S'Kra Language

Pieces here are from a larger Primer compiled by Leyhan. Sources are listed at bottom.

Forms of Language

Sharaanpon'u

The spoken form of the language is called S'Kra. Unless otherwise stated, the information in this article pertains to S'Kra. S'Kra is a simplified form of Sharaanpon'u (S'Kra Mur traditional form of poetry), which is used in ceremonies and rituals.

Eth'ral'khh

The written language is called Eth'ral'khh. Eth'ral'khh is a logographic system that primarily comprises ideograms. Because Eth'ral'khh is not written in the Common alphabet, it is not directly represented in the game. However, some Eth'ral'khh signs and items are transliterated into the Common alphabet.

Hissing Speech

Hissing is commonly viewed in two ways. On the one hand, it is natural for S'Kra Mur to hiss when expressing intense emotion, such as anger, frustration, or excitement. On the other hand, to habitually hiss one's speech is a mark of low birth. A S'Kra Mur who speaks with a habitual hiss is often viewed with disdain by other S'Kra Mur.

Beginner's Notes

Forms of Address

• What is said can vary greatly in meaning, depending on the form of address used. This is most obvious when speaking in the pohan form.

-When a single word differs between the verb forms, a 'n' is often part of the q'alrin form, an 'l' in the smolgan form, and a 's' in the ru'atin form.

Example: 'I am'

q'alrin: aena

smolgan: aela

ru'atin: aesa

Compounds

• S'Kra uses many compound words. A whole sentence or idea can be put into one long word, less intimidating when broken down.

-The subject and verb are often combined into one compound word. Starts with the subject, followed by the conjugated verb. (ae for I, yi for he).

-You can also combine a subject and pronoun to indicate ownership. (ae when used in a compound with a noun becomes my)

-The names for the tail gestures often have similar meanings to the emotions they express when used in speech. You can guess that some contentment or peace is involved when you hear em in a sentence. Anger is involved when you hear oloh.

-'hhs often used to denote belonging. Suffix to the word that is owned.

-lakh is used to denote that something is missing.

Suffix/Prefix

Pishra - little stop - Intake of breath or skip in verbiage

HH is the "uh" or "eh" sound in most other languages

ZH is negative, i.e. Smolg is tail, Smozh is tailless.

Papi - Delicately placed/sat/perched

Hhan - suffix to indicate a delayed occurence

Hhs - suffix used to indicate belonging

Tal - suffix to indicate the near future

Ku - prefix - With

Common Words and Phrases

Poho - Honored Lord/Lady

Smolgi - Friend

Pon'zh'sha S'kra - I don't know S'kra (language)

Smozh - Tailless (an insult) [Insignificant people; grave insult; true smozh treated as if they do not exist.]

Sarhhtha - S'kra dancing style

Isth'hhtaw'hhs S'Kra'Mur - In The Ways of the S'kra Mur

Ru'at - Circle of family, friends, and allies

Q'alrin - Those outside one's Ru'at

Q'alri - One outside a S'Kra's Ru'at

Ru'ati - One inside a S'Kra's Ru'at

S'Kra Mur's spoken language - S'Kra

S'Kra Mur's written language - eth'ral'khh

S'Kra Mur's ceremonial language (spoken) - Sharaanpon'u

• Greetings:

Q'alrin: Nido'a

Smolgan: Otoh em ("Peace comes.")

Ru'atin: Aehhrki paar ("My soul is complete.")

Pohan: Rath'agrkhhan aensmo'ku'par ("The gods bring us together.")

• Goodbye:

Q'alrin: Saagri

Smolgan: Ibu'rath'a

Ru'atin: Y'nerpar aensmo'ku'par ("We are always together.")

Pohan: Hav'roth sa'mahil'in. ("Hav'roth smile on you.")

• Be well:

Q'alrin: Esuna tel'rath'a ("Go in happiness.")

Smolgan: Esula em ("Go in peace.")

