Dear 4e, Please Stop with the Horrible Portmanteaus!

[I'm A Banana]

I love the implication that people who do not agree with you about what a horrible name is just don´t get it, don´t care much and just vote for the default because they have no clue. Not that this isn´t a widespread approach to internet discussion, mind you.

Not quite the impression I intended to give. More like, "I find Shadowdark to be exceptionally ridiculous, but clearly, there are people out there who don't have a problem with it, so they don't see any problem with the way things are already."

The idea was that how sensitive one is to names is probably not a constant across all players.

Because I honestly can't conceive of someone thinking that "Shadowdark" really is the best name for...anything. Suitable, or inoffensive, sure, but ideal, no. But maybe that's just me being narrowminded.

 

[Dire Bare]

Is it an issue of agreeing with him, or is it an issue with the name "Shadowdark" itself?

All shadows are dark -- that is part of what makes them shadows -- so every shadow in existence is "The Shadowdark."
That being the case, what's special about giving the name "Shadowdark" to the portion of the Underdark beneath the Shadowfell? How does that name serve to distinguish that dangerous place from every other shadow in existence, whether they be dangerous or safe?

For me, it's both. I constantly get annoyed on these boards (I don't really frequent any others) when posters get "incredulous" that others hold differing opinions.

"What?!?! I just can't believe anyone would ever believe that?!?!"

And, I also don't really have a problem with Shadowdark. It doesn't mean simply that the shadows are dark there, like everywhere else . . . but rather that the shadows are somehow darker there . . .

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Can someone please point the way to the Deep Dark Shadowdarkest?

 

[tuxgeo]

Can someone please point the way to the Deep Dark Shadowdarkest?

Can't help you with that, but I could suggest some alternate names that might fit the concept of the Underdark beneath the Shadowfell in a way that would appeal to me more than "Shadowdark." These names all end in "-fell" as their connection to the Shadowfell:

Bottomfell (or not, with its similarity to "The Bottom Fell out of the Market")
Cavernfell
Cavityfell
Cryptfell
Darkestfell (Thanks for the hint, Danny!)
Despairfell
Dissolufell (where the Bards all play Dissolutes, of course!)
Grottofell (home of grotesques and garrotes)
Hollowfell (not to be confused with "hollow shell")
Subterfell (the Subterranean Subterfuge)
Underfell (or not, with its similarity to "underrotated" and "undersubscribed" -- it might hint of something that didn't fall far enough)
Wankerfell (or not -- that's actually meant to be taken as a joke)

 

[coyote6]

Can someone please point the way to the Deep Dark Shadowdarkest?

Head to Erelhei-Cinlu, take a left, and follow the blackest spiral down.

Remember: when journeying in the Underdark, bring a blindfold, and don't forget to take a spork, and enjoy the brunch. But watch out for the driders.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Can't help you with that, but I could suggest some alternate names that might fit the concept of the Underdark beneath the Shadowfell in a way that would appeal to me more than "Shadowdark." These names all end in "-fell" as their connection to the Shadowfell:

Bottomfell (or not, with its similarity to "The Bottom Fell out of the Market")
Cavernfell
Cavityfell
Cryptfell
Darkestfell (Thanks for the hint, Danny!)
Despairfell
Dissolufell (where the Bards all play Dissolutes, of course!)
Grottofell (home of grotesques and garrotes)
Hollowfell (not to be confused with "hollow shell")
Subterfell (the Subterranean Subterfuge)
Underfell (or not, with its similarity to "underrotated" and "undersubscribed" -- it might hint of something that didn't fall far enough)
Wankerfell (or not -- that's actually meant to be taken as a joke)

To contemplate the Shadowdark, I can but quote Nigel Tufnel:

"It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black. "

 

[MrMyth]

For myself, as silly as the Shadowdark name is out of context, it works in universe. It is the Underdark in the Shadowfell - blending the two names seems reasonable. It works entirely because those two other names exist, and it is a natural combination of the two. I honestly haven't heard any other suggested name that would seem as appropriate for it. And, as usual, it is relatively tiring having others explain that the sole reason I can accept this as the name is because I am "not sensitive to names", or because I don't care about words, or anything else along those lines.

Sorry, but no - people are allowed to have differing opinions than yours without it being the result of some failing of their character, or lesser enthusiasm about language, or whatever ever reason you want to assign to the other side of the argument. It is entirely acceptable to explain your own reasons, but it would be nice if folks tried to refrain from providing them for everyone else...

 

[AllisterH]

Um...why wouldn't the place where the Shadowfell and Underdark bleed into each other NOT be named the Shadowdark?

It's that or Underfell.

I honestly would be more annoyed if it had an entirely different name such as Eltruic or something like that which has no connection to either parts...

 

[tuxgeo]

Um...why wouldn't the place where the Shadowfell and Underdark bleed into each other NOT be named the Shadowdark?

It's that or Underfell.

I honestly would be more annoyed if it had an entirely different name such as Eltruic or something like that which has no connection to either parts...

I believe that the main reason that some people have for wanting the place of overlap NOT to be named the "Shadowdark" it that that name is both redundant and nonspecific, because all shadows are dark.

Would you also be more annoyed if it had a name that was merely a little bit different, such as "Utterfell?"
Wouldn't that work as well in-game as "Shadowdark" does?

 

[The_Gneech]

I don't want to go down there. I'm likely to be eaten by a grue.

-The Gneech