Chapter 35

Dwarf Language Lesson

The word ‘dark’ in the Common tongue of humans actually derives from the Dwarf word ‘darrachk’ (rolled ‘r’, hard and guttural ‘chk’) which not only means “without light” but is also an emotionally loaded term associated with Dwarves who isolate themselves from society and disappear into the darkness of the deep mines and caverns, becoming bestial and degenerate and/or evil. Going ‘darrachk’ is a horrible thing for Dwarves and the very term gives most Dwarves the shivers. The term ‘darrachk’ is also a swear word, like “damned” or “cursed”.

Orcs are, of course, one of the long time enemies of the dwarves. Orcs, for all of their bad appearance and evil behavior, are at least intelligent and have a society or sorts, wear armor, speak, etc. In some circumstances though, even orcs can go darrachk if they are, for example, trapped underground and separated from orc society. Over generations, they can lose the power of speech and become mutated, cannibalistic beasts (orcs are more subject to genetic mutations than other races). These darrachk orcs are the Bogeymen of Dwarf myths and are used to scare children to keep them from wandering off into the dark. They are semi-mythical, however – no one knows for sure if they exist.

The phrase “darrachk orc” sounds funny to most dwarves because of the repeated guttural sounds (and because it rhymes with a Dwarf slang phrase – ‘ach orc’ is a crude slang for penis, literally, “little orc” - so in typical Dwarf fashion, it is usually contracted. Dwarves who have no contact with humans who speak Common think nothing of it, but more social Dwarves are aware of how and why humans are amused by the term and it embarrasses them somewhat.

Either way you say it, d’orcs are the most feared and evil enemy of the Dwarves.