Valmar

Valmar was the language given to the first of the Avar by Valmin before they were divided among the Sitakir during the War of Airon. Historically, it was used by all the Avar as something of a lingua-franca, and was spoken by the Human upper classes. It has long been out of use, though most words in modern Vorara, Falirin and Seinaii are derived from their counterparts in Valmar, and all are three are direct descendants of it. Valmar is still the source of many names, of both people and places, and is spoken by educated Avar throughout Westrar.

History
Valmar was descended from Tinuvienic, though it was distinct from its forerunner; the phonology and grammar changed dramatically, though the vocabulary was recognisable as being influenced by the earlier language.

Valmar was first given to the Avar by Valmin, and is named for him. The Avar lived together for almost six hundred years, during which the language was expanded upon in terms of its phonology, grammar and vocabulary, and was influenced by the early languages of humans. Because of this, it maintains an almost holy status. It is believed that the first three poems of The Varaltae were written in Valmar some nine millenia ago by an Avar named Involaron.

When the Avar were divided among the Sitakir by Valmin, Valmar continued to be spoken. However, due to the scattering of the Avar away from Eirenval and the people of Falirin remaining in the farthest West, in the lands near the Mountains of Aironvuor, Valmar covered a far wider area and as such had much use a lingua-franca in trade and politics. Eventually, though, Valmar developed into distinct regional dialects influenced by the languages of humans, with the only remaining native speakers of High (or original) Valmar those living in the land of Eiertro in the south, by the Sea of Summer.

These regional dialects eventually became Vorara, Falirin and Seinaii. Falirin was the most radically removed, with a different phonology and grammar, whilst Seinaii was the most similar as it retained most of Valmar's phonology, albeit its vocabulary was constructed from syllables rather than letters. Vorara was similar to another descendant of Tinuvienic (known Beleraic), with minor changes to the phonology such as new consonants and changes to grammar.

At some time in the recent past, Seinaii supplanted Vorara in the East as well as the heartlands, whilst Falirin was prevalent in the West. Valmar had essentially dropped out of use, and little of it was ever spoken except for ceremonial purposes, much like Latin in medieval Europe.