Gaming the power of names

[Sorontar]

Whilst thinking about the essence of what it is to be a Guilder (cf. http://www.birthright.net/forums/sho...4402#post94402), I realised that one thing that isn't well covered in DnD is the use of social networking. In reality, it is not just who you are but also who you know. Dropping the names of contacts, or insulting or complementing those you encounter by the nicknames you call them by is part of the power of names. Indeed, there are some cultures in which knowing some names gives you control over individuals (cf., Rumplestiltskin and other fairy stories, names of demonic creatures).

However I quickly realised that this isn't just a thing that would help a Guilder. It could apply to any class, any race, any individual. Furthermore, I see the power of names as being very relevant to Birthright. Many Cerilian cultures put great value in history, especially family lineages. Storytelling and ancestry are crucial in a world of bloodlines. Your name is part of that. Your heraldic arms are also part of your name as your symbol.

So I am wondering, if you were to actually introduce the power of names as a trained magic-like aspect of Birthright, how would you do it? Would you make it a NWP? A feat? A skill? A subclass, or even a class? Would it be like being able to create Vos runic tattoos (cf. Inscribe War Tattoo)? Or would it be something that only the (Un)Seelie could use (or have used against them)? Would it be part of the Seeming (making words have substance and function)? How would you do this in D&D 2e/3.5e/5e? Has any RPG already done this, and has it worked well?

Your thoughts?

Sorontar

[Magian]

I think what you are talking about are 2 distinct things. 1. the rating of a name in the social context of society in general or even specific groups. 2. the true name of magic in some myth with claims of having power over a being that is named.

The first one I'd add something to Bloodlines and add a prestige rating and then a renown rating for the different aspects of social ladders. You could have them interact and have synergy for character reaction rolls modifiers.

I haven't done anything for the true name stuff yet.

[Sorontar]

Yes and no, Magian.

My point is that Birthright cares about ancestry, heritage, and connections through how it handles inheritance, heirs and bloodlines, as well as having cultural aspects like heraldry and nobility. As a result, people's opinions about each other are influenced by the name they carry, i.e., that of their regent, their parents or their ally. Furthermore, Birthright is a political game, so names can be modified to represent your views on those of whom you speak (or yourself), e.g., is it the Chancellor Caliedhe the Wise or Caliedhe the Lazy or Caliedhe the Corrupt or the Worm? Name-dropping can also be important, e.g., "As I said to Kalien the other week", "The Raven advised me once that ...". This can help change public opinion (and it is used for that purpose in our real-world politics and social circles). Names already have power. There is also a real-world concept called the Rumpelstiltskin principle which links to real world folklore about names having power.

The issue is what could we do to structure that power in Birthright roleplaying. Could it be a feat, part of a skill, part of a bardic or noble subclass, or could make it a "magic" power that is enough to be an entire (unofficial) class?

So far, others have suggested that I look at:

• d20 Truenamer class: https://srd.dndtools.org/srd/classes...truenamer.html
• 3.5e Tome of Magic (Pact Shadow and Truename magic): https://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bookhou...ame_magic_2006
• Shadowdark RPG grants bonuses if you know an opponent's True Name
• AD&D IIe, True Name Lvl6 spell in the thaumaturgist kit: https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/True_Name_(Wizard_Spell)

Have any of you heard of them/used them, or have any other suggestions?
If so, how do you think they would fit into BR?

I can see this being made very powerful in some aspects of Birthright, e.g., knowing the true name of a Sidhe may allow you to also identify/influence their corresponding Fae body (since the same name may apply to both).

Sorontar

[Magian]

I think there are categories. At least 3. 1. Bloodlines being the most powerful changing fate on the domain level. 2. Prestige the area which you mentioned with the ruling class and structures of governance and power and the politics therein. 3. Renown the fame through deeds, this anyone has access to regardless of name of family with no access to the prestige arena. Commoners have a door/window into this. I would even argue a 4th category that being the land's choice plays into this. Example of lands choice could be similar to the boy king pulling a sword out of a stone. Although there is the heritage of a father in that story.

All this is pretty much background structure for what you are working I think. But then again maybe our models, though mine isn't clearly defined or comprehensive, may not be compatible?

I think these categories are worth considering and not just focusing on the prestigious aspect of things, unless that is the scope of your game. Granted we all include the bloodlines category. I think there are opportunities for different campaign types when utilizing 3 and 4. That is my structure anyway, so far.

[Sorontar]

So Magian, you are suggesting that a person's reputation (and hence the power of their name) can benefit from

1. Their divine bloodline
2. Their family/noble heritage
3. Their own deeds
4. The land's choice

They all sound reasonable in a Birthright setting.

However, my concern is actually on what a PC/NPC can do with the name of anyone (including themself), and how that could be worked into Birthright, because of the importance of a person's reputation in Birthright (e.g., regency). If a PC/NPC was capable of namesmithing (to invent a term), then they could use their ability to give themself or others advantages or disadvantages of some sort. My main query is how would any of you think this could work in 2e, 3/3.5e or 5e (or 4e or PF)? Would namesmithing be one or more skills/feats? Would it be a series of spell-like magical powers? Would it be a class, or a subclass of a known class?

Sorontar

[Quokker]

If your characters power is linked to the family name.

Family Ancestors could advise the character (Kami etc).
A dodgy sibling could actually damage the character by hurting the family name creating a dilemma about how to control the sibling (kill, cover the debts etc).
An enemy could hurt a remote family member to damage the regent.
A bad marriage could damage the character.

Interesting dilemmas.