Acola - Revision history

CourseDirector: /* Background */

2020-03-02T17:17:29Z

Background

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:17, 2 March 2020
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	Then came the Long Night.		Then came the Long Night.

	While much of the actual resistance in the region was carried out on the [[Agras ~~Plains~~\|Agras]] and [[Lowland Plains]], the Southern Reaches manufactured powerful weapons, designed by the best inventors at each business. This, in turn, led the armies of [[Samuel Fate]] to raze the major cities in the region. During the [[Long Night#Sunset\|Sunset]] of the Long Night, the population centers were obliterated.		While much of the actual resistance in the region was carried out on the [[Agras Plain\|Agras]] and [[Lowland Plains]], the Southern Reaches manufactured powerful weapons, designed by the best inventors at each business. This, in turn, led the armies of [[Samuel Fate]] to raze the major cities in the region. During the [[Long Night#Sunset\|Sunset]] of the Long Night, the population centers were obliterated.

	The remaining population was put to work erasing all evidence of their once mighty cities, then "geared down" to an agrarian civilization. This was especially challenging as, without modern technology, the region was unfarmable. To further complicate matters, Fate banned reading and writing.		The remaining population was put to work erasing all evidence of their once mighty cities, then "geared down" to an agrarian civilization. This was especially challenging as, without modern technology, the region was unfarmable. To further complicate matters, Fate banned reading and writing.

Siddharth1: /* Modern Acola */

2019-08-18T20:10:58Z

Modern Acola

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:10, 18 August 2019
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	==Modern Acola==		==Modern Acola==
	By A.D. 3,000, the ~~modern iteration of~~ Acola had solidified into the modern form. By this time, the provincial governors ~~where~~ aware of its existence and made efforts to stamp it out, ~~but the nomads had become quite adept at it~~.		By A.D. 3,000, the Acola had solidified into the modern form. By this time, the provincial governors were aware of its existence and made efforts to stamp it out, to no avail.

	Paper had come into wide use. The written language, using a 40-character pictographic alphabet and the notches above and below, allowed for vast and complex literature. While the nomads did not have much use for math or science, they valued history as well as stories and legends, mostly of events ~~from~~ before the Long Night.		Paper had come into wide use. The written language, using a 40-character pictographic alphabet and the notches above and below, allowed for vast and complex literature. While the nomads did not have much use for math or science, they valued history as well as stories and legends, mostly of events before the Long Night.

	The Long Night ended in A.D. 3,115, before any widespread action could be taken to stamp out Acola. Many nomadic tribes were quick to resettle the old cities (whose locations had been carefully guarded) and build a new nation around their heritage and language.		The Long Night ended in A.D. 3,115, before any widespread action could be taken to stamp out Acola. Many nomadic tribes were quick to resettle the old cities (whose locations had been carefully guarded) and build a new nation around their heritage and language.

	Of course, the old provincial capitols still existed, ~~with many having~~ grown into prosperous cities in their own rights. Many other Acola speakers chose to maintain their nomadic traditions.		Of course, the old provincial capitols still existed, grown into prosperous cities in their own rights. Many other Acola speakers chose to maintain their nomadic traditions.

	Acola continued a thriving language into the [[New Day]]. Its ~~over-all~~ simplicity made it easier for outsiders to pick up, allowing others to appreciate the rich literary traditions of the unique culture.		Acola continued a thriving language into the [[New Day]]. Its simplicity made it easier for outsiders to pick up, allowing others to appreciate the rich literary traditions of the unique culture.

	In N.D. 500, Acola has billions of native speakers.		In N.D. 500, Acola has billions of native speakers.

	[[Category:Course Books]]		[[Category:Course Books]]

Siddharth1: /* Written Form */

2019-08-18T20:10:04Z

Written Form

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:10, 18 August 2019
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	The first real writing system emerged around A.D. 2000, and involved a large ball of twine made from leather. Specific items, such as shells or types of rocks, bits of horse hair, animal teeth, feathers, etc., were tied into the twine, followed by knots. The items indicated the syllable, and the number of knots indicated how many times it was repeated. The system was impossible to decipher without an innate understanding of the nomadic culture. An item as simple as a duck feather split in half could mean something very complex indeed.		The first real writing system emerged around A.D. 2000, and involved a large ball of twine made from leather. Specific items, such as shells or types of rocks, bits of horse hair, animal teeth, feathers, etc., were tied into the twine, followed by knots. The items indicated the syllable, and the number of knots indicated how many times it was repeated. The system was impossible to decipher without an innate understanding of the nomadic culture. An item as simple as a duck feather split in half could mean something very complex indeed.

