|
|
|
"A
beautiful weapon is a deadly weapon." |
A reminder that anything can be used as a
weapon. Also a warning not to let things distract you in combat. Told to
Coór'hém children when teaching
them combat. Amongst many in Nybelmar
it is a reminder of the deadliness of
Coór'hém female assassins. It is often used as a sales pitch by those
who sell very ornate weapons even as far away as northern
Caelereth. |
Elven
(Coór'hém) |
"A
flower blooms more than once." |
Something missed can almost always be done again
some other time. |
Brownie
(Llaoihrr) |
"A
fool and his innards are soon parted when tempting wolves." |
Travellers' saying about the importance of
cleaning up food before going to sleep. |
Human |
"...and greetings from
Ximax!" |
An
answer to someone who changes the subject out of the blue or appears not to
have listened at all to a conversation, but suddenly makes a remark. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"As loyal as a caladrius." |
Used to express how loyal two people are to each
other. Often used in marriage, but sometimes used for other realtionships.
Rarely used for a people being loyal to something instead of someone. It
obviously derives from the relationship that two
caladrius birds have with each
other. Never used by elves. |
Human
(in the Voldar region) |
"A
Sinkel's
tale" |
A story that, entertaining as it may be, is most
likely heavily exaggerated, although it's impossible to check. This refers
both to the general attitude towards the truth when it comes to storytelling
the Sinkels display, as well as
the myrads of myths and legends surrounding Heirike Sink. |
Human
(Sinkel Merchants) |
"A
wrinkled apple tastes the sweeter." |
Peasant saying, on the benefits of experience. |
Human |
"An
Avennorian
isn't an
Avennorian." |
You can't put all
Avennorians in the same
drawer due to the fact that they have ancestors of very different tribes. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"And yesterday (last week) a
rivermaid
seduced you?" |
This question could well be posed if somebody -
especially young men in the company of young women - are talking about their
personal prowess. |
Human |
"An
elf’s
tongue will talk the
Timelight round." |
About the nature of elves. |
Dwarven |
“An ugly woman may be an
oya
pea… but then again, she may be only an
ugly woman…” |
A cynical saying from the folk of Veltin. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"Armeros's
teeth!" |
Common
Erpheronian curse. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
“As beautiful
as a Nauroothian” |
Indicating very lovely, referring to the relatively high population of
elven/human cross breeds found
in this
Northern Sarvonian town. |
Human |
“As busy as a
myrmex…” |
Commonly
heard simile when one has too many duties to perform at once. |
Human |
"As capable in warfare as a
Brownie." |
Referring to a super whimp. Lore holds it that this saying originated when
an
Avennorian
adventurer killed a Brownie with one
swipe of a simple knife. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
“As changing as the tides of
fate…” |
Denotes
the unpredictable nature of something, like fate, sometimes used cynically
with regards to a spouse. |
Human |
"As cheap as an Erpheronian
Sweet Steak." |
Saying
that the item is very expensive. Referring to how expensive an item is by
comparing it to the ever expense
Erpheronian Sweet Steak. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"As cold as rubite." |
Referring to a woman who has just brushed off a
male's unwanted advances. A rubite is a gem looking similar to a ruby
(produced by the rubit lizard), but will stay cold in contact with flesh,
while a ruby will warm up. |
Human |
"As cute as a little
pompion." |
Used to express the cuteness of a baby. |
Human |
"As full of meat as a doch nut." |
Often
used in the marketplace to suggest that something is nutritious, strong, or
well worth its cost. |
Human |
"As happy as a Jernaisite." |
Care-free,
happy-go-lucky. |
Human
(Caltharian) |
"As lax as the folks of
Roulk." |
A quite offensive comparison used to express
that work doesn't progress at all as intended. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"As lucky as Kha're." |
This
means that somebody had a stroke of luck, several unrelated incidents which
turn out to be favourite for him, but don‘t really affect his life. |
Human
(Shendar) |
"As nice as an imp." |
Very mean. |
Human |
"As quick as a hawk and sly as a
kiang!" |
Refers to a very clever, mentally agile person -
can also be a warning, as in "be careful of him, he's as quick... etc.,
etc." |
Human
(Zhunite) |
"A regular
Brandivere." |
Used mostly in
New-Santhala, this comment has one
of two meanings, which must be discerned in context; either the person
referred to is very generous with his/her time and money, or with intimate
favours... (derived from the well-known mage
Dalmac Brandivere, who resided
for nearly a decade in the
New-Santhalan outskirts) |
Human
(New-Santhalan) |
"As savage as a makaka pack." |
Extremely ferocious, to the point of being
deadly, though it is often used facetiously to mock some who is bragging of
his exploits or is notable for cowardice. |
Human
(Korweynite) |
"As smart as an orc." |
Derogarotry human
reference to a really stupid person. |
Human |
"As smart as a
Ximax rat." |
Used to state that someone is behaving very
clever. |
Human
(Ximaxian) |
"As subtle as
Jamliso." |
How blunt can you get? |
Human |
"As the seed is formed in
Avá’s Dream, so the
Tree grows in
Avá's Light." |
On the
inevitability of human nature. |
Elven |
"As trusthworthy as a
human." |
Very unreliable. |
Mullog |
"As well heel wolves...." |
Used with a comparative phrase to suggest
