Sanghellic

Sanghellic isn't just the official language of Lumea Sangelui—it reflects the spiritual and ritualistic culture of its people. Every word carries layers of meaning, tied deeply to the beliefs of balance, sacrifice, and life force.

• Blood and Sacrifice: Central to the culture, blood is not merely a physical essence but a conduit for power, memory, and life. This reverence influences how the language constructs metaphors and idioms.
• Priestly Language: Certain words and grammatical structures are considered sacred, used only by priests or during rituals.
• Runes in Rituals: The runes are carved into flesh, stone, or wood, symbolizing permanence and a pact with the divine.

Phonology (Sounds)

The Sanghellic language uses rich, flowing sounds with a balance of guttural and melodic tones to evoke both mystery and power.

• Stress typically falls on the second-to-last syllable unless marked by a special accent (á, é, etc.).
• Tone variation is rare but used to differentiate sacred from mundane terms. For example, hel (life) versus hél (divine essence).
• Consonant clusters are allowed, but usually limited to two consonants.
• Words often end in vowels, except for formal titles or commands, which may end in a consonant for a sharper, more abrupt tone.

Consonants

• Voiced: b, d, g, l, m, n, r, v, z
• Voiceless: k, t, p, f, s, h
• Unique sounds:
  • 'q': A deep uvular sound like the Arabic ق (e.g., "qara").
  • 'x': A breathy, hissing "kh" sound (like in "Bach" or "loch").
  • 'zj': A soft "zh" sound (like the French "j" in "bonjour").
• Glottal stop (‘): Used as a ligature in compound words, marking a pause (e.g., "Vel'hel" /vɛʔhɛl/ – life-force).
• "Tz": A sharp, affricate sound, like in "tsunami."

Vowels

• Pure vowels: a, e, i, o, u
• Diphthongs:
  • ai: Sounds like "eye."
  • au: Sounds like "ow."
  • ei: Sounds like "ay."

Example Sounds

• Sang (/saŋ/): Meaning "blood."
• Hel (/hɛl/): Meaning "life."
• Qorth (/qɔrθ/): Meaning "sacrifice."

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Grammar

Word Order

• Subject-Object-Verb (SOV): Example:
  • "The priest sacrifices blood" → "Priest blood sacrifices" → Rakhal sang qorthai.

Tenses

• Past: Prefix "ke-" Example: kesang → "bled."
• Present: No prefix. Example: sang → "bleeds."
• Future: Prefix "fa-" Example: fasang → "will bleed."

Pluralization

• Add "-an" for plurals: Example: rakhalan (priests).

Possession

• Add "-is" to the possessed object: Example: Rakhalis sang (The priest's blood).

Pronouns

• Person: Singular | Plural
• 1st: ian (/ian/) | ianan (/ianan/)
• 2nd: tal (/tal/) | taln (/talan/)
• 3rd: sho (/ʃo/) | sholan (/ʃolan/)

Adjectives

• Adjectives follow the noun they modify and agree in number:
  • Singular: sang vothai (red blood).
  • Plural: sangan vothainan (red bloods).

Verb Conjugation

• Added mood markers for clarity in ritual contexts:
  • Imperative: Suffix "-uth" (e.g., sanguth! → "Bleed!")
  • Subjunctive: Prefix "la-" (e.g., lasang → "may it bleed").
  • Conditional: Suffix "-ekh" (e.g., sangekh → "would bleed").

Sentence Structure Exceptions

• Ritualistic prose may deviate from strict SOV order for poetic emphasis:
  • Rakhal qorth sangai! → "Priest sacrifice blood!" (to elevate the act of sacrifice).

Compound Word Rules in Sanghellic

In Sanghellic, compound words are often formed by blending or binding two roots to create new meanings. The process respects the phonology and maintains the language's flowing, ritualistic tone.

