Have any tips or resources for making names feel Realmsian while still being distinct? I’m scared my Sembians, Dalesfolk, Cormyrans, and Netherese will all blend together in my players’ minds! 1)
Over the years, I’ve addressed this topic several times, at great length, with long lists of names. There’s no way those’ll fit Twitter’s constraints, even if I had the time.
So let’s generalize, update, and stereotype. ;}#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 10, 2020
2)
Netherese rarely use surnames. Given names use double-a constructions, end in ‘ol’ more than any of the other peoples you list, often begin with M or include ‘oun’ or ‘aun.’
Male examples: Eirol, Mlaarol, Naraeyn, Orthol, Yulvaun. 3)
Female examples: Althyroun, Aelroune, Cathaele, Ethree, Haele, Jounraele, Kalathe, Maeraele, Nyrindral, Noeene, Olone, Ryndra, Saaraunra, Tylue, Uele (pronounced “Oo-ell”), Vyruil, Woave, Yakla, Yariil, Zoale, Zoare, Zorele.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 10, 2020
4)
Many Cormyreans have portmanteau surnames (Breakwood, Ironwinter, Summergate) and one or two syllable ‘plain’ given names. They can and should blur into Dalesfolk, who have very similar names. One exception: many Dalesfolk don’t 5)
…use surnames, but rather descriptors: Brace the Miller, Brace of North Farm, Brace Longshanks. Those who’ve traveled have often adopted a short form of their dale’s name (Feather, Mistle, Shadow) as a surname.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 10, 2020
6)
Male given names: Belgor, Brace, Bran, Corl, Daern, Dorn, Engor, Farl, Foreth, Garth, Harl, Ivarn, Jeth, Joran, Landryn, Lorn, Maerand, Marl, Narn, Noke, Owyn, Randal, Randral, Robrorn, Rorn, Tal, Tanth, Taran, Vran, Wend 7)
Female given names: Alys, Bondra (usually “Bonnie”), Bryndra, Cathnae, Darthra, Dove, Eveene, Filfarra, Genice, Imdue, Jansra, Joyra, Kathyl, Korva, Marra, Nansyl, Pipra (“Pip”), Sarue, Soora, Tana, Tala, Tansy, Vae, Zora.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 10, 2020
8)
Sembia has soared in wealth and pride over the last few centuries, and many of its folk have adopted new and grander surnames and given names, trying to make themselves sound dashingly important. Some use two surnames (usually hyphenated). 9)
Sample newly-invented Sembian surnames: Alavondor, Barontor, Clarandal, Dauncrown, Dragonhumbler, Galashen, Goldcloak, Kordrivvar, Maerimmon, Ondravar, Sardar, Tarlroyal, Tazrilysk, Tulcont, Vorauth, Wyndarr, Zunderzorn.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 10, 2020
10)
Sembian male given names: Aldan, Alvaerus, Andor, Andarl, Andorl, Avrel, Boldyn, Cathal, Corandor, Dalandar, Elbastion, Farntrond, Galagar, Halvond, Indrus, Jathar, Ontar, Prendryk, Roakyn, Saldvur, Toroke, Torvil, Varandor 11)
Sembian female given names: Barantra, Coeluthmra, Darla, Emsharandra, Filfidelra, Galiyra (pronounced “Gal-LIE-rah”), Haelra, Letrythria, Lornra, Maura, Norone, Raedurla, Telshara, Vorovelarra, Warundra, Yalauntra, Zalorla.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 10, 2020