In the old days of Autumnavia, the Karmagans spoke two different languages which acted as barriers between social castes. The "Rich" language is known as the Old Language. It was a very extravagant language, as it allowed for easy invention of words using central roots and prefixes. Words were invented often, and came in went like trendy clothing. It was unnecessarily descriptive, putting an emphasis on adjectives. It was because of it's flowery frivolity and constantly evolving nature that is was only used by the wealthy. In contrast, the "Poor" language was politely called the Simple Language. It lived up to it's name, it was very easy to pick up and it used as few words as possible, putting emphasis on broad, open words whose meanings were mostly determined by context.
As Karmagan culture evolved, the line between the Lower and Upper class began to blur, and use of the Old Language began to decrease as the Simple Tongue was used in business. Eventually, the Old Language died out entirely, and the Simple Language evolved into the Karmagans primary tongue. It had improved and changed quite a bit over hundreds of years and began to resemble the language spoken by most of the universe. It was called the Common Language.
But there was one more language, oldest of all. It was spoken by the Spirits, specifically the Enforcers, Revokers, and Witches. It was called the Tree Language as it was first used by the Spirits of the Trees. The Tree Language is different from most, it is not just a tool of communication but can be used by magic. The Tree Language itself IS magic, it gives form to magic through structure. The words themselves are not magic, but if any type of magical energy is put behind it, the words give the magic shape, making them material actions.
Thus, magic in Autumnavia is practiced through the Tree Language. With a source of power and knowledge of words, magic can be used. If one has some type of Soul, that acts as the power source for the Language to work, but as most Karmagans don't have Souls this is not often used. Instead, Words are powered by things with magical properties, most specifically, sap or blood from the Spirits, or Autumnavia soil or water or any number of things. Some Karmagans turn spiritual fluids into a dye and tattoo themselves in the Tree Language, providing powers without having to speak. Others write books or just pages with magic ink. Anyone with an advanced knowledge of the Tree Language can make spells, provided they have a powerful enough source.