futility, for example, "As well heel wolves as argue with that woman in one
of her moods!" |
Human |
"As wise as
Federkiel" |
An old
comparative expression which has been around as long as the
Federkiel family, though the current
holder of the title, Sage Artimidor,
has done much to bolster its contemporary validity... |
Human
(Santharian) |
"A Zarathian deal" |
You made
a bargain which is exactly what your money is actually worth, consequently a
fair deal. |
Human
(Zarathian) |
"A Zarathian nose" |
Someone
who has an uncany ability to sense foul play. |
Human
(Zarathian) |
"Between
Ximax cats than
Ximax rats!" |
Quote from the innkeepers in the
City of Magic who have a lot of their
supplies looted by the clever
Ximax rats. |
Human
(Ximaxian) |
"Between
the pickaxe and the rockface..." |
Difficult situation. |
Dwarven |
"Blessed (is) the man who
calls an aj his friend." |
Shendar
expressing respect for each other. |
Human
(Shendar) |
"Boy, you tryin' to end up as
dinner to that
drake?! Get offa dere!" |
Used to
scare children out of doing things that are disobedient or unsafe. |
Human |
"Breeding like quirrels." |
Refering
to people who have
more children in their family than
is considered prudent. |
Human
(Ashmarian) |
"Bring on the Brandi's." |
Said
facetiously when someone has made a particularly solid verbal 'hit';
synonymous with 'Low blow!' or 'That's striking under the belt!' This
expression is used mostly among humans in central Santharia, where the
common healing ointment, "Brandi's", developed by the herbmage Dalmac
Brandivere is readily available on every household shelf... |
Human
(Santharian) |
“Bryng downe th’ tyrant’s grasping bloodie rule / as doth th’
myrmexene
imperyal’s bane / Where insycts struggle, shal
we humans cease / To sette our handes to virtue’s ways agayne?” |
Anonymously scrawled across the great gate of
Marcogg, during the Civil Wars. |
Human |
"By Sophronia's hand!" |
At any cost. |
Human
|
"By the nine-tailed cat
of Minich!" |
Curse expressing things which have gone wrong. |
Human |
"Certain
as the Morongetyr is still in place." |
Expressing something, which is undeniable
certain. |
Dwarven
(Kiingerim) |
"Cha brightens the eyes,
enlivens the heart, strengthens the liver as no ale can claim / Cha for the
maidens, cha for the sages, cha for the babe and the mother the same…" |
Old Hoggenheath saying on the importance of the
cha tea herb. |
Human |
"Chasing a
tarepi
tail" |
As a result of a tradition in the
Fields of Aurium called the
"Tail Chase", the saying "chasing a tarepi
tail" became common and spread from the fields to town and beyond, to
Ravenport and the rest of Manthria. The
game involves two groups of children, one decorated by
tareptail weed to denote they
are 'prey', the other group the hunters, chasing the first group. Where it
was originally used to comfort anxious parents or siblings of children,
pointing out that the child was just playing a game, nothing scary
whatsoever, it later became better known as "chasing a lass". |
Human
(Avennorian,
Shneerin) |
"Coór-ridden" |
Also an emphatic adjective, meaning "haunted",
or "dammed". E.g.: "That Coór-ridden baron wants ta double our taxes -
does'e think we're made o' feffin' gold?" |
Human |
"Customers lulled by the
le’matice" |
See the
"Lullabye of the le'matice" saying. |
Human
(Varcopas) |
"Curi'lyr!" |
Kuglimz
insult, meaning "son of a pig". |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Cuter than a
cob!" |
Because baby
cobs are at
first so harmless and adorably fluffy, this saying is meant
as a compliment that may be given to a northern baby. |
Human
(Ice
Tribes) |
"Destiny,
chance, fate, fortune -they're all just ways of claiming your successes
without claiming your failures." |
On destiny and chance, success and failure. |
Human |
"Did you hear
Dalireen's
bells?" |
Used when a person has something of an epiphany,
when the complications of a problem become clear. In a sense, the person is
asking if Dalireen's bells have helped them find the answer in the same way
her bells are said to help lost children. Often used among neighboring
humans tribe and among
hobbit folk. |
Hobbit |
"Did you just Tame the Tree?" |
The accomplishment of Taming the Tree is a large
one in the village of Shneerin at the
Y'rom Coast. Therefore, a person radiating with pride, carrying a broad grin
on his face, will be asked if he has just Tamed the Tree, because obviously
he's has achieved a great feat. |
Human
(Avennorian,
Shneerin) |
"Discussion
gathers no gems." |
On the virtue of work. |
Dwarven |
"Don't grab an elf by the
ear!" |
Don't try to say something, act in a field
which you don't really understand. |
Human |
"Don’t mind him, he’s a
pricklepea." |
The
Helcrani of
Milkengrad use this saying much as the
merchants of New-Santhala refer to
a coarse-spoken but kindhearted person as a "diamond
in the rough". |
Human
(Helcrani) |
"Don't talk twice to a
Proudmen
(about the same thing)!" |
Reflecting
that it might not be the best idea to try to change the mind of an
Erpheronian, once he has
already made up his mind. |
Human
(Centoraurian) |
"Don't turn Zarathian on
me!" |
When
someone who is usually willing to try anything shrugs off an idea as a waste
of time. |
Human
(Zarathian) |
"Don't use a hammer where a
finger-tap will do!" |
Used to express that certain situations should
be handled better in a sensitive way except straight forward. |
Dwarven |
"Drelldung!" |
A vulgar expletive popular with young blades of
central Sarvonia, who believe it to be
translated from the Thergerim. |
Dwarven/
Human |
"Dune
watch" |
Anyone who may be looking forward for something
important (mostly found in desert areas). |
Human
(Shendar) |
"Dwarves
to their caverns and elves to their trees!" |
