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Post by Kit on Dec 10, 2009 20:35:56 GMT
What naming conventions are you planning on using when naming PC or NPC Time Lords? Out on the interwebs, I've seen a lot of Time Lords with names like "The [inset profession here]." I always find these curious. On the amusing front, most of these are not titles that would sound right if someone was using them as a form of address. "Stockbroker! We're in trouble." For another is that titles rather than names was the exception rather than the rule in Doctor Who. We had The Doctor, the Master, and the really better forgotten Rani. The other Time Lords had names, long and silly though they may be. What approach will you be taking?
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Post by Null and Void on Dec 10, 2009 20:55:09 GMT
I've always found the use of professions to be awkward. The Thing about Master, or Doctor, is that they are titles, rather than professions, so its not completely out of place to say use those terms.
I've always leaned more toward the genuine name (if long and silly). Alternately, I use 'human' alias' while keeping the gallifreyan name secret.
In at least one game I played, the time lord Villain we encountered never gave us anything to call him by, so our annoyed nickname for him stuck... (He was a redheaded guy with a penchant for green clothes, so he became known as 'That Damned Leprechaun.')
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redwulf25ci
2nd Incarnation
The Oncoming Chaos
Posts: 23
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Post by redwulf25ci on Dec 10, 2009 22:31:49 GMT
What naming conventions are you planning on using when naming PC or NPC Time Lords? Out on the interwebs, I've seen a lot of Time Lords with names like "The [inset profession here]." I always find these curious. On the amusing front, most of these are not titles that would sound right if someone was using them as a form of address. "Stockbroker! We're in trouble." For another is that titles rather than names was the exception rather than the rule in Doctor Who. We had The Doctor, the Master, and the really better forgotten Rani. The other Time Lords had names, long and silly though they may be. What approach will you be taking? Wasn't there also "The Monk"? One theory I've heard in fandom is that the titles are taken up by outcast Time Lords who are for some reason forbidden to use their names. |
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Post by Curufea on Dec 10, 2009 22:49:12 GMT
Names have power (in the old series, the new series, and the FP mythos) - so I can understand why Time Lords that may meet aliens would disguise their names. I'll be going with the quasi-fantasy naming styles of the original series for Time Lords (Members of the Great Houses). For the FP, they tend only to use a first or surname and it varies based on the culture they are recruited from, but are otherwise quite normal.
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Post by Null and Void on Dec 10, 2009 23:04:30 GMT
Names have power (in the old series, the new series, and the FP mythos) - so I can understand why Tiem Lords that may meet aliens would disguise their names. I'll be going with the quasi-fantasy naming styles of the original series for Time Lords (Members of the Great Houses). For the FP, they tend only to use a first or surname and it varies based on the culture they are recruited from, but are otherwise quite normal. Thats not *always* the case with FP names... Cousin Pinocchio for example, or Godfather Avatar... or even Godfather Sabbath could be construed as titles rather than surnames. Morlock is also suggestive of the creatures from Wells' The Time Machine rather than a surname. I do like the idea that renegades have to give up their real names though. That makes an odd amount of sense. |
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Post by Curufea on Dec 10, 2009 23:30:47 GMT
Godfather Avatar is pretty much an exception because of what he is I think  Possibly part of the ritual to become a Godfather/Godmother involves giving up their real names (as well as their ancestors)? |
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Post by radiophonic on Dec 11, 2009 0:47:51 GMT
Names...lots of choice.
Rani is Indian, I believe, then there's Cho-Je (Tibetan), Professor Chronotis...
As an occasional writer, I like pseudo-ethnic names like Shen' Dor and Borsulan and names that have a phonetic rhythm like 'Kaleesh Peron'.
Kalu'effoffrox D' Nartoomi Efroon the 3rd, High Gozaku of Berumollia...etc etc etc.
I'll settle on something simple and elegant.
