Another name for the Warlord: Ayran

[Stalker0]

Before I go into the name, I think a new way of thinking is required about the whole naming thing in general.

So far, we have been obsessed with finding a new that fits the "leader" concept but that fits the standard historical and fantasy cues. But that's a limitation we don't need. For example, to this day arguments are seen on enworld about the ranger archetype. People still don't feel that the mechanics of the ranger fit the archetype they see in their head.

So why not make up a word. As long as the word is cool sounding, sounds sufficiently "bad-ass" without being so awesome it couldn't fit a 1st level character.

So here's my attempt: Ayran (prounounded I - ran)

Ayran is a celestial word that best translates as "Inspiring Soul". It has had many uses over the years. In some cultures, the name literally means leader, and has the same meaning as king. However, more commonly it is given as a description, often a compliment, to one who has shown great courage and concern for others.


"I am Ayran Taurus Bullock!!"

"I may be the leader of this unit, but Orrus over there is the real heart of the team. A true Ayran if I ever saw one."

"My name is Yaurus Bail."
"Don't be so modest, your people have sent word of your arrival ahead of time. They called you Ayran Yaurus Bail. Such a title is a great honor amongst your people. I would be very interested to hear the story of how you came by the name."

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Not only is its pronunciation the name of a country (causing confusion) but it also bares similarity to the word Aryan (which consequently is where said country's name comes from).
The word aryan is associated with racism (see 3rd Reich) and so it would be inadvisable to have such a similar word be the name of a class.

Also no D&D class has a name that is completely made up. I too think though that its okay for the name of a class not to match up completely with what it does necessarily.

 

[ruleslawyer]

Well, the country's name is pronounced more like EE-ran, but the point still holds.

Also, ayran happens to be a Turkish yogurt drink, so it is a "real-world" word with other connotations (and what I thought of when I saw the thread title).

 

[Felon]

Also no D&D class has a name that is completely made up. I too think though that its okay for the name of a class not to match up completely with what it does necessarily.

Well, we got classes like favored soul and warmage and duskblade. Those names are "made-up". I suppose we could do something like that with this class as well.

But not ayran. That won't fly. Too similar to aryan.

 

[Gloombunny]

Well, we got classes like favored soul and warmage and duskblade. Those names are "made-up". I suppose we could do something like that with this class as well.

Those are all combinations of existing words to suggest a concept. They're not much more made-up than "fighting man".

"Ayran" is... just some syllables thrown together at random, apparently.

 

[The Little Raven]

Well, we got classes like favored soul and warmage and duskblade. Those names are "made-up". I suppose we could do something like that with this class as well.

Those are real words, though (some of them portmanteaus). "Ayran" is simply gibberish that evokes nothing of what the class is meant to do. That'd be like opening up the PHB and looking for fighter, and finally finding what you want under the name "Gaamfingh."

 

[Turjan]

I like to have ayran with my kebab. Ayran is a mixture of yoghurt, water and salt, popular from the Balkans over the Middle East to Central Asia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayran

 

[BBQ]

Sounds way too much like Aryan. Not good. Don't want to drive away people based on a class name (and believe you me, there are those who would leave over the similarity)

 

[Exen Trik]

If you're going to make something up, it's better to go with a portmanteau like battlemaster or a similar kind of word mesh. Monte's Warmain is a good one, I'm pretty sure he just made it up wholecloth, but it is short, easy to say, and sounds a lot like what it is: a tough fighter type.

At least, I think it's a good approach, but I couldn't think of anything good when I tried it (with or without using war-). Maybe someone else has a better idea?

 

[Stalker0]

Alright, Aryan won't fly, no problem...but I think its the right track.

Also, do people like the background I wrote, the concept of a word meaning "inspiring soul" seems to fit the archetype, but can be applied to any good word we can think of.