D&D 5E True Names - Are they ever "defined" in 5e?

[Reynard]

yeah It means over the last 5years (not counting the 2 book adventures 1 ongoing) I have thrown away dozens if not 100 plots because I leave a clue and the PCs walk past it. Sometimes it's an NPC, sometimes it's a tree with demon names and sometimes it's the book of secret arts sitting in the bards backpack unread for 7 levels...

sometimes though they circle back. Myabe in 4 levels they will be around here and pay more attention then, or maybe this is just a foot note.

I think player agency is the whole point, but in order for the players to really have agency they need information. I don't even bother to obscure it anymore. I don't care if they decide to swallow the True Names hook in this example, but for me there is no reason not to tell them clearly that's what they are. "See, it's a big tasty worm!"

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

I liked the truenamer class from 3.5 Tome of Magic, at least the idea, but in the game it was a spellcaster with a too limited list of at-will powers, more than the sorcerer. And as characters weren't enough interesting, without "brand power".

 

[Cruentus]

I liked the truenamer class from 3.5 Tome of Magic, at least the idea, but in the game it was a spellcaster with a too limited list of at-will powers, more than the sorcerer. And as characters weren't enough interesting, without "brand power".

Truenaming is an interesting concept, but it also appears to be somewhat limited in its application, and it raises tons of questions 'in world' about what it means. Who has a true name? Do they know it? Under what circumstances do they share it? Can it be forced? What kind of power does it provide to someone to has it? Its an extra layer to add on, which could be cool, if done right.

I saw one setting that had true names, and it effectively gave the character a +5 to all actions taken against the creature when its true name was uttered, and a +5 to saves for the character against the named creatures powers. You could also enhance helping a friend by using their true name when they attempted something, and slightly buffed healing when used. But anyone could learn and use True Names.

Like I said, it would really have to be part of the world, and a front facing part to really make sense.