	This system ~~then~~ progressed to inscriptions in stone, wherein a pictograph would be scratched on a rock, and a number of notches placed above it. Later additions added notches below. Since the writing escaped ~~entirely under~~ the ~~radar~~ of the provincial governors, it was further simplified to ~~just~~ a few dozen. Acola translated easily into a language for the blind, who could easily recognize distinct shapes. The sign form of the language was also simple enough that nearly every tribesman learned this as well.		This system progressed to inscriptions in stone, wherein a pictograph would be scratched on a rock, and a number of notches placed above it. Later additions added notches below. Since the writing escaped the notice of the provincial governors, it was further simplified to a few dozen. Acola translated easily into a language for the blind, who could easily recognize distinct shapes. The sign form of the language was also simple enough that nearly every tribesman learned this as well.

	==Modern Acola==		==Modern Acola==

Siddharth1: /* Acola */

2019-08-18T20:09:21Z

Acola

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:09, 18 August 2019
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	===Acola===		===Acola===
	Exactly how Acola began is the subject of folk tales, but most experts agree it was invented ~~sometime~~ around [[A.D.]] 1000, originally as a secret code. A common folktale tells ~~a story of how~~ the disparate tribes ~~needed to 'recognize friends', and~~ devised a simple set of code words to determine which tribes still believed in the return of the Dragon (the [[Battle of the New Day]]), and which tribes were illegally trespassing on the old city ruins.		Exactly how Acola began is the subject of folk tales, but most experts agree it was invented around [[A.D.]] 1000, originally as a secret code. A common folktale tells, the disparate tribes devised a simple set of code words to determine which tribes still believed in the return of the Dragon (the [[Battle of the New Day]]), and which tribes were illegally trespassing on the old city ruins.

	The language was created, slowly, from oral tradition. Speakers would use certain passages from widely repeated folk tales to refer to certain concepts (similar in some ways to the [[Rowen#Dialect\|Rowen dialect]], though much more complex). A speaker might refer to a certain 'mythical' character (such as [[Hunter Jusenkyou]] or [[Jason Bur'I]]), and some event from their stories would be instantly recognizable.		The language was created, slowly, from oral tradition. Speakers would use certain passages from widely repeated folk tales to refer to certain concepts (similar in some ways to the [[Rowen#Dialect\|Rowen dialect]], though much more complex). A speaker might refer to a certain 'mythical' character (such as [[Hunter Jusenkyou]] or [[Jason Bur'I]]), and some event from their stories would be instantly recognizable.

	The language (and variants) were quickly adopted by the nomadic peoples of the region, to differentiate themselves from the settled groups (who still spoke the common language), further weakening their control. The nomads developed an entire culture ~~all~~ their own, and ~~found~~ ways to survive in a harsh, resource-poor region.		The language (and variants) were quickly adopted by the nomadic peoples of the region, to differentiate themselves from the settled groups (who still spoke the common language), further weakening their control. The nomads developed an entire culture of their own, and ways to survive in a harsh, resource-poor region.

	As the language evolved, the original folk stories were forgotten, and the metaphors and events shortened to make speaking easier. The vocabulary dwindled, but became easier to understand. With only ~~about~~ twenty to forty thousand unique words. Still, very complex concepts could easily be communicated with enough words. A common trait was the repetition of a single syllable over and over again in order to indicate intensity.		As the language evolved, the original folk stories were forgotten, and the metaphors and events shortened to make speaking easier. The vocabulary dwindled, but became easier to understand. With only twenty to forty thousand unique words. Still, very complex concepts could easily be communicated with enough words. A common trait was the repetition of a single syllable over and over again in order to indicate intensity.

	The simplicity of the language allowed the speakers from any tribe to communicate, allowing for a common culture outside the capitols.		The simplicity of the language allowed the speakers from any tribe to communicate, allowing for a common culture outside the capitols.

