Aethamic Language Primer: A Student's Guide

Imperial Academy of Mystic Arts - First Year Required Text Compiled by Master Linguist Thalion Wordweaver and Master Wizard Eldamar

Welcome to the Sacred Tongue

Greetings, young practitioner! This primer will guide you through the fundamentals of Aethamic, the ancient language of magic. Remember: precision in language leads to precision in spellcasting.

Chapter 1: Essential Pronunciation

The Sacred Sounds

Practice these sounds daily before attempting spellwork:

Consonants:

• th [θ] - Place tongue between teeth, breathe out softly
• kh [x] - Like clearing your throat gently
• zh [ʒ] - Like the 's' in "pleasure"
• vr [vr̥] - Roll the 'r' while saying 'v'
• ml [ml̥] - Hum 'm' then release to 'l'

Vowels:

• ā [aː] - Long "ah" (like "father")
• ē [eː] - Long "ay" (like "day")
• ō [oː] - Long "oh" (like "go")
• ū [uː] - Long "oo" (like "moon")
• i [i] - Short "ee" (like "see")

Practice Phrases

Start with these simple combinations:

1. Aetha [aː.θa] - "Mana" (Repeat 10 times)
2. Thulan [θu.lan] - "Spell" (Repeat 10 times)
3. Vethul [ve.θul] - "Focus" (Repeat 10 times)

Chapter 2: Basic Grammar Structure

Word Order: VSOM

Verb - Subject - Object - Modifier

Unlike common tongues, Aethamic places the magical action first:

Example:

• Khaleth keth aetha tharek
• "Summon I mana forward"
• Common: "I summon mana forward"

The Casting Pronouns

These special pronouns identify the caster's intent:

• keth - I (confident casting)
• kethal - I (uncertain/learning)
• kethul - I (formal/ritual)
• kethon - We (group casting)

Power Level Markers

Scale Suffixes (How big the effect):

• (none) - Personal (touching distance)
• -thum - Room-sized
• -tharem - Building-sized
• -thavolem - City-sized

Tier Suffixes (How complex):

• -eth - Simple (beginner)
• -ithen - Moderate (journeyman)
• -athul - Complex (master)
• -vraethul - Legendary (archmage)

Chapter 3: Essential Vocabulary

Your First 50 Words

Magical Actions:

1. Khaleth - Summon/Call forth
2. Thulameth - Weave/Construct
3. Zhavoreth - Release/Send
4. Mlethen - Bind/Attach
5. Altereth - Change/Transform
6. Gethuvol - Shield/Protect
7. Zhulam - Channel/Direct
8. Korveth - Heal/Restore
9. Dethuvol - Dispel/Unmake
10. Vrimeth - Create/Make

Elements: 11. Nol - Fire 12. Siul - Water
13. Thorem - Earth 14. Kiel - Air 15. Vraem - Spirit 16. Sileth - Light 17. Biolethan - Life 18. Morethul - Death 19. Umbrathen - Shadow 20. Dimensethul - Space

Shapes & Forms: 21. Korim-siul - Sphere 22. Korim-thek - Line/Ray 23. Korim-vel - Shield/Barrier 24. Korim-zhul - Path/Way 25. Korim-nal - Blade/Edge

Tools & Focus: 26. Vethkin - Wand 27. Vetharon - Staff 28. Vethsil - Ring 29. Aethkris - Crystal 30. Vethul - Any focus tool

Directions & Targets: 31. Tharek - Forward/Away 32. Kethrek - Toward caster 33. Ulrek - Upward 34. Dolrek - Downward 35. Vraekthul - At target 36. Kolthul - Around/Surrounding

Modifiers: 37. Melkuvol - With force 38. Siluvol - With gentleness 39. Khrovol - With speed 40. Dethuvol - Without/Remove 41. Korvethul - For healing 42. Gethul - For protection

