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Portuguese D. Ace
Seeker
Italy
82 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Sep 2015 : 13:10:58
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Fellow scribes,
Numerous scrolls about RAS's works have aroused my curiosity:
The majority of us complains about the names of many beloved characters.
As a non native English speaker, I don't get the majority of these references or "inside jokes".
Could you help me creating a list?
For example :
I get Pikel Bouldershoulder but I don't get what's wrong with Berg'inyon Baenre.
Is it a reference to Bourguignonne fondue?
Could you help me?
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Please, bring back the Realms. I'm really fed up with the Sword Coast.
===== Since English is not my first language, I pre-emptively apologize for any (grammar) mistake that has been made in my post. In order to help me improve my English, please, point out those mistakes (If you could do it politely, it would be even better!). Thanks! ===== |
Edited by - Portuguese D. Ace on 04 Sep 2015 13:12:42
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2015 : 13:43:49
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'Regis and Cattie Brie' (Kathie Lee)
'Nuff said. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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BenN
Senior Scribe
Japan
382 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2015 : 14:20:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Portuguese D. Ace
I don't get what's wrong with Berg'inyon Baenre.
Is it a reference to Bourguignonne fondue?
Beef Bourguignon immediately leapt to my mind:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_bourguignon
It's like RAS took a real-world name or word, changed the spelling a bit, and went with it. Is he working his way through the dictionary? |
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Cards77
Senior Scribe
USA
745 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2015 : 16:53:13
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| he has said in previous interviews that he hates coming up with names, and will just use whatever pops into his head. I guess we're lucky there hasn't yet been "Blanket" or "Sofa". |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2015 : 18:12:21
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Another one of these topics.
Like I've said in the others, I don't really understand why people complain so much. It's just nitpicking to me. |
Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage". |
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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1271 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2015 : 18:47:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas
Another one of these topics.
Like I've said in the others, I don't really understand why people complain so much. It's just nitpicking to me.
I don’t really see this thread as complaining, though. It poses a legitimate query. Some of the names that people complain about don't make sense unless you're an English speaker.
A friendly explanation could be amusing and profitable.
I, for one, didn't getBerg'inyon Baenre. |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2015 : 19:07:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas
Another one of these topics.
Like I've said in the others, I don't really understand why people complain so much. It's just nitpicking to me.
Sounds like you are complaining about people complaining. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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BenN
Senior Scribe
Japan
382 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2015 : 04:50:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas
Another one of these topics.
Like I've said in the others, I don't really understand why people complain so much. It's just nitpicking to me.
It may be nitpicking, but for me, characters with names like Bungalow Thump take me out of the story. IMHO, a good story teller should aim to immerse the readers in his/her fictional world, not the opposite.
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Scimitars of Drizzt
Seeker
Canada
77 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2015 : 05:00:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Cards77
he has said in previous interviews that he hates coming up with names, and will just use whatever pops into his head. I guess we're lucky there hasn't yet been "Blanket" or "Sofa".
But coming up with names is like the best part of writing!
I still haven't really had any issues with the names of his characters. Actually, some of the names are kind of annoying. I agree that a silly name makes things harder to take seriously. But something like Berg'inyon is cool I think. Not really silly, just unique. It's the silly ones that get you frowning. |
"Surrender now, or we will slay you!" the leader of the creatures called, a bit louder and more forcefully.
"A moment, please, my friend," Zasian said, motioning to the dwarf for patience. "We are discussing your terms."
"Ye heading off with Invo . . . Inno . . . that durned elf?" |
Edited by - Scimitars of Drizzt on 06 Sep 2015 05:04:19 |
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe
Portugal
508 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2015 : 12:08:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
Sounds like you are complaining about people complaining.
Pretty much. |
Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage". |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1847 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2015 : 15:59:33
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| At least his name isn't as bad as a player in a game I was DMing once naming her damn dog "Pesci Joe Pesci." Man she was annoying, also happens to be one of my closest friends...but I refuse to game with her anymore. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Mortuane
Acolyte
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2015 : 00:31:24
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I, too, am bothered by Bob Salvatore's naming conventions. Spoils a good story like spoiled milk ruins a good recipe. Not to mention your game gets derailed pretty easily if every time you mention an NPC your players burst into uncontrolled fits of the giggles.
And, lest Tanthalas continue to scold us, Salvatore himself has the nerve to criticize other authors' naming conventions. Pot, kettle, and all that.
Here are some examples I've found that grated on me:
Cadderly Bonaduce - I like the name Cadderly - it has a good Welsh sound to it and calls to mind a medieval Catholic monk, like Brother Cadfael - but I'm guessing Salvatore got Bonaduce from Danny Bonaduce.
Dagnabit - American pseudo-curse word, "Dagnabbit," which is the sort of thing a stereotypical Old West gold prospector would say. Also a word-play, because his father is named Dagna. A "bit" is a small piece of something. Dagna-bit.
Khazid'hea - AKA "Cutter," a sentient sword. Pronounced "Quesadilla," a popular and easy-to-make Mexican food.
Pikel Bouldershoulder - Pikel = "Pickle." Boulder and shoulder rhyme, making it particularly obnoxious to some ears.
Tred McKnuckles - Tred isn't bad, really, though it sounds like "tread," meaning to walk upon. But "McKnuckles"? REALLY? Mc- being the Gaelic surname prefix meaning "son of," and...knuckles.
EDIT: Took out the names that weren't some kind of pun or in-joke, but merely terrible names.
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Theca Cinereo Sola! ~ It's Always 1357 DR In Baldur's Gate |
Edited by - Mortuane on 07 Sep 2015 00:38:22 |
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Cards77
Senior Scribe
USA
745 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2018 : 20:56:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas
Another one of these topics.
Like I've said in the others, I don't really understand why people complain so much. It's just nitpicking to me.
I don’t really see this thread as complaining, though. It poses a legitimate query. Some of the names that people complain about don't make sense unless you're an English speaker.
A friendly explanation could be amusing and profitable.
I, for one, didn't getBerg'inyon Baenre.
Exactly. It's not only lazy, but it breaks immersion. It sounds like garbage from a kids comic book. That's saying something for a pulp fiction novel.
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sno4wy
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2018 : 21:13:21
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| Don't forget the family of Dagnabbit dwarves with numerous spelling variations of that word! How many are there anyway? I've lost count. Current queen of Mithril Hall is Dagna, right? |
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Starshade
Learned Scribe
Norway
279 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2018 : 13:39:46
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When I was a teenager, I did not catch anything funny. Now, though…
The "Viking" names of the barbarians seems mostly ok. Wulfgar? It's composed of "Wulf", meaning wolf, element in "Rudolph" or "Adolph". And "Geir", meaning spear. Wolf-spear. Sounds ok, considering the Norse names usually got something to do with fighting. Or did I miss some strange reference among those too? |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2427 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2018 : 19:25:56
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Let's not forget [Matron Mother] Malice.
quote:
Originally posted by Mortuane
Dagnabit - American pseudo-curse word, "Dagnabbit," which is the sort of thing a stereotypical Old West gold prospector would say.
A profanym.
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People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2018 : 04:29:56
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He's R A Salvatore. He can name his characters anything he freaking wants.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2018 : 04:30:50
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
He's R A Salvatore. He can name his characters anything he freaking wants.
-- George Krashos
Damn straight. |
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RAS Character's names references list