Siddharth1: /* Background */

2019-08-18T20:08:17Z

Background

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:08, 18 August 2019
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	===Background===		===Background===
	During the ~~old~~ [[Alliance]] era, the Southern Reaches ~~were a key economic producing~~ many new technologies in use by the [[Alliance]]. While most manufacturing was done either off-world or in [[Modia]], several major tech corporations were headquartered in the Southern Reaches, along with many large and prosperous cities.		During the [[Alliance]] era, the Southern Reaches produced many new technologies in use by the [[Alliance]]. While most manufacturing was done either off-world or in [[Modia]], several major tech corporations were headquartered in the Southern Reaches, along with many large and prosperous cities.

	Then came the Long Night.		Then came the Long Night.

	While much of the actual resistance in the region was carried out on the [[Agras Plains\|Agras]] and [[Lowland Plains]], the Southern Reaches ~~had the facility to fight back in a big way. While they lacked industrial capacity~~, the ~~geniuses~~ at ~~the various companies could quickly build powerful weapons~~. This, in turn, led the armies of [[Samuel Fate]] to raze the major cities in the region. During the [[Long Night#Sunset\|Sunset]] of the Long Night, the population centers were obliterated.		While much of the actual resistance in the region was carried out on the [[Agras Plains\|Agras]] and [[Lowland Plains]], the Southern Reaches manufactured powerful weapons, designed by the best inventors at each business. This, in turn, led the armies of [[Samuel Fate]] to raze the major cities in the region. During the [[Long Night#Sunset\|Sunset]] of the Long Night, the population centers were obliterated.

	The remaining population was put to work erasing all evidence of their once mighty cities, then "geared down" to an agrarian civilization. This was especially challenging as, without modern technology, the region was unfarmable. To further complicate matters, Fate banned reading and writing.		The remaining population was put to work erasing all evidence of their once mighty cities, then "geared down" to an agrarian civilization. This was especially challenging as, without modern technology, the region was unfarmable. To further complicate matters, Fate banned reading and writing.

	By the [[Long Night#True Night\|True Night]] phase, the population had been reduced by ninety percent, and any semblance of resistance ground to dust. While Fate stationed governors in the region, they exerted little influence outside provincial capitols, and the now mostly nomadic population was given a greater freedom than those on the Agras, with the provision that they never go near the old cities.		By the [[Long Night#True Night\|True Night]] phase, the population had been reduced by ninety percent, and any semblance of resistance ground to dust. While Fate stationed governors in the region, they exerted little influence outside provincial capitols, and the now mostly nomadic population was given a greater freedom than those on the Agras, with the provision that they never go near the old cities.

	===Acola===		===Acola===

Siddharth1 at 21:10, 19 July 2019

2019-07-19T21:10:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 19 July 2019
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Acola is a language common in the [[Southern Reaches]] of the [[Greater Continent]]. It originated ~~sometime~~ during the [[Long Night]].		Acola is a language common in the [[Southern Reaches]] of the [[Greater Continent]]. It originated during the [[Long Night]].

	==Origin==		==Origin==

	===Background===		===Background===
	During the old [[Alliance]] era, the Southern Reaches were a key economic producing many new technologies in use by the [[Alliance]]. While most manufacturing was done either off-world or in [[Modia]], several major tech corporations were headquartered in the Southern Reaches, along with many large and prosperous cities.		During the old [[Alliance]] era, the Southern Reaches were a key economic producing many new technologies in use by the [[Alliance]]. While most manufacturing was done either off-world or in [[Modia]], several major tech corporations were headquartered in the Southern Reaches, along with many large and prosperous cities.
Line 7:		Line 8:
	Then came the Long Night.		Then came the Long Night.

	While much of the actual resistance in the region was carried out on the [[Agras Plains\|Agras]] and [[Lowland Plains]], the ~~Sourthern~~ Reaches had the facility to fight back in a big way. While they lacked industrial capacity, the geniuses at the various companies could quickly build powerful ~~one-off~~ weapons. This, in turn, led to the armies of [[Samuel Fate]] ~~razing~~ the major cities in the region. During the [[Long Night#Sunset\|Sunset]] ~~period~~ of the Long Night, the population centers were ~~completely~~ obliterated.		While much of the actual resistance in the region was carried out on the [[Agras Plains\|Agras]] and [[Lowland Plains]], the Southern Reaches had the facility to fight back in a big way. While they lacked industrial capacity, the geniuses at the various companies could quickly build powerful weapons. This, in turn, led the armies of [[Samuel Fate]] to raze the major cities in the region. During the [[Long Night#Sunset\|Sunset]] of the Long Night, the population centers were obliterated.

