Names & Titles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the Lands there are many differing and overlapping methods of naming persons and according them titles. This discussion will provide a framework in which characters (in particular human characters) can be named and titled depending on background and life circumstances.
A baby names book is a useful role-playing accessory particularly if it gives information on the linguistic origin of names. Particular human kinship groups in the Lands correspond for gaming purposes to particular linguistic groupings in this world as follows:
* Utilise Germanic or Nordic (German, Danish, Anglo-Saxon) names for humans of Erimanic kinship.
* Utilise Latinate or Romance (Italian, Spanish, French) names for humans of Narmantic kinship.
* Utilise Slavic (such as Russian) names for humans of Planavic kinship.
* Utilise Greek names for humans of Lehenic kinship and for the public names of humans of Sinti kinship.
* Utilise Celtic names (such as Irish Gaelic) for humans of Brethic kinship and also for the Hinnic (Halflings).
Names for other non-humans can be entirely invented names that have the right 'feel' for that race. This takes care of given names. But what of family and other designations? These also vary from kinship group to kinship group.
The Eriman utilise the formula 'Given Name then Given Name of same-sex parent then Son or Daughter' (Hayward Fenton Son or Amelia Garda Daughter).
The Narmantic use the formula 'Given Name then the name of ones profession or the profession of ones family' (Dominic Mariner).
The Planavic utilise the formula 'Given Name then of the then Clan Name' (Danika of the Popovski Clan).
The Lehenic utilise the formula 'Given Name then Surname of eldest parent' (Vassilly Nicolidas) which is also utilised by the Sinti for public names.
The Brethic and Hinnic (Halflings) utilise the formula 'Given Name then of then name of birth location' (e.g. Colin of Deben).
Naturally intermingling of cultures produces an environment in which these are only generalisations and characters can be named in any way players see fit. Kinship background affects how one is named but ones circumstances can change how one is named or titled. Frequently full names will be abbreviated such that connecting words are omitted.
If one is the priest or priestess of a particular god or goddess then ones name will follow the formula 'Brother or Sister then Given Name then of then Name of God or Goddess' (Sister Danika of Teloch). Druids utilise the same formula but omit any reference to particular gods or goddesses. If one is the most important-ranking cleric in a given church (defined as all the followers of a particular god or goddess within a particular state) then 'Brother or Sister' is replaced with 'Patriarch or Matriarch'. The most important Druid is the Grand Druid while lieutenants overseeing geographic areas are known as Druidic Cardinals.
Originally churches were characterised as family-like groupings and it is likely that the use of the titles 'Patriarch' and 'Matriarch' arose from the practice in extended family groupings of calling the eldest and most revered member of a family the 'Patron' or 'Matron'.
Within professional organisations such as guilds the most important office-holder is given the title 'Master' or 'Mistress' which then precedes ones given name. This practice has also been adopted by the practitioners of specialist magic (such as Illusionists) to refer to the most respected practitioner of any given magical specialist discipline whose reputation is such that they can attract apprentices.
Among generalist mages the older title of 'Arch Mage' is preferred for those whose reputation is such that they can attract apprentices. In addition to this mages of all ranks have a tendency to use the naming formula 'Given Name then fanciful descriptor' (Septimus the Splendid).
Among rogues there is a very common practice of changing ones name using the formula 'Self-Deprecating Descriptor then Abbreviated Given Name or Surname' (Sly Vas or Sly Nick). The most powerful rogue within a gang of rogues may be known simply by the title 'Boss'. However if that gang models itself on some other form of group then the titles utilised may change (if the gang characterises itself as a guild then the boss will be a 'Master or Mistress' but if it characterises itself as a family then the boss will be a 'Patron or Matron'). The Bards avow any such titles but do use particular words like 'Inspired' and 'Famed' to convey levels of esteem among themselves.
Among mercenary warriors it is popular to use the formula 'Given Name then favourite weapon then Surname' (Dominic 'Long Sword' Mariner). Among warriors in military roles the following titles are commonly utilised:
* General: The commander of an entire army
* Admiral: The commander of an entire naval fleet
* Commander: The commander of one unit of troops or one naval ship
These titles of rank are also utilised by specialist warrior groups such as Rangers and Paladins.
