Recently, I've seen the server rules regarding character names being stretched further and further. When does a character name stop representing the character, and instead serves as an OOC description of the character, or something else?
"Sub-zero", "Lu Bu", "Bane". "Deathmaster the Untouchable" and "Lord Thomas" are all examples of names that are forbidded by the server rules.
Yet daily I see several new characters named in similar ways. It seems as if it's accepted as long as the name isn't the same as any of those used as examples in the rules.
Examples of names I've seen recently, that, depending on how you wish to interpetrate it, violates the rule are;
"-Trey-", "Big Red", "Assassin".
Now, I'm not saying that those who play the characters with the mentioned names are bad role players, or bad in any other sense either. I've for example RP'ed with "-Trey-" myself, and considers him as a good guy OOC and a very capable RP'er.
But where is the line drawn for this rule?
It seems as if the opinions differ a great deal within the community. Which isn't shocking when you come to think of it, since Amia after all has players that came to Amia from both action servers and hardcore RP servers.
I also decided to include a poll, that's meant to find out just how many of you consider "Big Red" as a valid character name.
The reason I do this, is that when I tried to point out in the entry, in-game, that it wasn't a valid character name, quite a few felt the opposite.
On the one hand Big Red is a tasty cinnamon flavored chewing gum, on the other it could be a large person who blushes a lot, or a tall native american, or a portly communist.
Anyway, I think it seems like more of a nickname, and would rather see it in quotes like: John "Big Red" Doe or something. If the player has a good reason for the name, then I think it's okay, like it's his tribal name or something for an Uthgardt.
I had a character named "Neutrality" once, and a DM told me it was fine. I don't see how Big Red is against the rules, it's not a title or a name of a famous character as far as I know.
And Mago, you say you don't think people who use those names are bad roleplayers, yet you felt the need to inform the player of "Big Red" that this is a roleplay server. What is this if it's not an implication that they're a bad roleplayer?
_________________ Born to a [wealth level] family, you spent your early years doing [early activity] in [town type]. Your father was [father status], while your mother was [mother status]. You left your homeland at the age of [chosen age], seeking [reason for leaving].
I had a character named "Neutrality" once, and a DM told me it was fine. I don't see how Big Red is against the rules, it's not a title or a name of a famous character as far as I know.
And Mago, you say you don't think people who use those names are bad roleplayers, yet you felt the need to inform the player of "Big Red" that this is a roleplay server. What is this if it's not an implication that they're a bad roleplayer?
The server name rule is there because it -is- a role play server. I doubt it would have been there if it was not. So no, it wasn't meant to imply that they are bad role players, but to point out the reason the server rule is there in the first place.
Several of those in the entry didn't seem to understand the reasoning behind the rule.
The server name rule is there because it -is- a role play server. I doubt it would have been there if it was not. So no, it wasn't meant to imply that they are bad role players, but to point out the reason the server rule is there in the first place.
Several of those in the entry didn't seem to understand the reasoning behind the rule.
Alrighty, I misunderstood you then, harhar.
_________________ Born to a [wealth level] family, you spent your early years doing [early activity] in [town type]. Your father was [father status], while your mother was [mother status]. You left your homeland at the age of [chosen age], seeking [reason for leaving].
As disco mentioned IC nicknames, those could be nicnames. Like our beloved Schnitzel: Could we even imagine to meet someone whose first name was Schnitzel? BUT! If he was a bit overgrown and all and his friends were German or know some German they could invent a nickname for him, like "Schnitzel". Bubba "Schnitzel" Nixon, for example.
_________________ Characters: Hunar Iroff, The red-bearded, grumpy dwarf with a bastard sword. Chair of Military Issues Daren Sten, High Inquisitor of the Eternal Order of Kelemvor on Amia
With Leeloo, I'm not entirely sure if her name was against the rules. Are we allowed to have characters named after a character in a movie, show, comic, videogame, etc?
Leeloo is in the Fifth Element for all that don't know.
Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
An aside note on names:
DEAR GOD DON'T USE QUOTES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
Makes tells impossible, because the name the tell is going to is already inside quotes, so putting quotes in your name ends the initial quotes and causes an invalid player name result on the tell. Makes it that you'd have to send the tell by login name instead, which is impossible if you don't know it.
