In Morrowind there are little symbols for the different magic effects.

Most of the symbols are selfexplaning. Many symbols contain daedric letters and some of them are really weird.

All effect symbols related to fatigue got an Ekem (Daedric E) in it, which seems logical if translated with endurance. e.g. [img]http://www.uesp.net/w/images/MS_FortifyFatigue.jpg[/img]. All effects with attributes contain an Ayem (A), so this is also logical.

But there are other examples.

All effects related to health got a Q (Quam) in its symbol. [img]http://www.uesp.net/w/images/MS_FortifyHealth.jpg[/img]

All effects related to magicka got U (Yoodt). [img]http://www.uesp.net/w/images/MS_FortifyMagicka.jpg[/img]

Everthing in touch with skills got a N (Neht). [img]http://www.uesp.net/w/images/MS_FortifySkill.jpg[/img]

Then there are other unique symbols. Like Summon Winged Twilight which seems to be made from an unkown letter and a Cess © and a (Quam) Q.

Does anybody know the meaning of these piktograms or are the letters just random?

maybe the spells are not written in English?

I can rule out German as another language. Also my (limited) knowledge of French produces no fitting names.

Are the Ayleid terms for magicka, skill and so on known?

There is no Ayleid term for magicka, just as there is no English term for, say, trees. "Magicka" is itself an Ayleid term. It means "magic".

"Skill", no clue.

I doubt there was a significant (lore-wise at least) basis behind the letter assignments.

lolwut?

Maybe this is something profound. Huh. *rubs chin*

Think of it this way: try asking yourself what the English term for the word "trees" is. Then smack your forehead for asking such a stupid question.

Then consider also all other Tamriel languages (Dwemeri, Dunmeri, ...)

That might make sense, if there were any reason to assume that "magicka" is an Aylied term - the problem being that there is nothing to support that claim (unless of course you can find some source supporting it)...

Av molag anyammis, av latta magicka.
"From fire, life; from light, magic."

And Magicka Loria and Magicka Sila.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Vahtacen%27s_Secret