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Saturday, December 6, 2014

OD&D and just a little comment about the Bard

In the early 80's we read the first of the Keith Taylor "Bard" books about:

Felimid Mac Fal, vagabond, roustabout, poet, and magician. Felimid is a poet of the Old Irish Blood a fully trained bard of Erin. A man who saw the bard's pretty face and the harp on his back might think him a simple minstrel. That mistake could cost him his life.
This character is also an excellent swordsman and carries a magic sword that has a curse. It doesn't hurt him, but it would kick in for anyone else who tried to use the sword.

We thought that he was a pretty good representation of the OD&D Bard who was described in The Strategic Review as:

A Bard is a jack-of-all-trades in Dungeons and Dragons, he is both an amateur thief and magic user as well as a good fighter. He is supposedly able to extract himself from delicate situations through the use of diplomacy, but since this does not always work he is given the innate ability to charm creatures. A Bard has the thieving abilities of a thief one half his level rounded off to the lower level, thus a Bard 11th level would have the abilities of a 5th level thief. Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits may be Bards but cannot progress beyond the 8th level. Elves receive an extra 5% on their charm and lore scores and receive all the extra benefits of an elven thief. Dwarves and Hobbits receive only their additional thieving benefits. A Bard may use any weapon and for purposes of hit probability he advances in steps based on four levels like clerics. For purposes of saving throws they are treated like clerics as well.
They also could wear leather or chainmail armour.

We always like the bard as a character class and found that they worked very well in the campaign.

OD&D and The Spear

I have noticed over the years that very few players from outside our original group ever selected a spear when starting out. Now those of my original group when we started together, naturally gravitated towards swords when playing a fighting-man; however, when we rolled poorly and had very minimal gold to equip ourselves to start out a spear was only 1 GP and we added javelins to the list at the same price giving us some cheap distance weapons when we could not yet afford bows. It was not uncommon for a veteran fighting-man going out on his first few adventures to have a sword, several javelins and a spear. Facing just a charging wild boar, a spear was the weapon of choice.

Then Gary placed the following in The Strategic Review and we expanded our horizons just a bit more, at least in our understanding of the weapons if not in the actual use of the weapons, we still rarely ever used the lance or pike, although we did do some experimenting with mounted combat (and still do have mounted combat in the game) we find it to be considerably more complicated:


"The Spear in Man-To-Man Combat:
Several players have asked why the spear is so (seemingly) ineffective in the Chainnmail "Man-To-Man" combat system. There is no question that the Melee Table shows it as the least effective weapon statistically, although due to its length it usually allows figures armed with spears to deliver the first attack. However, before discussing its seeming ineffectiveness further, I believe a short discussion of the weapon itself is in order.

A spear is a sharp-pointed weapon with a shaft of considerable length which undoubtedly derrived from nothing more than a pointed stick. By Medieval times there were several types of weapons which were spear-like:
- The javelin of 4' or 5' length for hurling;
- The spear for thrusting or hurling, ranging from about 6' to 9' in length;
- The lance of 10' or 12' length for use by horsemen; and
- The pike of 15' to 20' in length.

The spear was a weapon primarily of barbaric peoples or poor ones. The Vikings of the early Medieval period used it extensively, but it was abandoned for more effective arms whenever possible in most cases. The Scots used it throughout the period, but the Scottish version of the spear was very long indeed, and was more nearly a pike. The various peasant levies used it little by the middle of the period, carrying instead combination-type pole arms, i.e. the halberd which combined axe and spear and similar weapons with which both the thrust and the chop were possible. Those weapons which did not combine those two types of attack were either pike-like or broadly hooked so as to otherwise catch opponents not penetrated by the thrust. AlI of the latter class had hafts longer than that of the typical spear.

With this in mind, it is easy to note that a spear-armed man is unlikely to be pitted against any armor class greater than chain-type, with or without shield. At first glance this still seems to put the spearman at a serious disadvantage. However, I suggest the following: As the spear was ineffective against better protected fighting men, the proper employment historically should be sought by those fielding such troops. When they are confronted by foot troops in superior armor the spears should be hurled and the figures then considered to have drawn secondary weapons. This is what spear-carrying Vikings did historically, for example. When confronting mounted troops the spearmen are then of utmost importance, for unless the horsemen are all lance-armed the spearmen will I have first attack, and the effectiveness of a spear against even a barded horse is indicated clearly on the Melee Table. As the spear is unlikely to turn up in games beyond the eleventh century or so, I am certain that a re-evaluation of the power of the spear will prove that it isn't so terribly ineffective as it appears at first."

A bit more about Crimthan The Great's Game and Group

EDIT of this post:

My birth year is 1937 and I turn 78 today (4/7/2015). Our original core group of 9 guys all grew up together and we are all within a few years of each others ages. Two of our original 9 have passed away and of the remaining 7 only three of us are in good health. Out of the original 9, 4 of us still live in the same neighborhood and play regularly. The other 3 still show up about 4-6 times a year, but due to declining health those three have not been able to make it this year and the four of us that game together regularly are planning a trip to visit each of the three that live out of town. One of the four of us is also in poor health but determined to make the trip.

We started an organized twice-weekly game night in 1956 playing cards, boardgames, and wargames that we made up. We had played together from early childhood (cowboys and indians was a long time favorite), we were into westerns, fairy & folktales, science fiction and a lot of other things. I remember homemade bow & arrows, spears, swords, staffs etc., and hunting and fishing with our fathers and grandfathers, and getting old enough to get our first guns and the thrill of hunting and getting that first kill.

Starting in 1956 (noted above) up until 1971 we had played about 1400 games. Then in early April 1971, a cousin of one of my friends sent him a copy of the Fantasy section of Chainmail. We got hooked on it quickly and played it right up until the same cousin sent a copy of D&D in February 1974 and we immediately converted our Chainmail campaign over to OD&D.

Starting with Chainmail Fantasy and continuing with OD&D we played our 1000th games in January of 1982, our 2000th in December 1995 and our 3000th game in September 2008 and this past weekend April 4th and 5th we played our 3687th and 3688th games. Our current goal is to reach 4000 OD&D games and 400 years of game time.

We have played through about 371 years of game time in the main campaign and have four OD&D side campaigns in the same world. I call the main campaign the Tarrozian Campaign and it is very deadly. TPK's are common and getting a group of characters to 4th level is always a cause for celebration. The original core group of players have had between (I am guessing here) 550-750 characters each. In spite of about 450 TPK's, each of us have retired about 10-18 characters apiece. But on some game days we have went through 8-10 characters each.

Our typical gaming session used to be about 12 hours in length which works out to about 36 days of game time on the average. (includes travel time and in-town time which usually passes very quickly, most but not all the time). Ten game sessions is roughly a year of game time, and we usually go through about 7-8 game years per year, although once we retired we are picking up the frequency of gaming so that is approaching 10 game years per year for about the last 12 years. On the other hand since we passed about 70 years old the length of our games has decreased to about 8 hours split into two - four hour segments with a long break in the middle.

A surviving character will usually reach 4th level in about one game year and 6th level by the end of the second game year. By 4th level a fighting-man (as an example) would have a magic weapon, a 50% chance of magic armor, some other magic item and would have saved about 2000 GP after all spending etc was accounted for and would have that amount available to outfit his next foray into the wilderness or a dungeon or whatever. By 6th level a fighting man would have a magic weapon, magic armor, 1 or 2 other magic items and have accumulated about 8000 GP. He would also have attracted the first few of his permanent followers by this point based on his Charisma.

The odds of a starting 1st level character reaching 4th level is roughly 1 in 6. The odds of a 4th level character reaching 6th level is roughly 1 in 2. The odds of a 6th level character reaching 8th level is roughly 1 in 2.

Survival is tough, magic is hard to come by and special, my players seem to like it this way and when I play I like it this way as a player.

We have some children who play now and then and some grandchildren who play now and then. We also have a few great-grandchildren who are just starting to play. We hope that some of them will carry these campaigns on when we are gone.



Update: As a result of the recent interest in this post I will be adding additional posts about the campaign world and game to the blog and to my section of this forum of which I am a member.

