Editing Dethek

{{FA}}
{{otheruses4|the [[Dwarf|dwarven]] script|the dwarven language|Dwarvish}}
{{Item
| image         = Runestone dwarf.png
| caption       = A dwarven [[runestone]], stating "This place is Dhurri's Bridge.<br /> Here 42 of the best warriors of the House of Helmung fell,<br /> to keep orcs from the Halls. We slew 608. [Day] 218,<br /> [year since the founding of the House] 377.<br /> [[Nain]], warrior of the [[House of Helmung]]"<ref name="DD">{{Cite book/Dwarves Deep|inside cover}}</ref>
| name          = Dethek
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| type          = Writing script
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'''Dethek''' was the name of a runic script used by the [[Dwarvish]] language,<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9">{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Set/Cyclopedia of the Realms|8-9}}</ref><ref name="DD-p11">{{Cite book/Dwarves Deep|11, inside cover}}</ref><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26">{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised)/A Grand Tour of the Realms|25–26}}</ref><ref name="FRCS3e-p85">{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition|85}}</ref> as well as some [[:Category:Human languages|human languages]],<ref name="FRCS3e-p85" /> and by the [[Giant language|giant, ogre]], [[orc language|orc]], [[gnome language|gnome]], [[goblin language|goblin]], and [[terran]] languages.<ref name="PHB35-p82">{{Cite book/Player's Handbook v.3.5|82}}</ref> It consisted of letters, numerals and symbols for common words or phrases.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" />

"Dethek" was also sometimes used to refer to the Dwarvish language as a whole.<ref name="D.SiT-p29">{{Cite dragon/Speaking in Tongues|29}}</ref>

==Writing==
===Alphabet===
The Dethek runic alphabet consisted of 24 characters. The sounds "w", "x", and "z" were represented by the same character.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /><ref name="FRCS3e-p85" /><ref group="note">The Dethek alphabet was originally shown in two sources, ''[[Dwarves Deep]]'' and the [[Forgotten Realms Campaign Set|''Forgotten Realms Campaign Set'' (1st edition)]]. The runes for 'n' and 'o' vary between these sources. The images for this article were originally made in accordance with the ''Dwarves Deep'' alphabet. However, the [[Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised)|''Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting'' (2nd edition)]] and [[Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition|''Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting'' (3rd edition)]] both follow the alphabet of the older ''Campaign Set''.
[[File:Dethek alphabet variations.png|thumb|300px|center|This image shows how the 'n' and 'o' runes vary between sources.]]</ref>
[[File:Dethek alphabet.png|center|630px]]

===Numerals===
The Dethek method of counting used a collection of straight lines, joined together to create a number. This means that each number appeared as a single character. The characters for 1 and 5 were combined in various logical ways to create the numbers 1 to 9:
[[File:dethek one to nine.png|center|630px]]
The characters for 1, 5, and 10 were combined to created numbers up to 20:
[[File:dethek ten to twenty.png|center|630px]]
Numbers from 20 to 99 could be created using logical combinations of the 1, 5, and 10 symbols:
[[File:dethek twentyone to ninetynine.png|center|450px]]
To make 100, simply invert a 10 on top of itself (10×10=100). The rest of the hundreds could be created using combinations of previous symbols:
[[File:Dethek hundreds.png|center|630px]]
To make 1000, flip a 10 symbol on its side in front of 100 (10×10×10=1000).<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /> Additional thousands were added with a notch in the flipped thousand symbol:<ref name="Dm69-p14">{{Cite dragon/69/Runestones|14}}</ref><ref group="note">Unfortunately, no sources explain how how many extra thousands can be added or what symbol is used for any multiples higher than thousands. This may be because dwarfs had no need to describe any amounts larger than several thousand.</ref>
[[File:Dethek thousand.png|center|400px]]

===Symbols===
Clans and tribes and some of the most common words, races, or phrases had their own symbols.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /> These were useful for sign-posting or creating [[runestones]].<ref name="DD-p11" />

Each of the main races in [[Faerûn]] had a collective symbol assigned to it. The symbol applied to both singular and plural, leaving the reader to work it out from context:<ref name="DD-p11" />
[[File:dethek race symbols.png|center|630px]]

Other symbols were used for tracking and signposting. These were hieroglyphics based on commonly understood concepts: a foot to mark a safe trail, an inverted helm or drinking horn to indicate fresh water, and so on:
[[File:Dethek tracking symbols.png|center|450px]]
Others were "Marthammor Marks", after the dwarven god [[Marthammor Duin]], the Finder-of-Trails.<ref name="DD-p11" />

===Punctuation===
Dethek was extremely lacking in punctuation.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /><ref name="FRCS3e-p85" />

The first letters of nouns and words that began sentences could be capitalized. This was achieved with a simple horizontal accent over the letter:
[[File:dethek capitals.png|center|630px]]
Words were generally separated by spaces. To end sentences, the most common method was a large line or slash across the line.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /><ref name="FRCS3e-p85" />

To emphasize or show contrast against the writing surface, the runes could be painted. Names of people, races, and locations were highlighted in red, while the rest of the text was painted black or left unadorned.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS3e-p85" />

Any numbers enclosed in boxes were dates, written as day followed by year.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" />

[[File:Oath-Hammer.jpg|thumb|right|The dwarven [[warhammer]] [[Oath-Hammer]] was adorned with runes stating "For my sons, Khondar and Khondos
Stonebreaker, slain at the hands of the dark elves, whose spilt blood I will avenge a hundredfold before I die, so I swear before the faces of [[Moradin]], [[Berronar]], and [[Gorm]]."<ref name="CoV"/>]]Emotional content could be represented in how the runes were oriented, such as how the dwarven [[warhammer]] [[Oath-Hammer]] was marked in slanted runes to express the rage of its creator.<ref name="CoV">{{Cite book/Champions of Valor|63, 67}}</ref>