Use anything but quotes if you absolutely have to have your nickname or whatever actually written in your name.
_________________ 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: 02 Sep 2005 Location: I'm not sure, but sure as hell I invented it.
What about two exact names? I've noticed two Drins. Isn't that against the rules as well? They are exactly alike in the name. And both are halflings...
_________________ Scared?
Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
Caligynephobia: Fear of beautiful women.
Dikephobia: Fear of justice.
That's all them. There might even be something interesting behind it when you get down to it and talk at length with them. There's a difference between roleplaying similarly, and trying to steal another players char concept. They may be perfectly fine with it, or perhaps even planned it. On the other hand if there was another Theos Gend out there, who was playing an Elven druid with exact details as the current, I'd imagine that Funiculus would be unhappy with it, and we'd ask the pretender to stop.
Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Location: I'm not sure, but sure as hell I invented it.
What if I knew one of these people in real life, and I know for sure they have no idea who the other one is, and was just lazy and did a random name generator.
_________________ Scared?
Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
Caligynephobia: Fear of beautiful women.
Dikephobia: Fear of justice.
It took the memory of that nerdy chap singing the Big Red theme tune in the fun teen eye-candy rom-com 'Get Over It' before I realised it's a brand of chewing gum.
Best I have ever seen was the *dum dum dum* Avatar of Death!(yesterday) He never spoke anything and didn't respond to people telling about name rules
That's nothin', I once saw a half-orc named Bilbo Baggins.
_________________ Born to a [wealth level] family, you spent your early years doing [early activity] in [town type]. Your father was [father status], while your mother was [mother status]. You left your homeland at the age of [chosen age], seeking [reason for leaving].
How about Houdini? or Justin Time? I've seen a lot of strange names that I don't agree with, but I'm not going to make them change their name either.
Justin Time. Heh. I'm not sure if that's from something, but it's a bad pun and I do like terrible puns. On the subject of names... I know someone named James Bond, though he uses his middle name.... and honest to god, there was a Robin Hood back in middle school that lived in a housing development called Sherwood Forest. Poor kid.
Last edited by Jen on Thu, Dec 22 2005, 22:25 PM, edited 1 time in total.
There are old characters with odd names too, so you can't always blame new players for thinking that it's alright. Not to single anyone out (well, actually..), but Halen Van? Stuff like that is easily as borderline as some of the things mentioned in this thread so far.
_________________ Talking monkey, yeah. Came here from the future. Ugly sucker. Only says, "ficus".
And we do have a Michael Romeo. It doesn't really bother me, but if we're talking about forbidden names.. (And for those who don't know, he's a famous prog metal guitarrist, plays in Symphony X)
And as far as Big Red goes, I think he's a half-orc, and it wouldn't be impossible of for orcs to name a big red person "Big Red".
_________________
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!
And we do have a Michael Romeo. It doesn't really bother me, but if we're talking about forbidden names.. (And for those who don't know, he's a famous prog metal guitarrist, plays in Symphony X) And as far as Big Red goes, I think he's a half-orc, and it wouldn't be impossible of for orcs to name a big red person "Big Red".
The legend himself. That be I, but he's not ~that~ famous and such..
_________________ "People that talk in metaphors ought to shampoo my crotch." - Jack Nicholson.
I Was extremly surprized when "Leggomi Eggolas" was not confronted about his(her) name(tell me if he was ) or told to change it. It obviously refers to both the brand name of a delicoius waffle line and to the Tolkien Character "Legolas," not to mention it also follows suite with the famous "leggo my eggo." Since his(her) character is a elven ranger the legolas allusion is doubbly strong. Not sure if he(she) roleplays his(her) character fine but reading his(her) bio made me double over in pain as I saw multiple references to breakfeast and if I am not mistaken even a breakfeat forest. If the DMs are fine I can only rant but I would like it if we could tighten up on character nbames. Things like that ruins RP and I find them COMPLETELY devoid of any humor.
~The Phantom
You are kidding us, right? I must say that your description of all the facets of Leggomi's name makes me only love him more. But then again, I think I have the most commented on name of you all. Maybe I should force myself to change, lol.