Names for OD&D - how to build them - XIII

And here are some more names for you to use:

Alloway
Amstutz
Asay
Astuer
Aulwes
Averill
Barbadense
Bass Cove
Bausinger
Bayar
Beecher
Bezerra
Bizerte
Blackhawk
Blenheim
Bolivar
Bovat
Breen
Briarwood
Brightwood
Brutlag
Burnside
Chanticleer
Chauncy
Chenault
Cogean
Dalworth
Darl
Deanmoncur
Deer Cove
Dewville
Dion
Dorchester
Driftwood
Dshuste
Ebbetts Pass
Edelblute
Eliver
Elkhorn
Elna
Enama
Garwood
Ghormley
Griswold
Gronenthal
Guinn
Hayward
Heath
Hemlock
Hermosa
Hester
Higgins
Hodges Ferry
Hogan
Holliman
Hurstwood
Jayilbbe
Kallin
Koehn
Kruchowski
LaFont
Laramie
Laurel Grove
Lilipuna
Locust
Loquat
Losty
Lykins
Maldanado
Marana
Marble Canyon
McCollum
Mesce
Midvale
Mira
Mistic Cove
Morrilton
Mowrer
Mueller
Mullan
Mystic Cove
Neola
Oak Valley
Olsoy
Onon Daga
Pebble Creek
Petaluma
Pinder
Purnell
Quemoy
Rabish
Rahtjens
Rainier
Raintree
Red Top Gulch
Redondo
Redwood
Reiger
Renata
Rinconning
Rocklich
Rocky Cliff
Royer
Saper
Schimmel
Seymour
Siobhan
Siverly
Standish
Stoddard
Stratmoor Hills
Swampscott
Tache
Tardanico
Terreton
Thierman
Threenot
Tidewater
Timberlane
Tobias
Travois
Veradale
Vero
Vokos
Walsall
Weigelt
Welton
White Birch
Whitefish Lake
Whittle
Wild Berry
Wild Cat Knob
Windemere
Wist Creek
Wood Berry
Woodinville
Woodvine
Worwa
Zemdekas


Abenz
Beaver Creek
Bevers
Buckels
Carreto
Clarkston
Colton
Crowl
Dorn
Elko
Fourniek
Goose Creek
Harflo
Harkness
Higley
Ilfeld
Indigo Bay
Jordan
Justo
Jworlin
Latonya
Lattimore
Liedkie
Marvin
Nycole
Pinion
Purdy
Shadewood
Shalie
Smallwood
Stiger
Tawanna
Trescartes
Trevor
Vancleaf
Yeboah



Friday, December 5, 2014

Names for OD&D - how to build them - XII

Here are some more contributed names:

FEMALE AZTEC NAMES
Acaxochitl | Anacaona | Atototl | Atotoztli | Atzi | Ayauhcihuatl | Azcalxochizin | Cacamacihuatzin | Cacauaxochitl | Centehua | Centeotl | Centocihuatl | Chalchiuhtlicue | Chalchiutinenetzin | Chantico | Chicomecoatl | Chihuacoatl | Chimalman | Cihuaton | Citlali | Citlalli | Coatlicue | Coyolxauhqui | Cuetlaxochitl | Cuicatl | Cuitlaxaochitzin | Eloxochitl | Huitzilxochtzin | Huixtocihuatl | Iczoxochitl | Ilancueitl | Itzpapalotl | Ixchell | Izquixochitl | Malinal | Malinalxochitl | Malinche | Malintzin | Matlacihuatl | Mayahuel | Metztli | Miahuaxiuitl | Michtlantecahuatl | Miyahuaxiuhtzin | Necahual | Nimilitzli | Nopalxochitl | Omecihuatl | Omixochitl | Papantzin | Quauhxochitl | Quetzalli | Quetzalpetlatl | Quiauhxochitl | Tacapantzin | Tayanna | Tecuelhuatzin | Tecuichpo | Teicuh | Teotalco | Tepin | Teteoinnan | Teyacapan | Tiacapan | Tiacapantzin | Tlacahuepan | Tlaco | Tlacoehua | Tlacoxochitl | Tlaltecuhtli | Tlazolteotl | Tlillocapantin | Toci | Tonacacihuatl | Tonantzin | Uacalxochitl | Xilonen | Xiloxochitl | Xitllali | Xiuhtonal | Xochiquetzal | Xochiyohua | Xoco | Xocoyotl | Xuchimatzatzin |

MALE AZTEC NAMES

Acacitli | Acamapichtli | Acampichtli | Acapipilotzin | Acatlotzin | Achicauhtli | Achitometl | Acolhnahuacatzin | Acolmiztli | Acxotecatl | Ahcambal | Ahexotl | Ahuaxpitzatzin | Ahuitzotl | Amacui-Xolotl | Apanacatl | Atlan-Tonnan | Atlixcatzin | Atonal | Atzauatzin | Auellitoctsin | Axayaca | Axayacatl | Axayactaztin | Axoacatzin | Axolohua | Axoquentzin | Cacama | Cacamatzin | Camargo | Camaxtli | Centzonuitnaua | Cenyaotl | Chalchiahtlicue | Chalchiuhtlatonac | Chantico | Chichimecatecle | Chicomecoatl | Chihuaquequenotzin | Chimalpahin | Chimalpopoca | Citlacoatl | Citlali | Citlalpopocatzin | Coanacoch | Coanacochtzin | Coancochtzin | Coanocochtzin | Coatl | Coatzontli | Cocoza | Cocozca | Copil | Cuaucoatl | Cuauhtemoc | Cuauhtlecoatl | Cuauhtlehuanitzin | Cuautemoc | Cuautlehuanitzin | Cuautlequetzqui | Cuitlahuac | Cuitlalpitoc | Cuitlauac | Ecatzin | Ehecatl | Eyahue | Ezhuahuacatl | Huaxpitzcactzin | Huehueteotl | Huemac | Huetzin | Huicton | Huitzilihuitl | Huitzilopochtli | Ilhuicamina | Ipalnemoani | Itzcoatl | Itzquauatzin | Itzquauhtzin | Itzquemitl | Ixtlilxochitl | Iztahuatzin | Luc | Macuilmalinal | Macuilxochitl | Mamexi | Matlal | Matlalihuitl | Maxixcatzin | Maxtla | Mayehua | Mayeuatzin | Mazatl | Meconetzin | Mextli | Miahuaxochitl | Mictlantecuhtli | Mixcoatl | Momoztl | Montezuma | Moquihuix | Motecuhzoma | Motecuma | Motelchiuh | Mutex | Nauyotl | Netzahualcoyotl | Nezahualcoyotl | Nezahualpilli | Nezahualquentzin | Nochhuetl | Nopaltzin | Ocelopan | Ocuitecatl | Olintecke | Ometecuhtl | Ometeotl | Ometochtl | Opochtli | Opochtzin | Oquitzin | Panitzin | Pimotl | Pizotzin | Pochotl | Popopoyotl | Quahcoatl | Quahtlatoa | Qualpopoca | Quauhpopoca | Quauhtlehuanitzin | Quauhtlehuantzin | Quauhtli | Quetzalmantzin | Quetzlcoatl | Quilaztli | Quimichetl | Quinatzin | Tangaxoan | Tayauh | Techolatlallatzin | Tecocoitzin | Tecocol | Tecuiciztecatl | Temictzin | Temilotecatl | Temilotzin | Tenoch | Tenzacatetl | Teoctlamazqui | Tepeyollotl | Tepictoton | Tepoztecal | Teputzitoloc | Tetlahuehuequititzin | Tetlapanquetzatzin | Tetlepanquetzatzin | Tetzauhpilzintli | Tetzotzomoc | Teuch | Teudile | Texcoyo | Tezcatlipoca | Tezozomoc | Tezozomoctzin | Thlohtzin | Tianquizlatoatzin | Tilicuetzpal | Tilmatzin | Timas | Tizoc | Tlacaelel | Tlacahuepan | Tlacateotl | Tlacochcalcatl | Tlacoteotzin | Tlacotzin | Tlacyelel | Tlahuicoli | Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli | Tlalchiac | Tlaloc | Tlaloque | Tlaltececatzin | Tlapaltecatl | Tlapanecatzin | Tlaquiach | Tlazoltectl | Tlilpopoctazin | Tlilpotonqui | Tlohtzin | Tlotzin | Tochel | Tochintecuhtli | Tochtli | Tonacecuhtli | Tonatiuh | Topiltzin | Totoquihatzin | Totoquihuatzin | Totoquihuaztli | Totoquilhuatztli | Tototl | Tziuacpopocatzin | Tzompan | Tzompantli | Tzontecochatzin | Tzotzomatzin | Tzuitecatl | Xiconocatzin | Xicotencatl | Xilotzin | Xipe-Topec | Xiucaque | Xiucozcatl | Xiuhcozcatl | Xiuhtecuhtli | Xochipanitzin | Xochipilli | Xochitl | Xocototzin | Xocoyol | Xolotl | Xomimitl | Xoxopehualoc | Yacatecuhtli | Yaomahuitzin | Yaotl | Yaztachimal | Zeia | Zincicha | Zoanacochtzin | Zolin | Zolton |

Note that these are not just made up! They are all real names of Aztec people. The names are good for any mesoamerican game setting, Hollow World `Azcans' or other lost world area.