Popular among the city nobles, meaning, "to each
their own". |
Human |
"En
Praka sin en vera" |
Translates to "In practice, not in truth", a
common expression heard not only by its Faen inventors but all around
Western Nybelmar. It refers to both the
subtlety of speech and the nuances of subjective truth - usually exclaimed
in oxymoronic circumstances regarding logic and validity, e.g. "Our laws
dont make any sense whatsoever, how can we accept to live by them? - They
work perfectly en praka sin en vera." |
Faen |
"EvEven
orcs have a use." |
Nothing is a complete loss. |
Human
(Kasumarii) |
"Even the milch will sweat
today." |
Means that it is very hot, even for a desert. |
Dwarven
(Kavogerim) |
"Even your
horse cannot
out-run Queprur!" |
Usually said to suggest that one may be taking too
great a risk, or, less commonly, used as a threat. |
Human
(Centoraurian) |
"Every
fruit has a stone, as the plainsfolk say." |
Barbarian proverb about mixed blessings |
Human
(barbarian) |
"Every
toe and every finger, every moment you might linger; good girls, bad boys,
she sees all: our fair lady
Jeyriall." |
A rhyme most children and their parents know in the
hamlet of Shneerin and around. It's
born from the belief that the gods and forefathers are still watching the
community, and the superstition that they might wait around every corner to
ask penitance for certain deeds. Because
Jeyriall is most valued in the village, she's the one the rhyme is
addressed to. The third line of the rhyme may be changed to "good boys, bad
girls" or any other variety. Sometimes completely different words are put
in, when the situation demands: "Kisses, bedding, she sees all" might be a
stern warning to the adolescents of the hamlet. |
Human
(Avennorian,
Shneerin) |
"Falls
and fells!" |
Expletive. |
Human |
"F'ang!" |
Kuglimz
insult, meaning "impotent" or "unmanly". |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Farewell, and may the
All-Mother/All-Father
bless your path." |
A traditional Kuglimz leave-taking phrase. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Feffin!" (Used as an adjective inserted within a
sentence for emphasis, thus: "Who woke the feffin' dragon up, eh?") |
Meaning is debated, but most linguistic scholars
in Caelereth agree that it originated with human sailors and spread rapidly
around the known world... |
Dwarven |
"For a dead soldier, there's
no victory." |
You shouldn't try to achieve victory by
sacrificing valuable men. |
Human |
"Gambling
on a mouse." |
Anyone who foolishly, desperately, or perhaps
mistakenly tries any endeavor, undertaking or solution to attain a desired
end (started in desert areas and has found wider populairty). |
Human
(Shendar) |
"Geranium beauty" |
Somebody who is physically beautiful... though
the effect is achieved through the use of cosmetics. |
Zhunite |
"Give
me a mage and a demon; I'll take the demon." |
On the dangerous and untrustworthy nature of
mages. |
Human |
"Glory is for martyrs, we seek
victory!" |
Quoted from Hiartun Rarkan -
Marmarran Master General. It
simply means that there are no rules with regard to honour. Honour is for
those who fall short, Marmarrans
will employ any tactic to win. |
Zhunite
(Marmarra) |
"Gnomes
are the friendly
dwarves." |
Caltharian saying referring to
Daran gnomes (integrated gnomes in
human societies) in order to stress the
helpfulness of these gnomes. |
Human
(Caltharian) |
"Gold
in the ground is rock still." |
Equivalent of "a bird in the hand". |
Dwarven |
"Greyler!" |
This is a disrespectful term used mostly as an
insult to older people. It is analogous to calling them crazy, or saying
that they are getting too old to make sense anymore. It is also used as
disrespectful slang for 'homosexual person'. The way it is interpreted
depends on the usage. If a youth says to her grandparent “Shut up you stupid
old greyler!”, they would most likely mean it as a slur on the age of the
grandparent. In contrast, a man might shout “Ugh! Get your hands off me,
greyler!” if another man were to make advances on him. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"Has
Dalireen just passed by?" |
Used when someone begins to hum or sing without
thinking, in a sense, asking "Did you get distracted?" Often used among
human tribes living near
hobbit settlements. |
Hobbit |
"Hasn't got the sense of a
new-dropped foal." |
Obviously, refers to one's foolish behavior. |
Human
(Centoraurian) |
"Have you been trying to
Tame the Tree?" |
This warning question is uttered by parents to
younger children who are believed not to be ready yet for their maturity
ritual. If the child has tried to accomplish a task he or she is simply not
capable of yet, a father or mother will remind the child of his most
important trial to come by asking this question. A panting youngster is
asked the same question: what effort has made you so exhausted, "have you
been trying to Tame the Tree?" |
Human
(Avennorian,
Shneerin) |
"Have you no home of your
own? Go make oatpaste!" |
'Shoo',
'begone', 'get lost', and 'feff off'! People use this saying as a rather
rude way of asking a person who has overstayed his welcome to depart. "Go
make oatpaste" might also be used by busy mothers said to a bored child who
has finished all her chores or is trapped inside on a rainy day. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"Head as thick as a
pompion." |
Used to refer to a dullard. |
Human |
"He has breath as foul as
dragon
wind!" |
Self-explanatory... Said to have been uttered by Uckzuck Rochock, Tharoc
Wargrider's father. |
Orcish |
"He
lost his helmet!" |
A
well-known proverb for disgrace as the last thing a
Santerran
soldier would do before abandoning a ship was throwing away his iron helmet,