Ru'atin: Esulaku aeama'hhrsk ("Go with my love.")

Pohan: Esusaku Peri'el ("Go with Peri'el.")

• Questions:

Zasul...? - Where is the...?

Sorsha'la ae'q'alrin? - Why do you q'alrin me?

Pon'zh'laar ru'at? - Am I not your ru'at? lit (You do not speak ru'at with me.)

To speak to someone differently is to tell them they are different to you now.

Pon'zh being to not speak. IE: "Pon'laar q'alri" would be like asking if you are

now a stranger to the person it is directed at.

• What is your name?:

Q'alrin: Shana yvyn?

Smolgan: --- none; there is no need to ask.

Ru'atin: --- none; there is no need to ask.

Pohan: Shasa'hhn kho?

• How are you?:

Q'alrin: Kulna ese?

Smolgan: Kula ese?

Ru'atin: Kulsa ese?

Pohan: rath'amahilin'hhn? ("Do the gods smile?")

• Answers:
  

Pon'zh'sha - I don't know...

Aeyvyn... - My name is...

• I am...(status):

Q'alrin: Aena..

Smolgan: Aela..

Ru'atin: Aesa..

Pohan: Aesa'hhn..

Fine: Tel

So-so: Enhaar

Tired/Unhappy: Lanahh'lakh ("lacking life")

Happy: Rath'amahilin

Hungry: Pahami'lakh

• I love you:

Exact meaning depends on usage:

Q'alrin: Kulna arna'hhs (lit: "You are like the boulder."; fig: "I rely on you.")

Smolgan: Shh'oisa smolgi ("[You have my] deepest friendship.")

Ru'atin: Aehhrkhi sa'hhs ("My heart is yours.")

Pohan: Khosa'hhn aepivo'hrr'shuzh ("My regard of you will never die.")

• Phrases used in S'Kra Mur Weddings:

Aelanahh ka saarlanahh, aepivo'hhr ka saarpivo'hhr, hisakna'hhs Hav'roth isha re'halen.

-My life is yours, your death is mine, in Hav'roth's will for eternity.

Ru'at Shaman: Y'ner'hhs's'hhra ku oshu'hhs Hav'roth kho'smo'kku'sa, apodu'sa, hhrki'sa.

Smolgan Shaman: Y'ner'hhs's'hhra ku oshu'hhs Hav'roth kho'smo'kku'la apudo'la, hhrki'la.

-Let the future be as now with the strength of Hav'roth upholding you, entwining you, binding you

• Proverbs:

"Be like the aganylosh'a, and face both ways, that the wind may never blow you over a cliff." -old Rathan S'Kra Mur saying

aganylosh'a is Gerenshuge for Tree of Peace. (Elothean language)

• Other:

Esu shh'oi'pejek.

"Go and be in great pain." (formal curse)

S'Kra Dictionary

The letters C, F, and X are not used in S'Kra.

