I assume I am also to blame. I remember the first game as folks made fun of Alex's name. I remember before we started the name I picked was called into question, though not made fun of in a ridiculing sense but still looked down at as not worthy. Yet, I wasn't offended so much as scratching my head at why anyone cares what name I picked?
What's in a name? I actually hate my name (Rodney) and I didn't pick it, but it is what it is. An old friend of mine, who's name was Kerry Woodcock and who was known as Splinter Dick probably wanted to shoot a few people, and, I dare say, still does. Perhaps the most heinous and blasphemous of things to say about a name is when folks point out that God is dog spelled backwards. So what?
I do apologize for taking a part in marginalizing something that one or more people hold dear. I had no intent other than to bond with the mysterious Mr. Probst and to show that I got a chuckle. And said chuckle only because it brought to mind an old computer game that I remember playing called AutoDuel, partly because of the name and partly because of the picture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoduel
But I implore everyone to not be too thin skinned. You know how it is when your child falls and someone laughs. Guess what? People watch tv and movies to see people fall or otherwise hurt themselves. It is humorous to a great many. It hurts us because of our attachment and feelings for the target. I didn't realize your attachment. I had no idea. Had you just blurted out Khardul in a live session without thought, would you be as angry if a couple of people chimed in the same thing as was posted? I'm guessing not.
I'm not trying to say that making fun of the name was correct or even acceptable. I'm saying, have a care and realize no harm was intended, at least on my part, even if harm befell. I don't believe harm was intended against my choice of name Bink or even Alex's choice of name.
I again state I had no idea what amount of time, if any, went in to the name. Nor would I have any idea how long it took. At the risk of angering you Vince, looking back at it now, it seems that during sessions you have made up names on the spot a couple of times. In fact, someone pointed out that you used the same name twice, and you changed the second using of it. Of course, I realize that is part of the job and I have no problem with it. However, when you first posted that lots of thought went into the name, the first thing that came to mind was that you seemed to be making it up as we go, at least in part. Indeed, the world's name is just now chosen. My character is being done the same way, not knowing the world he's supposed to have been living in, I'm not sure what road I wish to take. I could have written a backstory of being fast friends with a tobacco farmer, only to find out later that tobacco is illegal in your world. Naturally, without even thinking, when I saw the name of the world I didn't suppose it took a month to invent.
For this shortsightedness, I apologize.
In actually addressing the topic of this thread, I say again the name is perfectly fine and I will have no problem with it, saying it or using it. It is what it is. The world will be shaped by deeds and stories and will not be defined by a simple word.
I hope not anyway.