Here we’ll be posting lore snippits and other bits of Ursegal in action!
Draconic Nonsense No. 1: Guardian Titles
Date of release: 30 May 2016
Every Guardian in Sornieth who has come of age carries a title which accompanies their name.
A guardian who have just begun his search is called
Yevaun. This means “Searching.”
When their charge is found, they become a
Yerlan, a “residing or settling.” they will remain a Yerlan until the passing of the next festival. In more traditional cultures (Earth, Ice, Nature etc) , this period lasts until the guardian finds a permanent home with his charge. This can take a matter of minutes or a matter of years. More progressive flights (Wind, Arcane, Lightning,) follow the festival rule.
Once this time is over, the guardian becomes a
Sulan, or “settled”. Most guardians remain Sulanal for the rest of their lives.
In the event that a charge is somehow lost, the title changes to
Suvaun, or “searched.”
In formal situations, it is rude not to address a guardian with their title unless, of course, the guardian is a Suvaun
Draconic Nonsense No. 2: Traditional Tundra Greetings
Date of release: 16 Jun 2016
When meeting for the first time, the majority of tundras will say one of three things. Tundras are taught these phrases from hatching and they are second nature to them.
Greeting - “Kibohain Pache tagal.”
Translation - “You smell like family.”
Traditional response - “Torsahe ranen fek.”
Translation - “[then] walk with me.”
This is said when one’s scent brings positive or neutral emotions. It is rather common as convention assumes positive in neutral situations.
Greeting - “Kibohain Umris tagal.”
Translation - “You smell like blood.”
Traditional response - (none)
Translation - (none)
Let's just say that this is the opposite of the first response. There is no traditional verbal response as this is where conversations end.
Greeting - “Kibohain Aiga gat.”
Translation - “You smell of Ice.”
Traditional response - “Fienure ranen enual.”
Translation - “[then] remember me fondly.”
This is said when one’s scent evokes no memories. The two parties have truly never come in contact with one another before.
Draconic Nonsense No. 3: General Titles
Date of release: 10 Sep 2016
In Ursegal, general titles (placed behind a name with a hyphen) are used to show the placement of individuals in the social order and how they relate to each other. They fall into three categories.
Relation
Relation titles show the relationship between the speaker and the subject or listener. They are not necessary to include, but can often be helpful in the understanding of a situation.
State
State titles show the position of an individual in the social structure or a state of being that applies universally. With the exception of -ayel, one almost always uses state titles. They are, however, omitted when two persons of the same state refer to each other.
Age
A type of relation title, age modifiers are not necessary to include, but are considered a must in polite company if no other titles apply.
See the full list of titles here
Draconic Nonsense No. 4: Aigute
Date of release: 07 May 2017
Aigute is a s traditional Ursegal lullaby. The poem is said to have been written by a homesick Ice dragon, though this may or may not be true, and details a short conversation between the speaker and a frostbite humming bird.
The song is most popular in areas of Arcane, Wind, and Fire territory where frostbite hummingbirds migrate during winter, but can be heard throughout Sornieth. It has been set to many tunes,
but this one is by far the most popular.
Below are the lyrics and an admittedly less than elegant translation
Quote:
[00:09]
Kivaran kidhelsik
Yetruem satorik
Kitalran vene sak
Kihanaigran sevak
[00:33]
Aigute Aigute
Jaav kidhelain yene
Som Aigicur ala
Kidhelsik ravas para
[00:53]
Haravenderan ainen
Jheose kiyentain
Haytutran kensipa
Vekinefenain
[01:13]
Aigute Aigute
Matke ranen Jussahe
Jheose kini subris (al)*
Nihe ranen fenutar
|
[00:09]
I fear it's growing warm
I must leave before I melt
[00:33]
Hummingbird Hummingbird
Where are you going
To Icewarden
it is my duty
[00:53]
I will miss you
while you are gone
I wait patiently
for your return
[01:13]
Hummingbird Hummingbird
Tell me this, promise me
When winter returns
Come find me here
|
*The 'al' syllable in the last stanza is speculated to be the remnant of a "_____ ala" or "to [some specific place]" that was cut from the song to fit a certain rhythm. More likely it was placed to complete the rhyme
Draconic Nonsense No. 5: Common Naming Conventions
Date of release: 22 Nov 2017
Ursegal names follow a set of simple forms which can apply to places, individuals, or groups such as clans. As a general rule simply moving an adjective from the rear to the front will transform a term into a proper name, for example
Lire bai is a light that is new, but
Bailire means “New Light” and is the Ursegal word for Pearlcatcher.
This is one of a few naming forms. You can see the others in this sheet