S'Kra	Common	Notes	Etymology
ae	I, my
ae'ku'ira'tnah	I am sorry. (loosely)		ae- my + ku - with + ira'tnah loss of face/loss of respect
ae'sha'rath'a saar	You're welcome. (loosely)	Used with naar/laar/saar (qa'alri/smolgan/saar)	ae- I + sha - understand + rath'a - gods + saar - your
aggahh'a	dream
aggahhpel	dream veil	chain jewelry
ahar	annoyed, frustrated	tail gesture
ak	some
akom	Age/Era		ak - some + om - []
al'hhm	respect?
ama'hhrsk	love
ang	cloth; clothing/coat
ang'hhrantin	master weavers
apodu	forge
arna	boulder
arsharra	night
asharsh	moon
asharshpar'i	moon egg	name of a Grazhir Shard	asharsh - moon + par'i - egg
ashu
ashu'a	sucker-gripping toes of the la'heke
ashu hhinvi		Creature in Muspar'I
ata	axe	weapon
athi	grass, vine?
ati	feel	must be combined with ae/saar/laar
botuk	cave
dako	fight
dako'gi	fighter; hunter
dai	steel	metal
dikka	bad; waste
dikka'staho	badlands
dikka'staho'osson	northern badlands
el
em	peace, contentment	tail gesture
enhaar	so-so
Esulaku, aepoho'ame'hhrsk	Go with my love, honored one	On a tailring sold in Muspar'I	esulaku- go (ru'at) + ae -my + poho - lord/lady + ame'hhrsk - love
gamant	house
gamantang	house coat
gamant'hhshhth	house of sarhhtha		gamant- house + hhs- of + hhth dance
gamant'oshu	temple, place of worship		gamant- house + oshu spirit
grah	watcher
grel	sadness
grkhh'a	bringer
hat	delight
havri'negh	symbol for the four elements	Rings of rich brown for earth, pale blue for air, bright red for fire, and deep blue for water are joined by the gold stitching of the serrated electricity circle, all surrounding the blazing silver of the central ethereal star.
heggarangi'hhs iltamigen	devil's prison
heggarangi'n	devil
heimary	caravan
heitak	beast
heke	water; sea
heke'mary	ship/boat		heke- sea + mary vessel
hekemhhg	water/sea serpent		heke- sea + mhhg serpent
hhan	far; suffix: delayed occurrence, after, later
hhinvi
hhr
hhr'ata	[]+ axe	heavy blunt throwing weapon
hhr'ibu	light crossbow
hhrkhi	heart
hhrki	soul
hhrki'izh	soulless
hhr'lav'geluhh	type of bark		none
hhr'pao	flatbread		-pao bread
hhrsk	love
hhr'tami	medium blunt/heavy thrown weapon		none
hhs	suffix: belonging to, of, made of
hhshran	swift, swiftly
hhth	dance
hhyssk'et	nut-like berry		bitter fire
hirdu	bird
hisakna	will (n.), desire, intention
houmun	human
iltamigen	prison
indakar	thunder
Indakar Grkhh'a	staff of Ushnish		indakar- thunder + grkhh'a bringer
inja		muttering of Adan'f
ira'tnah	loss of face/respect
irhhnth	scorpion
isth'hhtaw	way(s)?
isthu'rath'a	lightning		-rath'a gods
ith	four, fourth
izzu'hhr	storm
izzu'hhr grkhh'a	storm-bringer
jo	six, sixth
juludan	magic
ka	is
kalri	forever
kan	eight, eighth
kapo	song, singer
ka'tamas	feather?
k'dira	name of a fragrant bush
khiynit	silk that is harvested from the sand spiders of Velaka
kho	honor, respect; emphasis	tail gesture
khor'vela	grey wood	Carnivorous tree. Often has visible bones. Nickname: Mercy of Albreda
khozh	no honor
khur	breath
khurmary	five-stringed lap harp		khur- breath + mary journey
kiel	thoughtfulness	tail gesture
kiel'parakom hi'kho	Every thought returns(gifts) honor back?	on mehath bracelets in Muspar'I	kiel - thought + par -all + ak - some + om -[] + hi- [] + kho honor
kor	stronghold; high/tall
kor'athi	tall grass?
kra'hei	S'Kra-like monster		none
ku	two, second; and; prefix: with