• Preserving Core Meaning:
  • The primary root (main concept) comes first, followed by the modifier. Example: Nyshkahel → Spirit-Life = "The essence of life" (metaphorically "soul").
• Vowel Harmony:
  • When two roots end and begin with vowels, a glottal stop (') or a linking consonant (like l or h) is added to maintain fluency. Example: Velai + Orshan → Velai'orshan → "Mountain of life."
• Elision of Redundant Sounds:
  • If two roots share the same ending and beginning sound, one is dropped. Example: Mazhel + Helai → Mazhelai → "Shadow lives."
• Emphasis Through Reduplication:
  • For poetic or ritual purposes, roots can be partially repeated to intensify meaning. Example: Sang + Sanghelis → Sangsanghelis → "The purest blood sea."
• Sacred Prefixes and Suffixes:
  • Sacred meanings can be encoded with prefixes (or- for purity, fa- for future) or suffixes (-ai for divine connection, -uth for commands). Example: Thalrak + Orkhelth → Orthalrakai → "Pure offering of the abyss."

Important Words

• Rakhal: Priest.
• Sang: Blood.
• Qorthai: Sacrifice.
• Velth: Life.
• Mazhel: Shadow.
• Nyshka: Spirit.

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Lexicon

Nature and Environment

Sanghellic	Meaning	Notes
Orshan	Mountain	Symbol of endurance and divinity.
Nythal	Sky	Represents destiny and freedom.
Dralmor	Forest	Sacred places of life and spirits.
Vorash	Flame	Destruction and purification.
Qavren	River	Path of renewal and transition.
Thalveth	Ocean	Power and mystery.
Xorthil	Desert	Emptiness, yet potential.
Mazhren	Shadowland	A place between worlds.
Kelthar	Stone	Strength and permanence.
Iskrai	Star	Guides and watchers.

Time and Seasons

Sanghellic	Meaning	Notes
Vorn	Time	A universal constant.
Faelsh	Dawn	Symbol of hope and beginnings.
Droskai	Twilight	A mystical transition.
Orthun	Night	Mystery and hidden truths.
Velshil	Morning	Growth and clarity.
Zarneth	Year	Long cycles and growth.
Qorthar	Season	Cyclical sacrifice and renewal.

Numbers

Sanghellic	Number	Pronunciation
Unar	One	(/uːnar/)
Doshar	Two	(/dɔʃar/)
Trelk	Three	(/trɛlk/)
Qavril	Four	(/kavril/)
Valthi	Five	(/valθi/)
Salthun	Six	(/salθun/)
Zanthi	Seven	(/zanθi/)

Number Cycles

Suffix	Cycle	Notes
-	Cycle 1: Base Numbers	Represents mortal existence, grounded in the physical world.
-ath	Cycle 2: The Next Path	Represents renewal, the progression of life and blood through sacrifices. Represents the first repetition or layer, symbolizing renewal and continuation. Example: Unarath (8), Dosharath (9).
-esh	Cycle 3: The Spirit’s Layer	Represents the spiritual bridge, connecting the mortal to the Mazhel and gods. Represents a deeper, spiritual plane or the connection between mortal and divine. Example: Unaresh (15), Dosharesh (16).
-orn	Cycle 4: The Eternal Cycle	Represents timeless destiny, where mortal and divine intersect. Represents time, destiny, and infinity, marking an elevated understanding of existence. Example: Unarorn (22), Dosharorn (23).
-uth	Cycle 5: The Divine Layer	Represents the commands of the divine, the culmination of all cycles. Represents command, divine will, and ultimate purpose, emphasizing the highest level of sacred recurrence. Example: Unaruth (29), Dosharuth (30).
-zar	Cycle 6: The Shadowed Cycle	Represents the unknowable shadow, where light and dark coexist, beyond mortal comprehension. Represents the mysteries of the unknown and the balance between light and shadow. Example: Unarzar (36), Dosharzar (37).

People and Society

Sanghellic	Meaning	Notes
Rakhal	Priest	Keeper of sacred knowledge.
Zhulmai	Warrior	Protector of blood and life.
Tharnis	Farmer	Tiller of the earth, lifegiver.
Nerosh	Elder	Wisdom and authority.
Kalthor	Leader	Guide of people and decisions.
Nyshen	Child	Innocence and potential.
Mazrauth	Exile	Cursed, but also free.

Emotions and Concepts

Sanghellic	Meaning	Notes
Qalshar	Fear	A sacred warning.
Helvon	Love	Connection of life and spirit.
Drauvai	Death	A necessary part of the cycle.
Veluth	Joy	A fleeting but vital emotion.
Mazorth	Sorrow	A sign of growth and reflection.
Fornai	Hope	A driving force toward the future.
Zanrek	Rage	Controlled power or ruinous force.
Ivoril	Peace	Balance between opposing forces.

