Though it is common knowledge that our present vernacular hails from a more ancestral dialect, its roots are far reaching with traces of evidence pointing to a shared vocabulary between two distinct species. If such extraordinary evidence could be substantiated, it would not only shed greater light on our surreptitious neighbors but offer a glimpse into our own murky past as well. It is on this evidence that I would present my study.
It is not entirely clear when man first encountered the Elfin but it can be surmised to have been close to a century ago, as evidenced by northern folk tales with strong identifying connotations such as “wood-folk” or “whispering in the wealds” (See Northern Folk Legends by Tybor Symund). It was in 1168 of course when the Elfin appeared to man at Tarland and made formal introductions. Though they initially introduced themselves as the Denari, they also referred to themselves as the Arium. It can be deduced that at this point, the two terms were misunderstood to mean one and the same; thus the need for this dissertation to exist- to not only remedy the ignorance of man but foster future relations with a neighboring people.
Arium is another word for Elfin, or more simply Elf. It is not an archaic term but one that denotes type, like Eiron is to Man. Though we commonly refer to ourselves as man or mankind, our species is known as the Eiron. Although unconfirmed, it is interesting to mention the writings of one Robeart Lamberge, an officer with the formal delegation that met with the Denari. Sir Robeart claimed that one of the Elves made mention that this was not their first encounter with the Eiron and showed great concern at their presence. A number of questions emerge from this claim however. If such mention was made, why was there no other known record of it? If it was a claim made from one Elf to another, would it not be in their tongue and thus, incomprehensible to Sir Robeart? Perhaps they were simply speaking the obvious- of having encountered the Eiron before during our advance into the north. The last question is of course the most exciting one; what if our two races had met one another before in the great long past?
The Elves as we refer to them have revealed little to us about themselves or their culture. Despite the great interest in understanding each other, there is an unpredictable curiosity between our two peoples. What little we know has come from those few willing to speak and untraceable texts that herald from beyond the Ember Era. The term “Elf” initially thought to simply be common slang from the northern folk legends is in truth quite old and heralds from age-old mythologies when lands hung in the sky alongside the moons and wars were fought upon them. Though there are many iterations of these tales, a significant portion mention the Elifar, a fierce adversary. Some tales instead speak of a single renowned warrior- Elif, who is still mentioned to this day to young misbehaving children.
As it is theorized, there was one significant divide within the Arium that eventually led to numerous schisms that bring us to the “ethnic strains” discussed today, all of which result in much confusion and misunderstanding when and how the term Arium is and should be used. For the purposes of remedying this perplexity, I will cease using the term “Elf” or “Elfin” and regard their race of people as the Arium. The Arium, like the Eiron, are a species; however unlike the Eiron who call themselves Men or a variation attributed to certain conditions such as ‘islander’, ‘northerner’, ‘southerner’, or so on, the Arium classify themselves on a completely different scale.
For the common man from the south, a northerner may have different beliefs and customs, but that individual is still inherently a man that shares the same blood and bones. When we look upon a fellow man, we look back at ourselves, for we are no different. (Edit note: Additional work to be done here before publication, on the Oneiron theory, if permissible by the Conclave- though probably not) The Arium however are split into particular ethnicities that are a mix of faction and breed. For us, it is difficult to imagine these different ethnicities as almost an entirely different race but for the Arium, it is considered to be a most sensitive issue of utmost importance.
(Edit note: Much of this is still personal theory. This will never get past editing…) Since the Denari are not native to the lands of Travil, it can be surmised that the Arium Divide occurred ages ago in an undetermined location. It is not known why, how, or when; simply that there was once only the Arium of the Sea- the Salari. Afterwards, the Adiri appeared. From the Adiri came the Faldari- the Arium Most High. It is said that their empire was vast and timeless, until eventual strife created another schism, that which led to the Denari, the Arium of the Earth and their eventual arrival to Travil.
It is curious to note, in this brief but important history, the omission of who or what the Adiri were. It can be implied that the Salari were an ocean faring people and the Denari- that of land. The Faldari, I will address momentarily for they are another matter. The Adiri are a mystery in all but their name which may be a clue in itself. As with the Salari and Denari, their designations end in “-ari” which quite obviously leads to Arium, thus perhaps a more articulate appellation for these people would be the Denarium, or Salarium. Is it puzzling that the Adiri are not known as the Adari? Whether veracity or a lapse in ancient history, I cannot say. I can however, offer a deduction.
A moon is pronounced as “Irum” in the Arium tongue and spelled just as simply, according to credible translators. Now apply the same logic as with Denarium and Salarium. Does the sounding of Adirium sound very much like “Irum”, and if so, represent a connection with the moons? Before this notion is dismissed, I’ve a final supporting argument to make. (Edit note: This is beginning to sound more like a 1st scholarly theoretical debate than a credible dissertation…)
In regards to the Faldari- they are not an Arium of any conventional element but that which is “Most High”. It is uncertain as to what that means but it may be a reflection of their great empire. According to Loremaster Yrys Thann, the first of the Most High referred to themselves as the Faldiri as per ancient texts. Conceivably, the Most High considered themselves such in a literal sense- as natives of a moon itself, higher in the sky than all else!
Without much further speculation into the outlandish possibility, it is important to note that there would be two separate bodies- the Arium and the Irium. If the Faldiri were to have become dwellers of the earth, it would be enough reason for an internal schism that would lead to further divides within their own peoples and societies.
For now, the Arium we know- the Denari are a people bereft of their own heritage. Perhaps through further discoveries of our ancestry can we hope to uncover fragments of their past, for if my theory rings true, our two fates are intertwined, as they have been in the past.
