Sundarian 'Celebrities'

[Kaeldorn]

As of late there seems to have been a pretty big influx of 'celebrities' among the populace of Sundren. Perhaps not in character, but most certainly in name. In the past few days I have seen Gorion (Baldur's Gate), Xzar (Baldur's Gate), Raistlin (Dragonlance), Altair (Assassin's Creed) and more pass by.

Now I don't really mind just seeing a familiar name every once in a while if it's a likely name choice for the character's race and the player actually roleplays (Gorion the dwarven fighter seems to work for me, and he's given some fun RP as well). However, when the majority of them just skips past other people without a word and only seems to be either selling or (solo) hunting things, then I can't really take their presence seriously. And to be frank, in these numbers I find it's starting to get borderline ridiculous. Let's be honest, when someone is - even just in jest - saying to be tempted to make a male half orc barbarian named Imoen, things are getting out of hand.

Please, people.. be a little creative when coming up with a name. At the least change a few letters to give your name its own swing.

[Lollercide]

Keldorn Firecam.

Hah! Really though, I understand this and agree.

[Ebannon]

I swear to god, I saw a "Mack Zorris", seriously what the hell...

[Larando]

Larando de'Kaun is a celebrity...if even in his own head..

Sorry, boredum has set in while I'm trying to revert my patch version to 1.13.1407.hopefully

[Kaeldorn]

Keldorn Firecam.

Hah! Really though, I understand this and agree.

My gamespy name is actually far older than BG2...
It was my first D&D character, and though I did rip the name off it was from a far less widely known source: a magic card named Keldon Warlord

[Urithrand]

From a more official point of view, some character names along this line may even be refused. People running around with names like Drizzt or Elminster would certainly be "politely asked" to change their character, and even Gorion made me consider. Try to remember also that character names should be kept in keeping with Sundren's style. If I saw someone called Bob Smith running around I'd be equally as inclined to put my foot down. Kaeldorn is right, please try to be imaginative when creating names, and when all else fails just google "fantasy name generator", believe me there are dozens around out there

[Larando]

just google "fantasy name generator", believe me there are dozens around out there

I did one for a drow I played on another server and put together a name: Iltzdril'dax Arkenlyl. I don't remeber the exact meaning but it was very much to the tune of a renegade spellsword. It's a name I hope to use again should I gain access to a drow character here. Sorry, just dropping that by because that was an awesome name and I received many tells about the dificulty of the pronunciation of it. My response was just that humans often have a hard time with elven (especially drow) pronunciations and that they shouldn't take it personally.

[mojom]

*quickly deletes char named BA Baracus, a human barabarian who takes pity on all fools*

[Phantom Lamb]

If you see people playing famous characters, please report them to a DM. While names can be reusable ("John" for example is a common name, so "John Snow" wouldn't be unheard of), they cannot actually play AS those famous people.

PS--don't worry you won't see Mack Zorris anymore. That was Hollywood's "roommate."

[sharringtonm]

I think it needs to be pointed out to the DMs...
There is absolutly no rule against naming your PC Raistlin Majere.

Look at the wiki.
Search the forum for "names, name, or naming"

Its not there.

Can't punish someone for a rule that doesn't exist. (Though I'm sure you'll change that quickly)

[Phantom Lamb]

Right, it should be updated. Regardless, it's not punishment, but they'd have to correct the name / remake the character.

Doesn't look like I have editing rights on that page of the Wiki.

[darcane]

Does Vader get the Hammer on this? I honestly wasnt thinking Star Wars when i created him. I get the Star Wars comments here and there at times.Honestly,I was going for something evil sounding and two bands came to my brain Vader, a Polish deathmetal band and Kataklysm a Canadian Deathmetal band.Well at least it wasnt Darth Vader.

[Dark presence]

Well I don't think its a real issue honestly. Unless Drizzt is trying to be a ranger or an Eilistraeean, and Elminster is trying to be a wise old mage, its probably fine. In real life people have weird names, based on famous people or things. I read some article on CNN.com recently about a brother and sister named Dow and Indiana Jones. And I'm sure we know there are many people named Jesus and Muhammed.


Honestly if some one is named Drizzt or Elminster Smith, they should probably have some story about how they hate their parents for the trouble their name caused, or how its some great honor to be named after a famous hero. As long as they differentiate their character from their namesake, and acknowledge they aren't the real one, shouldn't it be fine?

[Jai_V]

I agree with Dark Presence.

And darcane, c'mon, who's going to mess with Lord Vader? I know I don't want to be force-choked into submission.

Or lightening-bolted, Zeus-style, as the case may be.

[nickbeat]

Yeah, first name Vader seems like no biggy. He is an original concept, and not the least bit derivative of The well known Sith Lord. I kinda take issue with obvious names of known characters like Raistlin though. Aren't we all trying to create a sense of originality here? I'd prefer celebrities only be played by DMs.

I have a character named Dahdmib who is a desert elf, which sounds like a weird name but actually it is a spoonerism for a well known hero of science fiction. Can you guess where the name comes from?

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