Sacred and Ritual Terms

Sanghellic	Meaning	Notes
Qorthai	Sacrifice	Act of giving for greater purpose.
Helai	Life	Revered essence of existence.
Xilvar	Ritual	A structured act of power.
Nyshka	Spirit	The unseen force animating all.
Zulthen	Pact	A binding agreement, often divine.
Thalrak	Offering	Gift to gods or spirits.
Mazhel	Shadow	Mystery and hidden truths.
Orthas	Purity	Cleansing and renewal.
Dralvor	Oath	Unbreakable promise.
Kelvon	Sanctuary	Safe haven for body and spirit.

Everyday Life

Sanghellic	Meaning	Notes
Belthar	Home	Place of warmth and family.
Nalthai	Food	Sustenance, often blessed.
Velkai	Water	Essential for life.
Xorthal	Path	A way forward, both literal and figurative.
Mazvar	Tool	Instrument of creation or ritual.
Tharnel	Harvest	Celebration of bounty.

Basic Phrases and Idioms

• "Velth sang rakhalai." → "Life through the priest's blood."
• "Mazhel fasang qorthai." → "The shadow will bleed sacrifice."
• "Nyshka helai rakhalis." → "The spirit lives in the priest."
• "Ian sang talai." → "I bleed for you."
• "Ianan falhelai." → "We will live."
• "Velth Vorithai." → "Life through flame."
  • Used to signify rebirth or renewal through hardship.
• "Qorth helzulth." → "Sacrifice seals the pact."
  • Often said during ritual oaths.
• "Mazhel drauvai." → "The shadow dies."
  • Refers to overcoming adversity or banishing evil.
• "Nyshka qorthai velthai." → "The spirit sacrifices for life."
• "Helvon fasang vorashai." → "Love will bleed in the flames."
• "Mazhel drauvai orshanai." → "The shadow dies on the mountain."
• "Zulthen rakhalis sangai." → "The priest’s blood seals the pact."
• "Droskai helai nyshenai." → "Twilight gives life to the child."

Curses

• "Mazhel qorthenath" → "May shadows consume your sacrifice"
  • A curse to invoke failure or disgrace in one’s efforts.
• "Drauvai raknal uthzen" → "Death claim your bloodline"
  • A severe curse targeting a person's descendants or legacy.
• "Hel zulthen vorath" → "Life shatter your pacts"
  • Used to condemn someone as faithless or traitorous.
• "Nyshka fasang draulthan" → "May your spirit bleed unto death"
  • A deeply spiritual curse, often used in extreme anger.
• "Kelthar mazhel uthlai" → "Stone shadow your life"
  • To curse someone with a heavy and burdensome existence.
• "Mazhel rakneth velth qorthai." → "May the swarm shadow your life’s sacrifice."
  • Curse to doom someone’s efforts.
• "Helzulth qorth fasang drauvai." → "May your pacts bleed into death."
  • Curse of betrayal and ruin.
• "Mazorth sangeth qorth tharnai." → "May sorrow bleed your harvest’s sacrifice."
  • Curse of failure and despair in life’s work.
• "Velth uthlai rakneth fasorth." → "May life burn under the swarm’s destruction."
  • Curse to invoke total devastation.
• "Bartholomew’s madness shatter your blood." → Literal translation in modern form.
  • Curse invoking insanity and chaos.

Blessings

• "Velth sangai helvon" → "Life flows through your love"
  • A blessing for relationships or bonds.
• "Orshan qorth velthesh" → "Mountains sacrifice for your life"
  • Wishing strength and resilience through trials.
• "Faelsh helai mazhor" → "May dawn bring light to your shadow"
  • A blessing for overcoming darkness or sorrow.
• "Nyshka thalrak vorashai" → "The spirit offers flames of renewal"
  • Invoking transformation and new beginnings.
• "Zulthen fasang heluthai" → "The pact will bleed for your life"
  • A blessing of divine protection or fulfillment.
• "Mazhelai fasang velth qorthai." → "May the shadow bleed life’s sacrifice."
  • Blessing of renewal after hardship.
• "Helzulth drauvai sang heluthai." → "May the pact guard your blood from death."
  • Blessing for protection and endurance.
• "Velshil fasang qorth helai." → "May the dawn bleed into life’s sacrifice."
  • Blessing for a new beginning or a fresh start.
• "Kelthar mazhel vorash uthlai." → "May the stone shadow burn for your life."
  • Blessing of resilience and transformation through trials.
• "Bartholomew’s blood guide your path." → "Literal translation in modern form."
  • Blessing invoking divine insight and strength.

