IQ/Very Hard
Defaults: None.
Prerequisites: Magery 50+, Thaumatology 14+, and one of Initiate of the Arcane Order or Guild Wizard of the Arcane Order.

The Language Primeval, or Aleph as it is commonly referred to by members of the Arcane Order, is the original tongue of magic. It was used by the sorcerers that dwelt within the world while it was still young.

This represents knowledge of the first lore of Aleph, specifically, the thaunemes, the basic sounds of the language. While these thaunemes are not entirely understood at this time, greater understanding will hopefully follow when the other four lores are discovered.

As they are presently known, they can be used to augment the effects of spells and may reduce the cost of researching new spells or magic items.

When casting a spell, if desired, knowledge of Aleph may be woven into the magic. The caster may choose one of the following effects to apply, if the skill roll is successful (consequences of failure for the attempt are also listed):

• Increased Range: The range of a spell may be increased by ten percent times the margin of success. Failure reduces the range by ten percent times the margin of failure. If the range is reduced to zero or less, treat it as a spell requiring a melee attack. Touch only spells do not benefit from this.
• Extended Duration: The duration of a spell may be extended by ten percent times the margin of success, (maximum of +50%). Failure reduces the duration by ten percent times the margin of failure (maximum -50%). Permanent and instantaneous spells do not benefit.
• Reduced Resistance: The subject of the spell has a penalty to their resistance rolls equal to the margin of success, (maximum -3). Failure gives a bonus to the resistance roll equal to the margin of failure (maximum +3). Spells without resistance rolls do not benefit.
• Reduced Casting Time: Casting time may be reduced by ten percent times the margin of success. This may not reduce the casting time below one second. Failure increases casting time by a like amount.

The decision to use Aleph must be made before casting begins. The skill roll is made just before the spell is begun and any failure must be followed through; the caster doesn't realize they've screwed up until they're done. The GM may choose to make these rolls privately, simply informing the player of the results when the spell goes off.

Failure to use Aleph properly hinders the spell's effects (as above) and strains the caster's voice, due to the difficult pronunciation. Any further use of Aleph within 1d hours will require an HT-6 roll to avoid losing one's voice for 1d days.

Critical failure of an Aleph roll ruins the spell and causes the caster to lose their voice for at least 1d days. Make a HT-4 roll. On a failure, the loss is permanent.

Aleph can also be used to reduce the monetary cost of researching new spells or magical items. On a successful roll, it reduces the cost by 20%. On a critical failure, add 20% to the time required, as the mage inadvertently went down a research path that wasn't useful.