Surnames

[Skarlath]

As we all well no, players will have Surnames in Vanguard. I was just wondering if anyone has put any thought into what their surname will be.

Many players use the same name from game to game, and often it is like mine - a single name. No surname to be found. So I have been having a little think about what my surname will be. I haven't really decided on anything yet - Im still casting around for a name that has that perfect ring to it.

So how about you others with previously just a first name? Have you been doing some thinking?

And also, there is the question of races. How many of you intend to pick a name that will go with your choice of race. Or do you not feel it matters all that much?

Just thought I would ask. :)

[Orlun]

I've been trying to come up with a surname to "Orlun" for months now and nothing seems to sound right. :(

Its even harder because I'm not sure what race he will be. Most likely a dwarf which narrows it down somewhat. Orlun's been just Orlun for so damb long that this whole thing is painful.

[Skarlath]

I've been trying to come up with a surname to "Orlun" for months now and nothing seems to sound right. :(

Its even harder because I'm not sure what race he will be. Most likely a dwarf which narrows it down somewhat. Orlun's been just Orlun for so damb long that this whole thing is painful.

Im also not 100% what race I want to play. I am sort of thinking either Thestran Human, High Elf or Raki. It's hard to know what fits with Raki culture, though I am sure that Elvish and Human culture will be portrayed in well known ways.

Now and again I play under the name TianFeng. This may fit for a raki, and so I might simply be able to split it into Tian Feng.

Going back to Skarlath, it's a bit of an odd name to begin with. It doesn't fit into European naming conventions or Elvish.

I was thinking perhaps: Skarlath Deadlock. But I'm not too sure how well that flows. What do you think, Orlun? Is Deadlock any good?


Edit: I wonder how many people, if any, will opt for 'plain' names. John Smith. Frank Brown. Very few I suppose. :)

[Serinheart]

wish I could help but sadly all my char's have the same sure name or around the same...

My Normal names are Serinheart Blazeheart, Serriea Blazeheart :D and Velushya Dreadstar, and then Dregostyr ... never could find a name for Dregostyr... :twisted: .. but dont think he needs one /shrug

Edit: dang net ...
I have a Friend that seems to love using Conventional names.. seems his normal name is to use is, Ashlly go figure its his g/fs name lol

[Elrar (of Silky Venom)]

Firstly, naming anything of yours off of your GF is a good way to torture yourself for a good long time once the relationship is over :p

But to stay on subject. I always need to give my characters surnames, I couldnt stand in WoW how I couldnt have one, drove me batty!

Elrar is and always will be Elrar Mandoliere so long as he is a bard. His surname can be Tormail if he is a warrior/ranger.

Derling Murkato is my sneaky halfling rogue.

then I get some silly names for my gnomes:

Durkito Burnin'ato (wizard)
Tuddles McTinkertots (mage)

My necromancers/evil races are:

Mortismo Seru or Saldrauko Seru

My Dwarven name is Danior and the surname depends upon the class he serves. Deadsbane for example when he is a cleric. (creative I know!)

I've been pondering making a half giant for Vanguard, considering its become the realative race of choice when referring to my real life stature :p. His name would most likely be Torquil Tormail, as Torquil is my name for barbaric races.

I like to keep a wide variety of names available and have alot of interchangeable ones I keep locked away as well for alts or experiements :)

[Skarlath]

Sheesh, you've got it all perfectly mapped out!

On day 1 are you going to rush to create lots of alts to reserve all your spare names for later on? :P

[Elrar (of Silky Venom)]

Sheesh, you've got it all perfectly mapped out!

On day 1 are you going to rush to create lots of alts to reserve all your spare names for later on? :P

deffinately going to reserve every single name the first day :p

[Loampounder]

<shrug> Loampounder is a last name. I generally have hard problems finding first name for alts.

[Sergo]

I've been trying to come up with a surname to "Orlun" for months now and nothing seems to sound right. :(


Have you thought about going with a descriptive last name?

I wonder if they'll allow last names like "the Indiscriminate" or "the Blind" or "the can't-tell-a-gnome-from-a-hobbit"?

[Orlun]

Have you thought about going with a descriptive last name?

I wonder if they'll allow last names like "the Indiscriminate" or "the Blind" or "the can't-tell-a-gnome-from-a-hobbit"?

Orlun Chainjerker? :p

--

Here's a few new names I thought of a month ago... Some silly, some might work.