Any warrior whose reputation of prowess is such that they can attract warriors to follow them is given the title 'Lord' or 'Lady' which can apply to a person whether they are of common or aristocratic birth. Originally all ruling nobility had to be warriors but now there is a distinction between the most important of gentry and the most powerful of warriors. As such a 'Sir' or 'Dame' may be a very different person from a 'Lord' or 'Lady'.
All members of the gentry are referred to as 'gentlepersons' (gentlemen and gentlewomen) however this term is sometimes also be attached to anyone who cultivates the manners of the gentry. Any member of the nobility may have the terms 'Sir' or 'Dame' precede their given name. Other aristocratic titles only apply to persons in particular power-positions:
* A King or Queen is the hereditary ruler of an entire nation-state (or in some cases the direct legitimate descendent of Kings and Queens if territory has been lost). The spouse of a King or Queen is also a King or Queen. There are those who suggest that some title needs to be invented to distinguish between a ruling King or Queen and one that is merely the spouse. However this suggestion is considered very rude. One is expected to simply know who is the ruler and act accordingly. Furthermore it is accepted practice for monarchs to share decision-making with spouses so the distinction only becomes relevant in questions of succession.
* A Prince or Princess is the legitimate child of a King and Queen. A Crown Prince or Crown Princess is one who is in direct line to inherit the crown.
* A Baron or Baroness is the hereditary or knighted ruler of an estate within a nation-state or the spouse of a Baron or Baroness. Within the barony they are the ruler but within the wider nation they are a vassal to a King or Queen.
* A Duke or Duchess is the hereditary or knighted ruler of an autonomous province that owes nominal loyalty to a King or Queen but who in practice is independent. The Dukedom may have once been part of a nation-state that has crumbled or it may be a distant colony of a nation-state that cannot exert any power over the settlement. These titles also apply to the spouses of Dukes and Duchesses.
In all cases hereditary rule is passed to eldest legitimate child.
In the Lands there are many differing and overlapping methods of naming persons and according them titles. This discussion will provide a framework in which characters (in particular human characters) can be named and titled depending on background and life circumstances.
A baby names book is a useful role-playing accessory particularly if it gives information on the linguistic origin of names. Particular human kinship groups in the Lands correspond for gaming purposes to particular linguistic groupings in this world as follows:
* Utilise Germanic or Nordic (German, Danish, Anglo-Saxon) names for humans of Erimanic kinship.
* Utilise Latinate or Romance (Italian, Spanish, French) names for humans of Narmantic kinship.
* Utilise Slavic (such as Russian) names for humans of Planavic kinship.
* Utilise Greek names for humans of Lehenic kinship and for the public names of humans of Sinti kinship.
* Utilise Celtic names (such as Irish Gaelic) for humans of Brethic kinship and also for the Hinnic (Halflings).
Names for other non-humans can be entirely invented names that have the right 'feel' for that race. This takes care of given names. But what of family and other designations? These also vary from kinship group to kinship group.
The Eriman utilise the formula 'Given Name then Given Name of same-sex parent then Son or Daughter' (Hayward Fenton Son or Amelia Garda Daughter).
The Narmantic use the formula 'Given Name then the name of ones profession or the profession of ones family' (Dominic Mariner).
The Planavic utilise the formula 'Given Name then of the then Clan Name' (Danika of the Popovski Clan).
The Lehenic utilise the formula 'Given Name then Surname of eldest parent' (Vassilly Nicolidas) which is also utilised by the Sinti for public names.
The Brethic and Hinnic (Halflings) utilise the formula 'Given Name then of then name of birth location' (e.g. Colin of Deben).
Naturally intermingling of cultures produces an environment in which these are only generalisations and characters can be named in any way players see fit. Kinship background affects how one is named but ones circumstances can change how one is named or titled. Frequently full names will be abbreviated such that connecting words are omitted.
