Names

[benoist]

Most excellent thread! I think a blend of historical-sounding names and others reminiscent of the source material of people like CAS et al would do nicely.

[mythos]

Colin,
Love the approach your taking on creating names for the various races.
I look forward to seeing your lists and adding them to mine.
From what you've shown us it is obvious that your putting a great deal of time and work into creating your lists.
Thank you for putting in that effort and sharing it with us.

[jasonzavoda]

Fritz Leiber's "Lankhmar" Character names list 1

Here is a list of character names from Fritz Leiber's "Lankhmar" or "Fafhrd & Gray Mouser" stories. Hopefully these will be helpful for anyone running an Astonishing Swordsman & Sorcerers of Hyberborea or similar fantasy campaign (or even a "Lankhmar" campaign).

I urge anyone who has not read Leiber's "Lankhmar" stories to read them and anyone who has read them to re-read them.

Names compiled from 'Swords and Deviltry' (Hopefully I haven't missed too many)


Bannat
Effendrit (Mingol)
Essendinex
Fissif
Flim
Giscorl
Glavas Rho
Grif
Harrax (Snow Man)
Hinerio
Hor (Snow Man)
Hrey (Snow Man)
Hringorl (Snow Man)
Hristomilo
Ivrian
Janarrl
Jengao
Karstak Ovartamortes
Krovas
Mara (Snow Man)
Misra
Mor (Snow Woman)
Mourph
Nalgorn (Snow Man)
Nattick
Rokkermas
Slaarg
Slevyas
Slivikin
Tyarya
Vellix
Vilis
Vlana
Zax (Mingol)

The Snow Woman

Effendrit (Mingol)
Essendinex
Harrax (Snow Man)
Hinerio
Hor (Snow Man)
Hrey (Snow Man)
Hringorl (Snow Man)
Mara (Snow Man)
Mor (Snow Woman)
Nalgorn (Snow Man)
Vellix
Vilis
Vlana
Zax (Mingol)


The Unholy Grail

Giscorl
Glavas Rho
Ivrian
Janarrl


Ill Met in Lankhmar

Bannat
Fissif
Flim
Grif
Hristomilo
Jengao
Karstak Ovartamortes
Krovas
Misra
Mourph
Nattick
Rokkermas
Slaarg
Slevyas
Slivikin
Tyarya

[Cthulhu Colin]

Aug 31, 2012 11:05:52 GMT -6 mythos said:

Colin,
Love the approach your taking on creating names for the various races.
I look forward to seeing your lists and adding them to mine.
From what you've shown us it is obvious that your putting a great deal of time and work into creating your lists.
Thank you for putting in that effort and sharing it with us.

Thanks, mate. Just finished the Keltic/Kimmeri-Keltic Names. A roughly 50/50 mingling of Old Irish and Scots Gaelic Names that should appear relatively natural to the untrained eye, avoids some names that most folks would find hellish to pronounce, and includes a VERY simplified version of the maddeningly complex Gaelic patronymics. So, you can now have a Kimmeri-Kelt Barbarian with a name such as Conan Macc Bran.

Thracian for the Krimmean Kimmerians will be the next set tackled.

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2012 14:53:42 GMT -6 Cthulhu Colin said:

So, you can now have a Kimmeri-Kelt Barbarian with a name such as Conan Macc Bran.

Ah yes, Ko Son of Koh ... often shortened to Koko. (chuckle) Have an exalt for that one.

[Cthulhu Colin]

Cheers. Just finished the Thracian names for the Krimmean Kimmerians too.

[Cthulhu Colin]

By the way, does anyone have a good list of Tlingit names? I've found an online Tlingit dictionary (so I could use Tlingit words that mean "Wolf", etc.), but I'd prefer to have a decent name resource for the tribe if anyone has one.

[Ghul]

@jason -- Great Lankhmar list. Wow, some of those names bring back very fond memories. It's been too long since I've read any Leiber. I am due.
Cthulhu Colin -- I have a great Tlingit resource, but it will require 25 pages of scanning that I will email to you.

[Cthulhu Colin]

Sept 2, 2012 20:59:27 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Cthulhu Colin -- I have a great Tlingit resource, but it will require 25 pages of scanning that I will email to you.

Cool. Look forward to seeing it. Just the Tlingit for the Half-Blood Picts, general Hellenic listings for the steppe Kimmerians, slightly tweaked Hellenic for the Atlanteans, and listings for the Hyperboreans and Common names left to do.