Sub Par
Bar Nun
Crow Magnum
Foe Paw = vulmane ~ I love this one.
Badmoon Ryesing
Flea N'tic = raki

[Elrar (of Silky Venom)]

Here's a few new names I thought of a month ago... Some silly, some might work.

Cor ny?

:p

[Orlun]

Cor ny?

:p


pfft!

hey, come on! You gotta admit Foe Paw is pretty cool?

[Sergo]

Foe Paw

ftw!

[Therian]

Foe Paw = vulmane ~ I love this one.

A born diplomat, eh?

[Belisarius]

Orlun Chainjerker? :p

--

Here's a few new names I thought of a month ago... Some silly, some might work.

Sub Par
Bar Nun
Crow Magnum
Foe Paw = vulmane ~ I love this one.
Badmoon Ryesing
Flea N'tic = raki

I'm guessing you aren't a hardcore roleplayer?

[Orlun]

I'm guessing you aren't a hardcore roleplayer?

I'm a light roleplayer. the Surname I use for Orlun will be Roleplay approved for his race.

As I said above, those were just some silly names I though of one day. Could use "Foe Paw" for an alt though. Thats like the most creative thing I came up with all month... can't waste it. pfft! :cool:

[Skarlath]

What sort of a character is Orlun going to be. Perhaps a little bit of brainstorming might come out with something you like. :)

[GuyJantica]

How about Orlun Gwanur? It has a certain ring to it. Gwanur is apparently Sindarin for "kinsman". There's a site that has a bunch of elvish words and their English translations. They also have an elvish name generator. Even if you don't want to play an elf, an elfish name isn't necessarily bad. Some don't sound as hopelessly elvish as others.

-GJ

http://www.nevrast.net/etymology.html

[Faynor]

Well ever since EQ and getting a last name at 20, Faynor has been Faynor Nostrom.

[Skarlath]

Well ever since EQ and getting a last name at 20, Faynor has been Faynor Nostrom.

Ah, it has a good ring to it. :)

Welcome to Silky Venom!

[Faynor]

Thanks :)

[Sergo]

Welcome, Faynor, help yourself to some of the good cheese!

[Fynn]

Why do surnames that rhyme with Orlun keep rambling in my head - gah!

That elvish site could give you clues. Something that matches the language for your characters race is usually a sure bet too.

[Therian]

With a two syllable name like Orlun, I'd probably go for a single syllable surname. Something like:

Orlun Brae
Orlun Kest
Orlun Marr

Etc etc

[Faynor]

./bows to Sergo

I hope there isn't too much whine with that cheese ;P

[GuyJantica]

With a two syllable name like Orlun, I'd probably go for a single syllable surname. Something like:

Orlun Brae
Orlun Kest
Orlun Marr

Etc etc

Actually I'd say keep it at least to 2 syllables. You might even consider going up. If you drop down to one it sounds kinda anticlimactic... like you stopped a song in midbeat which, while potentially effictive if that's what you're after, usually leaves you hanging. Consider the following:

Brock Samson <--- macho and takes you places
Robinson Smith <--- lame and abruptly truncated

The first name should flow into the last... not be snubbed by it. At least, that's how it seems to me :)

-GJ

[Therian]

Well, taking a leaf from Indiana Jones' book, I don't think a single syllable surname is that 'weak'. :p

[GuyJantica]

Well, taking a leaf from Indiana Jones' book, I don't think a single syllable surname is that 'weak'. :p

lol, exception... well played however. Of course, he crafted that name for himself almost certainly for the ring of it. Recall that in Last Crusade his father reveals that Indiana is,infact, Henry Jones Jr.. Plus, first names with 4 syllables is almost absurd so it requires the step down for impact. :) I swear that only about half of these words are coming from my butt. :p

-GJ

[vaelyn]

I plan on reliving Vaelyn (she existed in SWG first and then EQ after a few months of that game's suckatude). Her last name is R'nohl, so I'm hoping I can use the apostrophe, otherwise I'm screwed.

[Skarlath]

I plan on reliving Vaelyn (she existed in SWG first and then EQ after a few months of that game's suckatude). Her last name is R'nohl, so I'm hoping I can use the apostrophe, otherwise I'm screwed.

They must allow both apostraphes and hyphens. It would be silly not to.

[Raptorbite]

Im also not 100% what race I want to play. I am sort of thinking either Thestran Human, High Elf or Raki. It's hard to know what fits with Raki culture, though I am sure that Elvish and Human culture will be portrayed in well known ways.

