Joined: 01 May 2009 Location: GMT-8 Bangor, Washington
Never make a name too long or complicated that an ally can't type it quickly during unexpected combat, that's my motto. Hard to give commands or warn people if you use their full name sometimes, because some people have names that are waaaaaaaaaaay too long.
_________________ Sir Taelar Ardelyn of Wiltun Winner of the Razor Tongued Award 2015!
Then i guess you wont want to travel with my part blue Dragon, his name was very random and i couldn't really think of anything; Gorithras'thrinixas, heh, but most people only know him as Gor, so it's not too bad.
_________________ Ael'thil Rilyn'tlithar Previously known as: Anubis
Joined: 01 May 2009 Location: GMT-8 Bangor, Washington
2k8ste wrote:
Then i guess you wont want to travel with my part blue Dragon, his name was very random and i couldn't really think of anything; Gorithras'thrinixas, heh, but most people only know him as Gor, so it's not too bad.
What I meant to say is, if you don't like nicknames, don't make a name that is too long to say in a very short period of time because that usually leads to nicknames.
Another fun way to come up with names is look for alternative spellings of real names, or spelling of names backwards. I have had several characters that had names that were uncommon or odd ways of spelling normal names (Taelar=Taylor) or middle or first names spelled backwards (Sacul=Lucas).
_________________ Sir Taelar Ardelyn of Wiltun Winner of the Razor Tongued Award 2015!
Xaviera's name is a joke (which I have explained elsewhere) but hopefully not such an obvious one (except for the 3 X's). I never use generators for my names, and I particularly would not use the Amia generator because I'd end up with the same name as someone else, past or future.
Her daughter Xina has nothing to do with the TV character Xeena - the two girls' names (Xina & Selina) are just remixed variants of their mothers' (Lina & Xavi).
My druid/AA Mariha Feral (accent on the last syllable, feh-RAHL) is definitely derived from 'feral' = 'wild'. The first name is unrelated to the song 'They call the wind Maria' but is pronounced the same way (Mah-RYE-ah), as in the singer Mariah Carey (also unrelated except for the sound).
I would frankly refuse to RP with anyone who had an obvious joke name like Spamwise or Tom Dikenairi or some such.
There's a PC with the name of a famous actress that makes me cringe whenever I see it because of the anachronism (not that I have anything against the person or even know them).
_________________ ~Sharess on AmiaWiki~ Priestess, politician, prostitute "[They] were moving in on me like Sharessans on a new broad in the bath house" - Tracer Bolt AmiaWiki mod (mostly inactive)
think of all the names you can. Write a program in whatever programming language you prefer. Put them through an array represent numbers if you want and let the computer decide for you since you are playing a computer game. You can do this even when you "trying" to win a 6 digit lottery with boundaries condition of course. I recommend to only do this if you are bored and frustrated with picking names
_________________ "There is no point in training and working hard if you don't appreciate the water, trees, birds and all living things around you"
Using Jesus as part of your name is pretty iffy. There's no rational reason for it, inherent in the name itself, but rather how the vast majority of people will react to it. The unfortunate thing about dealing with other people is that you have to actually give a damn about them. Some different version of Jesus wouldn't be quite so obvious and provocative. Joshua, Jeshua, Iesu, or something clever in good taste. Hesus would refer to both the biblical character and the Gaulish god, which would be an interesting reference to work into the character.
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On Joon, Kjetta wrote:
The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!
I once knew a Mary and - can you believe it - she was a virgin!
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On Joon, Kjetta wrote:
The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!
_________________ ~Sharess on AmiaWiki~ Priestess, politician, prostitute "[They] were moving in on me like Sharessans on a new broad in the bath house" - Tracer Bolt AmiaWiki mod (mostly inactive)
As long as I don't see Billy Mayes, the master merchant, around Cordor typing in all caps telling me how Kaboom can give my shield that just forged shine, I'm good.
_________________ I sleep with the Libris Mortis under my pillow.
---Carstina Blackweave--- Speaker of Tarkuul Headmistress of the Magisterium Mortis
Jesus is a common name because of the historical figure, not because every Galilean and his father was named Jesus a couple thousand years ago - the spread of Catholicism throughout the Romantic-language-speaking countries in Western Europe (Spain, Portugal, England, etc), combined with the cultural tendency to name one's child after an important figure / a figure a parent would want their child to be akin to.