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Post by Eryx on Dec 11, 2009 12:49:54 GMT
I liked the sample Time Lord from the old FASA rules... Stanislavadevouratrellundar... AKA Stan. For some reason that really worked for me. |
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Deadstop
2nd Incarnation
Time Lady
Posts: 17
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Post by Deadstop on Dec 11, 2009 15:07:40 GMT
I liked the sample Time Lord from the old FASA rules... Stanislavadevouratrellundar... AKA Stan. For some reason that really worked for me. Stan was Alistanicalibiviteth, actually (though I may be getting some of the vowels wrong). His companion nicknamed him "Stan" because she couldn't call him "Alice" with a straight face. You may be confusing him with the original long-named Gallifreyan, Romanadvoratrelundar, who was herself given a choice of nicknames ("Romana or Fred") by the Doctor. Deadstop |
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Deadstop
2nd Incarnation
Time Lady
Posts: 17
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Post by Deadstop on Dec 11, 2009 15:21:15 GMT
There does seem to be a distinction, naming-wise, between exiles/renegades and other Time Lords. The former seem (almost?) unanimously to take titles (confirmed as self-chosen in "The Sound of Drums") while the latter have personal names.
The Donna season of New Who would seem to confirm that the eschewing of names by exiles is not merely a custom. A seer in Pompeii calls the Doctor's real name "hidden," and later, the Doctor is shocked when River Song knows it, claiming he could only reveal it in one circumstance (speculated to be marriage). So either it's an extremely well inculcated custom that even the likes of the Master and the Rani don't break, or something actually happens to "remove" the true name of an exiled Time Lord/Lady and forbid even the exile to use it in most situations.
The friend who'll be playing our local Time Lord managed to find a title that was just as good as "Doctor" or "Master" -- he's called the Captain, and was the inspiration for the character of Captain Nemo (Jules Verne being his first companion).
Deadstop
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Post by Eryx on Dec 11, 2009 17:27:07 GMT
I liked the sample Time Lord from the old FASA rules... Stanislavadevouratrellundar... AKA Stan. For some reason that really worked for me. Stan was Alistanicalibiviteth, actually (though I may be getting some of the vowels wrong). His companion nicknamed him "Stan" because she couldn't call him "Alice" with a straight face. You may be confusing him with the original long-named Gallifreyan, Romanadvoratrelundar, who was herself given a choice of nicknames ("Romana or Fred") by the Doctor. That's right. I was going by memory since my copy of the FASA RPG is hidden in a box somewhere. |
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Post by The Handyman on Dec 11, 2009 20:44:05 GMT
What naming conventions are you planning on using when naming PC or NPC Time Lords? Out on the interwebs, I've seen a lot of Time Lords with names like "The [inset profession here]." I always find these curious. On the amusing front, most of these are not titles that would sound right if someone was using them as a form of address. "Stockbroker! We're in trouble." For another is that titles rather than names was the exception rather than the rule in Doctor Who. We had The Doctor, the Master, and the really better forgotten Rani. The other Time Lords had names, long and silly though they may be. What approach will you be taking? The Time Lord I used to play in FASA was named "Markasasuliarianepek" which he shortened to "Markas". I figure the "The [whatever]" convention works ok, but other ideas are definitley possible Allen |
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Post by Kit on Dec 12, 2009 4:07:45 GMT
What naming conventions are you planning on using when naming PC or NPC Time Lords? Out on the interwebs, I've seen a lot of Time Lords with names like "The [inset profession here]." I always find these curious. On the amusing front, most of these are not titles that would sound right if someone was using them as a form of address. "Stockbroker! We're in trouble." For another is that titles rather than names was the exception rather than the rule in Doctor Who. We had The Doctor, the Master, and the really better forgotten Rani. The other Time Lords had names, long and silly though they may be. What approach will you be taking? Wasn't there also "The Monk"? There was. He appeared in two stories. I see potential in that character and have speculated on running a campaign around him here in the game ideas thread somewhere. But, it would sound silly to call him by his title "Monk! Do something!" Its just awkward. I believe the War Chief is an example as well and his title would sound pretty silly in conversation also. |