Names for OD&D - how to build them - XI

Here are even more names for you  to play with, all from my old Dragonsfoot threads from back when I was still a member:

Aldrina
Aurora
Bartell
Battle Ground
Bin Yuan
Borax
Byrd
Cantu
Capps
Caricopa
Chelsea
Degeare
Denice
Evesham
Fairfax
Festus
Ft Mitchell
Garland
Gladstone
Grass Valley
Grizz
Hawkins
Jansky
Ki Soo Kim
Kirkland
Kraxberger
Longwell
Lubbers
Lyndsey
Maricopa
Masters
Matkovick
Mayfield
McCreary
Mckellips
Mercado
Micha
Millport
Morgantown
Nekisha
Pierce
Prososki
Puyallup
Qiao
Redinger
Richichi
Sammanish
Semple
Sepulveda
Sisneros
Tapani
Ukiah
Wichterman
Zhu


Akamine
Allyn
Amarklys
Ashmead
Astrella
Blakeley
Bo-rat
Bremerton
Bridgeport
Cilvert
Clearlake
Dornan
Edmonds
Gig Harbor
Healdsburg
Hemet
Kori
Landfair
Medina
Mikyung
Morgan Hill
Nause
Orting
Pearson
Pedro
Peregrine
Pesante
Phung Vo
Port Townsend
Purdy
Salinas
Schaub
Schiller
Seabeck
Sibley
Silverdale
Suquamish
Tafoya
Triado
Trull
Tukwila
Vashon
Weldy
Wolfgang
Woonhak Kha
Yakima


Abeyta
Ackerson
Adelmira
Adriana
Alfredo
Alleen
Amphayvanh
Angellin
Aragon
Bains
Bastrop
Bellfort
Binswanger
Bissonnet
Bitter Springs
Bolton
Bowmont
Braeswood
Briamoore
Burgoon
Calle
Carikite
Cedar Creek
Cisneros
Clute
Danilo
Demerest
Elgin
Emert
Fenton
Ferguson
Fojtik
Forrest
Gardiner
Garwood
Genchi
Gier
Gleason
Gortin
Greenville
Gulston
Hagglund
Harbert
Harborview
Harleysville
Hassan
Hassell
Helenwood
Henfler
Henrich
Henricyh
Hensler
Howell
Huega
Huntington
Iha
Ivey
Jinghuai Li
Kelleher
Kimo
Kluk
Kripple Kreek
Kuidip
Kwunfung Ng
Landers
Lomas
Lone Mountain
Maife
Mansell
Maple Falls
Maple Grove
Mcilhattan
Mcintosh
Metavante
Milpitas
Monticello
Morang
Morehouse
Moreng
Mountainview
Munday
Niantsu
Northmill
Old Haven
Olden
Olide
Osseo
Parades
Parc
Park City
Petrusit
Phelan
Potter
Ramsey
Ranju
Raritan
Rehovsky
Salts Flats
Sand Shoals
Savana
Shea
Sierra
Slagle
Smilet
Smithville
Sommay
Squaw Peak
Standley
Stanwood
Stoney Brook
Summerset
Sundancer
Sunnybrook
Sweet Water Springs
Sweetbrush
Tanamaddox
Tanglewood
Thornton
Tiburon
Timber Creek
Toppenish
Touareg
Turquoise
Umbria
Vanden
Vilay
Wang
Westbrook
Wharton
Whitefield
Ywun Fung Ng
Zavala

Names for OD&D - how to build them - X

Here are some more names: tweak them, combine them or break them apart and recombine them, use them for inspiration and make your own original huge list of names and you will never be stuck for a name again.

Aitro
Almanor
Armando
Atwater
Bear Hollow
Besecker
Blue Springs
Bobosky
Brausen
Brazoria
Burlingame
Cheshire
Daigle
Danforth
Darrow
Declue
Determan
Engelbrecht
Foxford
Freeberg
Garibaldi
Gegg
Gravois
Great Valley
Halverson
Hasbrouck
Haymarket
Horton
Hoyt
Ick
Jae
Jaffe
Janoe
Javier
Juvencia
Juvpncia
Kittery
Klickitat
Laveen
Liska
Lorti
Lufberry
Luigina
Lupient
Marvis
Mazion
Mesero
Milfleur
Milian
Mindoro
Minton
Miwuk
Moira
Moosup
Morganton
Mujic
Nedzad
Nuberg
Numoto
Olathe
Otte
Palmar
Passaic
Potrekus
Reyna
Rincon
Ryder
Safarian
Sanderson
Seal Rock
Sohrabi
Solorio
Soper
Strazi
Strazik
Streed
Stringer
Tarima
Tatum
Tietz
Toutle
Urbigkeit
Vaudrin
Vixie
Westborough
Yaqui
Yi
Zixie

Here are some other names, a lot of other names that were also contributed to my Dragonsfoot thread:

Aakesh
Adario
Aderyn
Aditu
Adraeran
Aeiran
Aelis
Aeriss
Aeron
Aethyr
Agora
Aguidran
Aguilla
Aia
Aikikia
Ailric
Ainn
Ainu
Airmid
Aislinn
Akira
Alaric
Alberik
Alhana
Alin
Alora
Altin
Amain
Amanfea
Anandra
Ancla´ar
Andara'an
Andolan
Angmar
Anigh
Anitra
Anvar
Aquill
Aradh
Aralik
Arania
Ardda
Arell
Arianth
Ari
Arian
Arid
Arlan
Arleano
Arlya
Arrah
Arshavir
Arshel
Arthryn
Artreyu
Arwen
Arun
Aryen
Aryus
Ash
Ashan
Aschar
Ashane
Ashne'e
Asiria
Aslior
Astinus
Astraea
Astran
Astrin
Athabasca
Atiaran
Atmeh
Atreyu
Aturin
Atyre
Audric
Aule
Aurian
Aurora
Avall
Aveole
Avery
Avon
Aya
Ayarèn
Ayin
Ayir
Aylmer
Azeal
Azhrarn
Azrean
Aztira

Babrine
Baraca
Barahir
Barll
Beyash
Blaen
Bleran
Blunyc
Bodvar
Boromir
Bracca
Brandec
Brangwen
Brann
Brannon
Bremen
Bress
Brona

Cadrach
Caer
Cai
Cail
Caitlin
Calera
Calmic

Cambree
Caramon
Caribou
Carli
Cathla'in
Caylin
Celebdil
Celeborn
Celes
Ceomyr
Cercyon
Cevir
Cerindar
Ceylinn
Chaka
Challen
Chanti
Chavir

chevran
Chimaera
Cilmar
Claed
Cloud

Conn
Connidas
Connon



Corinth
Coyan
Cray
Creydah (Creidah)
Cuddry
Cullyn
Cynoril
Cyrus


Daen
Dagda
Dagwyn
Dahil
Daikkah
Daila'in
Dakoda
Dall
Dallandra
Damar
Damien
Dannun
Dannyn
Daphin
Dara
Darien
Dario
Darlis
Daryan
Dathanja
Dekteon
Delita
Deminar
Denethor
Derfel
Derian
Desmona
Devabriel
Devaron
Dhan
Dhur
Diadra
Diagur
Dian
Diarmud
Dinivan
Dino
Diony
Divos
Dolyan
Domnu
Donblas