If you named your character Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha, Yaweh, Siddartha, Moses, or any other name which blatantly represents an important religious figure, you are stepping on people's toes - intentionally. It's bad taste. Very bad taste.
Example: Incognito's comment about "Can I make a cleric and name him Jesus?" is obviously an attempt at humor. That humor would go over well, I'm sure, if nobody that played Amia was a Christian. However, some amount of the playerbase most likely is Christian, and as such, the joke would come off as crass and tastelees.
As long as I don't see Billy Mayes, the master merchant, around Cordor typing in all caps telling me how Kaboom can give my shield that just forged shine, I'm good.
HI I'M BARRY SCOTT. HAD A LONG DIRTY DAY ADVENTURING? DON'T WORRY CILLIT BANG WILL CLEAN THE DIRT OFF YOUR SHIELD, IN JUST ONE SQUIRT. *squirts shield, waits twenty seconds, before wiping the foam off* BANG! AND THE DIRT IS GONE!
_________________
Man, this account is over 10 years old. Where do I get my old man beard?
As long as I don't see Billy Mayes, the master merchant, around Cordor typing in all caps telling me how Kaboom can give my shield that just forged shine, I'm good.
HI I'M BARRY SCOTT. HAD A LONG DIRTY DAY ADVENTURING? DON'T WORRY CILLIT BANG WILL CLEAN THE DIRT OFF YOUR SHIELD, IN JUST ONE SQUIRT. *squirts shield, waits twenty seconds, before wiping the foam off* BANG! AND THE DIRT IS GONE!
I love that commercial.
"It cleans rust on your garden hose!" Which is made out of plastic! *facepalm*
_________________ "Most assume that all the followers of Lathander are great morning people. They're very wrong." "I think we are the only group where AD&D stands for Attention Deficit Disorder."
As long as I don't see Billy Mayes, the master merchant, around Cordor typing in all caps telling me how Kaboom can give my shield that just forged shine, I'm good.
HI I'M BARRY SCOTT. HAD A LONG DIRTY DAY ADVENTURING? DON'T WORRY CILLIT BANG WILL CLEAN THE DIRT OFF YOUR SHIELD, IN JUST ONE SQUIRT. *squirts shield, waits twenty seconds, before wiping the foam off* BANG! AND THE DIRT IS GONE!
I DESPISE THAT MAN!
That Ad is too annoying... i think he will be the person whose head i tear off over not yet having a Tattoo.
*Rags Barry's head off* BANG AND THE HEAD IS GONE!
_________________ Ael'thil Rilyn'tlithar Previously known as: Anubis
As long as I don't see Billy Mayes, the master merchant, around Cordor typing in all caps telling me how Kaboom can give my shield that just forged shine, I'm good.
HI I'M BARRY SCOTT. HAD A LONG DIRTY DAY ADVENTURING? DON'T WORRY CILLIT BANG WILL CLEAN THE DIRT OFF YOUR SHIELD, IN JUST ONE SQUIRT. *squirts shield, waits twenty seconds, before wiping the foam off* BANG! AND THE DIRT IS GONE!
I DESPISE THAT MAN!
That Ad is too annoying... i think he will be the person whose head i tear off over not yet having a Tattoo.
*Rags Barry's head off* BANG AND THE HEAD IS GONE!
Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Location: ANU, behind the coffee mug (+10 GMT)
Champion of Helm wrote:
Uncle-Opustus wrote:
Jesus is a common name, go for it.
Jesus is a common name because of the historical figure, not because every Galilean and his father was named Jesus a couple thousand years ago - the spread of Catholicism throughout the Romantic-language-speaking countries in Western Europe (Spain, Portugal, England, etc), combined with the cultural tendency to name one's child after an important figure / a figure a parent would want their child to be akin to.
If you named your character Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha, Yaweh, Siddartha, Moses, or any other name which blatantly represents an important religious figure, you are stepping on people's toes - intentionally. It's bad taste. Very bad taste.
For the record, the names Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are all common because of historical figures (I'm sure I don't need to finish the list). Similarly Michael named after an arch-angel, Julia/n after the Julii house of the Roman Republic, a variation on Jove (i.e. God), Damien after some cleric or another.
And Mohammed doesn't nearly come close to blatantly representing an important religious figure unless you make him a cleric espousing one god or call him Mahomat (sp?) - it is a very common name.
That said, I don't like to see the more common names either, and certainly none of those you listed - I just disagree with your reasoning, not your contention.