	The remaining population was put to work erasing all evidence of their once mighty cities, then "geared down" to an agrarian civilization. This was especially challenging as, without modern technology, the region was unfarmable. To further complicate matters, Fate banned reading and writing.		The remaining population was put to work erasing all evidence of their once mighty cities, then "geared down" to an agrarian civilization. This was especially challenging as, without modern technology, the region was unfarmable. To further complicate matters, Fate banned reading and writing.

	By the [[Long Night#True Night\|True Night]] phase, the population had been reduced by ninety percent, and any semblance of resistance ground to dust. While Fate stationed governors in the region, they exerted little influence outside provincial capitols, and the now mostly nomadic population was given a greater ~~latitude of~~ freedom than those on the Agras, with the provision that they never go near the old cities.		By the [[Long Night#True Night\|True Night]] phase, the population had been reduced by ninety percent, and any semblance of resistance ground to dust. While Fate stationed governors in the region, they exerted little influence outside provincial capitols, and the now mostly nomadic population was given a greater freedom than those on the Agras, with the provision that they never go near the old cities.

	===Acola===		===Acola===
	Exactly how Acola began is the subject of folk tales, but most experts agree it was invented sometime around [[A.D.]] 1000, originally as a secret code. A common folktale tells a story of how the disparate tribes needed to 'recognize friends'~~. It is believed they~~ devised a simple set of code words to determine which tribes still believed in the return of the ~~dragon~~(the ~~then foretold~~ [[Battle of the New Day]]), and which tribes were illegally trespassing on the old city ruins.		Exactly how Acola began is the subject of folk tales, but most experts agree it was invented sometime around [[A.D.]] 1000, originally as a secret code. A common folktale tells a story of how the disparate tribes needed to 'recognize friends', and devised a simple set of code words to determine which tribes still believed in the return of the Dragon (the [[Battle of the New Day]]), and which tribes were illegally trespassing on the old city ruins.

	The language was created, slowly, ~~based on~~ oral tradition. Speakers would use certain passages from widely repeated folk tales to refer to certain concepts(similar in some ways to the [[Rowen#Dialect\|Rowen dialect]], though much more complex). I speaker might refer to a certain 'mythical' character (such as [[Hunter Jusenkyou]] or [[Jason Bur'I]], and some event from their stories ~~that~~ would be instantly recognizable~~, using it as a metaphor~~.		The language was created, slowly, from oral tradition. Speakers would use certain passages from widely repeated folk tales to refer to certain concepts (similar in some ways to the [[Rowen#Dialect\|Rowen dialect]], though much more complex). A speaker might refer to a certain 'mythical' character (such as [[Hunter Jusenkyou]] or [[Jason Bur'I]]), and some event from their stories would be instantly recognizable.

	The language(and variants) were quickly adopted by the nomadic peoples of the region ~~as a way~~ to differentiate themselves from the settled groups(who still spoke common), further weakening their control ~~on them~~. The nomads developed an entire culture all their own, and found ways to survive in ~~what was then~~ a harsh, resource-poor region.		The language (and variants) were quickly adopted by the nomadic peoples of the region, to differentiate themselves from the settled groups (who still spoke the common language), further weakening their control. The nomads developed an entire culture all their own, and found ways to survive in a harsh, resource-poor region.

	As the language evolved, the original folk stories ~~it was based on~~ were forgotten, and the metaphors and events shortened to to make speaking easier. The vocabulary dwindled, but became easier to understand. With only about twenty to forty thousand unique words. Still, very complex concepts could easily be communicated ~~by simply using~~ enough words. A common trait was the ~~repitition~~ of a single syllable over and over again in order to indicate intensity.		As the language evolved, the original folk stories were forgotten, and the metaphors and events shortened to make speaking easier. The vocabulary dwindled, but became easier to understand. With only about twenty to forty thousand unique words. Still, very complex concepts could easily be communicated with enough words. A common trait was the repetition of a single syllable over and over again in order to indicate intensity.

	The simplicity of the language allowed the speakers from any tribe to communicate, allowing for a ~~very homogenous~~ culture outside the capitols.		The simplicity of the language allowed the speakers from any tribe to communicate, allowing for a common culture outside the capitols.

