What's in a name?

tyco · Post by **tyco** » Fri Jul 27, 2001 5:44 pm

I was wondering if anyone had any insight into any meaning or connection behind some of the names for some of the villains or NPCs in SoA.
I was reading else ware a post that mentioned that Jon Irenicus was described in BG1 as "Jon Icarus" an evil wizard. Irenicus seems like a variation on Icarus who was a figure in Greek mythology who flew too high in the sky and plunged to his death in the sea. You think that they named him such because they aimed to create a villain with 'too big ideas' that ended up being his downfall?
And what about Bodhi? It looks like a shortened version of 'bodhisattva' who is someone who serves to enlighten others. And didn't Bodhi fill us in on the story in SoA?
I was just curious if other people pondered about this or had any other thoughts on the topic.
Thanks.

Rogue · Post by **Rogue** » Fri Jul 27, 2001 5:48 pm

Spoilier
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The Lich in Amkethran is named after Von Goeth and German composer, I think, lol.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Jul 27, 2001 6:17 pm

I can't think of a German composer named Amkethran--or is this a pop musician?

EMINEM · Post by **EMINEM** » Fri Jul 27, 2001 7:29 pm

Minsc - probably inspired from the capital of Belarus, Minsc, where they have a number of Hamster zoos.

Imoen - hmmmm... I'm not sure, but in Shakespeare's "Winter Tale" there is a female character named Imogen. Take away the "g" and you have Imoen.

Irenicus - also similar to a famous Christian martyr named St. Irenaues who was a missionary to Gaul.

Aerie - variation of eyrie, an eagle's nest.

Anomen - occupational name: he annoys men.

Well, that's all I can think of.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Fri Jul 27, 2001 7:38 pm

On the docks in SoA, there is Lt. Aegisfield. Aegis being latin for sheild, and him being a man of the law, having to serve and protect and all.

Then, in the temple district, in front of the radiant heart, the weird gnome, and the man trying to court the paladin, thats a take off on Cyrano Deburgreat, and Christian.

The Umar witch is an obvious Blair Witch rip, although done a lot better.

tyco · Post by **tyco** » Fri Jul 27, 2001 8:42 pm

Originally posted by EMINEM:
Minsc - probably inspired from the capital of Belarus, Minsc, where they have a number of Hamster zoos.

Imoen - hmmmm... I'm not sure, but in Shakespeare's "Winter Tale" there is a female character named Imogen. Take away the "g" and you have Imoen.

Is that Minsk/Hamster zoo thing for real??

I looked up the Shakespeare thing about Imogen and she is actually from the play "Cymbeline" in which she is described as a princess who follows her heart. Incidently, in that same play there is a character called Belarius.

Fezek · Post by **Fezek** » Fri Jul 27, 2001 11:25 pm

I think HaerDalis comes from someone who is good at locating information,"Here, da list"

THE JAKER · Post by **THE JAKER** » Fri Jul 27, 2001 11:41 pm

What does everyone name their PC?

I always have these short names like "Kato", "Pio", "Roha" cause it looks more natural in casual conversations, but then it doesn't look right when you are addressed formally, like by the mayor of Trademeet. Of course, if it's an "experimental" character, they always have to look like Cernd (first portrait that comes up) and be named " ; ".

[ 07-28-2001: Message edited by: THE JAKER ]

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 3:49 am

Aerie: Airy (airhead).

Anomen: Annoying Man (as posted elsewhere).

Korgan: Kurgan (from Highlander)?

Jan Jansen: The most popular Dutch name a century ago (equivalent to John Johnson).

Torotorotorotix · Post by **Torotorotorotix** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 7:50 am

Originally posted by Xyx:
Aerie: Airy (airhead).

Aer = air (it's Greek)

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:33 am

Wow... Who'da thought Aerie was so close to Airhead?

Xyx · Post by **Xyx** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 3:18 pm

Originally posted by Aegis:
Wow... Who'da thought Aerie was so close to Airhead?

Nooo, really?

rapier · Post by **rapier** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:23 pm

Originally posted by Rogue:
Spoilier
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The Lich in Amkethran is named after Von Goeth and German composer, I think, lol.

::falls off his chair:: Read the post again...also, do you mean Goethe?

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sat Jul 28, 2001 8:28 pm

I think we sucked this topic dry...

Callimar · Post by **Callimar** » Sun Jul 29, 2001 8:23 am

The fallen paladin Reynald de Chatillon who you meet in the Bridge distrcit is a direct steal off of a Frankish Crusader named.... Reynald de Chatillon. The real Reynold broke the peace treaty with the Saracens for no apparent reason and was generally an ignoble arrogant hothead.
Another thing about names... did anyone else notice that there are two females called Sendai in the series? The first Sendai is that arrogant ***** south of Nashkel who's on a hunting trip with her chums Delgod and Alexander. The second is the Drow bhaalspawn, as most of you know. Strange.
I always call my characters names that sound right when you say them aloud, and they're always proper names (I never call them things like Bigaxe Deathbringer or some such). I think my favourite name was Vaylen (Vai-lin): my Swashbuckler who I took through ToB. The name fitted his character perfectly and sounded good too. Other character names I can remember are:
'Lahval'(La-vahl) - an elven fighter, with a kind of quiet personality, aligned neutral good. The name reflects him well I believe, when pronounced properly anyway.
'Ellrith' - another elf, this time an archer. Again, the name suits an elf.
'Dermot' - a halfling thief, his name has the sound of a kind and non-serious nature.

Sorry for boring you with that... I'll shut up now.

MegaToerist · Post by **MegaToerist** » Sun Jul 29, 2001 8:31 am

I use the name my Ranger had in PnP: Enaloindir. I think it has a flowing sound to it, and it's somewhat elven...not surprising when you've been raised among Elves.

Some other names:
Dorgan Espend: human male swashbuckler
Zealana: a human female cleric
Laron: half-orc male berserker
Cirrion: human male cleric
Bruendor: dwarven male fighter/cleric. Originally, he was a warrior-priest, adapted with the Player's Option AD&D books. Believe it or not, but I came up with this name all by myself, and then, not even a week later, started reading R.A. Salvatore's books. Imagine my surprise

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TC, Geert