Proverbs

• "Mazhel vorai velth sangeth." → "The shadow follows where life bleeds."
  • Meaning: Every act of creation carries destruction; balance must always be maintained.
• "Fasorth helai qorthai." → "Through destruction, life is reborn."
  • Meaning: Endings are not final; they pave the way for new beginnings.
• "Thalvek drauv vorash velshil." → "Ten deaths burn to light the dawn."
  • Meaning: Great sacrifices are often required for true progress.
• "Velth zulthai, drauv zulthesh." → "Life binds; death releases."
  • Meaning: Life comes with responsibility, while death frees one from all bonds.
• "Kelthar qorthai nyshka sangeth." → "Stone sacrifices as the spirit bleeds."
  • Meaning: Even the unyielding must give for transformation.
• "Bartholomew qorth sanghelis mazhelai." → "Bartholomew’s blood shadows the sea."
  • Meaning: Power gained without restraint can taint everything it touches.
• "Sebastian helzulth drauveth." → "Sebastian breaks life to spare death."
  • Meaning: Hard choices are necessary for the greater good.
• "Mazhel uthlai qorth sangai." → "The shadow lives where blood is sacrificed."
  • Meaning: Power comes at a cost; beware what you awaken.
• "Fasorth tharnai vorash qorthai." → "The fields burn before the sacrifice ends."
  • Meaning: Hasty actions can ruin even the purest intentions.
• "Nyshka fasang kelthesh." → "The spirit bleeds for the stone."
  • Meaning: Mortals endure hardship to build lasting legacies.
• "Velth qavren fasang, rakneth mazhelai." → "Life’s rivers will bleed; the swarm shadows them."
  • Meaning: The greatest blessings often draw the greatest dangers.
• "Mazhel sangeth Qorthai Fasorth." → "The shadow bleeds; sacrifice destroys."
  • Meaning: Unchecked chaos will only bring ruin.
• "Kelvon fasang vorash rakhan." → "Sanctuary burns as the swarm descends."
  • Meaning: Even the safest places are vulnerable to hubris.
• "Mazhel qorth sang heluthai." → "The shadow sacrifices where blood protects."
  • Meaning: Devotion can shield against even the greatest horrors.
• "Mazhel velshil qorthai uthnai." → "The shadow dawns when sacrifice ends."
  • Meaning: The end of suffering brings illumination.
• "Tharnis drauv velth zulthen." → "The earth dies where life’s pacts falter."
  • Meaning: Breaking sacred oaths can unravel the world’s foundation.
• "Nyshka vorai kelthar sanghelis." → "The spirit walks the stone of the blood-sea."
  • Meaning: Wisdom must traverse pain and permanence to reach clarity.

Poetic Expressions in Sanghellic

• "Mazorth drauvai velkai, sanghel veluth." → "Sorrow dies in the waters, and blood sings with joy."
  • A metaphorical expression of renewal after hardship.
• "Thalvek vorash qorthai, helai nyshka vornesh." → "Ten flames sacrifice, and the spirit finds its time."
  • A poetic reflection on struggle and destiny.
• "Orkhelth mazhelai, draul velth zhulthesh." → "In the pure shadow, death and life make their pact."
  • A statement of balance and inevitability.
• "Velshil qavren vorashai, mazhel sang heluthai." → "Morning rivers burn, and shadowed blood protects."
  • Evokes the image of cycles and divine guardianship.
• "Iskrai nyshen sangai, velkai thalrak drauv." → "The stars give blood to the child, and the waters offer death."
  • A profound metaphor for the balance of creation and destruction.
• "Mazhel vorash kelthar sangai; nyshka helzulth drauveth." → "The shadow burns the stone with blood; the spirit binds life to death."
  • A reflection on the eternal cycles of creation and destruction.
• "Velth qorthai drauv sanghelis; tharnis mazhel vorai vornesh." → "Life sacrifices death to the blood-sea; the earth shadows time’s path."
  • Evoking the balance of earth, sea, and destiny.
• "Bartholomew helai mazorth sangai; Sebastian qorth velshil uthlai." → "Bartholomew lives in sorrow’s blood; Sebastian sacrifices dawn’s flame."
  • Contrasting the divine roles of Bartholomew and Sebastian.
• "Rakneth mazhel vorash qorthai; kelthesh fasorth drauvai velthesh." → "The swarm shadows the burning sacrifice; the stone breaks death to life."
  • The cost of survival and endurance against chaos.
• "Nyshka fasang velth rakhan; tharnel drauv uthnai sanghelai." → "The spirit bleeds life to the swarm; the harvest dies where blood dawns."
  • A haunting ode to sacrifice and fleeting triumph.