kudalata	heavy-edged weapon		ku- two + lata blade
kumu
la	lizard
la	you	Smolgan form
laar	your	Smolgan form. (prefix)
la'heke	water lizard
lakh	lacking; lonely, loneliness
lanahh	life
lanahh pao	life bread
lanahh'lakh	tired; unhappy		lanahh- life + lakh lacking
lanahh'mus	sunrise		lanahh- life + mus sun
lanahh pahapo	life []	HE/2HE swappable sword (like a bastard sword)	lanahh-life + pahapo ???
lanahh'zhra	killer/assassin/murderer (elite S'Kra Mur assassins)		lanahh- life + zhra taker
lanahh'zhra'naarti	life-taker's stone (delicate silver ring)
lata	blade, knife, sword
latagi	knight/Paladin
Latagi 'hhrs Em	Knight of Peace	Paladin title
lav'hhashhgi	Elothean
lohogi	child(ren)?
l'ot-jukun'ta'n	boundaries
luss		muttering of Adan'f
mahilin	smile
malk	gold
malk akom	Golden Age		malk gold + akom- age/era
malk'smo	gold tail		malk- gold + smo tail
Maloidu	traditional method of crafting ceramics
mary	vessel, vehicle; journey	modifier
mehath	wind
Mehath'gamant	Wind House
mhhg	serpent/snake
mi		modifier for verbs to make them nouns	paha -eat + mi = pahami + food
migen	land(s)
migen'hhs pat'shhry	lands of evil
molloky'i	??	Black lizard creature of the badlands
mur	pride, proud
mus	sun
myn'tanyl		type of beverage
na	you	Q'alrin form
naar	your	Q'alrin form. (prefix)
naarti	stone/jewel; child
neh, nehel	long
nehdalata, nehlata	longsword		neh- long + lata blade
nehelyvhh	type of fish		nehel- long + yvhh wing
nehgris	spear
nido, nidrel	eye
nipoh	cloud
ograth	hammer; hand/fist
ograth smo'kku'par	hands together	ritual duet of the Ru'atin Peri'el
oloh	anger, wrath	tail gesture
orthaan'inh	terrible
oshu	spirit
oshu'mary	bark used in the making of samatak		oshu- spirit + mary vessel
oson	north
ospekk	east
otoh	Come/s
otoh'ku'ae	Come with me	Ghosts in Mer'Kresh	otoh-come + ku - with + ae-me/I
pa	upon; perched/sat
paguur	monkey
paha	eat
pahami	food	pl. pahamin
pahami'lakh	hungry		pahami- food + lakh lacking
paht	free
pao	bread
papi	delicately perched/placed		pa- perched + pi (diminutive)
par	all
par'i	egg
pat	passion
pat'shhry	evil		pat- passion + shhry fiercely
peh	humble, apology	tail gesture
peh'taph	leg
pejek	wound, pain
pejek'zhra	Empath, healer		pejek- wound + zhra taker
pel	veil
pel'arsharra	midnight		pel- veil + arsharra night
pel'hhsmur	tail drape worn by S'Kra brides		pel- veil + hhs- of + mur pride
peyvu		similiar to pilonu and rasha'hhs'o'grath
pi	little/small; diminutive suffix
pi'botuk	den		pi- little + botuk cave
pilonu	bracelet-ring combination
pi'pejek	throwing knife?		pi- little + pejek wound
pishra	punctuation: glottal stop	symbol: '	pi- little + shra stop
pivo'hhr	death
pivo'hrr'shu	die, dying
pivo'hrr'shu'mus	sunset		pivo'hrr'shu- dying + mus sun
pivo'hrr'shuzh	undying, eternal		pivo'hrr'shu- die + zh (negation)
poho	honored lord/lady
Poho Ograth	Lord/Lady of the Hammer	Paladin title
poho'adu	Cleric, priest, holy-man
poho'danath	anointed grandfather
poho'hhsi ur	honored father
pokeke	sand
pokeke'pahamin	sandwich made from pokeke bread, meats, and fruits		pokeke- sand + pahamin food
poloh'izh
polo'i
pon	speak
pon'zh	to be silent		pon- speak + zh not
por	left; east
por'nidrel	jewelry worn around the left eye		por- left + nidrel eye
py	bronze	metal
q'alri	one outside of a ru'at; stranger	pl. qalrin
qi	soul
q'zha	bold
q'zhalata	knife of bold deeds	assassin's weapon	q'zha- bold + lata blade
