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Bayne
Seeker
USA
86 Posts |
 Posted - 26 May 2004 : 21:53:26
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How should you go about naming a PC. How could you specify it to that PCs race, region, and personality?
For instance, there is a dwarven battlerager that a friend of mine wants to name, but he can't come up with a name. Can anyone help me on this subject?
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Brother Ezra
Learned Scribe
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2004 : 21:58:57
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IIRC, doesn't the FRCS give some naming guidelines based on region towards the beginning of the book? I'd check now, but I'm at work and don't have access to it. (Don't tell my boss I'm on Candlekeep during work hours) |
"Suffering is the touchstone of all spiritual growth."
-St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred |
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Bayne
Seeker
USA
86 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2004 : 22:09:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Brother Ezra
IIRC, doesn't the FRCS give some naming guidelines based on region towards the beginning of the book? I'd check now, but I'm at work and don't have access to it. (Don't tell my boss I'm on Candlekeep during work hours)
I don't have this FRCS you speak of, so if someone could be helpful, I would be appreciative. |
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hammer of Moradin
Senior Scribe
USA
758 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2004 : 22:09:30
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| I don't remember any Realms specific sources, however I know there have been several articles in older Dragons, and a couple of generic sources with naming techniques specific to Dwarves. Unfortunately most of my older Dragon's and other books are inaccessable since I'm finishing moving. |
"Hurling himself upon his enemies, he terrified them with slaughter!"
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium
Candlekeep proverb: If a thing is said often enough, fools aplenty will believe it to be true. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2004 : 22:27:15
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| Check out the name generators written by kahonen, in the Wondrous Treasures section. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Bayne
Seeker
USA
86 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2004 : 22:43:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Check out the name generators written by kahonen, in the Wondrous Treasures section.
Thank you very much, kindly person. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2004 : 23:06:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Brother Ezra
IIRC, doesn't the FRCS give some naming guidelines based on region towards the beginning of the book? I'd check now, but I'm at work and don't have access to it.
All of page 12 in the FRCS has exactly what you mentioned.
quote:
(Don't tell my boss I'm on Candlekeep during work hours)
He'd never hear it from my lips. 
I also know that Gary Gygax recently authored a D20 product entitled, The Book of Names. It's not something I'd purchase, but anyone who gets to visit a hobby store might be able to check it out to see if it'd be helpful. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2004 : 01:16:44
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I keep a big list of names... Whenever a name comes to me out of the blue, I write it down. I also write down any details that may attach themselves to that name. When I'm brainstorming, trying to come up with a name, I write down all the names I think of.
Later, when I find myself needing a name for something, I simply consult my lists, and see if anything are suitable. Sometimes I find 2 or 3 that are, sometimes there's a name that's close, but not quite right, and I tweak that into something I can use. Sometimes nothing grabs my eye, and I brainstorm up some more new ones.
I think I've got a link to a site that lists a bunch of fantasy names, and I know I've got links to on-line name generators. I'll have to check when I get home. Give me about 5 hours.  |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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Lashan
Learned Scribe
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 16:49:39
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| You know what I dislike? The fact that everyone seems to forget what the original boxed set said about human names. Most people don't have a last name, besides nobles or those that want to be. Some people do get last names that are kind of like nicknames and can change. It seems that everyone has to have a last name. I kind of like it with just a first name and then "of Tantras" or some-such added on the end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 17:19:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Lashan
You know what I dislike? The fact that everyone seems to forget what the original boxed set said about human names. Most people don't have a last name, besides nobles or those that want to be. Some people do get last names that are kind of like nicknames and can change. It seems that everyone has to have a last name. I kind of like it with just a first name and then "of Tantras" or some-such added on the end.
I've had a few characters with just singular names, but not many. If you look at the NPCs in sourcebooks and a lot of the characters in books, last names are not all that uncommon. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 17:44:51
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The more Realms names you read, the better feel you get for the style. The samples in the FRCS are representative, but there are thousands of other examples available.
There's no hard rules for making the name fit the character's personality. Harsh consonants convey ugliness and evil, B correlates with goodheartedness and reliability, and so on, but it's mostly instinct.
As for dwarven names in particular, FR11 Dwarves Deep (which, as the main source on dwarves, you'd do well to get) has a list and other name-lore.
Sami Pyörre's Everchanging Book of Names name generator comes with chapter files based directly on hundreds of Realms samples, and gives great output. A good way to use it (easier if you register the program) is to generate and print a thousand or two names and pick and maybe modify them as you need one. Some sample dwarf male output:quote:
Phelm, Adryn, Barnin, Durkar, Thosztol, Maulus, Herar, Ghankar, Aruldin, Halm, Robotaern, Aromm, Thenstorn, Tindor, Marltos, Blaergar, Kaller, Ergarn, Thoss, Esstar, Bungal, Dernaal, Haeil, Olengi, Kongaraun, Surltor, Ronthar, Eldrar, Mertar, Krerbar, Norar, Donggar, Fergar, Thoruth, Rardangor, Durldar, Traurar, Mokktorn, Emar, Thass, Perorn, Aralar, Asmrin, Kardin, Gehm, Sarantar, Rondd, Harglar, Baurx, Daeld, Rarvald, Bargal, Kolar, Malin, Baunt, Perar, Borlar, Blurn, Bullin, Joylin, Thrornoth, Ghaurtos, Tuslag, Gulbin, Branstoril, Harvar, Brondrak, Gulgar, Forntar, Mattykar, Ithglor, Janthor, Torrick, Rosalgar, Aurum, Irldol, Plandar, Deran, Haeld, Vurn, Untieus, Kordaerl, Tar, Gherar, Durgoldar, Sornwin, Barok, Daular, Imbrar, Torgarder, Durar, Daruth, Thelkar, Tumar, Harorlar, Ghararvin, Borryn, Dandak, Taurl, Barthold
Malcolm Bowers's Extraordinary Book of Names, published by Troll Lord Games in its Gygaxian Fantasy Worlds line, is a good book but not useful for the Realms, which doesn't use existing Earth-style names.
I've given a lot of thought to Realms names, and will soon be passing Ed my notes on them for clarification and expansion. |
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Lashan
Learned Scribe
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 17:56:42
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| One of the new books has an example of races for the different human ethnicities. I can't recall if it is the FRCS, Races of Faerun, or the PGtFR. In it, they have first names, but they also have an example of sample surnames. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 18:06:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Lashan
One of the new books has an example of races for the different human ethnicities. I can't recall if it is the FRCS, Races of Faerun, or the PGtFR. In it, they have first names, but they also have an example of sample surnames.
Races of Faerun detailed the different human ethnic groups. |
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Lashan
Learned Scribe
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 18:29:08
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| ...but was ROF the one that had names of the various ethnicities? |
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Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2004 : 21:25:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Lashan
...but was ROF the one that had names of the various ethnicities?
No, that was FRCS (page 12).
Sarta |
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Naming of a pc
