Lore Primer — The Languages of Nova Prime

Compiled by the Aegis Cultural Intelligence Bureau

Haven Reach — “The Refined Tongue”

Primary Language: English
Accent Profile: British-influenced; clipped, formal, yet melodic.
Speech Traits:

• Words pronounced clearly, vowels crisp and intentional.

• Frequent understatement; sarcasm delivered with calm detachment.

• Contractions are used sparingly, lending conversation a composed tone.

• Speech often mirrors old-world etiquette — polite even when hostile.

Cultural Notes:
The people of Haven Reach pride themselves on clarity, composure, and control. Their manner of speaking reflects their society: elegant, self-disciplined, and bureaucratic. Even working-class citizens unconsciously carry the rhythm of formality.

Example Phrases:

• “You’d best mind your step, love. The streets don’t forgive.”

• “Terribly sorry — but you’ll find no mercy here.”

• “Brilliant work, truly. Pity it’s the last thing you’ll ever do.”

Overall Impression:
Measured. Polished. A language that sounds lawful even when whispering rebellion.

Arkos — “La Voix de Sang” (The Voice of Blood)

Primary Language: Arkosan — a hybrid dialect blending French (70%) and Spanish (30%), evolved through centuries of coastal migration and trade.
Speech Traits:

• Naturally rhythmic and smooth, with a rolling cadence.

• Every phrase feels sensual or poetic, even in violence.

• Pronunciation leans toward French softness — “je,” “vous,” and “mon cœur” flow easily into Spanish warmth like “mi vida” and “hermano.”

• Switches between languages mid-sentence for emphasis or intimacy.

Cultural Notes:
To Arkosians, speech is performance. Every word is art — or a weapon wrapped in silk. Their language carries emotion effortlessly, turning even insults into melodies. Foreigners often describe it as “dangerously beautiful.”

Example Phrases:

• “Mon cœur brûle de vérité… and you would lie to me?” (My heart burns with truth…)

• “Cállate, petit menteur.” (Shut up, little liar.)

• “They think our accent is a charm. It is a warning.”

Overall Impression:
Fluid. Seductive. A living language that dances between passion and danger.

Cross-Cultural Communication

When citizens of Haven Reach and Arkos speak together, the contrast is striking:

• Havenites sound sharp and deliberate — steel and structure.

• Arkosians sound liquid and emotive — fire and rhythm.

Their interactions often define the mood of international politics: restrained civility meeting magnetic chaos.

To an outsider’s ear, both tongues are beautiful.
To a native, each is home — one of order, one of soul.

Haven Reach Speech Primer
“The Civil Tongue of an Uncivil World.”
Filed under the Aegis Department of Cultural Identity

Speech Overview:
Havenite English sounds measured, formal, and precise — every word deliberate, every tone composed. Even in the slums, the accent carries rhythm and restraint.
Citizens are trained to sound calm when furious, and polite when plotting.

Speech patterns reflect class:

• Upper circles: Polished, articulate, and slightly archaic.

• Middle class: Pragmatic and dryly humorous.

• Lower wards: Still crisp, but sharper and more sardonic — “posh meets predator.”

Common Greetings & Courtesies
“Morning, love. Mind the air; it bites today.” — Good morning. Casual but warm; common street civility.
“Cheers, mate.” — Thank you. Friendly, informal.
“Right, then. Let’s have it.” — Let’s begin / fight / talk. Confident.
“Pleasure’s mine — for now.” — Cordial, with a hint of threat.
“I won’t keep you, but I’ll remember.” — We’re not done. Polite-sounding warning.

Insults & Retorts
“You absolute muppet.” — Fool / idiot. Mild insult; mocking, not cruel.
“Bloody hellfire, you’re thick.” — You’re unbelievably stupid. Exasperated.
“Go on, then — be useless somewhere else.” — Leave. Dismissive wit.
“You’re all bark, no bloody fangs.” — You talk big but won’t fight. Taunt.
“Careful, darling. Pride’s a lovely way to die.” — Warning said with smug charm.

Affectionate or Personal Expressions
“You’ve got heart — shame about the head.” — You’re brave, but foolish. Endearing insult.
“Stay sharp, love.” — Take care. Used between comrades or partners.
“You’re the only bit of peace I’ve got.” — Earnest; confessional.
“Don’t be soft, I rather like you that way.” — You’re gentle — I like that. Teasing affection.
“If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t bother.” — I care, though I’ll never say it. Defensive fondness.

Proverbs & Sayings
“Steel before silk.” — Strength before comfort. Common Aegis motto.
“Trust’s a debt you can’t repay.” — Be careful who you believe. Cautionary.
“Every lion wears a collar here.” — No one’s truly free. Political; Highspire phrase.
“Better a clean wound than a quiet lie.” — Honesty over hypocrisy. Moral saying.
“The moon sees all; act accordingly.” — Do right, even unseen. Religious / Proven-inspired.

