"UndD&Ding" some stuff

[Desdichado]

Good call. I've used a lot of foreign dictionaries before, although for whatever reason I hadn't quite thought of going there this time around.

I really like the alavaskar example. Great bit of work there!

 

[Cyronax]

When I'm starved for names, I use an online translator like google translate. I'll type in a phrase in english, then see what pops up in other languages. When I find one kind of interesting, I'll tinker/rearrange til I get something I like.

Using a translator is also a nice way to keep words in a game pseudo-language sounding self-consistent-- by just mapping each one to a real world language.

Anyway, there's a process that works for me. YMMV.

I often do the same process my self. I also find that a general search on wikipedia through the histories of various less-known countries -- Iceland, the Byzantine Empire, Finland, etc. -- exposes me to a lot of interesting place names and so forth.

I liked the general term of 'changelings' when speaking of tieflings, planetouched, and shifters, I wouldn't necessarily say that highlighting their 'changeling' status. The imperial tieflings for instance would acknowledge their status and think its a positive thing, even if others do not. Sort of like old school Nazis (when in large and private groupings) showing a great deal of pride in their otherwise derided ethos.

I also really liked the 'Nephilim' idea. Very evocative.

For the Primordials and elementals in my campaign, I have created the term 'Atavasar.' It is a derivative of the word 'atavistic,' which I always thought was a cool way of desribing the powers of elementals. It sounded more primitive and destructive to my ears than 'primordial.'

C.I.D.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

One of the nifty things about the Nephilim from a campaign (fluff) perspective is that, even though they may not be that much more powerful- if at all- than other creatures around them is that they have a legitimate claim to an extraplanar heritage.

The implication that a person was related to the gods was enough for some cultures to revere their rulers to the point that there was no question that they should rule. "The Divine Right of Kings" had its basis in that way of thinking.

That someone can actually prove they're at least in part "not of this world" could thrust them into political power in some countries...

While in other regions, they may be persecuted and hounded unto death.