	===Written Form===		===Written Form===
	Many tribes independently developed their own writing systems, often in code~~. Reading and writing was still banned and strict punishments enforced~~. The most common original writing system was a rope code ~~in which~~ bundles of strings ~~were used~~ with knots ~~tied in them~~. The number of knots indicated the number of times a syllable was repeated. The ~~problem with this system was that the~~ holder of the bundle had to memorize the syllables ~~in order~~ to decipher the message.		Many tribes independently developed their own writing systems, often in code. The most common original writing system was a rope code of bundles of strings with knots. The number of knots indicated the number of times a syllable was repeated, and their styles represented the syllables. The holder of the bundle had to memorize the syllables, to decipher the message.

	The first real writing system emerged around A.D. 2000, and involved ~~using~~ a ~~very~~ large ball of twine made from leather. Specific items, such as shells or types of rocks, bits of horse hair, animal teeth, feathers, etc, were tied ~~in to~~ the ~~twin~~ followed by knots. The items indicated the syllable, and the number of knots indicated how many times it was repeated. The system was impossible to decipher without an innate understanding~~(which required having been raised in)~~ of the nomadic culture. An item as simple as a duck feather split in half could mean something ~~entirely unrelated to ducks~~.		The first real writing system emerged around A.D. 2000, and involved a large ball of twine made from leather. Specific items, such as shells or types of rocks, bits of horse hair, animal teeth, feathers, etc., were tied into the twine, followed by knots. The items indicated the syllable, and the number of knots indicated how many times it was repeated. The system was impossible to decipher without an innate understanding of the nomadic culture. An item as simple as a duck feather split in half could mean something very complex indeed.

	This system then progressed to inscriptions in stone~~. Similarly to the twine balls~~, a pictograph would be scratched on a rock, ~~then~~ a number of notches placed above it. Later additions added notches ~~bellow~~. Since the writing escaped entirely under the radar of the provincial ~~governers~~, it was further simplified~~, reducing the number of unique syllables down~~ to just a few dozen. ~~An interesting side-note is that~~ Acola translated ~~VERY~~ easily into a language for the blind, who could easily recognize distinct shapes. The sign form of the language was also simple enough that nearly every ~~tribesmen~~ learned this as well.		This system then progressed to inscriptions in stone, wherein a pictograph would be scratched on a rock, and a number of notches placed above it. Later additions added notches below. Since the writing escaped entirely under the radar of the provincial governors, it was further simplified to just a few dozen. Acola translated easily into a language for the blind, who could easily recognize distinct shapes. The sign form of the language was also simple enough that nearly every tribesman learned this as well.

	==Modern Acola==		==Modern Acola==
	By A.D. 3,000, the modern iteration of Acola had solidified into the modern form. By this time, the provincial governors where aware of ~~it's~~ existence and made efforts to stamp it out, but ~~with two solid millennia of hiding things under their belt,~~ the nomads had become quite adept at it.		By A.D. 3,000, the modern iteration of Acola had solidified into the modern form. By this time, the provincial governors where aware of its existence and made efforts to stamp it out, but the nomads had become quite adept at it.

	Paper had come ~~in to~~ wide use. The written language, using a 40-character pictographic alphabet and the ~~above~~ notches above and below ~~system~~, allowed for vast and ~~deeply~~ complex literature. While the nomads did not have much use for math or science, they valued history as well as stories and legends, ~~much absed on~~ events from before the Long Night.		Paper had come into wide use. The written language, using a 40-character pictographic alphabet and the notches above and below, allowed for vast and complex literature. While the nomads did not have much use for math or science, they valued history as well as stories and legends, mostly of events from before the Long Night.

	The Long Night ended in A.D. 3,115, before any widespread action could be taken to stamp out Acola. Many nomadic tribes were quick to resettle the old cities(~~who's~~ locations had been carefully guarded ~~for millennia~~) and build a new nation ~~based~~ around their ~~shared cultural~~ heritage and language.		The Long Night ended in A.D. 3,115, before any widespread action could be taken to stamp out Acola. Many nomadic tribes were quick to resettle the old cities (whose locations had been carefully guarded) and build a new nation around their heritage and language.