[jasonzavoda]

More names from Leiber's "Fafhrd & Mouser"

List compiled from Swords Against Death & Swords in the Mist

Arvlan
Atya
Basharat
Braggi
Bwadres
Danius
Gis
Glipkerio
Gnarlag
Gortch
Grilli
Harsel
Ilala
Innesgay
Issek
Ivlis
Kivies (Raven)
Kooskra (Eagle)
Kreshmar
Laavyan
Larlt (Mingol)
Lavas Laerk
Lessnya
Lithquil
Mingsward
Moolsh
Moulsh
Ohmphal
Ourph (Mingol)
Ouwenyis (Mingol)
Pulg
Quatch
Rannarsh
Skel
Slevyas
Srith
Stravas
Teevs (Mingol)
Tovilyis
Tres
Urgaan
Wiggin
Zizzi

Swords Against Death

The Circle Curse

Lithquil


The Jewels in the Forest

Arvlan
Rannarsh
Urgaan


Thieves House

Ivlis
Laavyan
Moolsh
Ohmphal
Slevyas
Tovilyis


The Bleak Shore

Larlt (Mingol)
Ourph (Mingol)
Ouwenyis (Mingol)
Teevs (Mingol)


The Sunken Land

Lavas Laerk


Claws From the Night

Atya
Kivies (Raven)
Kooskra (Eagle)
Lessnya
Moulsh
Stravas


The Price of Pain-Ease

Braggi
Danius


Swords in the Mist

The Cloud of Hate

Gis
Glipkerio
Gnarlag
Harsel
Innesgay
Kreshmar
Skel
Tres


Lean Times in Lankhmar

Basharat
Bwadres
Gortch
Grilli
Ilala
Issek
Mingsward
Pulg
Quatch
Srith
Wiggin
Zizzi

[Ghul]

Fritz was all over the place in his naming, eh? I'm not saying I don't like it -- there is a certain rhythm to his constructions that I can appreciate. I read one of his sci-fi novels not too long ago (maybe 2 years ago?) that I quite enjoyed: Gather, Darkness.

[Cthulhu Colin]

Just Common and Hyperborean names left to do. It's a beast of a document.

[Ghul]

Sept 5, 2012 14:59:17 GMT -6 Cthulhu Colin said:

Just Common and Hyperborean names left to do. It's a beast of a document.

Looking forward to sharing Colin's work with our fellows here. He has researched and compiled an instantly useable resource for any AS&SH campaign.

[jasonzavoda]

Even more names from Leiber's Fafhrd and Gray Mouser

Compiled from Swords Against Wizardry

Alyx
Bonecracker (Ice Gnome)
Breakskull (Ice Gnome)
Brilla
Dickon
Divis
Eeack (Rat)
Essem
Faroomfar
Flindach
Friska
Gibberfat (Ice Gnome)
Glinthi
Gnarfi
Graah (Bear)
Grom
Gwaay
Hasjarl
Hirriwi
Hisvin
Hovis
Hrissa (Ice Cat)
Ivivis
Juln
Kewissa
Keyaira
Klevis
Kranarch
Kronia
Kruk (Bear)
Legcruncher (Ice Gnome)
Nemia
Ogo
Oomforafor
Quarmal
Scraa (Roach)
Snarve
Tamorg
Tork
Twelm
Vlek
Yissim
Zobold


Stardock

Bonecracker (Ice Gnome)
Breakskull (Ice Gnome)
Faroomfar
Gibberfat (Ice Gnome)
Glinthi
Gnarfi
Graah (Bear)
Hirriwi
Hrissa (Ice Cat)
Keyaira
Kranarch
Kruk (Bear)
Legcruncher (Ice Gnome)
Oomforafor


The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar

Alyx
Dickon
Grom
Gwaay
Hasjarl
Hisvin
Kronia
Nemia
Ogo
Snarve
Tork
Vlek


The Lords of Quarmall

Brilla
Divis
Eeack (Rat)
Essem
Flindach
Friska
Hovis
Ivivis
Juln
Kewissa
Klevis
Quarmal
Scraa (Roach)
Tamorg
Twelm
Yissim
Zobold

[mythos]

Jason, thank you for putting those lists together. I've been printing them off and adding them to my collection of fantasy names.

Colin, can't wait to have your lists posted here. Looking forward to seeing what you've done.

[jasonzavoda]

Sept 6, 2012 15:08:18 GMT -6 mythos said:

Jason, thank you for putting those lists together. I've been printing them off and adding them to my collection of fantasy names.

Colin, can't wait to have your lists posted here. Looking forward to seeing what you've done.

Thanks Mythos!

After Leiber I will be working on Moorcock and Wagner.

[Ghul]

I'm actually going to do the same thing as mythos. I've always wanted to have a handy list such as this to access when a random, unplanned NPC presents. Very useful, and I'm quite looking forward to the Moorcock lists, too.

