| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dennis |
Posted - 01 Oct 2010 : 03:59:30
Do you have any favorite names of FR characters? It doesn't necessarily follow that the characters bearing those names are your favorites as well, for sometimes names just sound nice and even at times provide a tinge of remarkableness to some rather unremarkable characters.
Here are mine:
Laeral, Elminster, Mystryl, Selune, Kelemvor, Lathander, Nevron, and Sylune are all dulcet.
Mystra sounds superhero-ish, a fit name for a Marvel superhero.
Riven, Asmodeus, Rivalen,and Druxus give an impression of toughness. Good thing they live up to their names' implications.
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dennis |
Posted - 01 Nov 2010 : 01:13:44
Thanks THO! I suspected as much. Perhaps it's safe to assume that more than half of the Realmsian names I like are Ed's, and more than of what I dislike, find weird, or simply don't care about aren't his.
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Among the names of places, Urlingwood and Ardeep are on top of my list of beautiful-sounding names.
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New to my list:
Arkaius – It fits the character well. As kingly as it sounds.
Anilya – 'Tis princess-like; not a bad contradiction to the character's nature.
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I've just finished The Shadow Stone, a good book, albeit the story is very predictable at times. Few names in it have easily become my favorites:
Oriseus. It sounds like a god's name. And maybe that's Richard's point, because the Imaskaran archmage is almost as powerful and older than some gods.
Melisanda. Sounds as good as the character herself.
The only name that I don't like in the novel is Dalrioc. It sounds like dayok, a certain food here in the Phil. |
| The Hooded One |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 20:07:51
Larloch is Ed's name; Candlemas, Ioulaum, and Karsus are not. I can spot many non-Ed names a mile off, because they're ugly or inappropriate to a medieval fantasy setting because of real-world associations (a stallion called Avalon? Come ON!), or just "don't sound right."
Ed's names usually do. Ed rarely has hard and fast "rules" for naming, just sounds that recur often, across the names of a particular Realmsian culture.
love,
THO |
| Dennis |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 15:02:52
These are not my favorites, but rather I find strange:
Warian (from the novel Darkvision). Turn the first letter upside down and you'll have Marian. It really sounds too feminine to be a guy's name.
Variance (a Sharan priestess who's ever loyal to Rivalen). Seriously, was Troy or Paul or whoever named her too tired when he had to think of a name for this character? Or perhaps he was doing some math then? Or preparing for a trial? Variance like the square of the standard deviation? Variance like a disagreement between two parts of the same legal proceeding that must be consonant? Variance like a license to do some act contrary to the usual rule? I don't dislike it. I just think it's too weird a name, most specially for a Sharan priestess. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 06:46:08
Hmm, I don't get Candlemas. So, he's named after an Earth holiday?! Huh?! Um, suuuure.... |
| Dennis |
Posted - 31 Oct 2010 : 05:46:50
Another favorite name: Larloch. It sounds tough, 'cool.' It also fits his personality. Did Ed name him himself? Does Ed have some rules too in making Netherese names? I don't like the sound of Karsus, Candlemas, and Ioulaum though. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 22:10:29
That's really cute! LMAO!! Dennis, I'm not sure if that community you mentioned is the same one or not, bu it DOES sound a lot like what I read about. I don't recall the book saying anything about other such settlements, but that could be it. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 19:23:45
quote:
Originally posted by Ananta
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Ananta
http://rom.naurunappula.com/nn/0/280/415/176352.jpg
Just curious...Can you tell me what it is? It won't open – and I already tried 3 browsers (GC, MF, IE).
It's an image; "Hello Cthulhu". Like Hello kitty, but instead of Kitty it's Cthulhu...
Wonder if this works for you:
http://naurunappula.com/176352/hellocthulhujpg.jpg
If not, then it's a bit like this:
http://sneakykitty.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/hello-cthulhu.jpg
Finally I see it. Looks like 1/3 cat, 1/3 illithid, and 1/3 demon. |
| Ananta |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 19:03:45
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Ananta
http://rom.naurunappula.com/nn/0/280/415/176352.jpg
Just curious...Can you tell me what it is? It won't open – and I already tried 3 browsers (GC, MF, IE).
