| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Seethyr
Master of Realmslore
USA
1239 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Jan 2021 : 23:07:52
|
I was recently writing something up on the Land of the Insect Men (from FMQ1 City of Gold) and realized how silly it would be for the thri-Kreen who live there to say they live in, well, the land of the insect men. I had to homebrew a name for it instead.
That sent me down the rabbit hole of thinking about what creatures call themselves when their names are frankly a holdover from 1970s monster naming conventions. One perfect example is of course mind flayers being illithid. I am more interested in more obscure lore like how I believe Ed Greenwood (I believe) said that displacer beasts call themselves dirlagraun if they call themselves anything at all.
Are there others like that? I mean, even beholder is a bit hokey in a way, but less so than others of the past. Anyone remember the adherer from the old Fiend Folio? Any creatures whose names irritate you a little?
Just think, by the way, how much greater svirfneblin is better than deep gnome...
|
Follow the Maztica (Aztec/Maya) and Anchorome (Indigenous North America) Campaigns on DMsGuild!
The Maztica Campaign
The Anchorome Campaign |
|
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12020 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2021 : 01:13:37
|
quote:
Originally posted by Seethyr
I was recently writing something up on the Land of the Insect Men (from FMQ1 City of Gold) and realized how silly it would be for the thri-Kreen who live there to say they live in, well, the land of the insect men. I had to homebrew a name for it instead.
That sent me down the rabbit hole of thinking about what creatures call themselves when their names are frankly a holdover from 1970s monster naming conventions. One perfect example is of course mind flayers being illithid. I am more interested in more obscure lore like how I believe Ed Greenwood (I believe) said that displacer beasts call themselves dirlagraun if they call themselves anything at all.
Are there others like that? I mean, even beholder is a bit hokey in a way, but less so than others of the past. Anyone remember the adherer from the old Fiend Folio? Any creatures whose names irritate you a little?
Just think, by the way, how much greater svirfneblin is better than deep gnome...
Yeah, this is exactly why I gave my "Anchorome Hybsils" the name anikiwah.
One that irritates me is "dragonborn", but I know there IS another name they call themselves... I just can't recall it. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
 |
|
|
Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2021 : 21:42:58
|
-According to I, Tyrant, Hive Mothers are called "Kawahak Kru" (Spawner Boss). Since so much of Beholder mythology/society is based on them being perfect and spreading their perfect genes, maybe they call themselves the Spawners (Kawahakk?)?
|
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Monster Names for Themselves