as it was the only piece of item one could not accidentally lose in a sea
battle. |
Human
(Santerran) |
"He
who blindly chases the
jupa ape, misses the
kitjuran
trees on the way'." |
Saying of the
Krean to illustrate how stubborn
determination and pride can lead to the loss of much more valuable things. |
Human
(Krean) |
"He
who flees lives to fight another day." |
You shouldn't let any of your enemies escape
the battlefield. |
Human |
"He
who hews not eats not." |
On the virtue of work. |
Dwarven |
"Herkpt'in" (emphatic verb, colloquial) |
"Herkpting" is the action of snorting up phegm
and spitting it out. The verb is properly pronounced in three syllables with
the stress on the first and third, thus: HERK-pih-Ting. "The old man was
busy herkpting into the spittoon, and didn't see the soldiers striding
towards him." However, it has been co-opted as a vulgarism, and as such is
pronounced HERK-pit-ten. "You herkptin' piece of gnoll snot, whateryer think
yer doing?" |
Dwarven |
"He/she went to the
greylers." |
He/she has gone missing. This saying is usually
used after the person has disappeared after having been in a bad situation
for some time, or having some secret revealed about them, or having been sad
for a long time. It means that no-one knows what has happened to the person,
but everyone thinks that they may have killed themselves, or have actually
run off to live with the greylers. If someone says this, it means they think
the person will never be seen again. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"His love is so deep as the
snow on the Norong'sorno white." |
Said when a man love his wife dearly. |
Human
(Shendar) |
"Hot as
kragghi." |
Used to refer to quick-tempered individuals. |
Human
(Kuglim) |
"How do you dream? I mean, what
can you dream of; if from under your forest ceiling you have never seen the
stars?" |
A typical provern of the
Meládrhim, expressing their
nomadic lifestyle very well. |
Elven
(Melád) |
"Hunger is the finest sauce." |
A hungry
stomach will make any meal seem pleasant, no matter how foul in taste it
actually is. Sometimes used to admonish someone who is fastidious,
especially when food is involved. Though
hobbits love fine food, as long as all of the numerous meals are taken,
the day will be okay. |
Halfling |
"I'm
sure you'll tassel it!" (said sarcastically) |
The
Eyelian people are known for creating tassels to be worn on their clothing
after important events in their lives, such as getting married or returning
home from a war. This saying is meant to be indicating that something has
happened which is so important that they'll carry out this custom for it
when really, it's not. Example: "Hey, I found a really cool snake down in
the forest today!" "Yeah, I'm sure you'll tassel it." |
Human
(Eyelian) |
"I think I'll
ship to the
Shoals tomorrow." |
A person uttering these words sees no hope in
the current situation and is left with little options. It may also be a
threat to leave to a distant place, referring to the southernmost part of
the Sarvonian continent. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"If a
maryón
can climb up a water fall, you will be able to do...!" |
This
saying is supposed to
be a hint, that a given task should be not too difficult for somebody to
master. |
Human |
"If ink were
drink, I'd be a scholar!" |
Hobbit
saying, self-explanatory. Used when someone voices what is considered an
improbable or self-indulgent wish. |
Halfling |
"If
it quorks like a
kyck-kyck, hops like a
kyck-kyck,
and tastes like a
kyck-kyck...
it’s doubtless a
kyck-kyck!" |
Old
gnome saying on the merits of simplicity
in argument. |
Gnomish |
"If you say that word
again, I'll scrub your mouth with
Krrahghi (Kragghi)." |
Used as
a threat of punishment for bad language in
Ashmari children or rebellious
orclings. |
Human
(Ashmari),
Orcish |
"It'll
be not my head on the block." |
I won't be the one who gets in trouble. |
Human |
"It is easier to
catch the seed of the false heart
than... |
To
express that it is impossible to get hold of somebody or something. |
Human |
"It's like chopping wood with
an orcish knife." |
Doing something completely senseless and
without thought. |
Human |
"It's like
Shneerin
on Fastday." |
Though not of
Shneerin origin (a small Avennorian
farming village), the saying refers to the habit of the
Shneerin community to gather with all
souls at the Broken Wing tavern on Fastday. Either it means that too many
people are in a far too small place, often heard in Ravenport establishments
when a complete shipcrew takes over a tavern in Stormside, or it is used to
note the opposite: a place where no one is present where all sorts of people
should be. This meaning is traced back to members of the Ravenport Thieves
Guild, but also heard when Market Merchants have very few customers while
there should be all sorts of people coming to their stalls. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"It will happen when roses cover
the Yar’Dangs." |
The
Shendar
use this saying if something could possibly happen, but not very likely. (It
would be an unlikely miracle of nature, but what a beautiful sight it would
be!) |
Human
(Shendar) |
"Jav'eir's
wings shadow your sight" (Brvz'byk'gor'Jav'eir, lit. "Eyes your dark [ened
by] death bird") |
Either a reference to one's age and the gradual
loss of vision which accompanies it, or said to/about someone who is dying. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Juklankah." |
Something that is commonplace or ordinary. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Jumpy
as a leverat." |
Expression to describe a very nervous person. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Kack!" |
Broadly translated, means, "excrement".
