A multitude of languages, dialects, and cants are spoken within Dolmenwood, from the common tongues of mortal folk to the otherworldly intonations of Fairy. Many of these languages can be learned by Player Characters (see Player Character Languages), while others are the sole province of ancient fairies and learned sages.

A Player Character’s native languages are determined by their Kindred. All characters speak Woldish, and some Kindreds speak other mortal or fairy languages.

High Intelligence: Characters with a high Intelligence (see Ability Scores) may roll or select additional languages from the list below.

Obscure languages: At the Referee’s discretion, characters may learn the following more obscure languages sometimes spoken in Dolmenwood: Boggin, Deorling, Drunic, Dwelve, High Elfish (fairies only), Merfolk, Mulch, Wyrm.

The language spoken by virtually all sentient creatures in Dolmenwood. Woldish is a dialect of the common tongue that is spoken in the wider world beyond the Wood.

The language of the folk who entered Dolmenwood and founded the Kingdom (now Duchy) of Brackenwold.

Learning: Although Old Woldish is no longer spoken, its study is common among the well-educated.

A language evolved among the breggle aristocracy of the High Wold, encompassing greatly simplified elements of the High Elfish tongue melded with the more eloquent components of Gaffe. A large canon of literature exists in this language, written at times in an abridged form of the High Elfish script and at times in the Woldish script.

Learning: Caprice is in common use and easily learned.

The native tongue of lower ranking breggles: a melodic language of bleats and gurgles. Gaffe includes many words derived from Woldish and, though it is of utterly different origin, shares a small number of words with the Sylvan language.

Learning: Gaffe is in common use and easily learned.

The holy language of the Pluritine Church, used extensively in scripture and sermon. The origins of Liturgic lie in a land far removed from Dolmenwood, but its usage is now common throughout many lands due to the expansions of the Church. It is a purely scriptural language and is seldom spoken outside of sermons.

Learning: Liturgic is in common use and easily learned. Fairies and demi-fey, as they have no spiritual connection with the deities of mortals, cannot learn Liturgic and find its tones somewhat unpleasant.

The language of the most elevated denizens of the Fairy world—those ancient beings said to be older than the mortal world itself. The immortal tongue is of such primal potency that all sentient beings understand its honeyed tones. However, only under the most incredibly portentous circumstances may a mortal expect to hear this speech. The most ancient of fairy folk are little more than legend, and their language is practically mythical.

Learning: No mortal or lesser fairy may speak the undying tongue, and those who attempt to study its treasury of words are beset by hex and misfortune.

The language of the fairy nobility (for example, the Cold Prince and his retinue) is a derivative of the Immortal Tongue of Fairy. The predilection of fairy nobles for the outlandishly baroque is reflected in the convoluted grammar and voluminous lexicon.

Learning: Mortal scholars view High Elfish as the most fiendishly complex language ever devised. Due to its intricacy, this tongue is virtually impossible for non-fairies to learn. Even fairies of the lower castes find it impenetrable.

The secret language of the grimalkins and other cat-like fairies. Mundane cats can also converse in this tongue (often to their surprise!), if addressed, and prove eloquent conversationalists.

Learning: Cat fairies take grave offence at others (especially mortals!) studying their language and go to great lengths to prevent knowledge of its sprawling vocabulary and subtle variations of yowl from propagating.

The common speech of the fairies and demi-fey of Dolmenwood, believed to be distantly derived from the Immortal Tongue of Fairy.

Learning: Sylvan is in common use and easily learned.

The common speech of fairies and demi-fey that dwell in the underworld beneath Dolmenwood, as well as those with whom they trade. Distantly related to High Elfish.

Learning: Dwelve is not commonly spoken by surface dwellers, but is easily learned by those with the desire.

An obscure tongue spoken by mosslings and some sentient species of plants and fungi.

Learning: The squelching, grinding sounds of which Mulch consists are notoriously difficult for other Kindreds to reproduce, though a handful of sages have made rudimentary studies of the language.

The language used for everyday communication among the Drune, as well as in ritual, scripture, and historical records. Numerous are the standing stones in Dolmenwood which are inscribed with runes of the Drunic tongue.

Learning: Drunic and its intricate script are a closely guarded secret of the Drune.

The sacred tongue of the ancestors of the Drune—an esoteric language of great antiquity, only found in the most ancient records in the hidden vaults of the Drune.

Learning: Old Drunic is virtually lost. Only the most erudite Drune sages have any knowledge of it.