It's an image; "Hello Cthulhu". Like Hello kitty, but instead of Kitty it's Cthulhu...
Wonder if this works for you:
http://naurunappula.com/176352/hellocthulhujpg.jpg
If not, then it's a bit like this:
http://sneakykitty.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/hello-cthulhu.jpg |
| Dennis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 16:20:59
quote:
Originally posted by Ananta
http://rom.naurunappula.com/nn/0/280/415/176352.jpg
Just curious...Can you tell me what it is? It won't open – and I already tried 3 browsers (GC, MF, IE). |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 15:42:50
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Heh... Only a couple of folks will get this, but I just realized that this makes Cthulhu one of the Unseen! 
Thanks Wooly. Now I've got images of the various Great Old Ones as forbidden 'Mechs plaguing my mind. 
I am pleased with myself.  |
| Ananta |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 15:33:21
http://rom.naurunappula.com/nn/0/280/415/176352.jpg |
| Dennis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 10:38:38
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Heh, Well said, dennis- about the language, I mean. I tend to go more on intuition and the general "flavor" of a language, when trying to determine pronunciation. Like how people from Louisiana say "Nawlins" instead of New Orleans. Or New Englanders' "chowdah", lol! I've run across some interesting linguistic forms over the years- like a tiny little island (not far south of you, actually, in the area between Philippines and Malaysia) called Ponapei which is apparently pronounced like Pompei, Italy. Not very logical, unless you look at the rest of the ancient language the name came from. Incidentally, i stumbled across this one when I found a book on the island's ancient "lost city", which was a truly incredible city built COMPLETELY ON WATER!! It was built by using solid blocks of stone as platforms and walkways over the small cove it sat in. The city was called Nan Madal, and no one knows what happened to the people. Sort of like Atlantis. I have since modeled a lost civilization of lizard folk (Dragon Mag. Sea Iguanids) on it.
Nan Madal....Interesting. Actually, if my memory serves right, the earliest settlers in our country, the Malays, built something similar to that somewhere in Mindanao, but it was destroyed during the coming of the Spaniards. 'Twas not a city, but a really huge community. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 08:07:34
Heh, Well said, dennis- about the language, I mean. I tend to go more on intuition and the general "flavor" of a language, when trying to determine pronunciation. Like how people from Louisiana say "Nawlins" instead of New Orleans. Or New Englanders' "chowdah", lol! I've run across some interesting linguistic forms over the years- like a tiny little island (not far south of you, actually, in the area between Philippines and Malaysia) called Ponapei which is apparently pronounced like Pompei, Italy. Not very logical, unless you look at the rest of the ancient language the name came from. Incidentally, i stumbled across this one when I found a book on the island's ancient "lost city", which was a truly incredible city built COMPLETELY ON WATER!! It was built by using solid blocks of stone as platforms and walkways over the small cove it sat in. The city was called Nan Madal, and no one knows what happened to the people. Sort of like Atlantis. I have since modeled a lost civilization of lizard folk (Dragon Mag. Sea Iguanids) on it. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 07:47:12
quote:
Originally posted by Sandro
As Lovecraft stated, it's not even a word, really, just a transcription of alien whisperings from black dreams of unknown terror. Who really knows -- who really wants to find out -- how it's really pronounced?
Alien whisperings from dreams, eh? I wonder if that alien is actually an orc - or a human whispering orcish gibber as an orc possessed him. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 07:40:57
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
As an amateur linguist, it just sounds more logical and natural.
Wait till you get to learn Kalagan and other 'most' native - roots - languages in our country, Philippines. You'll see that you have to be a REAL native to even correctly pronounce their words - which at times bear no obvious correspondence to their spellings. Even I, whose native (Cebuano) language has some little similarity to theirs, find it very difficult to grasp Kalagan.