Pronounced with two hard 'k' sounds. Commonly used when one hits one's thumb
with one's battlehammer, or when trying to repair household water pipes. Can
also be conjugated very effectively, as in "Kacking hammer hit me on the
kacky thumb!" or "This kacked-up pipe's got no kackin' water in it!" or even
"You kack-faced drell cubs got no backbone ta be soldiers in THIS army!"
|
Dwarven |
"Keep the toads in the bucket!" |
A Manthrian
proverb used to warn someone about gossip or the necessity for secrecy on a
particular issue. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"Kuati-skull!" |
Insult
(similar to ‘numbskull’, ‘thickskull’, and ‘woodenhead’) |
Human |
"Ku’errels have tails
and girls have curls / Clouds have rain and trysters pearls." |
A common line from a much longer folksong of the
Mossy Rocks Cove area,
usually quoted to express the sentiment that 'everyone has some quality or
ability of worth, no matter their exterior character'.
|
Human |
"Like a lake and a
liver"
(Maríncín y sai siníwecín) |
To represent two which are inseperable. |
Elven
(Ylfferhim) |
"Like
an old jegra" |
This common saying evolved within the peninsula
of Shar. It was used to describe a woman who was somewhat undesirable, or to
compare and undesirable one to a (more) desirable one (in reference to
jegra mate selection, it which
the old ones are ignored by the males. |
Human
(Krean) |
"Like
juk'lan
and waterberry" |
Representing a relationship that seems
particularly close. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Lullabye of the le'matice" |
The saying usually applies to a good nights
sleep such as in “I feel asleep to the Lullaby of the
le’matice”.
Yet, the saying also applies to business matters especially in the
Varcopas area. Different varieties of
the le’matice vine have
slightly different blooming cycles from each other and will often bloom
during different times. Since inhabitants of
Varcopas have separated varieties by
colours to different streets, it is almost guranteed that the
le’matice on each street will
be in different stages of their blooming cycle. If the district's
le’matice variety is in bloom,
the district’s business will due exceedly well. But if the variety of
le’matice on that street is not
in bloom, the business on that street will do badly so badly in fact that
business commonly closes down during the short two weeks when that street’s
variety will not bloom. From this fact arises the saying, “Customers lulled
by the le’matice”. Also
negatively, "Pockets as empty as a bloomless street". |
Human
(Varcopas) |
"Make
sure to speak right to an
Avennorian." |
You need to be cautious not to hurt feelings
with lightly spoken words about an aspect of
Avennorian heritage. |
Human
(Avennorian,
Shneerin) |
"Man
good when dead." |
How this
proverb was obtained and translated we are not certain. Possibly originally
a human fabrication, but it since has
passed into common lore. |
Orcish |
"May
Seyella bless you with an
aj, a tent and a true husband!" |
Shendar
wishing each other all the best, refering to the most important things in
their lives. |
Human
(Shendar) |
"May your wits stay as keen as
your blade, until next we meet my friend." |
Keep your mind sharp as it is as important as
your weapon. Usually said when friends,
allies and comrades part company.
Initially thought to be of
Erpheronian origins it has become a widespread saying amongst warriors. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"Mari'kah'meeh!" |
The Kuglimz have a saying that someone or
something is a "meeh'kah'mari", that is, a sheep that wants to be a wolf, or
a "mari'kah'meeh", a wolf that wants to be a sheep. This is generally used
when someone is displaying highly inappropriate behavior for their status,
gender, or age. An adult male refusing to fight in an upcoming battle (which
rarely happens) would be called a "mari'kah'meeh". |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Meeh'kah'mari!" |
The Kuglimz have a saying that someone or
something is a "meeh'kah'mari", that is, a sheep that wants to be a wolf, or
a "mari'kah'meeh", a wolf that wants to be a sheep. This is generally used
when someone is displaying highly inappropriate behavior for their status,
gender, or age. A little girl trying to put on her father's sword belt would
be called a "meeh'kah'mari". This may be affectionate, as in the latter, or
derisive, as in the former. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Merry as a
watersprog." |
The
maryóns are the epitome of happiness and therefore referred to when
someone is trying to express this notion. |
Human |
"Moonlight becomes you,
[name]" |
Not-too-subtle death threat, as
Kasumarii funeral rites involve
placing the body in full view of the moon. |
Human
(Kasumarii) |
"My enemies ride fast, not
knowing this fight will be their last! None have to chase me, let those who
will face me kill me or die by my hand!" |
Spoken as a prayer by those who consider
themselves myrmidons of Armeros. Many
of them say this as a warrior's prayer while drinking
water shortly before riding into
battle. Also used to motivate troops by generals in times of despair during
wars. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"Never
lay odds with an Avennorian!" |
This
saying refers to the widely held belief that
Avennorians are particularly
cunning and use this skill in races and card games, sometimes to the point
of being thought of as cheats. The phrase has also over time come to refer
to their seeming ability to get the good end of a bargain every time. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"Never underestimate the
horned wolf
with a silver ridge." |
Don't
believe that someone is powerless and weak just because you see them as
beneath you. |
Human |
"Noisy
as a kuatu" |
Is likely
to be a derogative hurled by mothers at rampaging children... |
Human |
"Not
a Jernaisite's worry." |
Not a chance, very slim. |
Human
(Caltharian) |
"Not
even a false heart will be able to hold me back!" |
Often
used by lovers to to assure the beloved
man/woman, to come back in any case, |
Human |
"Not
even the
Shoals will save you from me!" |
When
confronted with these words, you have someone willing to hunt you to the
edge of Caelereth without hesitation.
