Thread by @TheEdVerse

friendly local fallen angel Two hearts @cali_keftiu
@TheEdVerse
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

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.
#Realmslore

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

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…
#Realmslore

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

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.
#Realmslore

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

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).
#Realmslore

9)
Sample newly-invented Sembian surnames: Alavondor, Barontor, Clarandal, Dauncrown, Dragonhumbler, Galashen, Goldcloak, Kordrivvar, Maerimmon, Ondravar, Sardar, Tarlroyal, Tazrilysk, Tulcont, Vorauth, Wyndarr, Zunderzorn.
#Realmslore

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.
#Realmslore

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