What sounds logical and natural to us - even with the help of linguistic knowledge - may sound totally different from the natives who speak the language. |
| Sandro |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 07:25:01
As Lovecraft stated, it's not even a word, really, just a transcription of alien whisperings from black dreams of unknown terror. Who really knows -- who really wants to find out -- how it's really pronounced? |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 07:24:39
Darn it Wooly! Now you've got me wondering which version I've got- and I CAN'T GET TO IT!!!! *Runs to a corner to cry in frustration...* I use the Kuh-thoo-loo pronunciation. As an amateur linguist, it just sounds more logical and natural. Not that there's anything logical about Lovecraft, mind you. (Gotta love the guy for pulling the worlds greatest prank!! LOL!!) |
| Dennis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 07:11:26
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
I'm not sure which version I have. I don't remember the Cthulu pantheon in it, but it WAS called Deities and Demigods. With the blue/purple cover with gods in constellations and some sort of temple on it, right? Mine's been in storage for some time now. Along with MOST of my D&D stuff. (Except for the few I CAN'T go without, lol!)
Correct. The earlier version is rather uncommon, so it's likely you've got the revised one.
Heh... Only a couple of folks will get this, but I just realized that this makes Cthulhu one of the Unseen!
Cthulhu? How do you pronounce that? When I try to, it sounds ridiculous - like an orc's gibber.
Chaosium's The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana says:- "kuh-THOO-loo," while Lovecraft scholars usually agree that "KLOO-loo" is more correct, while Lovecraft himself suggested "KLUH-luh" is the most appropriate pronunciation.
All three sound weird. But mine is weirder: Choo-Lu. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 06:56:54
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
I'm not sure which version I have. I don't remember the Cthulu pantheon in it, but it WAS called Deities and Demigods. With the blue/purple cover with gods in constellations and some sort of temple on it, right? Mine's been in storage for some time now. Along with MOST of my D&D stuff. (Except for the few I CAN'T go without, lol!)
Correct. The earlier version is rather uncommon, so it's likely you've got the revised one.
Heh... Only a couple of folks will get this, but I just realized that this makes Cthulhu one of the Unseen!
Cthulhu? How do you pronounce that? When I try to, it sounds ridiculous - like an orc's gibber.
Chaosium's The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana says:- "kuh-THOO-loo," while Lovecraft scholars usually agree that "KLOO-loo" is more correct, while Lovecraft himself suggested "KLUH-luh" is the most appropriate pronunciation. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 06:53:41
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Heh... Only a couple of folks will get this, but I just realized that this makes Cthulhu one of the Unseen!
Thanks Wooly. Now I've got images of the various Great Old Ones as forbidden 'Mechs plaguing my mind. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 06:27:56
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
I'm not sure which version I have. I don't remember the Cthulu pantheon in it, but it WAS called Deities and Demigods. With the blue/purple cover with gods in constellations and some sort of temple on it, right? Mine's been in storage for some time now. Along with MOST of my D&D stuff. (Except for the few I CAN'T go without, lol!)
Correct. The earlier version is rather uncommon, so it's likely you've got the revised one.
Heh... Only a couple of folks will get this, but I just realized that this makes Cthulhu one of the Unseen!
Cthulhu? How do you pronounce that? When I try to, it sounds ridiculous - like an orc's gibber. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 05:15:48
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
I'm not sure which version I have. I don't remember the Cthulu pantheon in it, but it WAS called Deities and Demigods. With the blue/purple cover with gods in constellations and some sort of temple on it, right? Mine's been in storage for some time now. Along with MOST of my D&D stuff. (Except for the few I CAN'T go without, lol!)
Correct. The earlier version is rather uncommon, so it's likely you've got the revised one.
