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A community for the dragon language of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

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Dovahzul Riddle Contest

March 2, 2015

A hint to lost treasure, a warning for trespassers, a joke told over a mug of ale - a riddle can be many things. For this contest, your challenge is to write a riddle in the dragon language. Winning entries will be featured in a collection here in the Library. You don’t need to be a member to enter, but if you are there’s a ​ 120 gold prize for the top 3 entries.

Here is an example of what your entry could look like:

Viing ved ol vulon,
bahlok alun unslaad,
drun daan nau ven,
ag voth frin
fah slen ahrk mindol.
Wo los zu'u?

Wings black as night,
hunger ever unending,
bringing doom on the wind,
burning with eagerness
for flesh and trickery.
Who am I?

Answer: Ruvaak, a raven

The beginning lines conjure the image of Alduin, and the word frin has a double meaning of either “heat” or “eagerness” that doesn’t become clear until the last line. Alduin is not known for eating flesh or for trickery, so our black-winged creature must be a raven.

For other examples of riddles, see this wiki article on Anglo-Saxon Riddles, or for an example from The Elder Scrolls, see The Yellow Book of Riddles.

Contest Entry Guidelines

The best entries will feature poetic elements such as rhythm, alliteration, or rhyme, and use wordplay and double meaning to their advantage. There are some grammatical elements that are avoided in Dovahzul because they can be vague or misleading without good context. Using these elements to trick the reader are highly encouraged here.

Riddles should be anywhere between 10-100 words in length. A riddle may be longer or shorter if necessary. Entries can cover any subject matter, but try to refrain from any explicit material. Submit text only.

You may use existing riddles for inspiration. However, don’t simply translate an English riddle into Dovahzul. The best entries will be ones that are written originally for the dragon language and use it to its fullest potential.

You can send your entry in a private message to paarthurnax or send it in the body of an email to [email protected] with the subject line: Dovahzul Riddle Contest.  In this message/email, please provide:

  • Your Dovahzul riddle
  • An English translation
  • The answer to the riddle, in both Dovahzul and English
  • The name, pen name, username, or blog url you would like to be listed as the author of your entry

The contest will be open for entries until Friday, March 20th. Pruzah pel!



DovahKiinZaan
March 2, 2015

I'm entering, but I must say one thing first... RAVEN!!!

by DovahKiinZaan
March 2, 2015

I'm entering, but I must say one thing first... RAVEN!!!


Mahlaansaviik
March 3, 2015

Any chance that the answers to the winners' riddles can be hidden in someway? I'd love to try the figure the answers out without them being spoiled.

by Mahlaansaviik
March 3, 2015

Any chance that the answers to the winners' riddles can be hidden in someway? I'd love to try the figure the answers out without them being spoiled.


paarthurnax
Administrator
March 3, 2015
Mahlaansaviik

Any chance that the answers to the winners' riddles can be hidden in someway? I'd love to try the figure the answers out without them being spoiled.

Yes! In the final Library publication, the answers will be separate from the riddles.

by paarthurnax
March 3, 2015
Mahlaansaviik

Any chance that the answers to the winners' riddles can be hidden in someway? I'd love to try the figure the answers out without them being spoiled.

Yes! In the final Library publication, the answers will be separate from the riddles.


Kroren
March 3, 2015

I would enter, but I don't think i'd fare well... I don't know the language fluent enough ;_; and I don't wanna rely completley on the dictionary/translator. I've been busy with other things I havent had enough time to set aside and continue the memrise course. krosis... maybe the next contest -_-

by Kroren
March 3, 2015

I would enter, but I don't think i'd fare well... I don't know the language fluent enough ;_; and I don't wanna rely completley on the dictionary/translator. I've been busy with other things I havent had enough time to set aside and continue the memrise course. krosis... maybe the next contest -_-


Elderscrollsreader
March 4, 2015

Yay somewhere I can express my inner dovah!!!!

by Elderscrollsreader
March 4, 2015

Yay somewhere I can express my inner dovah!!!!


paarthurnax
Administrator
March 5, 2015

Something I think I should clarify about the poetic elements, these should exist in the Dovahzul version of the riddle, not the English translation. I've seen a few entries where the English translation rhymes, but the actual Dovahzul doesn't. If you manage to rhyme in both, that's impressive, but remember - the focus here is on the Dovahzul writing!