_________________ 2009's Second Most Overall Contributing Player
Rant: Im getting sick of people using cannon names from Lore I just saw a person today *looks at the time* ok yesterday named after one of the lords of Hell they just added another letter to the name. Hope the DMs deal with it soon : /
That being said I like some of the funny names that are witty but dont pull me from the fantasy too much and yes I agree with Ruce on elf/drow names why do you think I call Nal'dorl Istrar Xull'd'Vharcan... Nal.... XD
_________________ Must I at length the Sword of Justice draw? Oh curst Effects of necessary Law! How ill my Fear they by my Mercy scan, Beware the Fury of a Patient Man -John Dryden, 1681
Rant: Im getting sick of people using cannon names from Lore I just saw a person today *looks at the time* ok yesterday named after one of the lords of Hell they just added another letter to the name. Hope the DMs deal with it soon : /
Nope. That's brilliant and I'd like to see more of it. That's how people are named in the real world, too: after other people, oftentimes important historical or religious figures, contemporary celebrities or previous family members. Mary and names derived of the same origin are the most common female names in the world (or at least the Christian world). To me, it makes perfect sense that, similarly, children in the Realms would be named after famous figures. I bet there's a bunch of young Eltargrims running around the elven woods of Faerûn, many Cormyreans named after the first king Faerlthann, and a boom of Tethyrian baby girls named Zaranda, the queen chosen by the people of Tethyr. And so on.
I prefer one of the three: made-up nonsense names (like all of my own), clever puns and obscure references (many examples of which have been given) or borrowed, modified versions of canon names that have IC relevance. (Moon Elf Brighthope Eltargrim Duskarrow, referring to the parent's hope for restored elven glory on Faerûn, both in Brighthope and Eltargrim, for example.)
And I agree with Yurell. We know how people will react to certain names, we know whether they're iffy or not. We don't need complicated rational justifications, we simply understand it by virtue of being raised in roughly the same culture.
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On Joon, Kjetta wrote:
The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!
Rant: Im getting sick of people using cannon names from Lore I just saw a person today *looks at the time* ok yesterday named after one of the lords of Hell they just added another letter to the name. Hope the DMs deal with it soon : /
Nope. That's brilliant and I'd like to see more of it. That's how people are named in the real world, too: after other people, oftentimes important historical or religious figures, contemporary celebrities or previous family members. Mary and names derived of the same origin are the most common female names in the world (or at least the Christian world). To me, it makes perfect sense that, similarly, children in the Realms would be named after famous figures. I bet there's a bunch of young Eltargrims running around the elven woods of Faerûn, many Cormyreans named after the first king Faerlthann, and a boom of Tethyrian baby girls named Zaranda, the queen chosen by the people of Tethyr. And so on.
I prefer one of the three: made-up nonsense names (like all of my own), clever puns and obscure references (many examples of which have been given) or borrowed, modified versions of canon names that have IC relevance. (Moon Elf Brighthope Eltargrim Duskarrow, referring to the parent's hope for restored elven glory on Faerûn, both in Brighthope and Eltargrim, for example.)
And I agree with Yurell. We know how people will react to certain names, we know whether they're iffy or not. We don't need complicated rational justifications, we simply understand it by virtue of being raised in roughly the same culture.
*You think it's brilliant
_________________ Davion Telemos - Monk of the Four Winds Korthan Isharnos - Dragon Shaman of Thunder Spirit Zamasham
The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!
The Flight widget is only given to characters with wings, and it's otherwise a PnP ability. Such an axe would require a request. The obvious sarcasm aside, your question has little relevance to the topic.
_________________
On Joon, Kjetta wrote:
The guy that probably has sexual fantasies about masturbation. I mean, Iron, you're a bookworm nerd that even in your wildest escapism fantasies flee to the internet to play the role of another bookworm nerd? Come on!
Anyways, my opinion re: canonic Lore names. It might make sense for parents to name their children after important people or life events (we see it happen all the time IRL, to our... well, dismay, more than joy, usually.) I don't dispute that it probably happens in the Realms, but personally I think those names have a bit of attachment to them that shouldn't be shoved aside. It comes off as a bit gimmicky, to me. When someone logs in as "Elminster", there's an immediate image that springs to your mind, likely. For him to 'just be a mage whose parents named him for the Old Mage.', well, it comes off a bit odd to me. What about the character concept couldn't be done without you being named Elminster? It's not like anyone's going to accidentally mistake you for the real deal.