Soldier & Street Slang
“On your bike.” — Get lost. Casual dismissal.
“Hold the line.” — Stay steady. Military; Aegis phrase.
“Mind the bleed.” — Don’t lose control. Limitless incident slang.
“Keep your boots dry.” — Be cautious. Old Haven proverb.
“Clean work, dirty hands.” — We do what must be done. Aegis field saying.

Tone & Manner
Highspire Officials — Polished, reserved; polite manipulation, rarely curse.
New Haven Citizens — Balanced, direct; smart speech with subtle attitude.
Diamond City Locals — Rough-edged, defiant; sarcasm as survival.

Cross-National Observation
When Havenites and Arkosians converse, their differences stand out:
Havenites sound like discipline dressed in civility.
Arkosians sound like emotion wrapped in poetry.
Together they create the rhythm of Nova Prime — order and art, logic and flame.

🇫🇷🇪🇸 Arkosan Phrase Glossary
The Language of Velvet and Blade

Everyday Greetings & Polite Speech
“Bonjour, mi vida.” (bon-zhoor, mee vee-dah) — “Hello, my life.” Intimate, affectionate greeting between lovers or close friends.
“Qué tal, mon cœur?” (keh tahl, mon kuhr) — “How are you, my heart?” Flirty or soft-spoken check-in.
“Bienvenu à la maison.” (byen-veh-noo ah lah meh-sohn) — “Welcome home.” Warm, familial, genuine.
“Merci, cariño.” (mehr-see, kah-ree-nyo) — “Thank you, darling.” Sweet or teasing gratitude.
“Todo bien, et toi?” (toh-doh byen, eh twah) — “All good, and you?” Casual greeting among peers.

Insults & Threats
“Cállate, petit menteur.” (kai-yah-teh, puh-tee mon-tur) — “Shut up, little liar.” Dismissive or dangerous; used in arguments.
“Mueres con style.” (mweh-res kon steel) — “You die with style.” Taunting, confident before a fight.
“Monde sans courage, c’est toi.” (mon sahn koo-rahzh, set twah) — “A world without courage — that’s you.” Disdain; poetic insult.
“Eres fuego sin alma.” (eh-res fweh-go seen ahl-ma) — “You’re fire without a soul.” Harsh, cutting critique; loss of passion or honor.
“Silence, ou je t’éteins.” (see-lahns, oo zhuh teh-tan) — “Be silent, or I’ll snuff you out.” Cold threat; assassin’s language.

Romantic / Emotional Expressions
“Mon cœur brûle de vérité.” (mon kuhr brool duh veh-ree-tay) — “My heart burns with truth.” Intense confession or declaration.
“Je veux danser avec tes ombres.” (zhuh vuh dahn-seh ah-vek tay ohm-bruhs) — “I want to dance with your shadows.” Romantic, mysterious — love with danger.
“Te miro, y el mundo se calla.” (teh mee-roh, ee el moon-doh seh kah-yah) — “I look at you, and the world goes quiet.” Deep affection, cinematic love.
“T’es mon chaos préféré.” (tay mon kay-oh preh-feh-ray) — “You’re my favorite chaos.” Affectionate, teasing; common in Arkosan couples.
“Si me amas, pruébalo.” (see meh ah-mas, proo-eh-bah-lo) — “If you love me, prove it.” Direct challenge; passion mixed with pride.

Common Proverbs & Sayings
“Les lunes mentent rarement.” (lay loon mont rah-reh-mahn) — “The moons rarely lie.” Means: trust what you feel, not what you’re told.
“Sang et ciel, siempre lié.” (sahn ay see-el, see-em-preh lee-eh) — “Blood and sky, forever bound.” Oath or poetic toast; often used by soldiers or lovers.
“Celui qui oublie, meurt deux fois.” (suh-lwee kee oo-blee, muhr deuh fwah) — “He who forgets dies twice.” Warning about memory and consequence.
“Même les anges ont faim.” (mem lay zhonj on fan) — “Even angels get hungry.” Used to justify sin or survival instinct.
“No hay silencio en un corazón Arkosan.” (no eye see-len-see-oh en oon koh-rah-son ar-koh-sahn) — “There is no silence in an Arkosan heart.” National saying; pride in emotion and passion.

Battle / Street Slang
“Courir ou saigner.” (koo-reer oo sen-yay) — “Run or bleed.” Common gang motto in Diamond City’s Arkosan quarter.
“Hasta la lune.” (ahs-tah lah loon) — “To the moon.” Equivalent of “’Til the end”; fighter’s vow.
“Fais-le propre.” (feh luh prop-r) — “Do it clean.” Professional killer’s phrase.
“Mira la sangre, no el miedo.” (mee-rah lah sahn-gray, no el myeh-doh) — “Look at the blood, not the fear.” Warrior’s creed.
“Je respire la guerre.” (zhuh res-peer lah gehr) — “I breathe war.” Spoken before combat; iconic Arkosan soldier quote.

Social Tone Summary
Haven Reach English — Crisp, formal, restrained. Regal, logical. Feels like control.
Arkosan Dialect — Fluid, emotional, melodic. Seductive, dangerous. Feels like art.