[Cthulhu Colin]

12 pages of names, finished.

[mythos]

Sept 6, 2012 17:30:19 GMT -6 Ghul said:

I'm actually going to do the same thing as mythos. I've always wanted to have a handy list such as this to access when a random, unplanned NPC presents. Very useful, and I'm quite looking forward to the Moorcock lists, too.

I've found it handy to have collections of names handy for NPC's. For some reason there are times when I just can't come up with off the cuff names. Having a set of lists allow me to either select one when needed or make a quick roll.
When doing historical based games, or fantasy rpgs with an obvious real world base, lists of ethnic names can also be of help for players not having a good understanding of the setting.

Colin, looking forward to seeing both your Moorcock and Wagner lists.

[Cthulhu Colin]

Sept 8, 2012 23:25:04 GMT -6 mythos said:

Colin, looking forward to seeing both your Moorcock and Wagner lists.

I think you meant Jason; my lists aren't Moorcock or Wagner, they're historical and fantasy lists and generators specifically selected and created for Hyperborea.

There are 1380 distinct names, plus the generators for Common and Hyperborean add a few thousand more possibilities.

Colin

[Deleted]

Colin,

I cannot wait to see what you have prepared.

Ryan

[jasonzavoda]

Compiled from The Swords of Lankhmar & Swords Against Ice Magic

(F) = female

Bashabeck
Bimbat (Boarhound)
Bomar
Dwone
Edumir
Elakeria (F)
Eesafem (F)
Fralek (F)
Freg (F)
Frix (F)
Fro (F)
Gale (F)
Gara (Deity)
Glipkerio Kistomerces
Gonov
Gorex
Grig (Rat)
Grongier
Grum (F)
Hilsa (F)
Hisven
Hisvet (F)
Hreest (Rat)
Hrenlet (F)
Ivmiss (F)
Khahkht
Kos (Deity)
Kreeshkra (Ghoul)(F)
Krimaxius
Lukeen
May (F)
Mog (Deity)
Movarl
Naph
Nattick Numblefingers
Olegnya
Radomix
Reetha (F)
Rill (F)
Rivis Rightby
Samanda (F)
Siss (Rat)
Skwee (Rat)
Slenya Akkiba Magus (F)
Slinoor
Svivomilo (Rat)
Tchy (Rat)
Zwaaken


The Swords of Lankhmar

Bashabeck
Bimbat (Boarhound)
Elakeria (F)
Frix (F)
Glipkerio Kistomerces
Grig (Rat)
Hisven
Hisvet (F)
Hreest (Rat)
Hrenlet (F)
Kreeshkra (Ghoul)(F)
Krimaxius
Lukeen
Movarl
Naph
Nattick Numblefingers
Olegnya
Radomix
Reetha (F)
Rivis Rightby
Samanda (F)
Siss (Rat)
Skwee (Rat)
Slinoor
Svivomilo (Rat)
Tchy (Rat)


Swords Against Ice Magic

The Sadness of the Executioner

Eesafem (F)
Gorex

Beauty and the Beasts

Slenya Akkiba Magus (F)

Under the Thumb of the Gods

Fralek (F)
Freg (F)
Fro (F)
Gara (Deity)
Ivmiss (F)
Khahkht
Kos (Deity)
Mog (Deity)

The Frost Monstreme

Afreyt (F)
Cif (F)
Gaus
Gib
Mannimark
Mikkidu
Pelly
Pshawri
Skor
Skullick
Titchybi (F)
Trenchi

Rime Isle

Bomar
Dwone
Edumir
Gale (F)
Gonov
Grongier
Grum (F)
Hilsa (F)
May (F)
Rill (F)
Zwaaken

[Ghul]

Sept 9, 2012 18:05:19 GMT -6 @rhino said:

Colin,

I cannot wait to see what you have prepared.

Ryan

I'm going to make a light edit and review of the Colin's AS&SH names document, and then we will share it as a game resource. I am extremely pleased with the results of his work.

[Ghul]

Jason, what do you think about the 1e Lankhmar guide book? Personally, I never used it for a straight out Lankhmar campaign, but I did utilize it for certain city visits in my GH campaign. I thought it was well done.

[mabon5127]

Sept 10, 2012 6:11:17 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Sept 9, 2012 18:05:19 GMT -6 @rhino said:

Colin,

I cannot wait to see what you have prepared.

Ryan

I'm going to make a light edit and review of the Colin's AS&SH names document, and then we will share it as a game resource. I am extremely pleased with the results of his work.

Fantastic!

