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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[]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

References[]

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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.
  5. Jeff Grubb (August 1992). Land of Fate (Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara). (TSR, Inc), p. 124. ISBN 978-1560763291.
  6. Rick Swan (July 1990). Monstrous Compendium Kara-Tur Appendix. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-88038-851-X.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 24. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  8. Ed Greenwood, Steve Perrin (May 1988). The Magister. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 55. ISBN 0-88038-564-2.
  9. Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
  10. Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), pp. 122–127. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
  11. 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.
  12. Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1988). The Throne of Bloodstone. (TSR, Inc), pp. 89–90. ISBN 0-8803-8560-X.
  13. Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), pp. 108–115, 117–118. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
  14. Edward R. Friedlander, Costa Valhouli, Stephen Wales (September 1988). “The New Rogues Gallery: Hodgepodge”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #43 (TSR, Inc.), p. 26.
  15. 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. 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.
  17. Steve Perrin (1987). Under Illefarn. Edited by Rick Swan. (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 0-88038-489-1.
  18. 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.
  19. Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 124. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
  20. Ed Greenwood, Steve Perrin (May 1988). The Magister. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 58. ISBN 0-88038-564-2.
  21. Steve Perrin (1988). Dreams of the Red Wizards. (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 0-88038-615-0.
  22. Edward R. Friedlander, Costa Valhouli, Stephen Wales (September 1988). “The New Rogues Gallery: Hodgepodge”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #43 (TSR, Inc.), p. 25.
  23. Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 116. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.