Zalanthas Language

[Aldiel]

Returning after a long absence, one of the first things I noticed was my inability to recall certain, in-character phrases and lines, or to remember them correctly.  It led me to realize, with great admiration and fondness, just how much of the game rides on the shoulders of the players, and how much has come as the consequence of nearly decades of trial and error and language adaptation.  To help me recall exactly, and perhaps to be a reference for new players, it might be fun to compile an exhaustive list of all the phrases, words, contractions, and slangs use and associated with Armageddon.  We could have a discussion about which ones are really commonplace, and which ones might be more character specific.  You might also comment on where the word originally derived from, for example, 'Nak or Tuluk.  See, even there, I'm using one of our common contractions.

[Kronus]

Find out IC. 

[Aldiel]

Find out IC. 

I'm trying to amuse myself.  I don't -really- need help.

[Qzzrbl]

Hm....

Things like this seem to change every day! x-X

Here's some of my favorites from the past, even some I made up myself!

"I don't give two shits and a scrab fart about that!" : Self-explanatory.

"Cunt-puncher" : Cestus.

Wait.... That's all I can remember right now....

I'll sleep on it. x-X

[Voular]

A small = 100
A large = 1000
(in reference to coin)

Krath Struck = an IG term usually used for linkdead or AFK people

Crotch Rot (though I think this is in the documents) = Sexual transmited disease

His Shadow = Farewell term in Allanak

Grebber = Someone who "grebs" for a living, usually miners, salt foragers, not-so-skilled hunters and so on.

Man, I can't really remember much now straight away. I am sure much is in the documents, deeply embedded somewhere.

[number13]

http://www.zalanthas.org/gdb/index.php/topic,3624.msg29518/   --- required reading for everyone

[Chettaman]

This would be the perfect time for all of us to get together and think of a bunch of 'slang' terms.
I had a few good words half a year ago, darn it...

[DrunkenSalarr]

His Shadow = Farewell term in Allanak

Yeah, where the feck did this one come from?  It seems to have developed (or at least gotten popular) sometime in the last year or two.  I still haven't been able to figure out if it's only certain IG groups that use this one, or if it's common for the whole city (or perhaps started as one and spread).

I should add "Shade and Water" as a common farewell, or at least it was a few RL years ago, don't hear it too often now.

[Nyr]

"In His Shadow" has been around for a pretty long time, several years at least.  I could be wrong, but I recall reading it as early as 2002 when I first started playing this game.

It's a counter to the northern equivalent "In His Radiance" or "In His Light."  I'm not sure which one came about first, but both are subtle digs at the other city-state.  Muk Utep is the Sun King, therefore he's referred to in glowing terms as Light, Radiance, etc.  "In His Radiance" is always a dig at Allanak's Tektolnes, who may only cast a shadow in the bright light of Utep.  "In His Shadow" is always a dig at Tuluk's Utep, who may create Light and Radiance, but can't penetrate into the influential areas shadowed by Tektolnes' imposing presence.  You'll hear Allanaki folk typically end a conversation with "His Shadow," "His Shadder," or "His.  Shatner."  if they are especially cognizant of how loyal they'd like to appear to be.  In Tuluk, you'd hear Tuluki citizens end a conversation with "His Light," "His Radiance," or "His Radiator," probably more often than in Allanak.  Non-Tulukis, Non-Allanakis, or just ambivalent varieties of either still use "Shade and Water," "smooth sands," "don't get cut up and placed in a chest," and other variations.

[a strange shadow]

I believe 'smooth sands' was originally a DE parting, but has since migrated to nomads/travelers in general.

[DrunkenSalarr]

Non-Tulukis, Non-Allanakis, or just ambivalent varieties of either still use[...] "don't get cut up and placed in a chest," and other variations.

This is my favourite one to use, right before I shadow them back to their apartment, cut them up, and place them in a chest.

[Lizzie]

I think it stems from the real-world equivalent: "Go with God."

"Walk in His Shadow."

"Walk in His Radiance."

It's a comparative phrase, considering Tek and Utep to be immortal deities.