Now and again I play under the name TianFeng. This may fit for a raki, and so I might simply be able to split it into Tian Feng.

Going back to Skarlath, it's a bit of an odd name to begin with. It doesn't fit into European naming conventions or Elvish.

I was thinking perhaps: Skarlath Deadlock. But I'm not too sure how well that flows. What do you think, Orlun? Is Deadlock any good?


Edit: I wonder how many people, if any, will opt for 'plain' names. John Smith. Frank Brown. Very few I suppose. :)
Lol, I was thinking about that also. I wondered how many variations of normal names there would be (i.e. John Doe, John Dough, John Doh)

[Odile]

I used to be Leah Witherly on EQ2, I know that prly doesn't fit into any half elf or bard lore but I thought it was cool. I will probably change it up a bit for VG but I don't want to go with a cliche last name I guess haha.

No idea what goes with Odile...

[Dillenger]

I'm in the same boat Odile :(

ive always gone as Duos in my other games, so it was fairly easy to pick out a surname (Caligar was what i used most of the time)

Buuuuttt now i switched over to Dillenger, and, im not entirely sure i want one :O

[nubbins]

easy

nubbins teh llama ;)

thats actually my full name , first thought it up when i was playing horizons

[Orlun]

What sort of a character is Orlun going to be. Perhaps a little bit of brainstorming might come out with something you like. :)


Sorry for not ever replying Skarlath... Your question was on the day I left for Vegas.

Orlun will most likely be a dwarf.

and to Therian, I like the idea of a one sylable name too.


Hmmm... Wonder if I could use Orlun as the surname part?

[Asystole]

As we all well no, players will have Surnames in Vanguard.


As if we didn't have enough to worry/think about!

I liked how we did it in EQ1. Waited until lvl 20 before we choose a surname. This gave each toon some individual experience that helped determine a surname.

Since I work in cardiology, my toons names, first or last, all have something to do with the heart. :)

My main in EQ was named Rucca Ivyheart. Perhaps I should name my next toon Inferior Vena Cava :eek: (jk)

[Mirakel]

I have a few names I always use depending on what type of character it is...

If the character is anything say... Non-evil... I use Mirakel.

For instance my main Character in EQ for years and years was "Mirakel Grow, 70 Wood Elf Ranger"

But Grow apparently only works as a hearty joke on rangers...
if I play a different class/race with Vanguard, the surname will have to change. I'll put some thought into it... i like Mirakel Shatterheart for a Paladin... or something non-creative like that. lol

[Skarlath]

Hmmm... Wonder if I could use Orlun as the surname part?

Hmm, I think that dwarven surnames tend to be 3 or more syllables. Make use of H, R, D, G - that kinda thing. You want some nice strong sounds.

If you were going for something a little daintier than a dwarf you could have gone for something like Orlun Vasili.

I can't really think of any suitable dwarven surnames.


Asystole - You would have to quote me and draw attention to my dreadful spelling there, wouldn't you! Grr!

[Skarlath]

Orlun Bandersnatch?

[Orlun]

Even though I doubt many Gm's would catch it, Bandersnatch(i) is still someone elses intellectual property.

My only other requirement is that it be easy to remember how to spell and type. If you name is simple, you get more business as a crafter. (more beggar spam too but thats ok)

[Skarlath]

;)

Would it really be considered intellectual property? It's different when you steal an elf's name (e.g. Legolas) to make your elven archer, but when you take the name of a mythical bitey-snatchy creature and use it for a dwarf - that's enough of a gap to consider Bandersnatch not caching in the ol' JubJub. A larger part of the reason why MMOs don't want you using names like Legolas is also because it is a breaker for immersion.

Besides, it's not like your first name would be 'frumious'. :p

It's annoying when people use excessively long names, or names with accented letters (I had one guy in my WoW guild who I could only talk to on guild chat because we couldn't work out the key for his accented letters). No offense to you, Nóla, naturally. Makes me far less likely to send them tells for things.

[Orlun]

LOL, just to show you how shallow I am, I never knew Bandersnatch was mentioned in Jabberwocky. I was thinking of the giant dinosaur sized white slugs from Niven's Known Space universe. Bandersnatchi (http://www.oinc.net/knownspace/enc/display.php?84)

[Skarlath]

Hehehehe

The Jabberwocky is one of my favourites. Having read it through a few times I have since never forgotten it. I pick up some weird quotes and poems like that ...