Rhyme isn't a requirement, either. There are other poetic elements such as rhythm and alliteration that are easier to work with. The contest is open for another few weeks still, so if you've already submitted an entry and come up with an idea for a better one, you're more than welcome to resubmit.

by paarthurnax
March 5, 2015

Something I think I should clarify about the poetic elements, these should exist in the Dovahzul version of the riddle, not the English translation. I've seen a few entries where the English translation rhymes, but the actual Dovahzul doesn't. If you manage to rhyme in both, that's impressive, but remember - the focus here is on the Dovahzul writing!

Rhyme isn't a requirement, either. There are other poetic elements such as rhythm and alliteration that are easier to work with. The contest is open for another few weeks still, so if you've already submitted an entry and come up with an idea for a better one, you're more than welcome to resubmit.


Elderscrollsreader
March 5, 2015

I've made mine I think it is good but is it good enough to win top 3 let's hope.

by Elderscrollsreader
March 5, 2015

I've made mine I think it is good but is it good enough to win top 3 let's hope.


[deleted]
March 5, 2015

Uhh, I dunno if I NEED to post here to sign up, but rather safe than sorry. I already emailed admin my riddle thingy.

by [deleted]
March 5, 2015

Uhh, I dunno if I NEED to post here to sign up, but rather safe than sorry. I already emailed admin my riddle thingy.


Vulkulle
March 6, 2015

So... Do limericks count as riddles?

 

Love me some limericks.

by Vulkulle
March 6, 2015

So... Do limericks count as riddles?

 

Love me some limericks.


Krent Sil
March 7, 2015

May as well enter. Mine probably isn't a very clever riddle, but no shame in having some fun

by Krent Sil
March 7, 2015

May as well enter. Mine probably isn't a very clever riddle, but no shame in having some fun


Elderscrollsreader
March 7, 2015
Krent Sil

May as well enter. Mine probably isn't a very clever riddle, but no shame in having some fun

You've got a point

by Elderscrollsreader
March 7, 2015
Krent Sil

May as well enter. Mine probably isn't a very clever riddle, but no shame in having some fun

You've got a point


Faal Morokei Dovah Sonaak
March 8, 2015

How do you submit a poem(s) ?

by Faal Morokei Dovah Sonaak
March 8, 2015

How do you submit a poem(s) ?


paarthurnax
Administrator
March 8, 2015

You can send your entry in a private message to paarthurnax or send it in the body of an email to [email protected] with the subject line: Dovahzul Riddle Contest.  In this message/email, please provide:

  • Your Dovahzul riddle
  • An English translation
  • The answer to the riddle, in both Dovahzul and English
  • The name, pen name, username, or blog url you would like to be listed as the author of your entry
by paarthurnax
March 8, 2015

You can send your entry in a private message to paarthurnax or send it in the body of an email to [email protected] with the subject line: Dovahzul Riddle Contest.  In this message/email, please provide:

  • Your Dovahzul riddle
  • An English translation
  • The answer to the riddle, in both Dovahzul and English
  • The name, pen name, username, or blog url you would like to be listed as the author of your entry

BoDuSil
March 8, 2015

Does the dovahzul version have to have the answer right after the dovahzul version of the riddle or does it have to be in the end with the english answer?

by BoDuSil
March 8, 2015

Does the dovahzul version have to have the answer right after the dovahzul version of the riddle or does it have to be in the end with the english answer?


paarthurnax
Administrator
March 8, 2015
BoDuSil

Does the dovahzul version have to have the answer right after the dovahzul version of the riddle or does it have to be in the end with the english answer?

Either or, so long as it's there. I got your entry and it's all good, kogaan!

by paarthurnax
March 8, 2015
BoDuSil

Does the dovahzul version have to have the answer right after the dovahzul version of the riddle or does it have to be in the end with the english answer?

Either or, so long as it's there. I got your entry and it's all good, kogaan!

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