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Post by Kit on Dec 12, 2009 4:10:21 GMT
There does seem to be a distinction, naming-wise, between exiles/renegades and other Time Lords. The former seem (almost?) unanimously to take titles (confirmed as self-chosen in "The Sound of Drums") while the latter have personal names. The Donna season of New Who would seem to confirm that the eschewing of names by exiles is not merely a custom. A seer in Pompeii calls the Doctor's real name "hidden," and later, the Doctor is shocked when River Song knows it, claiming he could only reveal it in one circumstance (speculated to be marriage). So either it's an extremely well inculcated custom that even the likes of the Master and the Rani don't break, or something actually happens to "remove" the true name of an exiled Time Lord/Lady and forbid even the exile to use it in most situations. The friend who'll be playing our local Time Lord managed to find a title that was just as good as "Doctor" or "Master" -- he's called the Captain, and was the inspiration for the character of Captain Nemo (Jules Verne being his first companion). You know, I really like this. I like the loss of name idea. I also like the use of "Captain". Military titles would work in conversation. Hm... |
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Post by Kit on Dec 12, 2009 4:15:18 GMT
You know, there is something else about the titles issue that I didnt address previously. They aren't just name surrogates. They truly represent the character. The titles are who they are. At least they are so in our primary examples. The Master is all about taking over and lording it over everyone. The Doctor, well is a doctor. He's using the TARDIS to make house calls through time and space.
A good title should not only be something you can use as a form of address without it sounding silly, but should also really reflect who the character is and what he does.
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shag
1st Incarnation
Temporal Vagabond
Posts: 6
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Post by shag on Dec 12, 2009 7:35:16 GMT
What naming conventions are you planning on using when naming PC or NPC Time Lords? Out on the interwebs, I've seen a lot of Time Lords with names like "The [inset profession here]." I always find these curious. On the amusing front, most of these are not titles that would sound right if someone was using them as a form of address. "Stockbroker! We're in trouble." For another is that titles rather than names was the exception rather than the rule in Doctor Who. We had The Doctor, the Master, and the really better forgotten Rani. The other Time Lords had names, long and silly though they may be. What approach will you be taking? I really like one of the names used in "Death Comes to Time" - The Minister of Chance. It's always stuck with me. That would be an interesting naming convention. The XXX of XXX. I've used the name "The Bishop of Perplexity" in roleplaying before for a NPC character. Conveniently just called "Bishop". Something like that could work for Doctor Who. Some more (not great) ones that come to mind: Director; Coach; Judge; Chancellor; Cardinal; Officer; Councilor |
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Post by brainiacfive on Dec 12, 2009 22:11:49 GMT
Back in the 80's my FASA timelord character was named Pollawannigeshemi. He was called 'Polly' for short.
I like some of the thoughts here on the speculation on names - certainly more has been said on screen regarding names and the importance thereof in the new series than in decades of the old. Though it is the old that gives us the penchant for using titles that seems to have stuck.
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THE \/ince
2nd Incarnation
THE OTHER
Cloister this!
Posts: 66
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Post by THE \/ince on Dec 13, 2009 10:38:14 GMT
Just looked it up on the googlewebthingumy, and found out that Rani is a Hindi word meaning Queen. This would certainly fit with Kate O'Mara's regal portrayal of the character.
While we're on with the outcasts must select a title to go by concept, what about The Castellan, a member of the high council on Gallifrey? He was given no name other than Castellan. Even the president called him that.
THE \/ince
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Post by Null and Void on Dec 13, 2009 14:27:18 GMT
The one problem with renegades using 'titles' instead of names is Drax from the Armageddon Factor... On the other hand, its implied he never graduated from the Academy, so he might not be a Time Lord proper. Perhaps the same restrictions do not apply unless you actually graduate.