Having observed Leggomi from a distance dozens of times, I can attest to the fact that he is a fine role player despite any negative first impressions that may be drawn from his name.
Justin Time. Heh. I'm not sure if that's from something, but it's a bad pun and I do like terrible puns. On the subject of names... I know someone named James Bond, though he uses his middle name.... and honest to god, there was a Robin Hood in back in middle school that lived in a housing development called Sherwood Forest. Poor kid.
Justin Time is a used auto salesman's trade name, where I live. And he runs... Justin Time, Inc. It's maybe from that, can't be sure.
I knew a Michael Hunt who used to like to be called Mike. If I was him, I would have changed my name by depoll. Also, to anyone who knows crappy British music from the early eighties, I have a cousin who changed his name to Shakin' Stevens. First name Shakin', second name Stevens. My mother's side of the family is a bit, erm, throwbacky?
Hey, no one answered my question on the first page.
Anyway, a few months ago I saw someone with a character called... dun dun dun! Drizzt do Urden. Suffice to say, I gave him the drow naming website and helped him make a new char before someone tried to tear him a new one. Right after he made his new character, Olath'Orbb recruited him. XD
Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Location: Oregon ('OR-ə-gən') [-8 GMT]
Phantom-D wrote:
I Was extremly surprized when "Leggomi Eggolas" was not confronted about his(her) name(tell me if he was ) or told to change it. It obviously refers to both the brand name of a delicoius waffle line and to the Tolkien Character "Legolas," not to mention it also follows suite with the famous "leggo my eggo." Since his(her) character is a elven ranger the legolas allusion is doubbly strong. Not sure if he(she) roleplays his(her) character fine but reading his(her) bio made me double over in pain as I saw multiple references to breakfeast and if I am not mistaken even a breakfeat forest. If the DMs are fine I can only rant but I would like it if we could tighten up on character nbames. Things like that ruins RP and I find them COMPLETELY devoid of any humor. ~The Phantom
Looks like the gig is up. Now I'm all sad (And I'm a "He" by the way.)
Yes; I did not take my charachter creation seriously. Honestly; I was just trying to duplicate the Archer I made in BGII. But if anyone really finds that name offensive to them, or thinks it ruins their enjoyable playing time; I'll either change it or give leggy the ol' axe. Not everyone must think that way however; as I've been able to interact with dozens of others with no real problem.
Either they aren't as astute in their ability to pick up on a lame pun; or it doesn't matter to them. If I've caused anyone to "Double over in pain" because of my RP ruining sense of humor (or lack of?); please do let me know. I'd even pay the DC cost to have my name changed; But it shouldn't matter since the name has obviously prevented any meaningful interaction with this charachter; and I should just give up while still slightly behind.
Did I seem angry? Sorry. Feel free to request that I change my name/flame me in PMs.
_________________ Those trees won't burn themselves down. (by Maryn)
Honestly, the name would be fine if he changed the last. Mebbe you should stop taking stuff so seriously? We're here to have fun after all, and Leggomi playes his character well (No, he's nothing like Legolas or... a waffle) and has a few serious plots with him? Besides, half the server doesn't even have a description (myself included,) or keeps the default. They don't mean much, and you shouldn't rely on stuff like that when choosing who to RP with. A lot of times, again myself included, people's first characters are created just to try out a server, but when they find they like it and that they've already gained quite a few levels they don't really feel like changing bios/names/whatever. I honestly don't think they should have a DC cost, because a bio isn't something you should have to work for. :\
_________________
Alanna of Wharftown, Captain of the Hands of Ieriyn
"A soft woman is simply a wolf caught in meditation."
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) or told to change it. It obviously refers to both the brand name of a delicoius waffle line and to the Tolkien Character "Legolas," not to mention it also follows suite with the famous "leggo my eggo." Since his(her) character is a elven ranger the legolas allusion is doubbly strong. Not sure if he(she) roleplays his(her) character fine but reading his(her) bio made me double over in pain as I saw multiple references to breakfeast and if I am not mistaken even a breakfeat forest. If the DMs are fine I can only rant but I would like it if we could tighten up on character nbames. Things like that ruins RP and I find them COMPLETELY devoid of any humor.