It doesn't mean that's true (that they're immortal deities) but I believe that perception is how it came about.

[Gunnerblaster]

Elderscrolls, Morrowind.
Kajiit, "Warm Sands."

[Erythil]

You now realize how annoying dunmer would be in Zal.

SPEAK QUICKLY, OUTLANDER, OR GO AWAY.

OUTLANDER.

OUTLANDER.

[Thorg]

SEEN ANY ELVES?

[MeTekillot]

That fucker is at least six cords tall. Him and them fuckin' elf-legs.
He got the shoulders of a braxat on him. From the sounds of 'em, got the brain a'one too.
Krath, from the way you're beatin' around the bush, you'd think we were in Tuluk. Fuckin' say it, mate.


I'll think of more, equally un-clever things at a later time.

[HavokBlue]

That bitch is about as bright as Krath in the 'Rinth.

[Goldberry]

I always assumed that the term "His Shadow" or "In His Shadow" referred to standing within the protection of Tektollnes.  In a world of harsh burning sunlight, a shadow would seem to represent a place of respite and safety.  And the figure casting it, I would envision as omnipotent and unaffected by the harshness that we all struggle against.  This is at least the visual representation I've always held in my mind upon hearing this.

[jstorrie]

Yeah, in Allanak it's always searing hot. You always want to be in the shade.

In Tuluk you're always two steps away from being killed by an assassin, a kryl, or falling into a nest of cilops. You never want to be in the dark.

[Archbaron]

Yeah, in Allanak it's always searing hot. You always want to be in the shade.

In Tuluk you're always two steps away from being killed by an assassin, a kryl, or falling into a nest of cilops. You never want to be in the dark.

I like this.

[Cindy42]

I always thought His Light and His Shadow were (IG) quiet, accidental reflections of how life in Allanak is usually somewhat more difficult than in Tuluk, and also reflection of how the Ivory Pyramid and the black tower look.

[askaran]

Whira's sagging tits!!!... Been a favourite for my characters for a few years now.

[jhunter]

Tek's Balls!

Muk's Ass!

[Agnor]

Considering the hatred they have for all things to do with magic and the close correlation between the two would someone from Tuluk use mention of droth, whira, etc?

[jstorrie]

In my experience they are extremely hesitant to. They come up now and again in a literary sense, but for the most part Tuluki society - or the public part of it, at least - has a sort of universal agnosticism about all things supernatural. Accordingly you don't even hear Drov as a euphemism for death, or Whira as a metaphor for fate. Many Tulukis won't recognize that 'Rukkian' means 'stone mage', or that sort of thing. Depending on their contact with the outside world, they may or may not know that elementalists are only empowered with one element's magick. And there is, of course, no concept of the 'preserver' or 'good sorceror', but Allanak is pretty similar in that regard.

The norm of Tuluki society would be that any knowledge of the supernatural is the department of the templarate, and none other.

[Cindy42]

In my experience they are extremely hesitant to. They come up now and again in a literary sense, but for the most part Tuluki society - or the public part of it, at least - has a sort of universal agnosticism about all things supernatural. Accordingly you don't even hear Drov as a euphemism for death, or Whira as a metaphor for fate. Many Tulukis won't recognize that 'Rukkian' means 'stone mage', or that sort of thing. Depending on their contact with the outside world, they may or may not know that elementalists are only empowered with one element's magick. And there is, of course, no concept of the 'preserver' or 'good sorceror', but Allanak is pretty similar in that regard.

The norm of Tuluki society would be that any knowledge of the supernatural is the department of the templarate, and none other.

i agree. i've spent lots of time in tuluk and an okay amount of time in nak and noticed that NO ONE in tuluk used "Drov!" and it was very common in nak to use magick words for cusswords.

[Drayab]

Krath seems ubiquitous, though.

[Fredd]

Tek's Balls!

Muk's Ass!

My first ever pc Mason got a scolding for saying "Muk's Balls" In allanak from his Byn Leutenant. (Who hasn't been dead a year yet, so shall not be named)

Ahh.. I miss Morbid Mason.