Heh... Only a couple of folks will get this, but I just realized that this makes Cthulhu one of the Unseen! |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 03:05:10
I'm not sure which version I have. I don't remember the Cthulu pantheon in it, but it WAS called Deities and Demigods. With the blue/purple cover with gods in constellations and some sort of temple on it, right? Mine's been in storage for some time now. Along with MOST of my D&D stuff. (Except for the few I CAN'T go without, lol!) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 02:44:51
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
As a matter of fact, she is. I have the old 1tst ed book of pantheons- I forget the title off-hand- that had the Finnish pantheonin it. She is the goddess of woodlands and animals. I used the Finnish goddess of beauty and vanity(can't remember her name) as the basis for one of my homebrew deities- Vallenya, goddess of illusions, vanity, and selfish desires. She's NE, of course. That book also had Arthurian, Chinese, Babylonian, Sumerian, Native American, and several other obscure pantheons.
Deities & Demigods. There were two versions of it. The original version had the Cthulhu and Elric pantheons included, but those were excluded from the reprint. Then the book was reprinted as Legends & Lore. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Oct 2010 : 00:54:48
As a matter of fact, she is. I have the old 1tst ed book of pantheons- I forget the title off-hand- that had the Finnish pantheonin it. She is the goddess of woodlands and animals. I used the Finnish goddess of beauty and vanity(can't remember her name) as the basis for one of my homebrew deities- Vallenya, goddess of illusions, vanity, and selfish desires. She's NE, of course. That book also had Arthurian, Chinese, Babylonian, Sumerian, Native American, and several other obscure pantheons. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 29 Oct 2010 : 13:58:16
quote:
Originally posted by Ananta
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Ananta
Mielikki is from Finnish mythology too, but that would have to be one of the lamest names in my opinion :x
Agreed. It sounds like our native “may liki” which literally means “there's a crack,” and figuratively, “crazy.”
In Finnish, Mielikki quite literally means "Pet" (like you'd have dog as a pet). It's an old word though, not something one would use in everyday speech.
Does it mean Meilikki in Finnish mythology is a god/goddess of pets/animals? |
| Ananta |
Posted - 29 Oct 2010 : 12:51:51
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Ananta
Mielikki is from Finnish mythology too, but that would have to be one of the lamest names in my opinion :x
Agreed. It sounds like our native “may liki” which literally means “there's a crack,” and figuratively, “crazy.”
In Finnish, Mielikki quite literally means "Pet" (like you'd have dog as a pet). It's an old word though, not something one would use in everyday speech. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 29 Oct 2010 : 10:51:40
quote:
Originally posted by Zireael
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
Snake-sounding name? That's Szass! It can even be coined to mean King (of Snakes). So that would mean Tam is a king. King Tam. Oh no...too much coffee again...I'm blabbering.
Snake sounding - Sseth. Zssulk Starm (y'know that yuan-ti from Skullport?)
Interesting bit about Finnish mythology.
I wonder where did the designers get the names for drow deities?
Sseth. Being a god that resembles a snake, 'tis not a wonder.
I can't recall Zssulk Starm. Did he do something of note? |
| Zireael |
Posted - 29 Oct 2010 : 10:27:11
quote:
Originally posted by dennis
Snake-sounding name? That's Szass! It can even be coined to mean King (of Snakes). So that would mean Tam is a king. King Tam. Oh no...too much coffee again...I'm blabbering.
Snake sounding - Sseth. Zssulk Starm (y'know that yuan-ti from Skullport?)
Interesting bit about Finnish mythology.
I wonder where did the designers get the names for drow deities? |
| Dennis |
Posted - 29 Oct 2010 : 06:02:06
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Interesting. So it could be used as in "You're (on) crack!"? That's a similar term here in the states for the same thing.
Exactly. Perhaps with a little etymological research, I'll find out that the origin of its figurative meaning is the U.S., which significantly influences our media and our regional and national languages.
Anyway, I always find the name Shala Thaeral funny. 'Shala' is part of the lyrics of the opening song of the very first DragonBall series...'Shala; head shala...' or something like that...I don't know, to me it sounds funny. |
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