Reach-tongue is the language of the Reachfolk.[1] As an isolated culture, they've developed their own dialect over time.[UOL 1] There are multiple languages within Reachfolk culture, some of which are ancient. At least some dialects have been documented by scholars who have translated ancient texts into the modern tongue.[2]
The Reachfolk have rich oral traditions, and usually don't commit their stories to paper as scholars from most other provinces do.[3] Many from clans who live in the wilderness are illiterate, and do not care to learn.[4] Some Reachfolk are even opposed to the idea of learning to read and write.[5] Some Reachfolk who followed the Longhouse Emperors and Imperialized Reachfolk in Cyrodiil during the Second Era encouraged their children to learn their letters. Following the fall of the Longhouse Dynasty, there was not much call for reading and writing in the Karth Valley, barring major settlements like Markarth, where such skills were more widespread.[6][7]
Reachfolk occasionally adorn their weapons with Daedric inscriptions.[8] They also utilize glyphs and runes.[9][10][11] Verses of the Red Eagle's Song were carved into stone pillars in the sacred cave in Red Eagle Redoubt.[12]
Despite the prevalence of the oral tradition, Reachfolk used their own script. Some scholars believed it was more widespread during the ancient times, when the Reach culture was at its apex, and considered it dead as of 2E 322. According to some sources, the poems of legendary vateshran Tosmorn were written in this ancient script. Foreign scholars frequently and erroneously disregarded this idea.[13] Nonetheless, there exists tangible evidence of written texts in the Reachfolk language by Reachfolk authors, like Fynboar the Resurrected.[14][2]
Known WordsEdit
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Known SentencesEdit
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Reachfolk usage of common wordsEdit
Reachfolk use terms "Witch" and "Witch-man" to describe powerful magicians. Both are titles of utmost respect.[26]
"Keep-Witch" is a term equivalent to Court Mage. Unlike the word "Witch" it has a pejorative undertone, due to the belief that the Witches should devote themselves to the arcane rather than politics.[27]
"Reeker"[28][29] and "Thinblood" are insults commonly used by Reachfolk. The second of the two is used primarily towards outsiders,[30][31] but it is not always the case.[32]
"Gravesinger" is a term used to describe Reachfolk necromancers who broker deals with Molag Bal[33] in exchange for the power to command the loathsome dead.[34]
The word "Freehand" is used as a term of respect.[35][36][37]
The word "Wilder" is used as a noun to describe Reachfolk people and clans who do not inhabit Markarth.[38][39]
Known GlyphsEdit
Reachfolk have a rich glyph system.[9] They decorate various items, banners, and walls with numerous sigils. Glyphs can be commonly found in many Reach clan camps and settlements as well as in their capital Markarth.[40] While the meaning of most known symbols is unknown, some have known meaning associated with them.[41]
Glyphs with known meaningEdit
Certain symbols are dedicated to the Great Spirits of the Reach:
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Hircine
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Molag Bal
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Namira
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Nocturnal
Other symbols:
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Tree Spirit[42]
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Sigil of Icereach Coven
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Sigil of Hearteater Clan
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Moonburst
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Bull; Sigil of Winterborn Clan
Glyphs with unknown meaningEdit
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Unique glyph behind Mournful Throne
ReferencesEdit
- ^ Meet the Character - Arana — Jano Vestalis, Imperial Cartographer
- ^ a b Destozuno's dialogue in ESO
- ^ The Battle of Karthspire Lea — Vateshran Barth
- ^ An Imperial in Markarth — Consul Cardea, the Ard's Administrator
- ^ Living on the Karth River — Aodhsil
- ^ Ardanir's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Arloakh's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Appearance of weapons of Ancestral Reach Style in ESO
- ^ a b Shrunken Werewolf Head contraband in ESO
- ^ Valthume's loading screen in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Crafting Motif 55: Dreadhorn Style — Gherig Bullblood of the Dreadhorn Clan [Notes by Rena Hammerhands]
- ^ Events of Red Eagle's Song in ESO
- ^ The Translated Works of Tosmorn, I — Vanesse Aurilie
- ^ Fynboar the Resurrected
- ^ a b History of Markarth: A Story in Stone — Consul Cardea, the Ard's Administrator
- ^ Ardanir's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Dialogue overheard from Reachmen within Shadowgreen in ESO: Greymoor
- ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
- ^ A Year Among the Eagleseer Clan — Glabrian Tuliel, University of Gwylim
- ^ The Legend of Red Eagle — Tredayn Dren
- ^ Crafting Motif 54: Bloodforge Style — Stoneheart the Heartstone
- ^ Sanuarach Mine in Skyrim
- ^ Madearn's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
- ^ High Chancellor's Papers: The Tagh Droiloch — Abnur Tharn
- ^ Scary Tales of the Deep Folk, Book 1 — Cassia Volcatia, Traveling Scribe
- ^ Lady Belain's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Meet the Character - Lady Belain — Lady Nilene Devieren, Royal Envoy to the Reach
- ^ Malkor's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Gwenyfe's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Aeodfaern's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Tayfaern's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Reach Bedtime Stories — Isa Truiand, Teller of Tales
- ^ Zhagush gro-Korlag's dialogue in ESO
- ^ The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Northern Bangkorai and the Mountains — Flaccus Terentius, 2E 581
- ^ Faorin's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Esgiana's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Bodgrannagh's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Arllonal's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Anslettar's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Appearance of Markarth and Karthwasten in ESO
- ^ Events of After the Storm in ESO
- ^ Glenmoril Wyrd Body Markings item description
Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.