The Alignment languages, also known as the Alignment tongues, were nine distinct manners of speaking that each corresponded to one of the nine alignments.[1] Despite the name, they were not full languages, but rather shorthand codes[2] of various words, phrases,[3] and gestures[4] that were divinely implanted in the minds of all creatures by the various powers of the multiverse.[3]
Description[]
The nine alignment languages could only communicate basic things. These included expressing acceptance or disagreement, expressing emotions,[1] and the concepts or dogma that were central to the alignment.[1][2] For example, the lawful alignment tongues could express matters of administration and justice,[1] someone of the true neutral tongue might state "all things are best balanced", whilst someone speaking in one of the chaotic alignment tongues might state "obedience to order stultifies".[2] Beyond just words, all of the alignment tongues included some elements of sign language.[4]
Most creatures innately possessed one of these alignment tongues, but for most this knowledge was only on a subconscious level.[2][3] Unusually, alignment tongues were completely absent in the land of Zakhara[5] and they were completely unknown to the korobokuru of Kara-Tur.[6] Those who were conscious of their alignment tongue had at some point "unlocked" that self-awareness by recognizing congruity in the speech of those with a like-minded alignment.[2][3]
Usually, only those of the corresponding alignment knew and understood alignment tongues,[1] and thus they were a way to identify others of the same alignment.[2] However, it was considered customary to speak alignment tongues only with those one knew.[1] If one were to loudly speak it in public,[7] or with strangers,[1] those of differing alignments who could recognize it would see it as distasteful or offensive, while those of opposing alignments might consider it an act of hostility.[1][7]
Notable Speakers[]
- Albruin, a sentient broadsword, was chaotic neutral and knew its associated alignment language.[8]
- The Cat Lord, while in his human form, was capable of conversing in all of the neutral alignment tongues.[9]
- All of the original members of the Company of Eight knew an alignment tongue.[10]
- Deepchill, another sentient broadsword, was lawful neutral and knew its associated alignment language. However, Deepchill would only speak it if absolutely necessary.[11]
- Sir Emelyn the Gray, a human wizard of lawful good alignment.[12]
- All of the original members of the Knights of Myth Drannor knew an alignment tongue. This included Dove Falconhand, Florin Falconhand, Islif Lurelake, Jhessail Silvertree, Lanseril Snowmantle, Merith Strongbow, Rathan Thentraver, Sharantyr, and Torm.[13]
- Li Po, a human cleric or shukenja of lawful good alignment.[14]
- Lirana, a human cleric of lawful good alignment.[15]
- Mervic, a human mage of lawful neutral alignment.[16]
- Niatara, a high elf mage and thief of neutral good alignment.[16]
- Pwyll Greatshout, the Duke of Daggerford, wielded a sentient flame tongue that knew the lawful tongue.[17]
- Rairun Blackbrow, a human druid of Silvanus of neutral alignment.[18]
- The Scales of Justice, a sentient +3 longsword, was neutral good and knew its associated alignment language.[19]
- Shazzelim, a sentient scimitar, was neutral evil and knew its associated alignment language.[20]
- Shazzelurt, a sentient dagger, was neutral evil and knew its associated alignment language.[21]
- Silverleaf, a moon elf mage and thief of chaotic neutral alignment who operated in the city of Ravens Bluff in the 14th century DR.[22]
- Sylabra, a sentient +3 longsword belonging to Merith Strongbow, was chaotic good and knew its associated alignment language.[23]
- Thorym, a human fighter of neutral good alignment.[16]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Treasure Hunt
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Ed Greenwood (2019-05-08). Alignment Languages (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2022-11-22. Retrieved on 2024-03-30.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ed Greenwood (2019-05-08). Alignment Languages II (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2022-11-22. Retrieved on 2024-03-30.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ed Greenwood (2020-05-04). Sign Languages in the Realms (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2021-05-09. Retrieved on 2021-05-25.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (August 1992). Land of Fate (Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara). (TSR, Inc), p. 124. ISBN 978-1560763291.
- ↑ Rick Swan (July 1990). Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-88038-851-X.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 24. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Steve Perrin (May 1988). The Magister. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 55. ISBN 0-88038-564-2.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), pp. 122–127. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
- ↑ Steve Perrin (December 1988). “The Tombs of Deckon Thar”. In Scott Martin Bowles ed. Lords of Darkness (TSR, Inc.), p. 26. ISBN 0-88038-622-3.
- ↑ Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1988). The Throne of Bloodstone. (TSR, Inc), pp. 89–90. ISBN 0-8803-8560-X.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), pp. 108–115, 117–118. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
- ↑ Edward R. Friedlander, Costa Valhouli, Stephen Wales (September 1988). “The New Rogues Gallery: Hodgepodge”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #43 (TSR, Inc.), p. 26.
- ↑ Edward R. Friedlander, Costa Valhouli, Stephen Wales (September 1988). “The New Rogues Gallery: Hodgepodge”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #43 (TSR, Inc.), p. 30.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Edward R. Friedlander, Costa Valhouli, Stephen Wales (September 1988). “The New Rogues Gallery: Hodgepodge”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #43 (TSR, Inc.), p. 27.
- ↑ Steve Perrin (1987). Under Illefarn. Edited by Rick Swan. (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 0-88038-489-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “DM's Sourcebook of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 29. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 124. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Steve Perrin (May 1988). The Magister. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 58. ISBN 0-88038-564-2.
- ↑ Steve Perrin (1988). Dreams of the Red Wizards. (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 0-88038-615-0.
- ↑ Edward R. Friedlander, Costa Valhouli, Stephen Wales (September 1988). “The New Rogues Gallery: Hodgepodge”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #43 (TSR, Inc.), p. 25.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 116. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.