Dorvai
Draoi

Drako
Drayko
Draven
Dreed
Drezaem
Drinda
Drion
Drizzt
Drynn
Duain (Dua'in)
Dulasiri
Durin
Durnik
Dweomer
Dygardo
Dymphna
Dyvim

Ebany
Echael
Edcyl
Efiath
Egron
Ehlreth
Eilinud
Einar
Eirech
Elath
Eldid
Eldin
Eldìvèn
Eldron
Elelil
Elendil
Eleno'in
Elessar

Elion
Eliseth
Elispeth
Elistan
Ellydryr
Elrodin
Elron
Elu
Elvrit
Elysia
Emirah
Endoray
Enigma
Enn
Envi
Enzoray
Eolair
Eosin
Eowyn
Ephyre
Erebor (Erobor)
Esghar
Erian
Essa
Esselin
E'thane
Ethelbearn
Everard
Ewugan
Ezail
Ezellohar
Ezirith
Ezme
Ezrabar

(Fay-lynn)
Fali
Falias
Falmalinnar

Fangorn
Faramir
Faran
Farathar
Farli
Fea
Felladin

Fellathor
Ferantay
Ferazhin
Farnham
Fiathna
Fikir
Finarfin
Findegil
Finias

Fiorag
Fiori
Firca
Fistar
Flare
Flint
Forbus
Fornost
Foronte
Frayja
Frodo
Fyodor

Galan
Galeia
Galrion
Gama
Gannon
Ganvan
Gandalf
Ganduil
Garland
Garlenon
Garon
Gealsgiath
Gerreint
Gesin
Ghirra
Gia
Gilir
Gillion
Gillyn
Gilm
Gilraen
Girin
Gisgin
Glebur
Gleocyn
Gloisur

Glugwyn
Glum
Glynn
Goibhniu
Gongalo
Gordalius
Gorias
Greegan
Grendahl
Grian
Griffid
Griffin
Grindan
Gualat
Gunthagh
Gwacyn
Gwaihir
Gweddyn
Gwenca
Gweniver

Gwoc
Gwomyr
Gwyran
Gwythinn


Hakatri
Haldor
Hani
Hanoran
Harren
Hauk
Helir
Heryom
Hhabezur
Hidohebhi
Harthan
Harthran
Hattrick
Hayvan
Hazel
Hazrond
Helix
Hermione
Himli
Hisar
Hjeldin
Homli
Horan
Hruse
Hurgal
Hurvin
Hustana
Hyarantar
Hyarante
Hyfryn (Hifryn)
Hylissa

Iana
Ibitz
Ica
Ick
Idarolan
Iduné
Igjaru
Ikarin
Ilena
Iliriya
Ilkyardim
Ilniora
Illuin
Iluvatar
Ilya
Ilyesha
Imajin
Imnar
Imoen
Imphela
Imrahan
Imrahim
Imril
Imryr
Inahwen
Indech
Indira
Indreju
Indria
Ingen
Ingolf
Inifael
Inisfa'il
Iosaz
Irian
Irphilin
Irwick
Isgrimnur
Irsai
Isael
Isbeorn
Iscal
Isengard
Isengrim
Isiki
Isorn
Ithaca
Ithineg
Ivan
Iwanda
Iyi
Iyisha
Iyu'nigato
Izvire

Jaden
Jadzia
Jaheira
Jahrec
Jalasil
Jaligal
Janda'nan
Janix
Jarazal
Jarnagua
Jarvin
Jasara
Jaseve
Jasha
Javon
Jayce
Jayden
Jaylidan
Jayna
Jehryn
Jelyn
Jenantar
Jerec
Jesiper
Jesslyn
Jestyn
Jevist
Jezryanadar
Jhael
Jhaelen
Jhany
Jharkor
Jhary
Jihad
Jillian
Jingizu
Jintah
Jiriki
Jirnost
Jochan
Jomano

Jura
Jurim
Juss
Jyresh

K'aarna
Kaelin (Kaelyn)
Kai
Kailyn
Kaimana
Kaitlinn
Kaja
Kalan
Kalar
Kamril
Kanoa
Kaori
Karis
Karya
Kaschak
Kasreyn
Kassafeh
Kathran
Katishimo
Kavalnir
Kaylianna
Kazairl
Kazalim
Keelan
Keiko
Keshar
Kelma'in
Kelvin
Kendra
Kerish
Kettali
Kethios
Keyrnon
Khanzadian
Kharas
Khelin (Khealynn / Khelyn)
Khendraja'aro
Khindawe
Khirsha
Khyved
Kiborno
Kiera
Kikkasut
Kimmmuriel
Kinson
Kira
Kiri
Kirjava
Kishin
Kisin
Kitiara
Ki'ushapo
Kjindar
Knut
Koabon
Kolbein
Kona
Kota

Ky'ishi
kyllam
Kylindra
Ky'varan


Ladoros
Laeli
Laerrui
Lahar
Lahsai
Lalely
Lan
Lana
Landailyn
Landrea
Laneth
Langrian
Larad
Larn
Larnea
Larz
Laurana
Laurelin
Lateia
Lazlo
Lea
Leareth
Leathian
Lec
Leika
Leli
Lembar
Lenka
Lesesne
Lestyn
Lexan
Lexx
Lhuc
Lia
Lilin
Lindar
Linmer
Liphar
Lirith
Lithar
Llungru
Lluth
Llythin
Lobelia
Lobryn
Loibur
Loili
Loddlaen
Lodica
Lonvan
Loric
Lórien
Lott
Lovyan
Lovva
Luas
Lucan
Lucca
Lucian (Lucyan)

Luhsane
Lum
Lunar
Luscan
Luthian
Luvina

Lylas (Lylas)
Lymo
Lyndall
Lypilla
Lyra
Lyrian
Lyrin
Lyssa
Lythian
Madora
Maec
Maegwin
Maerraent
Magh
Mahri
Maidah
Maidak
Makoma
Malach
Maladack
Malak
Malcoff
Malfar
Malia
Maliforin
Malkil
Manaverr
Manwe
Maoll
Mariandor
Marisse
Marsineh
Martus
Maryn
Matthias
Maudlin (Maudlyn)
Maxander
Mazrak
Medea
Meder
Medrom
Mekeesha
Meliadoul
Melkor
Mellyora
Melnyth
Melvaig
Menelvagor
Merasye
Meoran
Merah
Merh
Meriadoc
Merivan
Merlin
Merryn
Methos
Mideya
Midra
Mileaha
Miriel
Mirrash
Mirromi
Mishanti
Misin
Mithrandir
Miwa
Moda
Mohieddin
Moisur
Moiriane
Molina
Morgon
Morgwin (Morgwyn)
Morik
Morin
Mortrock
Morven
Moya
Mubur
Muhlwena
Murias
Murina
Mustadio
Mylé
Mylin
Munin
Myrrdyn
Myshella
Myvor

O P Madora
Maec
Maegwin
Mael
Magh
Mahri
Maidah
Maidak
Makoma
Malach
Maladack
Malak
Malcoff
Malfar
Malia
Maliforin
Malkil
Manwe
Maoll
Marisse
Marsineh
Martus
Maryn
Matthias
Maudlin (Maudlyn)
Maxander
Mazrak
Medea
Meder
Medrom
Mekeesha
Meliadoul
Melian

Mellyora
Melnyth
Melvaig
Menelvagor
Manton
Merasye
Meoran
Merah
Merh
Meriadoc
Merivan
Merlin
Merryn
Merwold
Methos
Mideya
Midra
Mileaha
Miragon
Miriel
Mirrash
Mirromi
Mishanti
Misin
Mithrandir
Miwa
Moda
Mohieddin
Moisur
Moiriane
Molina
Morgon
Morgwin (Morgwyn)
Morik
Morin
Mortrock
Morven
Moya
Mubur
Muhlwena
Murias
Murina
Mustadio
Mylé
Mylin
Munin
Myrrdyn
Myshella
Myvor

To top Nagai
Nagvar
Nahar
Naia
Naidel
Nakea
Nanorion
Naois
Narasen
Narcista
Narisa
Narvi
Nasir
Nebron
Nedstar
Nemm
Nemuel
Neri
Nerian
Nesta
Nevaeh
Nevena
Nevyn
N'hadha
N'hadka
Nicor
Nienna
Nigil
Nikua
Nimir
Nimrodel
Nira'in
Nirnir
Nivek
Nivilian

