen in ESO: Summerset
  9. ^ a b Aedra and Daedra
  10. ^ Olnewil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  11. ^ Monastic Firinore's dialogue during the quest Blessings of the Eight in ESO
  12. ^ Corruption of the Blood — A True Son of Aldmeris
  13. ^ Our Dunmer Heritage — Oathman-Applicant Mornsu Baram, in service of House Redoran, 330th year of the Second Era
  14. ^ Music Box, Blessings of Stone codex entry for the Druidic Music Box Drum by Amalien in ESO
  15. ^ Auridon Explored — Fenlil the Wayfarer
  16. ^ Dialogue of the Ancient Spirits of Tanzelwil in ESO
  17. ^ a b Before the Ages of Man — Aicantar of Shimerene
  18. ^ The Ubiquitous Sinking Isle — Lailfin, Steward of Histories at the Illumination Academy
  19. ^ a b Mysterious Akavir
  20. ^ Generic dialogue regarding Aldmeris in Morrowind
  21. ^ a b c d Location name in ESO: Summerset
  22. ^ Sea Keep's loading screen in ESO: Summerset
  23. ^ Generic dialogue regarding Altmer in Morrowind
  24. ^ The Annotated Anuad
  25. ^ Varieties of Faith in the Empire — Brother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
  26. ^ The Monomyth
  27. ^ a b Lanarie's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  28. ^ a b Green Serpent Testimonials — Minerva Calo, Associate Chronicler
  29. ^ a b c d The Price of Praxis — Ceruval Rolumaril
  30. ^ The Truth in Sequence: Volume 10 — Deldrise Morvayn
  31. ^ Lirendel's Family Shrine
  32. ^ Justice Dialogue in ESO
  33. ^ Regarding Thorn Blackstaff — Loremaster Celarus
  34. ^ Tenigwe's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  35. ^ a b Appearance, name and magical abilities of the Gryphon Belanaril, serving under the shock-wielding Welkynar Relequen in ESO: Summerset
  36. ^ Guide Culast and Captain Tendil's dialogues in ESO
  37. ^ Summerset Antiquities codex entry for the Kinlord's Tree of Aldmeris by Amalien in ESO
  38. ^ Music Box, In Dreams and Memories codex entry for the Aldmeri Golden Embellishments by Gabrielle Benele in ESO
  39. ^ a b c Mother of Rats' dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  40. ^ Canonreeve Elquisa's dialogue when questioned about her own title during The Queen's Decree in ESO: Summerset
  41. ^ Canonreeve Valano's dialogue during Teldur's End in ESO
  42. ^ Lilatha's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  43. ^ Panyra's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  44. ^ a b Tanlorin's dialogue during The Garland Ring in ESO
  45. ^ The Changed Ones
  46. ^ a b The Beast of Galen — Phrastus of Elinhir
  47. ^ a b Aetherial Fragments — Lady Cinnabar of Taneth
  48. ^ a b Appearance and name of Darremalatu in ESO: Summerset
  49. ^ a b c Various dialogue lines in ESO: Summerset
  50. ^ Felawen's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  51. ^ a b Appearance and name of Falarielle in ESO: Summerset
  52. ^ Lirendel's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  53. ^ Appearance and name of Nagravia in ESO: Summerset
  54. ^ a b Talerion's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  55. ^ Appearance and name of Haeliata in ESO: Summerset
  56. ^ Tableau and Manacar's in ESO: Summerset
  57. ^ Erudil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  58. ^ Jurisreeve Soravil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  59. ^ Aldarch Tilcalar's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  60. ^ Loremaster Celarus' dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  61. ^ Ayrenn: The Unforeseen Queen — Headmaster Tanion of the College of Aldmeri Propriety
  62. ^ Crafting Motif 25: Aldmeri Dominion Style — Aicantar of Shimmerene, Sapiarch of Indoctrination
  63. ^ Sages of the Crystal Tower — Nularan, Mages Guild Scribe
  64. ^ Online:Ancestral Honor Garments
  65. ^ Online:Shimmerene Soiree Gown
  66. ^ Calawende's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  67. ^ Sages of the Crystal Tower — Nularan, Mages Guild Scribe
  68. ^ The Old Ways — Celarus the Loremaster
  69. ^ a b Location name in ESO
  70. ^ Captain Telomure's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  71. ^ a b Appearance and name of Sunnawel in ESO: Summerset
  72. ^ Tor-Hame-Khard's loading screen in ESO: Summerset
  73. ^ Charge of the Welkynar
  74. ^ a b Gryphon Watching Log — Varallion

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.

  1. ^ Laurence Schick - ESO Summerfall Event Special Livestream: 23:00
  2. ^ Laurence Schick - ESO Summerfall Event Special Livestream: 12:00
  3. ^ ESO Summerfall Event Special Livestream
  4. ^ Laurence Schick - ESO Summerset Story & Lore Livestream: 53:50
  5. ^ ESO Cut Content - Shalidor's dialogue
  6. ^ a b c ESO Cut Content - Original Summerset zone strings
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