It's an expression of determination and usually with a fatal or malicious
edge to it. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"Not
for all the gold in Gerimthur!" |
No way! Gerimthur denotes a famous mine. |
Dwarven |
"Off
with those wind mages, eh?" |
Can be
said to someone who loses his train of thought. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"Of
one drop!" |
A pair
that is inseparable. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"Off
with Dalireen!" |
Often used amoung mother
hobbits to explain where the children
are: in most cases, off singing, laughing, and picking flowers, or something
of the sort. It is also sometimes used for those who are in a happy, dreamy
state of mind. Used primarily among hobbits. |
Hobbit |
"One
kaimun is ten
kaimuni." |
Be
careful, there is more to this than meets the eye! |
Mullog |
"One
man’s
Brownie is another
man’s stew." |
Unfortunate legacy of a time in
human history. Said to have been coined by
Zlothig the Brutal, one-time plains warlord. Now used ironically to warn
others of racist or exclusionary language! |
Human |
"Only cowards fear death!" |
Used
very commonly among orcs
and warriors of all races and tribes. Mostly a battle cry to commit one's
voidal self to their chosen deity without remorse in their last few moments.
Has also been used when trading death blows with an enemy to preserve the
freedom of your land. |
Orcish |
"Oya,
oya, mickles, meez / Cat’s a-corner, catchin’ peas! / Catch as
catchan, catcha girl / pretty as a
n’oya pearl!" |
Rhymes sung by children of Wyring. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"Pillar
strong, pillar
tall. In the end, all
pillars fall." |
If you don't stop trying, you will succeed. It
might seem hopeless now, but that will change.
Refers to pillar trees. Used in
the region of the Drifting Woods, the human
settlements along Nybelmar's northern
coast. |
Human
(Nybelmarian) |
"Pitdamp!" |
Expletive, drawn from a mining term. Dangerous
gasses often build up underground, and can explode in the present of open
flame... |
Dwarven |
"Pockets as empty as a bloomless
street" |
See the
"Lullabye of the le'matice" saying. |
Human
(Varcopas) |
"Pompion-gut,
pompion-gut!" |
Used to tease e.g. greedy and indolent fellows. |
Human |
"Quantity
is Quality." |
A superior armed group can still be destroyed
by hordes of lesser or not armed men. |
Human |
"Quick as a quirrl!" |
Very fast |
Human |
"Quick as a spid!" |
A slang term used mainly by thieves to denote
someone of extreme quickness, often used as a congratulatory term after a
successful pickpocket, attack, or sleight of hand maneuver. Also used as a
bragging term. It is derived from "quick as a
spiddleshell", crustaceans known
widley for thier extreme speed. |
Human |
"Reef-wit!" |
Popular
Avennorian fisherman insult,
referring to one's stupid behaviour possibly causing accidents (like running
one's boat into a coral reef, for instance). |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"Rouk'ang'ewyn'kah'relt'ang'heir." |
Translates loosely to: "A woman without temper (or "spirit") is like a river
without current." |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"See
a purple stone, it's your delight. See red stone, it's a plight." |
Saying
referring to the bloodstone, an
exceptionally rare stone that usually has a purple colour. After
bloodstones have been soaked in
blood they begin to change, harding to an incredible degree, also losing
their deep purple hue in favour for a chilling dark red. |
Human
(Zhunites) |
“Seek
the myrmex to
teach thee manners!” |
Peasant
saying, to a lazy child or youth |
Human |
"She (or - not so often -
he) is a false heart." |
Describes a beautiful woman or man with a doubtful character. Beautiful to
look at, but unpleasant to live with. |
Human |
"Shneerin
survives!" |
The
clause is commonly said to note that everything will be all right in the
end. An often used phrase to conclude or wrap up a painstaking discussion.