rasha	flower
rasha'hhsograth	bracelet-ring combination worn by S'Kra brides		rasha- flower + hhs- of + ograth hand
Rasirhh	traditional method of crafting ceramics
rath'a	gods
rath'a saar	thank you		rath'a- gods + saar your
rath'amahilin	happy		rath'a- gods + mahilin smile
ru'at	a S'Kra's inner circle; brotherhood/sisterhood
ru'ati	member(s) of a ru'at
sa	you	Ru'atin form
saar	your	Ru'atin form. (prefix)
saar'ati Dzree tanu saar'hhs oloh	feel the wrath of Dzree	curse of the Dragon Priest Crone
sa'hhs	yours		sa-you + hhs of
saran'pon	voice
saran'pon'hhs Peri'el	steel flute		saran'pon voice + hhs of + Peri'el (goddess)
sarhhtha	ritual dancing
sha	understanding	abbreviated form for compound words
shah	platinum	metal
shakhra	understanding, revelation
shana	what
sharaanpon'u	traditional form of oral poetry
sharmiit'mhhg	style of bead embroidery that uses geometric shapes
shar'nath	star; flower unique to Aesry Surlaenis'a
shh'oi	great
shh'oi paguur	great monkey
shh'oi'ata	greataxe		shh'oi- great + ata axe
Shhoigi Ati	Empath		shhoigi - Great + ati - Feel
shh'oi'kumu
shh'oi'lata	greatsword		shh'oi- great + lata blade
shh'oiyvh-ur	dragon		shh'oi- great + yvh- wing + ur one
shhr	fierce
s'hhra	rush, haste
shhrtel	vicious
shhry	fiercely
shra	stop
sih	amusement	tail gesture
s'kra	people, race
slo	blood
slo ku pivo'hhr'shu	blood and death
smo	tail	abbreviated form for compound words
smo'kku	crystal?		smo- tail + ku with
smo'kku'par	together		smo- tail + ku- with + par all
smolg	tail
smolgi	friend
smozh	tailless	grave insult
snrhhti	horn that comes from deep ocean-dwelling shellfish	used by Sraan Indakar to scare enemies
sra'ajhh	type of wood
sraan	clan
s'rranteng	alchemy
s'sa	relief	tail gesture
s'shen	yes
s'su	guard (v.)
s'sugi	guard (n.)
staho	crossroads; lane, road, street; path, trail; land
s'uh	caution, careful	tail gesture
suhhei	goblin
sur	right; west
sur'nidrel	jewelry worn around the right eye		sur- right + nidrel eye
sur'oson	northwest
s'vaela	type of vine		none
taishar	warrior
tal	suffix: near future
tami	Future?
tanu
tanu'sami ttki		on ama'hhrsk(love) bracelets in Muspar'i	tanu -[] + sa- you + mi - modifier + ttki - []
tan'yi	copper	metal
tegreis	nest?
tei'oloh	war
tei'oloh'ata	war axe
tei'oloh'lata	war blade
t'ekeipa	type of shell
tel	fine
tel'rath'a	happiness		tel- fine + rath'a gods
tey	alarm, alert	tail gesture
t'lar	drum
trel	finger
tuul	silver
tys	three, third
tzgaa	fruit
tzgaa orb	light source		tzgaa fruit
tzgaa'hhsigen	crisp, water-holding fruit		tzgaa- fruit + hhs- of + igen earth
uaro	head
uaro's'sugi	shawl wrapped about the head, face, and neck		uaro- head + s'sugi guard
uen	round
uenlata	light throwing blade		uen- round + lata blade
uku'uan	bow
uku'uanstaho	crossbow		uku'uan- bow + staho crossing
ur	one, first; true
uraan'nido	see/saw/seen		sensed with the eyes
ushuheke	fountain		-heke water
vela'tohr	type of vine		none
venda	ring
vuush	mouth
yi	he, his
y'ner	time
y'ner'hhs's'hhra	future?		y'ner- time + hhs- of + s'hhra haste
y'nerpar	always		y'ner- time + par- all
yrak	dark
yrak shar'nath	dark star
yvhh	wing, winged
yvhh la'tami	winged, lizard-like creature		yvhh winged la- lizard
yvyn	name
zasul	where
zh	prefix/suffix: negation, not
zh'al'hhm	no respect
zha'vazh	blood feud
zhi	five, fifth
zhoss	no
zhra	taker, thief
zhu	seven, seventh

