The Rigarian language is an ancient language that originated from the planet of Anore. Back on Anore it was one of the first languages created, and it was actually created by the Gods. Goddess of Rigen, Nilata, when she created Rigen and wove it into the essence of Anore, decided she wanted a spoken language to help her children cast the Spells they would eventually invent. She worked alongside Angrod, God of Logic and Order to create the language and teach it to a select few of the Anorians, who would then spread it throughout the world.
Eventually, Rigarian, while useful for unskilled Casters to help them with their spellcasting, became somewhat obsolete, as experienced Casters did not have a need to speak aloud to cast. However, since the language at that time in history was already widespread since nearly everyone on the planet was skilled, at least somewhat, in Rigen, and therefore Rigarian, the language became the ‘common’ language of the planet and its markets.
Since every race on Anore at that time had their own cultural language that the other races could not understand, but the civilization was advanced enough where trade and travel was commonplace, Rigarian as the worldwide language quickly spread.
On Siliren the Anorian races still know Rigarian as a second language most of the time. While on Siliren, even at low levels, words are not required to cast any spells, the language is less used and less known than on Anore.
However, the Hellbend race, who were mutated members of each of the Anorian races during The Change Days, had to come together as equals of a newly created race. Since they all were born different races, but knew Rigarian as the common language of Anore, the language instantly became their first language. Some Hellbend parents taught their children the languages of their original culture, but pretty quickly this practice died out – and Rigarian tends to be the only language the secluded race now speaks.
Note for IC threads: When and if you use Rigarian words inside an IC thread, please do us all a favor and translate those words somewhere in the post. While many may know what ‘chak’ means, some will not. With nearly 400 words translated in this article, there is no way everyone will know all of them.
This is an extremely long and detailed article. Much of this information is not needed by the average RPer. Feel free to use the Table of Contents below to skip around in the article to find the information you need. Especially, look at the Dictionary section to use Rigarian words in your threads!
As in “über”, as in “yes” / as in “me”, as in “yes”
Z
/z/
/z/
As in “zebra”
Stress
When the word has two syllables, the stress will fall on the penultimate syllable. When the word has more than two syllables, the stress will fall on the antepenultimate syllable. Exception: “-ore” at the end of the word will always be stressed.
Question Words stay at the beginning of the sentence.
Examples:
I love you = Raniading What is that? = Vai hai mene? Who do you love? = Von ranir? Do you understand it? = Mapaliner?
Nouns
There are no grammatical genders. There are two grammatical numbers, singular, and plural. There are no grammatical cases. Nouns unaccompanied by articles change in number.
Plural
Singular
Plural
–
-i
Plural nouns receive an “-i” at the end, unless they are accompanied by articles. “-si” becomes “-ss”, “-di” becomes “-l”, and “-ri” becomes “-i”. Final vowels are not removed before adding the plural ending.
Articles
There are two articles, definite and proper. Proper articles are used with proper nouns, including personal names. If the article is in plural, the noun does not decline. Articles cannot be used after prepositions.
Definite
Proper
Singular
ne
en
Plural
ni
ei
Examples:
Wizard = Masas Wizards = Masass The wizard = Ne masas The wizards = Ni masas A wizard = Masas Some wizards = Masass The White Wizard = En Masas Suloth The White Wizards = Ei Masas Suloth
Personal Pronouns
Singular
Plural
Reflexive
1st Person
2nd Person
3rd Person
1st Person
2nd Person
3rd Person
Subject
-ad
-in
-en
-uth
-yr
-ong
–
Object
-al
-ing
-er
-ur
-yn
-on
-el
Possessive Pronoun
ar
ir
em
ur
yr
on
–
Personal pronouns as subjects and objects are suffixes added to the verb. If both object and subject suffixes are added, the object suffix is added after the subject suffix. When the pronoun is not accompanied by a verb, the verb “ha” (to be) will be used. There are no double vowels. Examples:
It is dark = Hien muosker He sees me = Onienal I love it = Raniader I see him = Oniaden
Verbs
Active Voice
Passive Voice
Tense
Without Pronoun Suffix
With Pronoun Suffix
Without Pronoun Suffix
With Pronoun Suffix
Indicative Mood
Present
-ai
-i
-elai
-eli
Past
-ei
-e
-elei
-ele
Future
-ui
-u
-elui
-elu
Subjunctive Mood
Present
-iu
-ui
-eliu
elui
Past
-ia
-i
-elia
-eli
Future
-ou
-ui
-eluo
-elui
Imperative Mood
-(e)*
-(e)*
-(e)*
-(e)*
Magical Mood
Present
-am
-am
-elam
-elam
Past
-em
-em
-elem
-elem
Future
-um
-um
-elum
-elum
* The “e” is not added if the radical of the verb ends in “d, k, l, m, n, r, s, ss, th, z”.