The chronicles of Shneerin
(a small Manthrian
hamlet) trace the saying back to the
War of the Chosen, when the
first attacks on the hamlet are reported. |
Human
(Avennorian,
Shneerin) |
"Slick as
rock silk." |
Used to
refer to someone who has a quick tongue or a way to get out of difficult
situations. It is usually said admiringly. Said to have originated from
younger Ximaxian mages. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"Slippery as a keeker." |
Used as
a derogatory reference to “big folk” by
halflings. |
Halfling |
"Slippery as a Verain." |
A saying that was coined to describe someone who
could rarely be trusted and always had an ulterior motive to helping others. |
Shar dwelling tribes (Nybelmar) |
"Spell's
past the circle." |
Water under the bridge... |
Human |
"Spring
sap rises, autumn leaves fall." |
Meaning "life always moves from one stage to
another". |
Elven |
"Stick to your ribs!" |
Referring to any hearty and filling food. |
Hobbit |
"Stubborn as brinney!" |
Equivalent to calling someone a jackass |
Human
(Shendar) |
"Sunspawn!" |
Something along the lines of "Son of a bitch"
(or even worse). |
Human
(Kasumarii) |
“Tarep-ears" |
A common
insult in Athe region of ancient
Avennoria and also in Marduran for
people with non-Glandorian ancestry, who therefore have obvious ears. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"Tea
at morning, tea at night / Makes the heart and stomach right….” |
Saying from the Brinsley Delta on the importance
of tea. |
Human |
"Tell
it to the greylers!" |
Nobody
is interested in hearing this story - everyone knows it already. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"That and twenty
sans
will buy you a cup of
cha." |
In other
words: What you are offering is worthless. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"That's
just another
Azhorhrian sandstorm." |
Indicating
disbelief in another's story or statements. This proverb is not used in
Aeruillin (home of the
Azhorhians), but in
Sarvonia by the
way... |
Human |
"The
Armourslord's
calling comes through the
sword." |
Referring to the conviction of the militaristically oriented
Erpheronians, that a true
hero will be tested in his lifetime by having to apply the learned skills in
battle. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"The language of music makes
kin of all races." |
Self-explanatory. Attributed to the
Kuglim bard F'ash, who,
despite being brutally mauled and mistreated, managed to survive a full
season as a captive of the savage
Losh-Oc solely due to his astounding musical ability, before he escaped. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
“The
myrmex
turns many a stone to find her food.” |
From
the writings of Sage Alkemus, regarding persistence. |
Human |
"The
night is your guard, but your shadow my life." |
Kasumarii equivalent of a proposal. Rumored to
be the first line in a poem by Kasumar to Tyrajall. |
Human
(Kasumarii) |
"There's always a few bad
seeds in a pickle." |
Erpheronian
country noble's expression, used to refer to the fact that in any mix of
people one will find those of virtuous and of corrupt character alike. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"The
shedwarf at the hearth and the hedwarf at the face; thus swings the world in
balance." |
About the dwarves themselves and their society. Work is gender-specific in
Thergerim culture, but not assigned
arbitrary values as it might be in many human
cultures. Both mining and food preparation are seen as essential to support
life, and dwarf society does not
discriminate between the sexes. Tol-Baroll is, you will remember, God of
Forges and Earthworks but also God of Hearths and Cooking... Rulers,
religious leaders, teachers, and so on are drawn equally from both genders.
|
Dwarven |
"The storm does not swirl around
you alone!" |
It means not to think too highly
of oneself, that you are, in fact, just like everyone else. Is sometimes
used on people who are feeling sorry for themselves, though in Remusia,
there are not too many who fall into this category. |
Human
(Remusian) |
"The rain has stopped soaking
the ground so that the blood may start." |
Kuglimz
saying expressing the arrival of summer (seen as the "Battle Season"),
following the often very stormy spring in the lands of the North. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"There are more here than in
Milkengrad's marketplace." |
Used to denote abundance of any kind. |
Human
(Helcrani) |
"The wounds of the body are
easier to cure than the scars of the mind." |
It is hard to cure a mental problem. |
Human |
"This season it may rain gold,
the next it will rain tears!" |
A saying among the farmers of
Shneerin. It’s a warning to be not too
optimistic. While the fields of
golden rain may hint at prosperity and wealth, the next moment this may
be changed by war, natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances. |
Human
(Avennorian,
Shneerin) |
"Tide change, heart change!" |
Translated from Mermish. Used when speaking
about decisions and promises, which merfolk take lightly. |
Mermish |
"To act like a brunn." |
Equivalent to calling someone a jackass |
Human |
"To have a nose like a
rimrunner." |
The people of Onved, a larger
town inside the Rimmerins Ring Mountains, use this saying referencing the
rimrunner terrier, generally
when describing a gossip. This refers to the tenacious little dog’s
determination when it goes after rats or other prey. It is hard to dissuade
a Rimmer from pursuit. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"To hit two toads with one
stone." |
To
accomplish two goals with
only one effort. |
Mullog |
"To hold a bridge" |
To cling
to someone or something that is now gone. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"To hunt a
tree tibbar." |
Your hunt (what ever it is you want to achieve)
is senseless and shows a lack of intelligence. |
Human
(Shendar) |
"To lay Jaera's Claim" |
To claim something that does not belong to
you/cannot be yours to claim. Referring to Jaera Marduril, who openly (and,
