Old Pavic - In the Empire of the Wyrms Friends, there were two principal languages:
(i) Auld Wyrmish, which was the language of dragons and dragonewts. Only
the higher mystical echelons of the Empire spoke this, as it required
surgery to the palette (to allow tongue flexibility), as well as the
ability to think transcendently. Although it was relatively common when the
Empire was at its height, the regular folk mostly spoke New Wyrmish.
(ii) New Wyrmish sprang up quickly amongst the first societies of the EWF
in Dragon Pass. It evolved in the excitement of the new Empire as the new
'common language', coming mainly from the less complex concepts of Auld
Wyrmish, although also influenced by the same Theyalan linguistic heritage
as Old Sun Domer. As most of the settlers who joined Pavis in his new city
were from Dragon Pass and the EWF, this became the principal language of
the Old City. After the fall of the EWF it was no longer known as Wyrmish
and became commonly referred to as Pavic, becoming 'Old Pavic' in common
reference after the establishment of the new city. Over time it has been
somewhat corrupted by Praxian and even a smattering of Justreli. It has
also simply evolved on its own in the almost 600 years since the fall of
the Empire of the Wyrms' Friends. Nonetheless, Windwhistler the Wyrm, who
lives in Griffin Gate, understands Old Pavic with some effort. The main
speakers of Old Pavic are the descendants of the original citizens, and
mostly live in the Real City, Mani's Fort, and Zebraside, and there are
also a few old Pavic families in the new city.
End of The Glorantha Digest V7 #145
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