Infinitive
-a
Participle
-er
Infinitive ending is removed before conjugating. “-elel” becomes “-erel”. The subjunctive mood is for expressing wishes, suggestions, or desires. The magical mood is used when casting spells. Modal verbs will not be conjugated, the main verb will. Modal verbs come before conjugated verbs. See last example below.
Examples:
That is true = Mene hai nysad She does it = Hathiener She did it = Hathener She will do it = Hathuener The sword is made of metal = Ne athvas hathelai ny sultas The sword was made of metal = Ne athvas hathelei ny sultas Can we sing? = Hasa periuth?
IMPORTANT NOTE: Below you will find the Rigarian translation of the Hellbend race name, Draskeler. This Rigarian word is NOT used or known by Winhem Hellbends. Winhen Hellbends ONLY call themselves by the Common name Hellbend. Draskeler is a word used by Hellbends who originated OUTSIDE of Winhem – of which none currently exist.
A man who beats his wife or children. A wife-beater
Coined from an old, fictional folk tale about a Hellbend named Balko and his family, telling young women to heed caution when marrying a man just for his wealth, lest they fall prey to abuse.
Bolka
A less common but equally derogatory term for a woman who beats her husband or her children. A man-beater. Coined from the same story above but the name is altered to refer to the role reversal of the wife and the husband.
Spad
Someone who runs naked in the streets.
An outlandish fool, someone who makes a mockery of themselves
Gundrow
Genitalia, dick, cunt
Someone who is being excessively inappropriate or rude.
Dohi
Hissing cicada
Someone who is extremely annoying, persistent, and loud, like a bug.
Aper
Stinky, smelly, someone who has lain with fish
Someone who smells extremely bad or does not care about their personal hygiene, especially in regards to a salty or fishy smell.
Mosdra
Siph
Someone who uses magic to cast ill will onto others or for other nefarious purposes, especially if Siphonics is involved.
Lapin
Muscle, escort
A derogatory word for someone who chooses to be a visual companion for someone else in exchange for money, in particular when they are meant to intimidate or bring visual/sexual appeal to their companion.
Athvas
Sword
A male prostitute. While derogatory historically, the Swords and Sandals have reclaimed the term in some way by affirming that no one should be denied love, regardless of gender or circumstance.
Slang
Rigarian
Direct Translation to Common
Meaning
Ora athvalas
Catch a swordfish-
Having sex with a man. Primarily used to refer to gay men, especially those who frequent the Swords and Sandals.
Hin vakent athvas?
You a Bastard Sword?
Do you have a big penis?
Pathla
Slap
Both a noun and a verb meaning good fun. When you are “having a slap” you are having a good time, usually with many laughs and great fun. When someone “is a slap” that means that they are someone who knows how to have a good time and is good fun to be around. Primarily used by those raised or born within Avakaron, this term is thought to have developed due to the common response of slapping someone’s arm, shoulder, or leg when they tell a good joke. In reality, this is likely not the true origins of the phrase, as the history of the phrase itself has long since been lost in time.
An exclamation / interjection denoting surprise / exasperation. Equivalent of the irl God’s Wounds/Zounds and God’s Body/Odsbodkins (which are both archaic). Also equivalent to Davy Jones’ Locker, or Hell. Sailors and other seafarers would be most likely to use this phrase.
Equivalent to the irl usage of Hell. “What in Cheon’s Domain”/”What the hell.” Would have more connotations of death and time rather than eternal torture, obviously. Would be considered blasphemous by more devout Hellbends, but other Hellbends such as sailors wouldn’t care.
A euphemism would be Cheon take you, being less harsh, but still with death implications, and considered blasphemy by the more devout either way.
Kor (Deity’s name)!
By (Deity’s name)!
Equivalent to Elder Scrolls’ usage of By the Gods/By the Nine Divines/By the Eight/By Shor/etc. Easily usable by characters of any background. (Note: “by” can be added to both Muostas’s Depths and Cheon’s Domain for an exasperated effect)
Other
Rigarian
Direct Translation to Common
Meaning
Mune
Damsel or maiden
A woman of great merit and inner strength. A woman who is highly sought after or has many suitors.
Rilasontas
Whalerman
A man who seeks adventure and/or is known for great adventures. A term coined by early Hellbend sailors to describe those who caught a whale for food during a great famine to bring back to the city of Avakaron.
Pessas
Wailerman
The opposite of a Whalerman— a man who actively avoids adventures or strife, often described as wailing and moaning at any sign of change. Not necessarily used to describe someone who fears adventure rather describe someone who enjoys the simplicities of life and doesn’t need thrills to bring them joy. However, the term is commonly misused as a term for a lazy or boring person.
Frederico Schroeder – an outside hire who developed the rules and structure of Rigarian as well as provided nearly 400 original and unique Rigarian words and their translations