The languages of the lower planes
So waaay back me and my friends started to build a story concept using dnd as a skeleton system.
My character, a Tiefling, spoke Infernal. Infernal is the language of devils
One guy’s character, a shardmind, speaks Deep Speech. Deep Speech is the language of the far realm.
When looking at potential warlock invocations I found one where speaking a syllable in Deep Speech would shatter glass. It wasn't Deep Speech, it was Dark Speech, a totally separate language.
I decided to rebrand Dark Speech (wack colorism) and make some fun lore!
That misreading spawned the following lore and I had a lot of fun making it!
The language of devils, lawful fiends who reside within the 9 Hells. The language is precise and exact.
It is the language of curses. Speech craft is a highly respected skill amongst devils. Careful wording and precise pronunciation can invoke not only different meanings, but curses as well.
Stringing together the right words and phrasing things the right way allow the speaker to invoke a curse. Curses are temporary binds upon an item. Whereas most magic simply acts, curses said in infernal place a temporary brand upon the target.
A devil of passion might have flames pour from their mouth and eyes.
A devil of charisma might sound like their voice is scrapping your soul.
To combine a devil's flame-like soul with keen control over words, devil's can harness their soul to do many interesting things.
Saying "Get me a glass of water" is different from "Can you please get me a glass of water at your earliest convenience". The first could be a conversation. If a certain level of emphasis is met, the second would be a spell that compels a person to give you a glass of water.
Debates in infernal are fierce.
Infernal is tied to one's soul, the soul of the speaker. Nobody speaks or writes it the exact same way and each word has power when used properly. Since a beings name would allow them to be affected by a curse, devils have been known to collect names. To hold the true name of a creature is to have protection. Having alternate names allows a person to deflect curses away from themself.
True names hold great magical power over people. As a result, most devils hide their names so as to not be cursed.
The language of demons, chaotic fiends who reside in the dark Abyss below the 9 Hells. The language is raw and primal
It is the language of power. Speaking in the tongue invokes feelings of strength, power, and bloodlust. Mastery over the language grants the speaker raw, wild, and chaotic energy.
(I’m positive I didn’t make this next bit, it was that old buddy of mine)
It is the language of erosion.
When it is written on paper the paper begins to age quickly. When written on stone it will slowly turn to sand.
When spoken aloud, it can shatter glass.
The father of Infernal and Abyssal, they are derived from the dreaded Deep Speech. It is a language capable of tearing the world apart. It is a super weapon that distorts reality on a level no mortal and most immortals can truly bare.
Through the cunning use of Infernal and the powerful use of Abyssal, one is able to enforce their will upon reality. Legend says it is one of the languages that shaped the world and helped form the Weave.
It was buried deep, far below Hell and even the Abyss, to the very edge of existence. Lying restlessly dormant, a single spark is all it would take to revive the long lost language.
1: There exists a scroll few know about and even fewer understand. A black scroll with black ink, 6 syllables of Deep Speech were written. Should anyone understand both Infernal and Abyssal speak the forbidden phrase, the planet itself may fracture. The party has heard of a powerful, mystic scroll lying in a lost wizard’s tower... but who knows who else would be looking for this mysterious scroll?
2: A demon lord, invited to meet for a treaty with a local kingdom, is wanted for the destruction of a castle through Abyssal. The party is seeking their bounty and they are unable to return to their home plane. As it turns out, they are a poet and the mortal king demanded one of their works to be read
