Asdraia (As.) was the primary language of the Asdraya-Easterlings, belonging to the Ioradya or Firasfrathig linguistic family. It was spoken in the vast steppe regions of West-Central Middle-earth during the Second and Third Ages, where the Asdriag tribes roamed as raiders, horsemen, and warlords, often coming into conflict with the Dúnedain, Northmen, and Khandic peoples.
Asdraia was a harsh and guttural tongue, well-suited for the warlike and nomadic nature of the Asdriags. It was closely related to Odhraia and Kykûrian, and to some extent Varadia, though the latter it diverged significantly due to contact with other steppe cultures, as well as influences from Rhûnic, Variag, and even Black Speech vocabulary.
Asdraia Wordlist[]
- Arsht - tent (pl. "Arshtia")
- Ashkira - Arrowsmiths (an Asdriag tribe)
- Huka - anointed elite warriors
- Hur-hurhudria - Chief-Gods; Guardian-Spirits
- Hur-Iriga - the Lord of Light (generally identified with Eru)
- Hura - Chieftain
- Hurdriak - King of All Tribes
- Huriga - Priestess
- Khia-vôl - evil spirits, Demons
- Khû-mev - valor
- Kor-Sharhaigun - the Black Master (Morgoth)
- Olvath-va - Healer
- Ursh Lanna - defiant Hill
- Vethrig - Sharp-blades (an Asdriag tribe)
Notes[]
Original form in MERP: Asdraja => Asdraia
The Asdraia language, made up the the ICE authors, were spoken mainly in West-Central Middle-earth and are loosely based on old Bulgarian vocabulary.
The origins of the Names of the various Easterling or Haradron cultures and the languages of the Men of the East and Haradrim Languages in Middle-earth Role Playing remain uncertain. Since the Free peoples of the Westlands possessed little knowledge of societies beyond the Sea of Rhûnaer or Umbar, most of the forms used in MERP appear to be exonyms constructed from Quenya and Sindarin elements dating back to the Silmarillion era. The most plausible origins of such names may lie in archaic Avarin, or in Adûnaic influences in the Southwest. Unless otherwise specified, the name forms in the NNCA have been adapted to archaic Avarin/Primitive Quendian.
Editorial Note: This entry contains speculative or fan-based material — such as fanon, fanfiction, or theory constructs — that may not be directly supported by canonical texts. Interpretations offered here are part of the NNCA’s speculative corpus and should not be mistaken for primary Tolkien sources.