==Application==
Dwarf-written Dethek runes were preferably carved into durable stone, and less often into metal, and rarely written on [[paper]] or cloth due to the short life and fragile nature of such materials. Dwarven runes were usually carved or scraped into the stone walls of a building or cave; on a cairn, pillar, or standing stone, or inscribed or stamped on metal surfaces such as a weapon. Particular forms of dwarven writing were books of bound metal sheets or on stone tablets called [[runestone]]s.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /><ref name="FRCS3e-p85" />

The simplicity of Dethek runes and their straight lines made carving them into metal and stone simple.<ref name="SCAG5e-p103,105">{{Cite book/Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide|103,105}}</ref> Despite this, runes inscribed on runestones were typically written in a spiral-form, from outside in.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS3e-p85" />

==Examples==
This example shows Dethek letters, symbols, and punctuation:
[[File:dethek example.png|center|630px]]

This piece of text shows how written stories using the collective symbols can be misinterpreted:
[[File:dethek dragon example.png|center|630px]]
Depending on how one wanted to tell the story, this passage could be read in two ways:
#Durlag slew the dragon with ease.
#Durlag slew the dragons with ease.

This example is a partial phrase demonstrating runes written on parchment:<ref name="FRCS3e">{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition|most odd numbered pages}}</ref><ref name="CoS-WE">{{Cite web enhancement/Environs of Waterdeep|odd numbered pages, especially p. 15}}</ref><ref group="note">The image is taken from the background image of a number of 3rd and v.3.5 ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'' sourcebooks. The full text reads "zhentil keep is also one of" on the even-numbered pages and "bases of operation of the zhentarim or black network" on the odd-numbered pages, with "the" presumably lost in the binding. Written diagonally across the odd-numbered pages is also "forgotten realms magic summoning magic". In the triangular sigil on page 232 of the ''FRCS'' 3rd edition are the words "good", "evil", "law", and "chaos".</ref>
[[File:Dethek2Enhanced2.PNG|center|630px]]
It translates to: "bases of operation of the zhentarim or black network".

==History==
Dethek runes dated to back to the beginning of recorded history in [[Faerûn]], but it was only one of a number of different runic scripts in use over the centuries, including individual clan codes. Dethek survived to become the most well known and commonly used runic script by the 14th century [[DR]]. The others became "dead tongues" and were little used at that time.<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" />

Strong links between the [[gold dwarves]] of the [[Great Rift]] and the early people of [[Unther]] led to the [[Untheric]] language using Dethek runes.<ref name="RoF-p97">{{Cite book/Races of Faerûn|97}}</ref>
[[File:Vaultdragons.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Dethek runes were etched onto the entrances of many ancient vaults and dungeons throughout history.'']]

The [[Siremun]] dwarves of the [[Firepeaks]] taught Dethek runes to the [[Raumviran]] people for the [[Raumvira]] language.<ref name="RoF-p108">{{Cite book/Races of Faerûn|108}}</ref>

The [[Damaran language]] used Dethek runes as a result of cooperation between the people of [[Impiltur]] and the dwarves of the [[Earthfast Mountains]] early in their history.<ref name="RoF-p90">{{Cite book/Races of Faerûn|90}}</ref>

Speakers of the [[Shaaran]] tongue picked up Dethek runes from gold dwarf traders from the Great Rift.<ref name="RoF-p108" />

==Users==
The following languages commonly used Dethek writing for their written forms:
* [[Damaran language|Damaran]]<ref name="RoF-p90" /><ref name="FRCS3e-p85" /><ref name="SCAG5e-p112">{{Cite book/Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide|112}}</ref>
* [[Dwarvish]]<ref name="FRCS.CotR-p8-9" /><ref name="DD-p11" /><ref name="FRCS2e-p25-26" /><ref name="FRCS3e-p85" />
* [[Giant language|Giant]]<ref name="PHB35-p82" />
* [[Gnome language|Gnome]]<ref name="PHB35-p82" />
* [[Goblin language|Goblin]]<ref name="PHB35-p82" />
* [[Raumvira]]<ref name="RoF-p108" />
* [[Orc language|Orc]]<ref name="PHB35-p82" /><ref name="SCAG5e-p117">{{Cite book/Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide|117}}</ref> ([[Hulgorkyn]])<ref name="FRCS3e-p85" />
* [[Shaaran language|Shaaran]]<ref name="FRCS3e-p85" /><ref name="RoF-p108" /><ref name="SCAG5e-p112" />
* [[Tashalan language|Tashalan]]<ref name="RoF-p109">{{Cite book/Races of Faerûn|109}}</ref>
* [[Terran]]<ref name="PHB35-p82" />
* [[Untheric]]<ref name="FRCS3e-p85" />

==Appendix==
===See Also===
*[[Davek]]
*[[Dwarven language]]
*[[Dwarvish dictionary]]
===Notes===
{{Notes}}
===Gallery===
<gallery>
dethek-5e.jpg|''The letters and numerals of Dethek.''
That which crawls-5e.jpg|''"That which crawls<br />Knows me not<br />Seek near the harpers<br />Silent strings<br />Heavier than it should be<br />Opened it could be<br />To see what harping<br />Brings"''
</gallery>
===References===
{{Refs}}
===Connections===
{{Nonhuman language scripts}}
[[Category:Scripts]]
[[Category:Dwarven languages]]
[[Category:Languages]]