Names Derived From S'Kra

People

S'Kra	Common	Etymology
Lohogi'hhs'ur	race of island S'Kra	lohogi- children + hhs- of + ur one
Lohogi'tel'tegreis	race of island S'Kra	Child of the Nest
Malkuaro		malk- gold + uaro head
Pohokapo	rank of the Ru'atin Peri'el	pogo- honored lady kapo song
Rasha'hhshekepi	S'Kra maiden	rasha- flower + hhs- of + heke- sea + pi little
Ru'atin Peri'el		ru'atin sisters
Sept	one of four groups within the Ru'atin Peri'el	ku- two + lata blade
Shh'oi Pohokapo	rank of the Ru'atin Peri'el	shh'oi great poho- lady kapo song
Shh'oi'ur	mythical S'Kra forefather	shh'oi- great + ur one
S'Kra Mur		s'kra- people + mur proud
S'Kra'ur	mainland S'Kra who wish distinguish themselves from the flat-faced island S'Kra	s'kra- people + ur true
Smo'neh	Rathan king who ruled from 2140 - 2092 BL	smo- tail + neh long
Ur'Kapo Pohokapo	leader of the Ru'atin Peri'el	ur- first kapo singer poho- lady kapo song

S'Kra Clan	Common
Sraan Arna	sraan clan arna boulder
Sraan Hav'roth	sraan clan
Sraan Indakar	sraan clan indakar thunder
Sraan Irhhnth	sraan clan irhhnth scorpion
Sraan Malk	sraan clan malk gold
Sraan Mehath	sraan clan mehath wind
Sraan Mhhg	sraan clan mhhg serpent
Sraan Nehgris	sraan clan nehgris spear
Sraan Rasha	sraan clan rasha flower
Sraan Smolg	sraan clan smolg tail
Sraan T'Lar	sraan clan t'lar drum
Sraan Venda	sraan clan venda ring

Places

S'Kra	Common	Etymology
Hekemhhg River	Velaka	heke- water + mhhg serpent
Kor'adu Avenue	Ratha	kor- high/tall
Malk Staho	Ratha	malk gold staho street
Muspar'i	city in Velaka	mus- sun + par'i egg
Neh Dock	Ratha	neh long
Pi'botuk Pel'arsharra	name of a festival shop	pi'botuk- den + pel'arsharra midnight
Pokekehekepi	beach	pokeke- sand + heke- sea + pi little
Ratha	city in Qi'Reshalia	rath'a- gods
Sshoi-sson Palace	Ratha	shh'oi- great
Szeldia	seventh planet from the sun; nickname: the Serpent's Eye
Uaro Dock	Ratha	uaro head

Smozh Zharhhtha's Work

Rathan House Badges

S'Kra Mur Houses

Rathan House	Phrase	Common
Zsikiel	Kho, oshu tu indakar	Hark/Lo, spirit (as/like/unto) thunder
Moglin	Hhs'lanahh paht	Live Free
Tierskel	Zhoss l'ot-jukun'ta'n	No Boundaries
Redthorne (Human)	Kor hhs'isth'hhtaw	Honor within the Way.
Dne	Aggahh'a hhs'shho'i'yvvh-ur	The Dragon's Dream
Lisska'Vran	Heggarangi'n q'zha	Bold Devils

Sources

GM Basilisc, GM Ellerina, GM Porlock, Herpo, Iscarious, Leyhan, Majebrad, Mhalacious, Sarkranis, Sorenne, Tsarenzi, Valloa, and Smozh

See Also

• S'Kra Mur Naming Conventions
• S'Kra Language (script): Genie script that gives greetings and farewells in the proper form of address (q'alrin, smolgan, ru'atin, or pohan)