The same deal goes for the rest of the canon names. Wulfgar. Drizzt. Khelben Arunsun (Although I really wouldn't mind a PC named "Khelben" as long as he had a different last name. Khelben strikes me as one of those funny 'made up fantasy' names, that is probably even in the random name generator for dwarves or something. I'd personaslly still avoid it though.), so on, so forth. Everyone's got that specific image in mind. Forge your own character, and don't get stuck in the shadows of the FR NPCs.
EDIT: And, well, becoming an adventurer to me is even more reason to change your name! I wouldn't wnat to be known as "The Other Elminster." if i was amage setting out on adventure. I'd change my name.
_________________ Davion Telemos - Monk of the Four Winds Korthan Isharnos - Dragon Shaman of Thunder Spirit Zamasham
I think its funny to make a character with an (in)famous name go around: NO I'AM NOT THAT ONE! LEAVE ME ALONE FOR CYRICS SAKE! Though I am sure it has been done already.
Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
IronAngel wrote:
I prefer one of the three: made-up nonsense names (like all of my own), clever puns and obscure references (many examples of which have been given) or borrowed, modified versions of canon names that have IC relevance.
The problem with this, is what qualifies as obscure? I guarantee you that if I go to work and ask all 300 fellow staff members where the name "Atreyu" comes from, not a single one of them will get it. (Despite there being a band with that name, and it being the name of one of the primary characters from The Neverending Story, and likely other popular-culture uses of it).
Actually, if I asked the same 300 people, maybe 2 or 3 of them will likely even know about The Neverending Story being a movie.
So does that mean I can name a character Atreyu? Is it obscure enough? And if it is obscure enough to you, does that mean it's obscure enough to everyone else? At what point do you draw the line? At what point does every other dm draw the line. When I was DM, I *did* see an Atreyu. Granted, it also had a last name made up from names in the movie, so it was really as blatant a reference as one could have. But I made them change it, because to me, it isn't obscure at all. I'd love to use the name (and i don't generally give me characters last names, so it'd just be "Atreyu"). But I see it as being against the rules.
Really, I don't want to have to run any name i come up with past dm's to see if it counts as obscure enough to be used. My view was always that if it's recognisable as being from a movie, or a band, or some other popular culture reference, it shouldn't be used, barring such names as Mike, or such, which on their own don't automatically point to a specific reference, without a last name to go with it. (ie/ Mike would be fine, but add on Tyson or Jackson, for example, and it'd be a definite no.)
if it's a popular culture name, in my view it should be so heavily modified so as to not be immediately recognisable as such.
_________________ Role with the Punches...
Elan: A 10% chance is pretty unlikely, but everyone knows that a one-in-a-million chance is a sure thing!
Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Location: The City of Fallen Angels, Ca
i dunno about that... it opens up a big can of worms where we'll see a bunch of Tyrs, Torms, Helms, Lathanders, Banes, Loviatars and Cyrics. I'd hate to see that... at least have them be approved by DMs so that they actually have substance, a good background story as to why.
Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Location: Land of the Scorching Sun, Empowered by Global Warming
I admit that two of my PCs (well, three, if I count the dragon familiar) have names taken from games and books, and it's probably obvious to some players (if not all):
Auron, from Final Fantasy 10 - Is my Drow Dragon Disciple + Sorcerer + Blackguard. Not a Samurai despite the awful strength provided by DDness. But he actually has a drow name that he hates and only ~one~ drow know. So, "Auron" is kind of a nickname. He would never say his real name and the only time he mentioned it, he was drunk. *coughs*
Zell, from Final Fantasy 8 - Auron's shadow dragon familiar, a "very young" dragon. However, I added two draconic words after, making it a big name and that means Shadow Eye (Zellsjachsauriv or something). Too lazy to check it now.
Rizzen was taken because he was my first drow character and I had no idea of a name. I remembered that short-lived character in Salvatore's book and took it, exactly because that character was not important and I saw that name as a common name in one of the following sourcebooks: Drow of the Underdark or Forgotten Realms Underdark. Not sure which.
Then there was Daniel, the name of an angel and that I used first to a NPC paladin in the background story of one of my characters. Yep, Angel = Holy. Paladins = Holy. Later it became the name of my other PC, the cursed dragon, as a way to honour the memory of the dead NPC paladin. And because his draconic name is huge. While it can be shortened to "Daos", I try not to use it IC because "Daos" is in NWN's name generator and it was from there that he got his draconic name, which I just randomly added letters that would sound gutural and hissing and... whatever: Daoskinaxarijikkym.