"Beware the jubjub bird and shun, the frumious bandersnatch.."

From that Bandersnatchi site you linked to, Bandersnatchi are apparently "As big as a dinosaur". Right, they come in just one size do they? Obviously the author doesn't watch much of the discovery channel. ;)

I think things like Bandersnatch are sufficiently neutral enough to not be claimed under intellectual property, and so it falls to tastes.

I'll have a think for some more.

[Therian]

Well, it was a word made up by Lewis Carroll. But it's old enough now, and he so thoroughly dead, that it would be out of copyright anyway.

[Skarlath]

Yep, Bandersnatch was his invention.

Along with vorpal (best word ever), frumious, gallumphing, manxome, uffish as well perhaps?, wiffling, tulgy, brillig, slithy?, toves, gimble, wabe, mimsy, buragoves, mome, outgrabe.

I think that's why I love it so much. When reduced to pieces you can see the absolutely incredible amount of the poem's words that are completely made up. Whats also fascinating is how some have been adopted to some degree. :)

[Skarlath]

Some names you might like for first or surnames. I'll just spew them out.

Tarva
Alambil
Miraz
Belisar
Uvilas
Passarid
Arlian
Erimon
Beaversdam
Destrier
Pattertwig
Glenstorm
Foxglove
Hardbiter
Camillo
Hogglestock
Mentius
Obentinus
Dumnus
Voluns
Voltinus
Girbius
Nimienus
Nausus
Oscuns
Ravenscaur

Anything there take your fancy or give you any ideas?

[Havelock]

Anything there take your fancy or give you any ideas?

Some of them give me ideas . . .

[Raijyn]

I wonder if certain non words can be fitted in, liked the apostrophe or such. Cause I have a pretty good surname but it needs one of those to get the full benefit.

[Darydale]

Dude, Skarlath, how did you do that? :P

[Skarlath]

I wonder if certain non words can be fitted in, liked the apostrophe or such. Cause I have a pretty good surname but it needs one of those to get the full benefit.

How do you mean? I am sure you will be able to use hyphens and apostraphes in names - it would be silly to restrict players in that way, especially as people will want names that sound Qalian and Kojan(ese?).

You should avoid using a real word and just adding an apostraphe into it though. If your name is silly then it will be picked up be the GMs as being against the policy.

[Eondil]

Eondil Ebonmist as a rogue, though i did go for a long time as Eondil Yathtallar for certain RP reasons

alts have been
Surefoot Huan
Tilion Yathtallar
Mithwen Grey
Elinem Fizzlebottom - Gnome!

Silly names
Jinkies Aclue
Neithon Ishot
Thnikaman Fhqwhgads

[Tiesiaan]

My name encompasses all. Thus a surname shall not be mine. If I did take one on a fancy, it would be Dicecaller. I am uncanily good at rolling in game dice.

[Ieranii]

This thread got me thinking. I don't have a good surname for ieranii (who will be a druid). Her original surname in eq was terraspirit but that's too long and ...I don't know...just not me anymore.

I have a name for my human healer all picked out. It was my name for my rogue in our D&D games. My only chaotic evil character ever...ah those were the good ole days.

Does anyone know a good name generator for elven sounding names?

[Orlun]

My name encompasses all. Thus a surname shall not be mine. If I did take one on a fancy, it would be Dicecaller. I am uncanily good at rolling in game dice.

Um, If I could have things my way I'd do as you but sadly, I'm pretty Vanguard is requiring surnames from the getgo.

[Tiesiaan]

Um, If I could have things my way I'd do as you but sadly, I'm pretty Vanguard is requiring surnames from the getgo.

Hmmm

Then let my name be thus...

Tiesiaan Saerni

Tiesiaan (Fireshard)

[Skarlath]

Ieranii - Hows this one: Elven Name Generator (http://www.chriswetherell.com/elf/)

[Havelock]

Um, If I could have things my way I'd do as you but sadly, I'm pretty Vanguard is requiring surnames from the getgo.

I'm pretty sure you will need a surname if you preregister; I'm not sure you will if you don't.

I'm holding off on choosing a surname until I know which continent I'll be starting on - the first name stays no matter what, but I want the second to be something that blends in with my native culture.

[Raijyn]

After looking a bit more, Ive decided to go with a more Tolkienesque elven surname. Mostly because Im going to be playing an elf.

So heres what Ive been thinking about:

Val'Istar
T'Creia
or my favorite: Erunnehtar (it means god-slayer :twisted: )