[jasonzavoda]

Sept 10, 2012 6:11:17 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Sept 9, 2012 18:05:19 GMT -6 @rhino said:

Colin,

I cannot wait to see what you have prepared.

Ryan

I'm going to make a light edit and review of the Colin's AS&SH names document, and then we will share it as a game resource. I am extremely pleased with the results of his work.

Excellent! I am really looking forward to this, especially since I was foolish enough to never have picked up the Gygax Extraordinary Book of Names which is recommended as a resource (and now its running about $50+ on ebay if you can find it).

[jasonzavoda]

Sept 10, 2012 6:14:24 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Jason, what do you think about the 1e Lankhmar guide book? Personally, I never used it for a straight out Lankhmar campaign, but I did utilize it for certain city visits in my GH campaign. I thought it was well done.

I believe they also revised it for a 2e guidebook if it is the one I'm thinking about and the 1e version is better. Same here about a Lankhmar campaign. There is an element of humor in 'Fafhrd and Mouser' that is the lifeblood of the stories and I've never been able to get a proper feel for it as a DM. I have used this source book for city design and many parts of it have made up some of the streets of the City of Greyhawk in my own campaign. I recommend it for anyone running a city campaign who needs a template for some city streets.

One of the things I don't care for in fantasy cities is to have the landscape flat and the streets laid out in a grid. I've always preferred fantasy cities with curving streets, buildings that leaned precariously and roads that followed the contours of the land.

[jasonzavoda]

Michael Moorcock's 'Elric' List of Names - 1

Here is a list of names from Michael Moorcock's 'Elric' series of books. I'm using them primarily for my home campaign of Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea.

I have compiled these names from the books 'Elric of Melnibone' & "The Sailor on the Seas of Fate'.

M = Melnibonean


Agak
Arioch (Duke of Hell)
Ashnar
Aubec (M)
Avan Astran
Brut
Carolak
Cymoril (M) Female
Dyvim Tvar (M)
Gagak (Female)
Gratyesha (Female)
Grome (Earth Elemental)
Hashgan
Hown
Ilian
J'osui C'Reln Reyr (M)
Magnum Colim (M)
Niopal (M) Female
Niun
Nnuuurrrr (Insect)
Orland
Pyaray (Chaos Lord)
Rackhir (Phumite)
Sadric (M)
Saramal (M) Female
Saxif D'aan (M)
Smiorgan
Straasha (Water Elemental)
Tendric
Terndrik
Urlik Skarsol
Valharik (M)
Vassliss (Female)
Yyrkoon (M)


Elric of Melnibone

Arioch (Duke of Hell)
Aubec (M)
Cymoril (M) Female
Dyvim Tvar (M)
Grome (Earth Elemental)
Magnum Colim (M)
Niopal (M) Female
Niun
Orland
Pyaray (Chaos Lord)
Rackhir (Phumite)
Sadric (M)
Saramal (M) Female
Smiorgan
Straasha (Water Elemental)
Valharik (M)
Yyrkoon (M)


The Sailor on the Seas of Fate

Agak
Ashnar
Avan Astran
Brut
Carolak
Gagak (Female)
Gratyesha (Female)
Hashgan
Hown
Ilian
J'osui C'Reln Reyr (M)
Nnuuurrrr (Insect)
Saxif D'aan (M)
Tendric
Terndrik
Urlik Skarsol
Vassliss (Female)

[Ghul]

Another great list. I do think I prefer the sound of Moorcock's names over Lieber's. Some of those Melnibonean names sound like they could make excellent names for Hyperboreans in the AS&SH setting. One of the things that surprises me the most about these lists your are compiling, Jason, is the sheer number of names. I suppose one does not realize how many can crop in a novel. I wonder how many are in _David Copperfield_ . . .

[jasonzavoda]

Sept 14, 2012 10:41:40 GMT -6 Ghul said:

Another great list. I do think I prefer the sound of Moorcock's names over Lieber's. Some of those Melnibonean names sound like they could make excellent names for Hyperboreans in the AS&SH setting. One of the things that surprises me the most about these lists your are compiling, Jason, is the sheer number of names. I suppose one does not realize how many can crop in a novel. I wonder how many are in _David Copperfield_ . . .

Some of Lieber's stories had a good list of names and some had none outside of the main characters. These first two Elric books only have a fair amount of names. I think I have seven of the Elric novels. I have the four books in the Runestaff series by Moorcock (unless he added others). I have lists of Celtic names from various sources like the Tain and Norse names from various Eddas and Sagas. I will be interested to compare them to Colin's list. I've been trying to make sure to note which names are female names, most are male, and some of the lists of names don't make it clear.