May'Une was taken from one of those drow naming sites. I picked two words and added them to form a name.
Valkirya was originally thought because she was meant to be an Arcane Archer. In my mind, some sort of female warrior, which reminded me of the valkyries in Norse Mythology. But it also happens to be a rare brazilian name.
Helena I caught because it could be shortened to "Hel".
I don't think that kind of naming was ever a problem, especially because the characters (especially Auron, Zell and Rizzen) have different personalities from the original ones.
But it could be changed for the sake of following rules.
_________________ BlackDahlya
Once Upon A Time Played Adr'ael Ken'rahel, Auron Teken’ath, Aurora Mesodias, 'Daniel' Daoskinaxarijikkym, Eilin'ira, Helena Rios, Layla Faircurrent, May'Une Do'Ndar, Mellinda Tellus, Michael of Cliffside, Rizzen of Twilight, Valkirya d'Claddath
...Auron, from Final Fantasy 10 - Is my Drow Dragon Disciple + Sorcerer + Blackguard. Not a Samurai despite the awful strength provided by DDness. But he actually has a drow name that he hates and only ~one~ drow know. So, "Auron" is kind of a nickname. He would never say his real name and the only time he mentioned it, he was drunk. *coughs*
Meh. I'm iffy about this example, and for two reasons - one being opinion, and one being cannon lore. Primarily, I don't like the idea of an "Auron" running about, simply because that name is not a common one (at least, not in any languages I know) and is a fairly blatant reference. If I ran about with a Cloud or a Squall... what then?
Joined: 17 May 2007 Location: In Ur Theatre, Mixing Ur Sounds (+12gmt)
IronAngel wrote:
The Flight widget is only given to characters with wings, and it's otherwise a PnP ability. Such an axe would require a request. The obvious sarcasm aside, your question has little relevance to the topic.
It wa a sarcastic question that some may understand what I am reffering to.
Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Location: Land of the Scorching Sun, Empowered by Global Warming
Champion of Helm wrote:
BlackDahlya wrote:
...Auron, from Final Fantasy 10 - Is my Drow Dragon Disciple + Sorcerer + Blackguard. Not a Samurai despite the awful strength provided by DDness. But he actually has a drow name that he hates and only ~one~ drow know. So, "Auron" is kind of a nickname. He would never say his real name and the only time he mentioned it, he was drunk. *coughs*
Meh. I'm iffy about this example, and for two reasons - one being opinion, and one being cannon lore. Primarily, I don't like the idea of an "Auron" running about, simply because that name is not a common one (at least, not in any languages I know) and is a fairly blatant reference. If I ran about with a Cloud or a Squall... what then?
Second - elves can't get drunk.
Forgive me for not being a loremonkey. Last time I checked, you didn't need to be one to play Amia. Everyone knows that elves don't sleep and some people like to have their elves sleep from time to time.
Does it ruin immersion and RP? Not last time I checked.
As for Auron, no players nor DMs ever seen bothered by the name. Actually, you are the first to have said you didn't like it and see it as a blatant example.
EDIT: Actually, I think Numbers was the only other person to have noticed the name.
_________________ BlackDahlya
Once Upon A Time Played Adr'ael Ken'rahel, Auron Teken’ath, Aurora Mesodias, 'Daniel' Daoskinaxarijikkym, Eilin'ira, Helena Rios, Layla Faircurrent, May'Une Do'Ndar, Mellinda Tellus, Michael of Cliffside, Rizzen of Twilight, Valkirya d'Claddath
Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Location: ANU, behind the coffee mug (+10 GMT)
On that note, elves apparently don't scar either, according to a 2e sourcebook entirely on elves whose name I don't remember but was quoted to me.
But do my elves scar - yes. And I really don't care.
_________________ 2009's Second Most Overall Contributing Player
On that note, elves apparently don't scar either, according to a 2e sourcebook entirely on elves whose name I don't remember but was quoted to me. But do my elves scar - yes. And I really don't care.
It seems like the only way to play an interesting and well written (for lack of better words) elf is to ignore the countless lore about how perfect and flawless they all are.
_________________ "Prepare to embrace your creators in the stygian haunts of hell, barbarian", gasped the first soldier. "Only after you have kissed the fleeting stead of death, wretch!" returned Grignr.
The enthused barbarian swivelled about.
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