	Of course, the old provincial capitols still existed, with many having grown into prosperous cities in their own rights. Many other Acola speakers chose to maintain their nomadic traditions.		Of course, the old provincial capitols still existed, with many having grown into prosperous cities in their own rights. Many other Acola speakers chose to maintain their nomadic traditions.

	Acola continued ~~to be~~ a thriving language into the [[New Day]]. Its over-all simplicity~~(despite extremely complex roots)~~ made it easier for outsiders to pick up, allowing others to appreciate the rich literary traditions of the unique culture.		Acola continued a thriving language into the [[New Day]]. Its over-all simplicity made it easier for outsiders to pick up, allowing others to appreciate the rich literary traditions of the unique culture.

	In N.D. 500, Acola has billions of native speakers.		In N.D. 500, Acola has billions of native speakers.

	[[Category:Course Books]]		[[Category:Course Books]]

CourseDirector at 22:12, 17 July 2019

2019-07-17T22:12:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:12, 17 July 2019
Line 41:		Line 41:

	Acola continued to be a thriving language into the [[New Day]]. Its over-all simplicity(despite extremely complex roots) made it easier for outsiders to pick up, allowing others to appreciate the rich literary traditions of the unique culture.		Acola continued to be a thriving language into the [[New Day]]. Its over-all simplicity(despite extremely complex roots) made it easier for outsiders to pick up, allowing others to appreciate the rich literary traditions of the unique culture.

			In N.D. 500, Acola has billions of native speakers.

	[[Category:Course Books]]		[[Category:Course Books]]

CourseDirector at 22:11, 17 July 2019

2019-07-17T22:11:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:11, 17 July 2019
Line 29:		Line 29:
	The first real writing system emerged around A.D. 2000, and involved using a very large ball of twine made from leather. Specific items, such as shells or types of rocks, bits of horse hair, animal teeth, feathers, etc, were tied in to the twin followed by knots. The items indicated the syllable, and the number of knots indicated how many times it was repeated. The system was impossible to decipher without an innate understanding(which required having been raised in) of the nomadic culture. An item as simple as a duck feather split in half could mean something entirely unrelated to ducks.		The first real writing system emerged around A.D. 2000, and involved using a very large ball of twine made from leather. Specific items, such as shells or types of rocks, bits of horse hair, animal teeth, feathers, etc, were tied in to the twin followed by knots. The items indicated the syllable, and the number of knots indicated how many times it was repeated. The system was impossible to decipher without an innate understanding(which required having been raised in) of the nomadic culture. An item as simple as a duck feather split in half could mean something entirely unrelated to ducks.

	This system then progressed to inscriptions in stone. Similarly to the twine balls, a pictograph would be scratched on a rock, then a number of notches placed above it. Later additions added notches bellow. Since the writing escaped entirely under the radar of the provincial ~~govorners~~		This system then progressed to inscriptions in stone. Similarly to the twine balls, a pictograph would be scratched on a rock, then a number of notches placed above it. Later additions added notches bellow. Since the writing escaped entirely under the radar of the provincial governers, it was further simplified, reducing the number of unique syllables down to just a few dozen. An interesting side-note is that Acola translated VERY easily into a language for the blind, who could easily recognize distinct shapes. The sign form of the language was also simple enough that nearly every tribesmen learned this as well.

			==Modern Acola==
			By A.D. 3,000, the modern iteration of Acola had solidified into the modern form. By this time, the provincial governors where aware of it's existence and made efforts to stamp it out, but with two solid millennia of hiding things under their belt, the nomads had become quite adept at it.

			Paper had come in to wide use. The written language, using a 40-character pictographic alphabet and the above notches above and below system, allowed for vast and deeply complex literature. While the nomads did not have much use for math or science, they valued history as well as stories and legends, much absed on events from before the Long Night.

			The Long Night ended in A.D. 3,115, before any widespread action could be taken to stamp out Acola. Many nomadic tribes were quick to resettle the old cities(who's locations had been carefully guarded for millennia) and build a new nation based around their shared cultural heritage and language.

			Of course, the old provincial capitols still existed, with many having grown into prosperous cities in their own rights. Many other Acola speakers chose to maintain their nomadic traditions.

			Acola continued to be a thriving language into the [[New Day]]. Its over-all simplicity(despite extremely complex roots) made it easier for outsiders to pick up, allowing others to appreciate the rich literary traditions of the unique culture.

