Dear WotC - You suck at names.

[KarinsDad]

I think WotC could have a survey and poll on their web pages.

First, they list all of the "situations" (i.e. arcane guild, plane of existance, whatever).

Then, each logged on user can give suggestions for each (once).

WotC can then pick what they consider the top 10 for each and then have a poll.


This way, at least they engage the fanbase as opposed to just picking names and alienating some of their fanbase.

 

[LoneWolf23]

I've seen this term thrown around a lot lately, but I'm afraid I don't know the definition in this context. 'splain, please?

A portementeau is a word made up of two different words combined together. The term itself is based off the french word for coatrack, which is "Coat" and "Rack" put together.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

WotC can then pick what they consider the top 10 for each and then have a poll.

Because if Hollywood has taught us anything, it's that creative endeavors really SHINE when created by committee.

 

[Mouseferatu]

A portementeau is a word made up of two different words combined together. The term itself is based off the french word for coatrack, which is "Coat" and "Rack" put together.

I thought that might be what it referred to, but I wasn't certain. Thanks.

 

[HeinorNY]

I think WotC could have a survey and poll on their web pages.

First, they list all of the "situations" (i.e. arcane guild, plane of existance, whatever).

Then, each logged on user can give suggestions for each (once).

WotC can then pick what they consider the top 10 for each and then have a poll.


This way, at least they engage the fanbase as opposed to just picking names and alienating some of their fanbase.

We can always do it here in EnWorld. Open up a thread so everyone can give a new name for each of the planes, than open up a poll to choose the best name for each plane.

 

[Lackhand]

-deleted-

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I've seen this term thrown around a lot lately, but I'm afraid I don't know the definition in this context. 'splain, please?

A portmanteau is a case that opens in to two halves.

In the context of neologisms is taking two words and slapping them together for a new word.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Because if Hollywood has taught us anything, it's that creative endeavors really SHINE when created by committee.

Committee != smart mobs.

Besides, we got Eberron that way, didn't we?

 

[humble minion]

Can't say I'm a fan of the names. I don't mind the concepts, but the names seem very prosaic and descriptive rather than evocative. It's fairly obvious they are names made up by someone who is INVENTING these places, rather than names developed over time by people in a world where they're actually real. Real names aren't like that. To skirt the edges of the Big Religion Ban, the Christian Heaven and Hell get called Heaven and Hell - actual new words made up to suit the concepts rather than cobbled together. If WotC was writing about them, I fear they'd be called Joycloud and The Punishfires.

Surely there was some word or name in mythology that WotC could have stolen to title these places? Something with a bit of actual flavour and resonance?

 

[Megatron]

feywild and shadowfell flat out suck.