If one is the priest or priestess of a particular god or goddess then ones name will follow the formula 'Brother or Sister then Given Name then of then Name of God or Goddess' (Sister Danika of Teloch). Druids utilise the same formula but omit any reference to particular gods or goddesses. If one is the most important-ranking cleric in a given church (defined as all the followers of a particular god or goddess within a particular state) then 'Brother or Sister' is replaced with 'Patriarch or Matriarch'. The most important Druid is the Grand Druid while lieutenants overseeing geographic areas are known as Druidic Cardinals.
Originally churches were characterised as family-like groupings and it is likely that the use of the titles 'Patriarch' and 'Matriarch' arose from the practice in extended family groupings of calling the eldest and most revered member of a family the 'Patron' or 'Matron'.
Within professional organisations such as guilds the most important office-holder is given the title 'Master' or 'Mistress' which then precedes ones given name. This practice has also been adopted by the practitioners of specialist magic (such as Illusionists) to refer to the most respected practitioner of any given magical specialist discipline whose reputation is such that they can attract apprentices.
Among generalist mages the older title of 'Arch Mage' is preferred for those whose reputation is such that they can attract apprentices. In addition to this mages of all ranks have a tendency to use the naming formula 'Given Name then fanciful descriptor' (Septimus the Splendid).
Among rogues there is a very common practice of changing ones name using the formula 'Self-Deprecating Descriptor then Abbreviated Given Name or Surname' (Sly Vas or Sly Nick). The most powerful rogue within a gang of rogues may be known simply by the title 'Boss'. However if that gang models itself on some other form of group then the titles utilised may change (if the gang characterises itself as a guild then the boss will be a 'Master or Mistress' but if it characterises itself as a family then the boss will be a 'Patron or Matron'). The Bards avow any such titles but do use particular words like 'Inspired' and 'Famed' to convey levels of esteem among themselves.
Among mercenary warriors it is popular to use the formula 'Given Name then favourite weapon then Surname' (Dominic 'Long Sword' Mariner). Among warriors in military roles the following titles are commonly utilised:
* General: The commander of an entire army
* Admiral: The commander of an entire naval fleet
* Commander: The commander of one unit of troops or one naval ship
These titles of rank are also utilised by specialist warrior groups such as Rangers and Paladins.
Any warrior whose reputation of prowess is such that they can attract warriors to follow them is given the title 'Lord' or 'Lady' which can apply to a person whether they are of common or aristocratic birth. Originally all ruling nobility had to be warriors but now there is a distinction between the most important of gentry and the most powerful of warriors. As such a 'Sir' or 'Dame' may be a very different person from a 'Lord' or 'Lady'.
All members of the gentry are referred to as 'gentlepersons' (gentlemen and gentlewomen) however this term is sometimes also be attached to anyone who cultivates the manners of the gentry. Any member of the nobility may have the terms 'Sir' or 'Dame' precede their given name. Other aristocratic titles only apply to persons in particular power-positions:
* A King or Queen is the hereditary ruler of an entire nation-state (or in some cases the direct legitimate descendent of Kings and Queens if territory has been lost). The spouse of a King or Queen is also a King or Queen. There are those who suggest that some title needs to be invented to distinguish between a ruling King or Queen and one that is merely the spouse. However this suggestion is considered very rude. One is expected to simply know who is the ruler and act accordingly. Furthermore it is accepted practice for monarchs to share decision-making with spouses so the distinction only becomes relevant in questions of succession.
* A Prince or Princess is the legitimate child of a King and Queen. A Crown Prince or Crown Princess is one who is in direct line to inherit the crown.
* A Baron or Baroness is the hereditary or knighted ruler of an estate within a nation-state or the spouse of a Baron or Baroness. Within the barony they are the ruler but within the wider nation they are a vassal to a King or Queen.
* A Duke or Duchess is the hereditary or knighted ruler of an autonomous province that owes nominal loyalty to a King or Queen but who in practice is independent. The Dukedom may have once been part of a nation-state that has crumbled or it may be a distant colony of a nation-state that cannot exert any power over the settlement. These titles also apply to the spouses of Dukes and Duchesses.
In all cases hereditary rule is passed to eldest legitimate child.
posted by Daniel | 8.5.06
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