Nolan
Norle
Novalis
Nuada
Nuadi
Nuanni
Nu'endo
Nurgan
Nushia
Nyassa
Nylan
Nynaeve
Nyra
Nytasa

Oalyn
Ocar
Odar
Odimus
Okander
Oldac
Oloru
Omandras
Oonai
Operrallmar
Orion
Orius
Orivaen
Orlandu
Orome
Osiris
Oskavar
Osoyarir
Osric
Owen
Owyn
Ozatras
Ozto

Pala
Pamar
Parbha

Pean
Pelipi
Peregrin
Perrin
Pestivar
Pia
Picar
Pika
Pittheus
Polassar

Pulisk
Quagel

Quasar
Quass
Quebba
Quelfinas
Quesan
Queygo
Quora
Quvar
Quvean

Raagon
Rabur
Rackafel
Rackhir
Raen
Rai
Raine
Raina
Raistlin
Rafa
Rafur
Ragen
Ralmanor
Ramora
Ramli
Ramza
Rancor
Rand
Randoer
Randor
Rathack
Rathgar
Rauros
Raziel
Razzan
Regalorn
Reis
Rem
Remi
Remnor
Renar
Reoc
Resha
Rhadry
Rhaederle
Rhaeryn
Rhiow
Rhys
Rilir
Rinaldus
Rhynn
Ricyn
Risaya
Riven
Roignar
Romelia
Ruadan
Ruan
Rubar
Ruben
Rubrick
Rulian
Rulinian
Rumil
Runus
Rusgar
Ruwen
Rycaro
Ryll
Rynnyn
Ryoga
Ryoka


Saalem
Sabhel
Sador
Safrin
Saedd
Saia
Saifai
Sambrea
Sanoria
Sanoreya
Sano'rye

Sarel
Sarevok
Sarisin
Sariya
sarlyn
Saska
Sauron
Savah
Sayan

Seersha
Selwyn
Senna
Sephia
Sepiroth
Seramir
Sergei
Seryan
Seitarin
Sevadia
Severin
Sevy
Sha'dar Shadrach
Shaivir
Shalindra
Shamane
Shana
Shandalar
Shanell
Shannandoah
Sharaq
Sha'rell Sharilla
Sharla
Sharmaine
Sharra
Sharyn
Shayla
Shayll
Shayonea
Shea
Sheegoth
Shemsin
Sheridan
Shezael
Shima'onari
Shintaro
Shiza
Shuinn
Shuna
Shurakai
Shurik
Shushila
Siandar
Sidhe
Sigurd
Silatasar
Simir
Simmu
Sindarin
Sinir
Sinjin
Sirisir
Sirli'in (Sirly'in)
Sirona
Sirranon
Sisimar
Siski
Sivesh
Siward
Sjerdi
Snargg
Soilir
Stowna
Straygoth
Sirwin
Soilir
Soisil
Sonnet
Sorass
Sorin
Sornovas
Soveh
Soyadi
Squall
Srass
Sudeha
Sulimo
Suras
Susin
Susur
Svein
Sylvine
Sylvin (/ Sylvyn)
Synnyn
Syrioll

Tabar
Tabor
Tabu
Tachel
Tadashi
Tadisha
Tadra
Taennyn
Tailabar
Talen
Talobar
Talmora
Taloxi
Taylin
Tamar
Tamias
Tamoreya
Tanis
Tanyc
Taran
Taria
Taron
Taryn
Tas
Tasharra
Taveli
Taylian
Tedra
Tegan
Tenna
Teoddry
Ter
Teralyn
Tesin
Tesla
Tevran
Thaki
Tham
Thantos
Tharbad
Tharkesh
Theleb
Theoden
Thesius
Thieras
Thieryn
Thingyr
Thio
Thirisheri
Thomulor
Thorgeir
Thorin

Thrain
Thule
Thyssa
Tiana
Tisheri
Titia
Tivernee
Tihan
Tika
Tilir
Tioniel
Tirion
Tiyagar
Tobis
Tolenka
Torc
Tortbold
Tosya
Toulac
Trevel
Trir (Trirdestron)
Tristam
Tuane
Tugan
Tuilleth
Tulio
Tulkas

Turan
Twyla
Tylen
Tylynn
Tymar
Tynnyn
Tyr
Tyra
Tyranina

Uaron
Ubriani
Ucarsh
Uda
Uhlain
Uhlume
Uholedil
Ulji
Ulis

Ulosh
Umaiar
Umda
Unius
Unrak
Upal
Uranos
Uriel
Urish
Urokoz
Utumno
Uusoae
Uvanimor


Vabryn
Vadi
Vaeddyn
Vai
Valadan
Valandario
Valarindi
Valdain
Valion
Valgar
Valkor
Valla

Vane
Vanechka
Vannyn
Vanya
Vanyar
Vereesa
Vasava Vasha
Vasin
Vaydir
Vayi
Veldan
Velior
Vendor
Veorcyn
Vercyn
Velex
Vicarr
Vilka
Vintar
Vircyn
Vishali
Vix
Vlaric
Vobur
Volkan
Volney
Vonya
Voranor
Vrashin
Vurog
Vusil

Waivan
Wakkar
Walborg
Wanhim
Warrigel
Wariv
Waryk
Waylan
Wayland
Waylon
Weiryn Wendolyn
Weyrn
Wilmar
Winian
Winslow
Wivianne
Wizlow
Wodan
Wychn
Xaandria
Xaath
Xabian
Xabiel
Xain
Xalthan
Xanaphel
Xandra
Xandria

Xarolith
Xavier
Xavin
Xela
Xenoba
Xerravin
Xiombarg
Xoncarg
Xulan
Xyas
Xydra
Xyko
Xylah
Xylan
Xymoya
Xytrin


Yacima
Yahira (Yajaira)
Yaigin
Yalan
Yalin
Yalniz
Yamari
Yanira
Yannul
Yara
Yaraia
Yarali
Yardim
Yari
Yarir
Yaritza
Yarim
Yarin
Yastar
Yatay
Yavana
Yazihane
Yeni
Yénisar
Yezade
Yishana
Ynryc
Yradry
Yreoddyn
Yrrkoon
Yrun
Yryllyn
Ysgerryn
Yvyr

Zaidh
Zalazar
Zaranthe
Zared
Zarimarth
Zathras
Zavel
Zaviv
Zay
Zazumel
Zhalore
Zharvek
Zhirek
Zhirem
Zebalane
Zebulon
Zehir
Zeswick
Zilar
Zincir
Zion
Zirzihin
Zolabar
Zorashad 

Names for OD&D - how to build them - IX

Here are even more names and try the tweaking options I previously posted.

Almazan
Amezquita
Ashdown Forest
Babu
Big Goose Lake
Blackstone
Blackstone
Bluebird
Bourque
Castle Rock
Chearil
Cherian
Cocklebur
Cottonwood
Dalen
Descoteaux
Eskandarian
Fernwood
Foxfire
Goodpasture
Graystone
Great Falls
Grizzly Flats
Guadalupe
Hood River
Horn Lake
Jareau
Jariang
Jennifur
Joice
Luz
Mammath Peak
Mammoth Peak
Maple Plain
Meadowoak
Miranda
Natasha
Oak Creek
Oak Harbor
Oak River
Oakgrove
Passeau
Pipestone
Rambling
Rene
Rockcliff
Round Mountain
Rusford
Schawn
Silver Springs
Silverbrook
Silverdale
Silverdale
Silverrod
Silverthorne
Silverwood
Sneath
Starview
Sundar
Sweetwater
Tamorah
Tassueau
Teyton
Thorsen
Tomahawk
Torgrimson
Tovar
Triana
Tullibee
Tumwater
Wickenburg
Wimble
Wolverton
Zeledon

Berry Creek
Black Heath
Blue Springs
Cave Creek
Chyrll
Darven
Darvin
Dorinda
Evergreen
Fountain
Gadzala
Grey Cloud Island
Hearthstone
Kanazir
Kaylor
Koger
Kvalvik
Lakestone
Larch
Mariah
Meadowlark
Qualvick
Rivin
Rolf
Rosander
Smotherman
Stockton
Sunfire
Sydney
Szelagowski
Tamblyn
Tawny
Tijeras
Trout
Waterville
Whitebear Lake
Wildfire

