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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Imaculata" data-source="post: 7212102" data-attributes="member: 6801286">I took some inspiration from George RR Martin, in that many characters have more than just one name.Eddart Stark, aka Ned StarkSandor Clegane, aka the HoundGregor Clegane, aka the Mountain (that rides)Peter Balish, aka LittlefingerVarys, aka the SpiderJamie Lannister, aka the KingslayerDanearys Targaryen, aka Dany, aka the Khaleesi (and many other titles)Tyrion, aka the impAerys II Targaryen, aka The Mad KingI think a nickname really helps your players remember characters, especially when you have a lot of them. I also practice saying the name to myself, and listening to how it sounds. Is it easy to say, or really complicated? If the latter, I simplify the name. And if the name is an alliteration, the name has a certain lyrical quality to it, and is easier to say. Sometimes I'll also make sure a name means something fitting of the characters. Characters of a specific race will often have names from a specific language that I thought best fits the culture. So in my campaign the Kooghans (a sort of African pirate tribe) all have Swahili first names, and last names that are proud and powerful (often named after the circumstances of their birth, or great things they've done). Some Kooghan names:Darweshi of the Elk, Mwinji the Splendid, Kobe wielder of Flame, Heshima the Blessed, Msia tender of the eternal flame, Musa the Reborn, Urunto Khan of the twin skulls, Hamadi of the golden horn, Penelope Varez Moonpearl, Daro Sinkingsun, Garun Miraclehand, Alaris Thunderingroar, Wandile River Blessed.The Speakers of the Dead (a tribe of witch pirates) all have Indian names, where the first and last name often end with the same letter(s), and where the first name is often a scary one (lots of hissing and gggg-sounds in the name) and the last name always is something threatening (they are named after snakes and poisons).Some Speaker of the Dead names:Skagga Snakeveins, Katakis Umunkis, Rascha Mandora, Yana Calcara, Unu Valadu, Nia The Forgotten, Moswen Poisonvoice, Mesi Tetherbones, Uadjit Cobrafang, Kanika Drownedfate, Keket Drowned Sister, Safiya Corpsetender, Shukura Fleshweaver, Arana Vaspurga, Ishtara Skrigga, Unun Kaladun, Rayne Blightvein, Bakari Shuarri, Kissa Snakeshead, Kissa Snakestail, Hegeth Kessereth, Khaldun Bonescatterer, Aziza Hitthra, Mensah Terrorbringer, Hith’carice Arpurgice, Bastet Basilisksteeth, Nu’ma Kartaga, Sitaara Ashandra, Maleeha Murderheart,Zameel Rottenoak, Anbara Cradleheart, Hazeela Banefultouch, Ghaaliba Grimfate, Humaira Hookhorror, Sakeena Slitveins.[video=youtube;nTBQZBMQtOw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTBQZBMQtOw[/video]One of the villains in my campaign has the most complicated name, and yet it is the easiest to say: Teehlyian'tara (aka the lady of the flesh)... it kind of just rolls off the tongue. And my players have no trouble remembering it... but I probably should not ask them to spell it. And I have a demon queen called Kalhwnarr, also pretty easy to say, not to spell.</blockquote>

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