Common Particles: 43. -aetha - Mana/magical energy 44. -thul - To/toward/for 45. -eth - Simple action suffix 46. -vom - From/away from 47. -kol - With/together 48. -vrim - Through/across 49. -shan - By means of 50. -tek - Because of/due to

Chapter 4: Building Your First Spells

Simple Formula: Action + Caster + Element + Shape + Direction

Template: [Action]-eth keth [Element]-aetha korim-[shape] [direction]

Practice Examples:

1. Light Candle:

   • Khaleth-eth keth nol-aetha korim-siul vraekthul
   • "Summon-simple I fire-mana sphere-shape at-target"

2. Create Water:

   • Vrimeth-eth keth siul-aetha korim-thek dolrek
   • "Create-simple I water-mana line-shape downward"

3. Push Object:

   • Zhavoreth-eth keth kiel-aetha korim-vel tharek melkuvol
   • "Release-simple I air-mana shield-shape forward with-force"

Common Beginner Mistakes

❌ Wrong: Keth khaleth nol-aetha (Subject before verb) ✅ Right: Khaleth keth nol-aetha (Verb first)

❌ Wrong: Khaleth-athul keth (Using complex suffix for simple spell) ✅ Right: Khaleth-eth keth (Match complexity to your skill)

❌ Wrong: Khaleth keth nol korim-siul (Missing -aetha) ✅ Right: Khaleth keth nol-aetha korim-siul (Include mana particle)

Chapter 5: Daily Practice Exercises

Morning Pronunciation Drill (5 minutes)

Repeat each line 5 times clearly:

1. Aetha thulan vethul korim [aː.θa θu.lan ve.θul ko.rim]
2. Khaleth zhavoreth mlethen altereth [xa.leθ ʒa.vo.reθ mle.θen al.te.reθ]
3. Nol siul thorem kiel vraem [noːl siuːl θo.rem kieːl vraim]

Evening Vocabulary Review (10 minutes)

Test yourself on the 50 essential words. Cover the translation and try to remember the meaning.

Weekly Spell Construction (15 minutes)

Choose three different effects you want to create and build the Aethamic phrases using the formula. Have your instructor check your work.

Chapter 6: Cultural Notes

Respectful Usage

• Always bow slightly when beginning formal spellwork
• Never use Aethamic for casual conversation - it's sacred
• If you mispronounce during practice, say "Aethul korvethul" (Mana forgiveness) and begin again

Academic Traditions

• Students must memorize one new spell phrase each week
• Final examinations require casting purely in Aethamic
• Graduation ceremonies are conducted entirely in the ancient tongue

The Memoriam Sacrum

Remember that every word you learn honors the sacrifice of those who preserved this language through the dark centuries. Each correctly spoken phrase is a victory against the forces that tried to destroy magical knowledge.

Quick Reference Cards

Emergency Phrases

• Stop Spell: Dethuvol-eth kethal vraethul! "Dispel-simple I-uncertain all!"
• Help: Korveth-eth kethon! "Aid-simple us!"
• Shield: Gethuvol-eth keth vraem-aetha korim-vel! "Shield-simple I spirit-mana barrier-shape!"

Common Spell Endings

• Immediate Effect: -tharek melkuvol "forward with-force"
• Gentle Effect: -vraekthul siluvol "at-target with-gentleness"
• Sustained Effect: -kolthul korvethul "surrounding for-purpose"

Advancement Path

Novice Level (Months 1-3): Master the 50 essential words and basic grammar Apprentice Level (Months 4-8): Learn intermediate vocabulary and compound spells Journeyman Level (Year 2): Study advanced grammar and create original spell phrases Master Level (Year 3+): Research lost words and assist in language reconstruction

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"Thulameth korvethul aethama-thul" - "Weave for the purpose of the magic-tongue"

Remember: Every master was once a student who refused to give up. Practice daily, study diligently, and the ancient words will serve you well.

May your spells be precise and your pronunciation true.

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Master Linguist Thalion Wordweaver
Imperial Academy of Mystic Arts
Department of Ancient Languages