some say, stupidly) declared to collect the rightful tithe in money from the
settlement of Clendor, as well as goods and fighters for the war with
Shan'Thai that had in parts Avennorian
influence. This was met with equally open violent reprisals, in which Jaera
was killed along with many of her party. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"To run like a quagga." |
Indicating extreme speed, sometimes used to mock
cowardly behavior. |
Human
(Shendar) |
"To take off like a quagga." |
Indicating extreme speed, sometimes used to mock
cowardly behavior. |
Human
(Shendar) |
"To talk like an elf." |
Translated from Trollish: Talking very fast
and difficult. |
Trollish |
"To top
Lorehaven’s
Eye!" |
Southern
Avennorians have a saying,
that something or someone is or will be large enough to top
Lorehaven’s Eye
(the port's prominent lighthose tower)! This is
often used humorously to describe a boy in his growth years. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"To try to light a candle
with a deliz." |
To try
to achieve something impossible, knowing well that it
will fail and one will "burn
one's fingers". |
Human |
"To try to sail to Zardinia." |
When
someone is "trying to sail to Zardinia", he's trying to accomplish a
(seemingly) impossible task. It's both used as a 'stand alone message' ("he's
trying to sail to Zardinia") and when comparing
something ("trying to tame this horse is like sailing
to Zardinia"). The name should actually be Zandiria,
one of the larger isles of the
Scattersand Shoals, but has been mixed up over the centuries. |
Human
(Santharian) |
"To stare death in the face." |
To be confronted with death. Probably deriving
from the encounters with a black
unicorn, which is seen as a representative of death. |
Human
(Anpagan) |
"To wriggle like a
jun'era." |
To work very hard to achieve a
goal. |
Human
(Avennorian) |
"True heroes are honoured by
meeting the Swordlord earlier." |
Early deaths on the battlefield
represent an honour for the tribe of the
Erpheronians, who represent
a society based primarily on military strength. |
Human
(Erpheronian) |
"Vekk'ang."" |
Severe
Kuglimz insult, meaning "non-rider". Actually, this is the worst insult
you can give to a Kuglimz and the
result of it is almost always bloodshed. |
Human
(Kuglimz) |
"Watch
out, or the bouncers will get you!" |
Used to address a child which shows off. |
Human |
"Water
is soft, but it wears away stone." |
Sailors’ saying, on the virtue of persistence. |
Human |
"Westan." |
Colloquial abbreviation for lit. “man of the
west”. The word “westan” is in all likelihood a remnant of the jargon once
in use among the Caltharians
from around the Ancythrian Sea, originally designating pilgrims belonging to
the Centoraurian and
Kyranian tribes on their way to
the sanctuary of the Twelve at Elsreth. The geographical implication of the
term – which is commonly employed in almost the whole of
Santharia – has by now vanished
altogether. |
Human |
"Well, it's not like riding
bare-back!" |
Refers
to something as being a difficult task, much as we might say something is
"extremely tricky". |
Human
(Centoraurian) |
"Were you raised by a kuatu?" |
An
angry fellow will be sure to bark if you track in a lot of leaves and other
litter when entering his shop. |
Human |
"With a nice beer anything
tastes good." |
Means precisely that. |
Dwarven
(Kiingerim) |
"With no prize there can be no
victory!" |
From Hiartun Rarkan. Essentially
it expresses Marmarran
aestheticism stating that the satisfaction of winning is not enough. For it
to be a victory something must be gained (or more often than not taken from
someone else). |
Zhunite
(Marmarra) |
"When the wind is in the
east, Grotor blows for man and beast.
When the wind is in the west,
Iasha will sing the best.
When the wind is from the south, Neter opens then his mouth.
When the wind is from the north, let no farmer issue forth." |
An Ashmarian farmer’s chant, naming the spirits
of the winds. Note the variation on gods’ names, associated with three of
the winds. Although ordinary air movements on the surface of
Santharia are called "wind", most
people do not confuse them with the High Winds or the
Darkwinds! Here obviously some local
folk beliefs have corrupted orthodox doctrine. |
Human |
"While the oven is hot, friends
are plenty." |
The cook that gives good meals is surely to have
many friends. |
Halfling |
"Ximax
works in mysterious ways." |
General line. To non-magi, it means roughly:
Magi - don't think about 'em cause you won't understand them. To magi, it's
just another dig at the weird ways of their leaders. |
Human |
"You
are behaving like a
maryón." |
When children rollick around and do not want to
stop when asked to, this proverb is used to describe their friskiness.
|
Human |
"You
bring as much joy as a nightbird is singing." |
You bring misery and sorrow wherever you go. |
Elven
(Injerín) |
"You
can always add more salt to the stew, but only the Gods can take it out." |
Midland peasants’ expression, meaning "don’t
hurry to make changes". |
Human |
"You lead another to tears" (ác
aelonián injèrá qué) |
Meaning
that one is so close to another that they will allow themselves to be led
even to destruction or distraction, whichever comes first. |
Elven
(Aellenrhim) |
"You look like a
bouncer!" |
Used to address a child that is being very
annoying or irritating. |
Human |
"You might as well harvest
krakenweed with bare hands!" |
What you're doing is incredibly stupid. |
Mullog |
"You need to grow into your ears
and feet yet!" |
Meaning: You are too young, too small, or too
immature to be involved in the speaker's confidence. Typically said to
overly inquisitive children, but also used as an insult to one's peers.
This saying refers to the icemute
puppies, whose ears and feet are disproportionately large for their bodies,
and will be until they reach adulthood. |
Human
(Ice Tribes) |
"Your beard is unkempt." |
A dwarven
insult meaning that one is unworthy. |
Dwarven
(Mitharim) |