GameBanshee Forums

I am working on a MOD and I seem to be suffering from writer's block when comes to naming the items. I was wondering if anyone knew some good links that have custom items on them. Hopefully, I will get some fresh ideas from some of them.

Oh! That's easy. There are many ways to find names.

One idea is to simply locate an online dictionary for some very generally unfamiliar language--Urdu, Lgbo, Piraha and Azerbaidjan are four, which you can find (and others) here. Then, type in a few words in English, and see if the results have a good sense of mystery.

For example, I looked under its link to a Sanskrit-English dictionary, and typed in the word "small." It brought up a host of Sanskrit words that are actually based on small and all its synonyms. Many of them could easily become names, such as Topara, Jhaulika, Tanudhl, Zarlraka, and Sarani. Want a different feeling for the words? Switch languages.

Another technique is to find a good book about the development of some abstruse science, art, or discipline, and then copy out the names that please your fancy. I happen to be fond of Russo-Soviet classical composers; so using this means, I could easily construct items and credit their creation on people named Borodin, Arensky, Glinka, Bortniansky, Medtner, Lourie, Cui, Shchedrin, Miaskovsky, Dahgal, Gauk, etc. I avoid all the best known composers, and just select at random from the rest. I could name a dozen more. Saves time. Works pretty well.

As for items themselves, think of giving them each either a characteristic noun ("Bloodseeker"), or a name, noun and adjective/second noun ("Zarlraka's Amulet of Frenzy'). As for descriptions--there, you need a bit of talent to describe how something truly appears, rather than what it does, which should be apparent on use. (If you want background history, stick a book in the mod. I never could understand how anybody looking at an item for the first time would suddenly know not just its entire history, but also the history of its maker, his killer, and the various political factions they'd belonged to--about which you knew nothing, a moment ago.)

Just my POV. Hope that helps.

Loads of choices...

Fable's sugggestions are certainly good. You can, of course use a variety of real-world languages for inspiration, as Prof. Tolkien did with Welsh & Finnish for Sindarin & Quenya.

You can use the names of characters from the world of the game (including dieties) for your inspirations - so Sword of Mask or Helm of Balduran could just as well become "Toothpick of Bhaal", "Golodon's foot" or what have you - Bhaal has an obvious appeal for this game

You can use other literature or games - Amulet of pikachu (ugh!), Staff of Caer Bannog or whatever stimulates your fancy.

you can use composite or descriptive names for weapons - in english - Blindfoe, Bloodfrenzy, Goldenrod, Blade of Carnage, or other languages, such as latin (or urdu...)

Have fun!

i've been interested in doing something like this, but i can't program to save my life. i would be honoured to write some of them (being an english student i need to practice).

sheepwithaleek@hotmail.com if you're interested

Originally posted by fable
I never could understand how anybody looking at an item for the first time would suddenly know not just its entire history, but also the history of its maker, his killer, and the various political factions they'd belonged to--about which you knew nothing, a moment ago.)

Speaking from a PnP point of view, that is what your lore skill is for. Items that have very little history or are widely known, have low lore points. A unique item has higher lore points. So a Bard that is very well versed in old stories is likely to know the history of an item from one of those stories. A fighter will just know it hits well.

It doesn't work exactly this way in BGII, but that is the general idea of the lore skill.

Also, the Identify spell was originally supposed to give you psychic impressions from the previous owners. That was what the spell description said in the 1st edition rules, anyway. The spell description in BG just gives you meta-game instructions on how to use it.

Then logically, you should have to identify everything that merchants sell, because they never tell you the background of their items--you get it immediately, instead, just by clicking on it.

This feels like we are getting philisophical about a fantasy game.

Most items purchased from merchants just give a breif description and sometimes where theses items are often used or how they are made. By my way of thinking, anyone who lives in that world with even a very low lore score would know this information.

Originally posted by Kimmuriel{BD}
I am working on a MOD and I seem to be suffering from writer's block when comes to naming the items. I was wondering if anyone knew some good links that have custom items on them. Hopefully, I will get some fresh ideas from some of them.

Similar to what Fable suggested, I like to browse thru a 1911 set of Encyclopedia Britanica for ideas - it is rich in historical and religous references. The names of forgotten but once famous historical people really lend themselves to these games. Also I like to refer to a book titled "Encyclopedia of Gods" that covers thousands of dieties from every race and civilization imaginable. Other sources are the Forgotten Realms books, the books in the game and the stories NPCs often tell (especially Jan, Korgan and Minsc). A lot of old Near Eastern myths, especially names from Canaanite, Sumerian and Mesopotamian myths work well for items or people in BG's Anmish lore (from the people that gave us those wonderful Gilgamesh/Enkidu epics not to mention the cult of Baal/Bhaal). The game draws upon so many real world parallels that you can also find inspiration in Japanese lore (Kensai's), Chinese/Nepalese/Bhuddist (Monks), Celtic (Druids), Nordic (Dwarves), etc. (though this doesn't work well for elves and ogres).

And if you're looking for inspiration for the history of items you can always draw upon some of the Greek myths - got to love the cursed house of Atreus myths and legends. Even Shakespeare got much of his inspiration from the writings of Ovid. Good luck.

BTW - If you haven't already done it, read every Forgotten Realms book you can get your hands on and take notes! For example, most people think of Elminster as just a mage but he would probably be better described as a F/T/M multiclass char or at least a thief dualed to mage. One of the things I really like about the BG games is their sticking to established Forgotten Realms definitions, themes, and stories. Mods should do the same IMO.