Nerubian (language)
Nerubian[1] is the ancient, harsh,[2] and guttural[3] language of the nerubian race. Upon encountering the crypt lord Anub'arak for the first time, Kel'Thuzad noted that although the nerubian spoke perfectly understandable Common, strange buzzing and clicking underlaid his words.[4] In combat, nerubians give off eerie shrieks and chittering noises.[3][5]
Nerubians have poor eyesight, and their writing is entirely touch-and-scent-based.[6] Their script, which is described as "skittering",[7] consists of series of burns, slashes, puncture marks, and pheromones which cannot be fully comprehended by non-nerubians that lack the proper sensory organs.[8][9] This can be remedied through alchemical means by drinking a 
[Potion of Polymorphic Translation: Nerubian], which polymorphs the imbiber's glands and temporarily allows them to understand the writing.
Nerubian primer
Official translations
Only one nerubian phrase has been known to be translated:
- Shabtir bakh sokhen = "The servant bows to the master's authority" - Code words to enter Naxxanar.[2]
Untranslated words and phrases
Phrases
- Auum na-l ak-k-k-k, isshhh. - Spoken by Anub'arak when submerging and summoning nerubians to defend him in Azjol-Nerub and the Trial of the Crusader.
- Aza cha'tak! - Said by some Kaheti mobs in combat.[10]
- Aza'tak - Spoken by some Kaheti mobs in combat.[10]
- Elix tak'na - Spoken by some Kaheti mobs in combat.[10]
- F-lakkh shir! - Spoken by Anub'arak upon killing a player in the Trial of the Crusader and in Heroes of the Storm.
- Hush-tak Hee-tah! - Spoken by Krik'thir the Gatewatcher upon killing a player.
- Igitith ik Ansurek! - Said by some Kaheti mobs in combat.[10]
- Iki'tash izal - A greeting, said by Widow Arak'nai.
- Kahet iz korvan - Spoken by some Kaheti mobs in combat[10] and by many Kaheti NPCs.
- Shhhad ak kereeesshh chak-k-k! - Spoken by Elder Nadox upon summoning nerubians to defend him.
- Tak'izik! - Spoken by some Kaheti mobs in combat.[10]
- Tak'na - Spoken by some Kaheti mobs in combat.[10]
- Tak kat'taj - Spoken by some Kaheti mobs in combat.[10]
- Tak... rasha... and Tak'rasha na! - Spoken by some Kaheti mobs in combat.[10]
- Unhhh-tikk-a-shisss. Kka shir. Na-l bkah a-shisss. Kreesh kik ik ta. Sohk-a tik hiss a-k-k-k. - Writing on the
[Vizier's Scrawled Streamer]. - Uunak-hissss tik-k-k-k-k! - Spoken by Anub'arak when using Locust Swarm in Azjol-Nerub.
Proper nouns
- Acherus - Former Scourge necropolis, now controlled by Knights of the Ebon Blade.
- Ahn'kahet - The nerubian name for the Old Kingdom.
- Azj-Kahet - Nerubian kingdom in Khaz Algar.
- Azjol-Nerub - Nerubian kingdom in Northrend.
- En'kilah - Temple city in the northern Borean Tundra.
- Izol - Pillar-nest mentioned on Xevex's memorial placard.
- Kolramas - Crashed Scourge necropolis in Zul'Drak.
- Narjun - Sinkhole in the Dragonblight serving as an entrance to Azjol-Nerub.
- Nasam - Name of a plain and a sandy beach in the Borean Tundra.
- Naxxanar - Scourge necropolis hovering over En'kilah in Borean Tundra.
- Naxxramas - Scourge necropolis, fortress of Kel'Thuzad.
- Naz'anak - "The Forgotten Depths", a nerubian cave beneath Icecrown Citadel.
- Nerub-ar - Royal palace of Azj-Kahet.
- Noth - Pillar-nest in Azj-Kahet.
- Rak-Ahat - Silk factory in Azj-Kahet.
- Rak-Neraz - Location mentioned on Profiteerist Kej'takaz's memorial placard.
- Rak-Ush - Swarmbeast swarmery in Azj-Kahet.
- Rak-Zakaz - Military outpost in Azj-Kahet.
- Tak-Rethan - Kobyss sinkhole in Azj-Kahet.
- Talramas - Crashed Scourge necropolis in Borean Tundra.
- Voltarus - Scourge necropolis in Zul'Drak.
- Vosh - Pillar-nest in Azj-Kahet.
- Xesh - Pillar-nest in Azj-Kahet.
- Zeramas - Scourge necropolis in Zul'Drak.
Language speculation
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This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
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- Ahn = Possibly "kingdom", as it also appears in the Qiraji word Ahn'Qiraj (possibly "kingdom of the qiraji")
- Anak = "Depths"
- Azjol = "Kingdom"/"City"
- Kahet = "Old"
- Naz = "Forgotten"
- Nerub = "Spider"
- Shabtir = "Servant"
- Sokhen = "Master"
In the RPG
Nerubian[11] is the clicking, rasping language of the nerubians.[12] It is both a spoken and sign language.[11]
References
- ^ [Vizier's Scrawled Streamer]
- ^ a b
[10-30] Words of Power
- ^ a b Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, chapter 24, pg. 356 (paperback)
- ^ Road to Damnation
- ^ Heart of War
- ^ Linny Leadfinger quotes
- ^
[Gruesome Heart Box]
- ^ Treatise on Forms: Ascended, Entomological Essay on Grubs, Volume 1, Strands of Memory, Azal the Fangnifiscent, Queen Neferess, and other readable City of Threads objects
- ^ [Potion of Polymorphic Translation: Nerubian]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Crimson Deathweaver, Kaheti Preysnatcher, Kaheti Skirmisher, Kaheti Threadmancer, Sureki Raider, Sureki Warrior quotes
- ^ a b Manual of Monsters, pg. 69
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 144
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