Taking and Giving Names in Creatures
One of the first events in a Norn’s life is something that affects him or her forever, yet it can range from being a simple task to one of the most perplexing. What event is this? Choosing a name! It sounds easy, just like scrolling around Creatures 1 should be, but many of us struggle to find the perfect names. I covered most of these naming themes a short time ago, but this generation of Creatures 1 Norns have a few new members with interesting names. This also reminds me that I’ll need to figure out a new list for the next generation fairly soon… Hopefully I’ll choose wisely!
Lapine Language Names
For those who are curious, these continue to come from Bits’n’Bob-stones, inspired by Watership Down! I even included the upcoming names of the two unhatched Norns as a bit of an early surprise. Nothing really matches up with Albia, although I still love these names and the meanings behind them! However, I do believe that the next generation will use something entirely different so we continue to have some diversity… At least in the naming sense!
- Mayth: Oak
- Pathun: Bluebell
- Pfeffablel: Cat paw
- Preetar: Hedge
- Thrennion: Rowan berry
- Zelroo: Little claw
A Norn’s name is something that sticks with him or her for life, provided it isn’t changed. This also goes for all of the other species! The name is often the first word a Creature learns, and it is a unique pattern of syllables that one (almost) never forgets.
Just out of curiosity, is there any sort of desire for a resource with names to use within Creatures, organized by theme? I would be happy to put something together with other ideas, not just limited to the ones I’ve used over the years. I have some plans in the works to expand other parts of Discover Albia, and this is something I thought of. Would it be useful to have a collection of themed names together in one place? Or are there enough Creatures name lists already?
i love the names for your creatures, they’re so cool ;_;
Thank you, Dylan! Although I will say I went through my rather boring naming schemes in the early years… I believe I had Apple, Banana, Carrot, and at least a few other fruits/vegetables running around my world! Although I will say that sometimes it’s funny to have those kinds of names: Adds a little bit of silliness, which is sometimes necessary to handle all of the craziness of the Norns!
In the past for C1, I’ve had two strategies – either choose a theme, or base the offspring’s name on a combination of the parents. (Sometimes I mix the two, which means only needing 8-12 themed names for the first generation.) Themes have been everything from book and television characters, to places (real or imaginary), to numbers in foreign languages!
For C3 I usually use Protective Tub, though it would be wonderful to have a standalone program to create similar names for C1. I might be able to do that, but it would probably be beyond my coding capabilities to write it as an applet that works with the game.
I think it’d be useful to have themed ideas in one place – either just the theme, or examples. Sometimes just having that kind of list sparks new ideas.
Those are some great ideas for name themes! I’m not sure how something like Protective Tub would work for C1, although I agree with you that it would be interesting. I can definitely put together the resource I mentioned, especially if it will be helpful to a couple of people! Sometimes the hardest part is just coming up with a naming theme, and getting a couple of ideas can be the best way to finally get a world underway.