185 réponses à ce sujet

[Ghost Gal]

A good old Welsh name, I like that.   May use it myself.

 

Ugh... Welsh names. 

 

I'm sorry, but just about everyone uses Welsh names for their fantasy characters, even if no other characters in that fantasy universe have Welsh-sounding names. So it's become... kinda over-done. 

 

On some level, I understand. Tolkien based most of his fantasy races and cultures on real-world medieval languages, and he clearly based his elven language on the Welsh language. (And how could he not? It's musical and flows like water.) Many of his elven characters had Welsh names too, like Arwen and whatnot. But then since his books created a whole genre, tons of people wanting to make elven characters said, "I want an elven-sounding name!" and looked to Welsh names. Then through decades of repetitions, fantasy writers and website designers alike used it so much that the "elven" connotation expanded to general fantasy names, and tons of people wanting to make fantasy characters said, "I want a fantasy-sounding name!" and looked to websites that provide Welsh names, with no thought to where it linguistically or culturally came from, or whether it fits the language, culture, or naming convention of the world they're designing these characters for.

 

I mean, really think about it. William, Bryce, Eleanor, Fergus... and Llewellyn. Doesn't that just stick out like a sore thumb? 

 

Agreed, I very very seldom (if ever) use default character names for any RPG.  It makes the character feel more personal when I get to name them.

 

Same here.

[straykat]

I could name them myself, but I'm a little obsessive with syntax for some races. I don't know the system behind elven names. I don't want to use D&D or Tolkien sounding things.. because it's different. I also noticed City Elf and Dalish seem different amongst each other. And I can't think of anything for dwarves. "Natia Brosca" sounds cool enough for me. Luckily, there's enough personalization in the character with all of your choices.

 

With Ferelden, it's much easier.

[kimgoold]

First play thru DAO female elf Mage Anaistasial, also my cannon HoF.

Androm'Adaia female City Elf Rogue second favourite alternate cannon HoF.

Have played all Origins and genders for each but these are my favs.

Dwarf Noble  Serene (fem) and Aerrad (male)

Human Noble  Heloise (fem) and Abelard (male)

Dalish Elf  Kyrielle (fem) and Aerrodas (male)

Dwarf Commoner  Gilda (fem) and Gerault (male)

[springacres]

Ugh... Welsh names. 

 

I'm sorry, but just about everyone uses Welsh names for their fantasy characters, even if no other characters in that fantasy universe have Welsh-sounding names. So it's become... kinda over-done. 

 

On some level, I understand. Tolkien based most of his fantasy races and cultures on real-world medieval languages, and he clearly based his elven language on the Welsh language. (And how could he not? It's musical and flows like water.) Many of his elven characters had Welsh names too, like Arwen and whatnot. But then since his books created a whole genre, tons of people wanting to make elven characters said, "I want an elven-sounding name!" and looked to Welsh names. Then through decades of repetitions, fantasy writers and website designers alike used it so much that the "elven" connotation expanded to general fantasy names, and tons of people wanting to make fantasy characters said, "I want a fantasy-sounding name!" and looked to websites that provide Welsh names, with no thought to where it linguistically or culturally came from, or whether it fits the language, culture, or naming convention of the world they're designing these characters for.

 

I mean, really think about it. William, Bryce, Eleanor, Fergus... and Llewellyn. Doesn't that just stick out like a sore thumb? 

It does stick out like a sore thumb.  I feel like Welsh names would fit better for an elf.  Although I do like Gaelic names for fantasy characters, I tend to lean more towards Irish or Scottish for humans.  My F!Cousland, for instance, is Meave.

 

I actually ended up going with a Latin name for my F!Brosca, though.  Alita means "winged one" and I liked it because it seemed so fitting for a casteless dwarf who wanted to improve her lot in life.

[straykat]

The funny thing is the elven last names are biblical/Hebrew. At least Mahariel is. It's an angel who guards the gates of heaven (similar to a Falon'Din or Halla myth maybe). And Tabris is the angel of free will.

 

But the first names seem kind of random. Adaia/Kallian/Theron.. there's no rhyme or reason to it. I guess you could make anything up and it'll sound good. I got the feeling "Lyna" is named after Ghilan'nain though.. but that's just me.

[springacres]

The funny thing is the elven last names are biblical/Hebrew. At least Mahariel is. It's an angel who guards the gates of heaven (similar to a Falon'Din or Halla myth maybe). And Tabris is the angel of free will.

 

But the first names seem kind of random. Adaia/Kallian/Theron.. there's no rhyme or reason to it. I guess you could make anything up and it'll sound good. I got the feeling "Lyna" is named after Ghilan'nain though.. but that's just me.

Which certainly plays into the elves being based to some extent on the Jewish.  What about Surana?

 

Also, the city elves' names... Adaia, Cyrion, Valendrian, Nelaros... come across as being Greco-Roman to me, mostly because of the endings.  But that could just be my inner linguist trying to find real-world parallels.

Modifié par springacres, 21 janvier 2016 - 07:08 .

[straykat]

Which certainly plays into the elves being based to some extent on the Jewish.  What about Surana?

 

Also, the city elves' names... Adaia, Cyrion, Valendrian, Nelaros... come across as being Greco-Roman to me, mostly because of the endings.  But that's just me and my inner linguist trying to find parallels.

 

I never could find anything on Surana unfortunately. They're a mystery as always... But Mary Kirby named the other two.

[Scatha]

My latest incarnation is named Aenar, DW human rogue (bard/assassin) noble.
Even made a picture of him in 3D.

 

[Aren]

The funny thing is the elven last names are biblical/Hebrew. 

Same is for the old gods of Tevinter.

 

Dumat is from Dumah

Dumah (Heb. דומה "silent") is an angel mentioned in Rabbinical literature.

Dumah is the Aramaic word for silence.

 

 

Razikale is from Raziel

Raziel (Hebrew: רזיאל‎ "Secret[s] of God") is an archangel within the teachings of Jewish mysticism (of the Kabbalah of Judaism) who is the "Keeper of Secrets" and the "Angel of Mysteries"

 

 

Uthemiel=Uriel

Uriel (אוּרִיאֵל "El/God is my light", Auriel/Oriel (God is my light) Standard Hebrew Uriʾel, Tiberian Hebrew ʾÛrîʾēl) is one of the archangels of post-Exilic Rabbinic tradition, and also of certain Christian traditions.

[ArcadiaGrey]

Ugh... Welsh names. 

 

I'm sorry, but just about everyone uses Welsh names for their fantasy characters, even if no other characters in that fantasy universe have Welsh-sounding names. So it's become... kinda over-done. 

 

<snip>

 

I mean, really think about it. William, Bryce, Eleanor, Fergus... and Llewellyn. Doesn't that just stick out like a sore thumb? 

 

Lol, really?  I've never used a Welsh name I don't think....I have a Scottish name for my dwarf Warden, Morven, and my Cousland was Emma.  My Dalish will be Tali and my male mage Grey.

 

I have a weakness for Llewellyn as he was a character in a book I used to love, and I still think it's a good name for a male character.

 

I like my character's names to sound right for their origins, but I'm easy going about it.  About right is fine for me.  So I want to use the name Alarei for one of my Inquisitors so it'll be my female Dalish mage.  Not very Elven, but it's just about okay I think.  I wouldn't use it for a dwarf or human.

[Yumakooma]

Male dwarf commoner - Gurhan Brosca

Male human mage - Jonah Amell