A world-famous Sanghellic poem:

• Velshil mazhelai, sangai qorthen. Orshan thalvek drauvai heluthai.
  • Morning shadows bleed, and sacrifice flows. The mountain stands, offering life to death.

Songs of Lament

These dirges mourn loss, reflect on the cycles of life and death, and evoke the sorrow of sacrifice and destruction. They are often sung in low, somber tones during funerals, after battles, or in times of despair.

"Mazorth Sanghelai" (Sorrow’s Blood-Sea)

Sanghellic Lyrics	Translation	Context
Velshil sanghel, drauvai mazorth, Nyshka fasang qorth mazhel. Bartholomew uthlai qorth velkai, Tharnis drauv uth nai sanghel.	Morning blood, death’s sorrow flows, The spirit bleeds, shadow sacrifices. Bartholomew burns life in blood, The earth dies where the blood dawns.	A dirge mourning the loss of lives and the burdens of sacrifice. Sung after battles where lives have been lost, this lament ties individual grief to the larger, divine cycle of blood and sacrifice. Funeral Rite: Sung to guide the spirits of the dead toward the afterlife.

"Drauv Velthesh" (The Death of Life)

Sanghellic Lyrics	Translation	Context
Drauv velthesh, fasorth heluth, Mazhel vorash velshil uthnai. Kelthar sang, trelkath drauvai, Nyshka velkai qorth helzulth.	Death takes life, destruction purifies, The shadow burns where dawn ends. Stone bleeds, ten deaths offer, The spirit flows through life’s pacts.	A solemn, poetic piece reflecting on the inevitability of endings. This song is often performed at funerals or in times of great mourning, linking the loss of individuals to the greater order of the Sanghellic faith.

"Mazhel Fasang Velthrai" (The Shadow Bleeds Life)

Sanghellic Lyrics	Translation	Context
Mazhel fasang, rakhan velthesh, Qorth helai drauv sangeth. Sebastian helzulth drauvai kelthesh, Nyshka vorai fasorth uthlai.	The shadow bleeds, the swarm takes life, Sacrifice lives where death bleeds. Sebastian binds death with the stone, The spirit walks destruction’s flame.	A lament for those cursed by divine forces, such as the Báuturíí or the Crimson Host’s victims. This lament is sung in cities or villages ravaged by the Crimson Host, honoring the dead while pleading for divine mercy.

Victory Hymns

These hymns celebrate triumph, resilience, and divine favor. They are sung after battles, during coronations, or when new alliances are forged.

"Qorth Velkai Uthnai" (Sacrifice Lives Eternal)

Sanghellic Lyrics	Translation	Context
Qorth velkai, nyshka sangeth, Mazorth drauv uthnai fasorth. Bartholomew qorthai velshil vorash, Thalvek kelthar fasang helai.	Sacrifice lives, the spirit bleeds, Sorrow dies where destruction rises. Bartholomew sacrifices at dawn’s flame, Ten stones bleed life’s essence.	A rousing hymn celebrating survival and the power of sacrifice. Sung during victory celebrations, this hymn reminds the victors of the sacrifices made to secure their triumph. Warrior’s March: Sung to rally troops before battle.