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Eternally Lost Zeppo
3rd Incarnation
The Lonely God
Posts: 246
Favourite Doctors: David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Davidson
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Post by Eternally Lost Zeppo on Dec 13, 2009 14:27:59 GMT
While we're on with the outcasts must select a title to go by concept, what about The Castellan, a member of the high council on Gallifrey? He was given no name other than Castellan. Even the president called him that. THE \/ince I suspect that was more than likely a title denoting his position within the high council, rather than his actual name. It may have been a matter of respect or tradition that everyone must refer to him as such. Older Who fans than myself may be able to shed some further light on this matter. |
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Post by allivingstone on Dec 13, 2009 14:37:02 GMT
Castellan is indeed a title, not a name. This is made even more explicit in the novelisations IIRC.
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Eternally Lost Zeppo
3rd Incarnation
The Lonely God
Posts: 246
Favourite Doctors: David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Davidson
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Post by Eternally Lost Zeppo on Dec 13, 2009 15:05:08 GMT
More on topic, in the case of The Specialist - who I wrote a background for in another thread - he was originally designed as a Doctor-esque character for Mutants and Masterminds, so that's why I decided to name him as such. The character's background was also rather different originally, but that's beside the point.
Anyway, if I do use the character in an actual game, I'd probably name him something else. Not sure how to make up one of those long winded Time Lord names though... :S
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THE \/ince
2nd Incarnation
THE OTHER
Cloister this!
Posts: 66
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Post by THE \/ince on Dec 13, 2009 18:39:06 GMT
Ah, but Chancellor Flavia was referred to as Flavia, rather than Chancellor...
THE \/ince
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Post by kaemaril on Dec 13, 2009 18:54:19 GMT
Ah, but Chancellor Flavia was referred to as Flavia, rather than Chancellor... THE \/ince And Castellan Spandrell wasn't just referred to as Castellan ... Just because you might have a title, it doesn't automatically mean that your name doesn't get used if somebody happens to know it Much like 'Mister President' and 'President X', and 'Archbishop X' and 'The Archbishop' etc etc ... |
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Post by doctorflea on Dec 13, 2009 18:56:16 GMT
Ah, but Chancellor Flavia was referred to as Flavia, rather than Chancellor... THE \/ince Possibly because there were several Chancellors and it may have got confusing in meetings?  |
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Post by kaemaril on Dec 13, 2009 19:03:19 GMT
Ah, but Chancellor Flavia was referred to as Flavia, rather than Chancellor... THE \/ince Possibly because there were several Chancellors and it may have got confusing in meetings? That's a good point actually ... but I can't accurately remember that far back to confirm details. Weren't the time lords divided into chapters/colleges, etc? ISTR that the Doctor was a Prydonian ... Presumably each chapter/college would have a leader, and it would fit to have the leader of each be referred to as Chancellor ... |
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Post by Rel Fexive on Dec 13, 2009 20:45:14 GMT
*materialises*
The colleges/chapters are headed by the Cardinals, and their main representative on the High Council is the Chancellor.
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Post by Curufea on Dec 13, 2009 22:46:46 GMT
There is a very good compilation of all Who universe knowledge on Gallifreyans on this website- RASSILON, OMEGA,
and that OTHER GuyI highly recommend it, as I also used it for my Faction Paradox website. They also go into the chapters, houses and Gallifreyans biology. He even lists sources and the authority of the sources (colour coded). |
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fasil
1st Incarnation
Posts: 6
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Post by fasil on Dec 14, 2009 1:35:29 GMT
Ill in all likely hood reuse my Fasa-era villainous timelord "The Commissar"
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redwulf25ci
2nd Incarnation
The Oncoming Chaos
Posts: 23
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Post by redwulf25ci on Dec 14, 2009 1:35:38 GMT
Wasn't there also "The Monk"? There was. He appeared in two stories. I see potential in that character and have speculated on running a campaign around him here in the game ideas thread somewhere. But, it would sound silly to call him by his title "Monk! Do something!" Its just awkward. I wonder if "something" would involve washing his hands and straightening things up. Wait, wrong Monk. |
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