Airk
Apple Valley
Barkwood
Bronwyn
Cuellar
Dassel
Firebird
Gholston
Gold Hill
Grapeland
Greystone
Gumtree
Jade Coast
Jalvo
Lizarraga
Mascarenaz
Morgan
Moritz
Nayon
Raintree
Ralpah
Ringold
Rouge River
Rubidoux
Singh
Singing Cactus
Southington
Spring Mountain
Staghorn
Stillwater
Terelyn
Timberwolf Mountain
Turlock
Vidor
Yuan


And here are some others that were contributed to my Dragonsfoot thread way back when:

Albert Head
Alert Bay
Ashton Creek
Atlin
Avola
Bear Lake
Beaverdell
Bella Coola
Bid Eddy
Blue River
Bowser
Burns Lake
Canal Flats
Cassiar
Caycuse
Cedar
Cedarside
Chase
Chemainus
Cherry Creek
Chetwynd
Clearwater
Crofton
Departure Bay
Eddontenajon
Elko
Endako
Field
Forest Grove
Fruitvale
Giscome
Greenwood
Hagensborg
Hatzic
Hazelton
Heffley Creek
Hixon
Ioco
Jaffray
Kaslo
Keremeos
Kitimat
Kitsault
Kitwanga
Kokish
Lang Bay
Lillooet
Lion's Ba
Lone Butte
Masset
Matsqui
Mesachie Lake
Monte Lake
Nakusp
Nanaimo
Nootka
Nukko Lake
Ocean Falls
Osoyoos
Oyama
Peachland
Pine Valley
Popkum
Procter
Quesnel
Salmon Arm
Saltair
Salmo
Sardis
Sasseenos
Shoreacres
Sproat Lake
Stoner
Tahsis
Telkwa
Tofino
Ucluelet
Valleyview
Willow River
Woodfibre
Yarrow
Ymir
Youbou
Zeballos

Names for OD&D - how to build them - VIII

Here are even more names for persons and places:

Andrade
Arkadelphia
Arlet
Ashleigh
Black Diamond
Boice
Bundrock
Doscher
Fedoruk
Firebird
Hawni
Jaffarian
Kerbs
Keth
Krey
Lifshaz
Mallika
Mysty
Nolen
Poglajen
Puckle
Sweetwater
Tetonia
Torrov
Val
Wozniak
Yan
Yelena
Yunker

Other real world names that I have collected over the years:

Aram
Arvizu
Baran
Calbert
Carse
Cartan
Chermack
Doran
Elsmere
Foron
Freestone
Gilisan
Greybull
Hawkstone
Hearthsong
Heuertz
Kamas
Keeran
Keernam
Kerran
Krodan
Lagneaux
Leeram
Menlough
Michalisin
Mohn
Mordaunt
Mulligan
Norum
Nyback
Oakham
Ramya
Rarse
Renior
Rockdale
Rosaura
Roseville
Roverbank
Shadow Tree
Shuff
Snow Warriors
Trafford
Wildwood
Yigshak
Yitshak

Adirondack
Alcala
Ambaum
Ard
Asava
Battle Mountain
Billadeau
Burien
Caven
Chaves
Coeur Dalene
Embercrest
Grayland
Gurule
Jolin
Kerfoot
Kermel
Omar
Patrisha
Reezak
Rezac
Rizza
Selck
Sirois
Sisak
Spruce
Thoennes
Tveit
Umpleby
Zamarron
Zazueta
Zeiner


Aumsville
Blackberry Hill
Bramble Bush
Coreen
Daavern
Dlorah
Flagstaff
Flintridge
Goodpasture
Grajczyk
Jarbidge
Keziah
Kezziah
Krisztyna
Megyesy
Morganford
Quang
Riverton
Riverwood
Samila
Sandalwood
Silverdale
Silverleaf
Tanglewood
Tarazon
Tarrozian
Taryne
Tava
Thistle
Velta
Waterside
Whitetail
Winterhawk
Wolfcreek
Yahill
Yamhill
Zandra



Names for OD&D - how to build them - VII

These are names for persons and places:
Almazan
Angier
Aranda
Badawy
Bartosh
Belen
Blackfoot
Buob
Camilla
Cold Iron
Deep Springs
Doreck
Dracon
Drinnin
Forney
Ivelisses
Jathan
Kovanda
Lorchick
Moratoc
Mykawa
New Bern
Nicor
Night Hawk
Onda
Ravinia
Rosincress
Rosincrest
Salar
Sawney
Sedro
Straathof
Sultan
Sun River
Tualatin
Turlock
Umatilla
Umbaugh
Woolley
Zabrina

Ahlstrom
Andrada
Arva
Bogan
Bridenbaugh
Brozk
Cale
Corro
Crescencian
Deawson
Drak
Dufur
Elk Grove
Jacaranda
Janda
Jolea
Kellyn
Kewadin
Knauss
Kumor
League City
Lutcher
Mere Oak
Mikeal
Naren
Nuvia
Porsondex
Sabetha
Springville
Stroud
Telluride
Telz
Thami
Thirsty Turtle
Tissa
Tygh
Vitug
Watonga


Al-Asady
Arkport
Audrain
Azzolino
Beckville
Black Canyon
Black Oak
Borthwick
Broxon
Chiapas
Coachella
Drjeewel
Fraga
Gajkowski
Gravois
Jewadd
Jubenville
Lauersdork
Mohammed
Mojaddidi
Mokhan
Mondragon
Neversink
NSJ
Shallon
Sherwell
Sinner
Solum
Tapadero
Taureg
Tchachapi
Traccy
Wildwood
Willardsen
Williardson
Wingsong

Names for OD&D - how to build them - VI

Another thing that I do is to add different letters to the words.

Add an a to the end:

Ayryna
Byryna
Cyryna
Dyryna
Eyryna
Fyryna
Gyryna
Hyryna
Iyryna
Jyryna
Kyryna
Lyryna
Myryna
Nyryna
Oyryna
Pyryna
Qyryna
Ryryna
Syryna
Tyryna
Uyryna
Vyryna
Wyryna
Xyryna
Yyryna
Zyryna

or add an o

Ayryno
Byryno
Cyryno
Dyryno
Eyryno
Fyryno
Gyryno
Hyryno
Iyryno
Jyryno
Kyryno
Lyryno
Myryno
Nyryno
Oyryno
Pyryno
Qyryno
Ryryno
Syryno
Tyryno
Uyryno
Vyryno
Wyryno
Xyryno
Yyryno
Zyryno

or an ia

Ayrynia
Byrynia
Cyrynia
Dyrynia
Eyrynia
Fyrynia
Gyrynia
Hyrynia
Iyrynia
Jyrynia
Kyrynia
Lyrynia
Myrynia
Nyrynia
Oyrynia
Pyrynia
Qyrynia
Ryrynia
Syrynia
Tyrynia
Uyrynia
Vyrynia
Wyrynia
Xyrynia
Yyrynia
Zyrynia

That is just three little tweaks and remember that all of these long lists are just from starting above with the name Karen. Think how many names you would have if you applied all of these simple tweaks to one hundred starting names.

Names for OD&D - how to build them - V

You can create place names in a lot of different ways. For instance in rural areas you can easily name them in a "realistic" way by naming them just like people do in RL.

For example:

Little Rock
Big Rock
Black Rock
Red Rock
Yellow Rock
White Rock

Little Rock Creek
Big Rock Creek
Black Rock Creek
Red Rock Creek
Yellow Rock Creek
White Rock Creek

Little Rock Mountain
Big Rock Mountain
Black Rock Mountain
Red Rock Mountain
Yellow Rock Mountain
White Rock Mountain

Other examples:

Shale Creek
Broken Creek
Shattered Hills
Black Forest (you have to have one of these) :wink:
Slate Creek
Gravel Creek
Great Smokey Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Roof of the World 
 
For really descriptive names you can research the traditional ways that American Indians named things. I must warn you that finding real American Indian names is difficult since most sites on the internet are not providing the real thing.

In a public library you will find an atlas for most areas of the world and they are filled with great place names.