"Sebastian Fasorth Qorthai" (Sebastian’s Sacred Destruction)

Sanghellic Lyrics	Translation	Context
Sebastian fasorth, helzulth qorthai,Mazhel drauv velkai sanghel. Kelthar vorash, rakhan drauveth,Nyshka velkai fasang heluth.	Sebastian destroys, binding pacts in sacrifice, The shadow dies as blood flows. The stone burns, the swarm dies, The spirit of life will bleed to protect.	A hymn honoring Sebastian’s role as a purifier and protector of balance. This hymn is sung when invoking Sebastian’s name during a coronation or the conclusion of a war fought in his honor. Warrior’s March: Sung for troops upon their return from battle.

"Velshil Vorashai Qorthen" (Dawn’s Flame of Sacrifice)

Sanghellic Lyrics	Translation	Context
Velshil vorash, sanghel uthlai, Qorthai fasorth velkai drauv. Nyshka helai mazhel qorthen, Thalrak sang velth uthnai.	Dawn burns, the blood shadows the earth, Sacrifice destroys where life dies. The spirit lives where shadows bleed, The offering flows life eternal.	A triumphant song celebrating renewal and the end of darkness. Performed at the end of rituals, this hymn celebrates not just victory, but the divine order that made it possible. Coronation Ritual: Accompanies the crowning of a new leader, reminding them of the divine responsibilities tied to their power.

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The Sanghellic Rune Alphabet

The Sanghellic Alphabet is designed to look sharp, flowing, and ritualistic, echoing its use in blood-carved runes.

Structure

• Each rune represents a single phoneme (sound).
• The alphabet has 26 characters, matching the phonology.

Rune	Sound	Romanization	Example Meaning
𐑀	/s/	S	Sang (Blood)
𐑁	/a/	A	Hel (Life)
𐑂	/ŋ/	NG	Sang (Blood)
𐑃	/r/	R	Rakhal (Priest)
𐑄	/k/	K	Qorth (Sacrifice)
𐑅	/t/	T	Velth (Life Essence)
𐑆	/q/	Q	Qorthai (Sacrifice)
𐑇	/x/	X	Xilva (Ritual)
𐑈	/m/	M	Mazhel (Shadow)
𐑉	/l/	L	Velth (Life Essence)
𐑊	/h/	H	Helai (To Live)
𐑋	/v/	V	Velth (Life Essence)
𐑌	/zj/	ZJ	Mazhel (Shadow)
𐑍	/i/	I	Ivas (Spirit)
𐑎	/u/	U	Zulth (Blood Pact)
𐑏	/o/	O	Orth (Purity)
𐑐	/e/	E	Elesh (Truth)
𐑑	/p/	P	Porthai (Offering)
𐑒	/f/	F	Fasang (Will Bleed)
𐑓	/b/	B	Belth (Sacred Bond)
𐑔	/d/	D	Dral (Ritual Tool)
𐑕	/g/	G	Gorth (Death’s Cry)
𐑖	/n/	N	Nyshka (Spirit)
𐑗	/ai/	AI	Helai (To Live)
𐑘	/ei/	EI	Veilth (Connection)
𐑙	/au/	AU	Xilaun (Blood Price)

Rune Features

• Runic symbols are carved with sharp lines, evoking the sensation of blood etching into stone or skin.
• Symbols are often accompanied by decorative flourishes, especially in ceremonial writing.
• Runic styles in Sanghellic have ceremonial variants:
  1. Linear Runes: For everyday writing, minimal flourishes.
  2. Flame Runes: Elaborate, with trailing lines to mimic flowing blood or fire.
  3. Shadow Runes: Used for curses or warnings; sharp and angular to convey menace.

Sample Text in Sanghellic Runes

• Sanghellic: "Velth sangai."
  • Runes: 𐑋𐑁𐑉𐑅 𐑀𐑁𐑂𐑗.
  • Translation: "Life flows through blood."
• Sanghellic: "Qorthai velth fasang uthvornai."
  • Runes: 𐑆𐑁𐑉𐑅𐑗 𐑋𐑁𐑉𐑅 𐑒𐑁𐑂𐑗 𐑋𐑉𐑂𐑃𐑗.
  • Translation: "Through sacrifice, life flows eternal."
  • Breakdown:
    • Qorthai → Sacrifice.
    • Velth → Life.
    • Fasang → Will flow.
    • Uthvornai → Eternal (compound of "uth" - essence and "vorn" - time).