	[[Category:Course Books]]		[[Category:Course Books]]

CourseDirector: Created page with "Acola is a language common in the Southern Reaches of the Greater Continent. It originated sometime during the Long Night. ==Origin== ===Background=== During the..."

2019-07-17T21:58:58Z

Created page with "Acola is a language common in the Southern Reaches of the Greater Continent. It originated sometime during the Long Night. ==Origin== ===Background=== During the..."

New page

Acola is a language common in the [[Southern Reaches]] of the [[Greater Continent]]. It originated sometime during the [[Long Night]].

==Origin==
===Background===
During the old [[Alliance]] era, the Southern Reaches were a key economic producing many new technologies in use by the [[Alliance]]. While most manufacturing was done either off-world or in [[Modia]], several major tech corporations were headquartered in the Southern Reaches, along with many large and prosperous cities.

Then came the Long Night.

While much of the actual resistance in the region was carried out on the [[Agras Plains|Agras]] and [[Lowland Plains]], the Sourthern Reaches had the facility to fight back in a big way. While they lacked industrial capacity, the geniuses at the various companies could quickly build powerful one-off weapons. This, in turn, led to the armies of [[Samuel Fate]] razing the major cities in the region. During the [[Long Night#Sunset|Sunset]] period of the Long Night, the population centers were completely obliterated.

The remaining population was put to work erasing all evidence of their once mighty cities, then "geared down" to an agrarian civilization. This was especially challenging as, without modern technology, the region was unfarmable. To further complicate matters, Fate banned reading and writing.

By the [[Long Night#True Night|True Night]] phase, the population had been reduced by ninety percent, and any semblance of resistance ground to dust. While Fate stationed governors in the region, they exerted little influence outside provincial capitols, and the now mostly nomadic population was given a greater latitude of freedom than those on the Agras, with the provision that they never go near the old cities.

===Acola===
Exactly how Acola began is the subject of folk tales, but most experts agree it was invented sometime around [[A.D.]] 1000, originally as a secret code. A common folktale tells a story of how the disparate tribes needed to 'recognize friends'. It is believed they devised a simple set of code words to determine which tribes still believed in the return of the dragon(the then foretold [[Battle of the New Day]]), and which tribes were illegally trespassing on the old city ruins.

The language was created, slowly, based on oral tradition. Speakers would use certain passages from widely repeated folk tales to refer to certain concepts(similar in some ways to the [[Rowen#Dialect|Rowen dialect]], though much more complex). I speaker might refer to a certain 'mythical' character (such as [[Hunter Jusenkyou]] or [[Jason Bur'I]], and some event from their stories that would be instantly recognizable, using it as a metaphor.

The language(and variants) were quickly adopted by the nomadic peoples of the region as a way to differentiate themselves from the settled groups(who still spoke common), further weakening their control on them. The nomads developed an entire culture all their own, and found ways to survive in what was then a harsh, resource-poor region.

As the language evolved, the original folk stories it was based on were forgotten, and the metaphors and events shortened to to make speaking easier. The vocabulary dwindled, but became easier to understand. With only about twenty to forty thousand unique words. Still, very complex concepts could easily be communicated by simply using enough words. A common trait was the repitition of a single syllable over and over again in order to indicate intensity.

The simplicity of the language allowed the speakers from any tribe to communicate, allowing for a very homogenous culture outside the capitols.

===Written Form===
Many tribes independently developed their own writing systems, often in code. Reading and writing was still banned and strict punishments enforced. The most common original writing system was a rope code in which bundles of strings were used with knots tied in them. The number of knots indicated the number of times a syllable was repeated. The problem with this system was that the holder of the bundle had to memorize the syllables in order to decipher the message.

The first real writing system emerged around A.D. 2000, and involved using a very large ball of twine made from leather. Specific items, such as shells or types of rocks, bits of horse hair, animal teeth, feathers, etc, were tied in to the twin followed by knots. The items indicated the syllable, and the number of knots indicated how many times it was repeated. The system was impossible to decipher without an innate understanding(which required having been raised in) of the nomadic culture. An item as simple as a duck feather split in half could mean something entirely unrelated to ducks.

This system then progressed to inscriptions in stone. Similarly to the twine balls, a pictograph would be scratched on a rock, then a number of notches placed above it. Later additions added notches bellow. Since the writing escaped entirely under the radar of the provincial govorners

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