Names for OD&D - how to build them - IV

More Tweaks all starting from the same original name (see note at the bottom):

Aaron
Baron
Caron
Daron
Earon
Faron
Garon
Haron
Iaron
Jaron
Karon
Laron
Maron
Naron
Oaron
Paron
Qaron
Raron
Saron
Taron
Uaron
Varon
Waron
Xaron
Yaron
Zaron

or

Aeron
Beron
Ceron
Deron
Eeron
Feron
Geron
Heron
Ieron
Jeron
Keron
Leron
Meron
Neron
Oeron
Peron
Qeron
Reron
Seron
Teron
Ueron
Veron
Weron
Xeron
Yeron
Zeron

or

Airon
Biron
Ciron
Diron
Eiron
Firon
Giron
Hiron
Iiron
Jiron
Kiron
Liron
Miron
Niron
Oiron
Piron
Qiron
Riron
Siron
Tiron
Uiron
Viron
Wiron
Xiron
Yiron
Ziron

or

Aoron
Boron
Coron
Doron
Eoron
Foron
Goron
Horon
Ioron
Joron
Koron
Loron
Moron
Noron
Ooron
Poron
Qoron
Roron
Soron
Toron
Uoron
Voron
Woron
Xoron
Yoron
Zoron

or

Auron
Buron
Curon
Duron
Euron
Furon
Guron
Huron
Iuron
Juron
Kuron
Luron
Muron
Nuron
Ouron
Puron
Quron
Ruron
Suron
Turon
Uuron
Vuron
Wuron
Xuron
Yuron
Zuron

or

Ayron
Byron
Cyron
Dyron
Eyron
Fyron
Gyron
Hyron
Iyron
Jyron
Kyron
Lyron
Myron
Nyron
Oyron
Pyron
Qyron
Ryron
Syron
Tyron
Uyron
Vyron
Wyron
Xyron
Yyron
Zyron

or

Aarun
Barun
Carun
Darun
Earun
Farun
Garun
Harun
Iarun
Jarun
Karun
Larun
Marun
Narun
Oarun
Parun
Qarun
Rarun
Sarun
Tarun
Uarun
Varun
Warun
Xarun
Yarun
Zarun

or

Aerun
Berun
Cerun
Derun
Eerun
Ferun
Gerun
Herun
Ierun
Jerun
Kerun
Lerun
Merun
Nerun
Oerun
Perun
Qerun
Rerun
Serun
Terun
Uerun
Verun
Werun
Xerun
Yerun
Zerun

or

Airun
Birun
Cirun
Dirun
Eirun
Firun
Girun
Hirun
Iirun
Jirun
Kirun
Lirun
Mirun
Nirun
Oirun
Pirun
Qirun
Rirun
Sirun
Tirun
Uirun
Virun
Wirun
Xirun
Yirun
Zirun

or

Aorun
Borun
Corun
Dorun
Eorun
Forun
Gorun
Horun
Iorun
Jorun
Korun
Lorun
Morun
Norun
Oorun
Porun
Qorun
Rorun
Sorun
Torun
Uorun
Vorun
Worun
Xorun
Yorun
Zorun

or

Aurun
Burun
Curun
Durun
Eurun
Furun
Gurun
Hurun
Iurun
Jurun
Kurun
Lurun
Murun
Nurun
Ourun
Purun
Qurun
Rurun
Surun
Turun
Uurun
Vurun
Wurun
Xurun
Yurun
Zurun

or

Ayrun
Byrun
Cyrun
Dyrun
Eyrun
Fyrun
Gyrun
Hyrun
Iyrun
Jyrun
Kyrun
Lyrun
Myrun
Nyrun
Oyrun
Pyrun
Qyrun
Ryrun
Syrun
Tyrun
Uyrun
Vyrun
Wyrun
Xyrun
Yyrun
Zyrun

or

Aaryn
Baryn
Caryn
Daryn
Earyn
Faryn
Garyn
Haryn
Iaryn
Jaryn
Karyn
Laryn
Maryn
Naryn
Oaryn
Paryn
Qaryn
Raryn
Saryn
Taryn
Uaryn
Varyn
Waryn
Xaryn
Yaryn
Zaryn

or

Aeryn
Beryn
Ceryn
Deryn
Eeryn
Feryn
Geryn
Heryn
Ieryn
Jeryn
Keryn
Leryn
Meryn
Neryn
Oeryn
Peryn
Qeryn
Reryn
Seryn
Teryn
Ueryn
Veryn
Weryn
Xeryn
Yeryn
Zeryn

or

Airyn
Biryn
Ciryn
Diryn
Eiryn
Firyn
Giryn
Hiryn
Iiryn
Jiryn
Kiryn
Liryn
Miryn
Niryn
Oiryn
Piryn
Qiryn
Riryn
Siryn
Tiryn
Uiryn
Viryn
Wiryn
Xiryn
Yiryn
Ziryn

or

Aoryn
Boryn
Coryn
Doryn
Eoryn
Foryn
Goryn
Horyn
Ioryn
Joryn
Koryn
Loryn
Moryn
Noryn
Ooryn
Poryn
Qoryn
Roryn
Soryn
Toryn
Uoryn
Voryn
Woryn
Xoryn
Yoryn
Zoryn

or

Auryn
Buryn
Curyn
Duryn
Euryn
Furyn
Guryn
Huryn
Iuryn
Juryn
Kuryn
Luryn
Muryn
Nuryn
Ouryn
Puryn
Quryn
Ruryn
Suryn
Turyn
Uuryn
Vuryn
Wuryn
Xuryn
Yuryn
Zuryn

or

Ayryn
Byryn
Cyryn
Dyryn
Eyryn
Fyryn
Gyryn
Hyryn
Iyryn
Jyryn
Kyryn
Lyryn
Myryn
Nyryn
Oyryn
Pyryn
Qyryn
Ryryn
Syryn
Tyryn
Uyryn
Vyryn
Wyryn
Xyryn
Yyryn
Zyryn

And with all that we are still barely scratching the surface of the words that can be generated starting with just one word. We haven't yet changed the final "n" or the middle "r" to something else which would increase the above considerably if the n and/or r was replaced in all cases with each of the other 25 letters available. All that and we still haven't moved from a 5 letter word to a 6 or 7 letter word.

Names for OD&D - how to build them - III

Aaran
Baran
Caran
Daran
Earan
Faran
Garan
Haran
Iaran
Jaran
Karan
Laran
Maran
Naran
Oaran
Paran
Qaran
Raran
Saran
Taran
Uaran
Varan
Waran
Xaran
Yaran
Zaran

or

Aaren
Baren
Caren
Daren
Earen
Faren
Garen
Haren
Iaren
Jaren
Karen
Laren
Maren
Naren
Oaren
Paren
Qaren
Raren
Saren
Taren
Uaren
Varen
Waren
Xaren
Yaren
Zaren

or

Aarin
Barin
Carin
Darin
Earin
Farin
Garin
Harin
Iarin
Jarin
Karin
Larin
Marin
Narin
Oarin
Parin
Qarin
Rarin
Sarin
Tarin
Uarin
Varin
Warin
Xarin
Yarin
Zarin

or

Aaron
Baron
Caron
Daron
Earon
Faron
Garon
Haron
Iaron
Jaron
Karon
Laron
Maron
Naron
Oaron
Paron
Qaron
Raron
Saron
Taron
Uaron
Varon
Waron
Xaron
Yaron
Zaron

or

Aarun
Barun
Carun
Darun
Earun
Farun
Garun
Harun
Iarun
Jarun
Karun
Larun
Marun
Narun
Oarun
Parun
Qarun
Rarun
Sarun
Tarun
Uarun
Varun
Warun
Xarun
Yarun
Zarun

or

Aaryn
Baryn
Caryn
Daryn
Earyn
Faryn
Garyn
Haryn
Iaryn
Jaryn
Karyn
Laryn
Maryn
Naryn
Oaryn
Paryn
Qaryn
Raryn
Saryn
Taryn
Uaryn
Varyn
Waryn
Xaryn
Yaryn
Zaryn


Or how about:

Aaran
Baran
Caran
Daran
Earan
Faran
Garan
Haran
Iaran
Jaran
Karan
Laran
Maran
Naran
Oaran
Paran
Qaran
Raran
Saran
Taran
Uaran
Varan
Waran
Xaran
Yaran
Zaran

or

Aeran
Beran
Ceran
Deran
Eeran
Feran
Geran
Heran
Ieran
Jeran
Keran
Leran
Meran
Neran
Oeran
Peran
Qeran
Reran
Seran
Teran
Ueran
Veran
Weran
Xeran
Yeran
Zeran

or

Airan
Biran
Ciran
Diran
Eiran
Firan
Giran
Hiran
Iiran
Jiran
Kiran
Liran
Miran
Niran
Oiran
Piran
Qiran
Riran
Siran
Tiran
Uiran
Viran
Wiran
Xiran
Yiran
Ziran

or

Aoran
Boran
Coran
Doran
Eoran
Foran
Goran
Horan
Ioran
Joran
Koran
Loran
Moran
Noran
Ooran
Poran
Qoran
Roran
Soran
Toran
Uoran
Voran
Woran
Xoran
Yoran
Zoran

or

Auran
Buran
Curan
Duran
Euran
Furan
Guran
Huran
Iuran
Juran
Kuran
Luran
Muran
Nuran
Ouran
Puran
Quran
Ruran
Suran
Turan
Uuran
Vuran
Wuran
Xuran
Yuran
Zuran

or

Ayran
Byran
Cyran
Dyran
Eyran
Fyran
Gyran
Hyran
Iyran
Jyran
Kyran
Lyran
Myran
Nyran
Oyran
Pyran
Qyran
Ryran
Syran
Tyran
Uyran
Vyran
Wyran
Xyran
Yyran
Zyran

or

Aarin
Barin
Carin
Darin
Earin
Farin
Garin
Harin
Iarin
Jarin
Karin
Larin
Marin
Narin
Oarin
Parin
Qarin
Rarin
Sarin
Tarin
Uarin
Varin
Warin
Xarin
Yarin
Zarin

or

Aerin
Berin
Cerin
Derin
Eerin
Ferin
Gerin
Herin
Ierin
Jerin
Kerin
Lerin
Merin
Nerin
Oerin
Perin
Qerin
Rerin
Serin
Terin
Uerin
Verin
Werin
Xerin
Yerin
Zerin

or

Airin
Birin
Cirin
Dirin
Eirin
Firin
Girin
Hirin
Iirin
Jirin
Kirin
Lirin
Mirin
Nirin
Oirin
Pirin
Qirin
Ririn
Sirin
Tirin
Uirin
Virin
Wirin
Xirin
Yirin
Zirin

or

Aorin
Borin
Corin
Dorin
Eorin
Forin
Gorin
Horin
Iorin
Jorin
Korin
Lorin
Morin
Norin
Oorin
Porin
Qorin
Rorin
Sorin
Torin
Uorin
Vorin
Worin
Xorin
Yorin
Zorin

or

Aurin
Burin
Curin
Durin
Eurin
Furin
Gurin
Hurin
Iurin
Jurin
Kurin
Lurin
Murin
Nurin
Ourin
Purin
Qurin
Rurin
Surin
Turin
Uurin
Vurin
Wurin
Xurin
Yurin
Zurin

or

Ayrin
Byrin
Cyrin
Dyrin
Eyrin
Fyrin
Gyrin
Hyrin
Iyrin
Jyrin
Kyrin
Lyrin
Myrin
Nyrin
Oyrin
Pyrin
Qyrin
Ryrin
Syrin
Tyrin
Uyrin
Vyrin
Wyrin
Xyrin
Yyrin
Zyrin

Names for OD&D - how to build them - II

Take the name Karen for instance and tweak it as follows:

Aaren
Baren
Caren
Daren
Earen
Faren
Garen
Haren
Iaren
Jaren
Karen
Laren
Maren
Naren
Oaren
Paren
Qaren
Raren
Saren
Taren
Uaren
Varen
Waren
Xaren
Yaren
Zaren

or do it this way

karan
karen
karin
karon
karun
karyn
keran
keren
kerin
keron
kerun
keryn
kiran
kiren
kirin
kiron
kirun
kiryn
koran
koren
korin
koron
korun
koryn
kuran
kuren
kurin
kuron
kurun
kuryn
kyran
kyren
kyrin
kyron
kyrun
kyryn

Lets carry this a little further with generating names when starting with just Karen:

Aaren
Baren
Caren
Daren
Earen
Faren
Garen
Haren
Iaren
Jaren
Karen
Laren
Maren
Naren
Oaren
Paren
Qaren
Raren
Saren
Taren
Uaren
Varen
Waren
Xaren
Yaren
Zaren

or

Aeren
Beren
Ceren
Deren
Eeren
Feren
Geren
Heren
Ieren
Jeren
Keren
Leren
Meren
Neren
Oeren
Peren
Qeren
Reren
Seren
Teren
Ueren
Veren
Weren
Xeren
Yeren
Zeren

or

Airen
Biren
Ciren
Diren
Eiren
Firen
Giren
Hiren
Iiren
Jiren
Kiren
Liren
Miren
Niren
Oiren
Piren
Qiren
Riren
Siren
Tiren
Uiren
Viren
Wiren
Xiren
Yiren
Ziren

or

Aoren
Boren
Coren
Doren
Eoren
Foren
Goren
Horen
Ioren
Joren
Koren
Loren
Moren
Noren
Ooren
Poren
Qoren
Roren
Soren
Toren
Uoren
Voren
Woren
Xoren
Yoren
Zoren

or

Auren
Buren
Curen
Duren
Euren
Furen
Guren
Huren
Iuren
Juren
Kuren
Luren
Muren
Nuren
Ouren
Puren
Quren
Ruren
Suren
Turen
Uuren
Vuren
Wuren
Xuren
Yuren
Zuren

or

Ayren
Byren
Cyren
Dyren
Eyren
Fyren
Gyren
Hyren
Iyren
Jyren
Kyren
Lyren
Myren
Nyren
Oyren
Pyren
Qyren
Ryren
Syren
Tyren
Uyren
Vyren
Wyren
Xyren
Yyren
Zyren

Names for OD&D - how to build them - I

From time to time I hear about people having trouble coming up with names for people or places in their campaigns. Here are some of the names I use and some of the names I use as a source and different ways I tweak names before I use them.


Once you have created a list of real world names, then you can start creating unique names for your campaign. One way to do this is to look at real world variants of names to get ideas for tweaking names to create unique ones.

For instance, take the name Kathleen and look at all of the variants (yes I know that Kathleen is not the "offical preferred spelling"):

Caitlin
Caitlin
Caitriona
Cara
Caren
Carin
Carin
Caron
Caronne
Carran
Carren
Carron
Caryn
Catalina
Catarine
Cateline
Caterina
Cathaleen
Catharin
Catharina
Catharine
Catherina
Catherine
Catherleen
Catheryn
Cathi
Cathie
Cathleen
Cathrene
Cathrine
Cathryn
Cathy
Catrin
Catrina
Catrine
Catriona
Catriona
Kara
Karan
Karan
Karen
Karen
Karenne
Karenza
Karina
Karon
Karran
Karren
Karyn
Katarina
Kate
Katerina
Katey
Katharina
Katharine
Katharyn
Kathay
Katheleen
Katheline
Kathereen
Katherin
Katherina
Katherine
Katheryn
Katheryne
Kathi
Kathie
Kathileen
Kathleen
Kathlyn
Kathlynn
Kathrene
Kathrine
Kathryn
Kathryne
Kathy
Kathyrine
Katie
Katina
Katleen
Katrena
Katrina
Katrine
Katriona
Katryna
Kattrina
Katy
Kerry
Kittie
Kitty
Koreana
Korina
Treena
Trina


If you apply this many variants to every name you have, you will soon have an enormous number of unique names to choose from. There are many other things you can do to systematically to give a group of names a certain flavor for different areas of your campaign world. Maybe it will not pass muster with a linguist, but if you are not publishing it for profit, that is not really a big deal.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Crimhthan The Great - Some of my quotes

Always remember, as a first principle of all D&D: playing BtB is not now, never was and never will be old school.

Rules lawyers have missed the heart and soul of old school D&D.

Munchkins are not there to have fun, munchkins are there to make sure no one else does.

Nothing is more dishonorable, than being a min-maxer munchkin rules lawyer.