LORE: Naming Dreams

[Matope]

Naming Dreams

Most kin are not named by their parents, nor do they choose their names. Instead, every Kimeti, Kiokote, Acha, and Zikwa has a profound dream while he is still in their egg or sac, and this dream determines their future name. Every one of these kin is born with an instinctive knowledge of this name and it is often the first words they speak (Kin learn language gradually and instinctively, and can and will learn to speak without being exposed to others; advanced or eloquent language, however, is learned). Some Kin have nicknames, which are either merely shortened versions of their names, or clever words that mean the same thing (Chirp for Cicadasong, or Bob for Up-and-Down, for example).

For this reason, names are a big deal in Matope and we encourage you to be creative and reasonable with them. Names in Matope must:

be a real word, an English word, and not too scientific a term;

be familiar to a swamp-dwelling creature who has some ancestral knowledge of other climes (for example, names referencing deserts, tundras, etc. are exceedingly rare but not unheard-of; names referencing the Swamp are much more common); avoid these if possible;

must not reference human culture too directly, for example by being an item Kin would not have/cannot create due to lack of thumbs and materials;

be relatively short--more than a few words is too long;

be spelled correctly, although whether you use British or American spelling it up to you; "creative" spelling, even if it's just an extraneous "e" at the end of a word, is NOT allowed;

avoid referencing human mythology systems unless that word has passed into common usage independent of the original meaning. This is highly subjective and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Be prepared to have your name rejected.

[Matope]

Common Names

Animal and plant names are the most common Kimeti names, whether single words or phrases built from these components. For the sake of simplicity, any vaguely-woodland plant or animal qualifies for the Matope universe, so bears, skunks, etc. are valid. Cacti and similar plants would be considered borderline names and would be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Very specific real world animals like giraffes are rejected out of hand. When in doubt, just don't use it.

The big thing to remember when choosing a Kin name is this: the name we read is the English translation of a Kin word or phrase. For example, we have a Kin named "Vetiver." This is probably a word that means "sweet-smelling grass" to the Kin . Names like "Stranger" and "Riddle" are direct translations of Kin concepts, and the name "Cicadasong" may actually be the English equivalent of a Kimeti word that is a syllable long but means something as complex as "the collective night-time sounds of the Swamp that are dominated by the singing of cicadas, and the heartbeat of the living Swamp that this represents."

[Matope]

Naming Approval & Borderline Names:

Previously colourists arbitrarily chose or dismissed names that were considered borderline. This system resulted in some discontent as subjective judgments are difficult to make consistent. Now, instead, we have a team of RP Staff that discusses any borderline names before approving or denying them.

We highly suggest that you at least consider the meaning of your name and what dream it connects to before posting any name for approval. If you post a name that is deemed borderline, then a member of the RP Staff may request a naming dream to prove that the name makes logical sense, connects to a dream, and is appropriate for the setting of Matope.

In addition, we're implementing a new policy to deal with names that are very similar to the names of existing kin, such as pluralization of a word, rearranging of words with the same meaning, or other nearly identical names. When these names come up in certing, a member of RP staff will PM you and ask a simple question: "How is your name different from this nearly-identical existing name?" This isn't a direct rejection, nor a demand for a naming dream. Instead it is simply a request for you to be introspective about your name choice, so that we don't have to make guesses at what you meant and how your name is unique.

Finally, keep in mind that there are some words that have been approved in the past, but with a more streamlined naming system, would not be allowed through now. Here are some of the words that we are no longer allowing in kin names:

Greek letters, alabaster, ambrosia, angel, aurora, asteroid, celestial, devil, dryad, galaxy, heaven, heir, hell, holy, king, legendary, noble, nymph, orbit, planet, primal, prism, queen, requiem, selkie, sin, siren, sylph, zephyr

While these words are no longer allowed, some of the concepts are still just fine. Here are some alternatives to the more common ones:

holy: sacred, beloved
planet: earth, ground, home, swamp
asteroid: falling sky/star/bits
angel: guardian, messenger, spirit

Since now kin with no naming dream can be any species, species names (Kimeti, Kiokote, Acha, Totoma, and Zikwa) are reserved ONLY for nameless kin. In addition, the core kin archetypes/types are also off-limits on their own, but can be used in combination with adjectives or other descriptors:

Mare, Stag, Doe, Stallion, Filly, Colt, Mythic, Mythical

[Matope]

Standardization:

Fairy names
As there are multiple spellings of the word "Fairy," for staff's sanity when it comes to naming approvals, it will be streamlined to one type of spelling. All fae, faerie, fairie, and similar spellings will be changed to Fairy automatically during naming approval process. As there is a Fairy Dragon pet, Matope will adopt that spelling for names.

Extraneous "U" or British spelling
As Matope is loosely based on the rural swampland of North America, the spelling will be changed automatically during naming approval process to streamline the names to fit the swamp. For example, "colour" will become "color" and "valour" to "valor." This prevents duplicate concepts for kin names.

[Matope]

Naming tips:

Keep it simple! This doesn't mean one-word names necessarily, but it does mean simple words and phrases that avoid elaborate terminology. "Smiling Aura" is preferable to "Felicitous Ambience."

We will be buckling down on words that imply complex systems of science. General/generic/common names for stones and plants are fine (Diamond, Jasper, Pearl, Orchid, Lily) are fine, specific or Latin names are not (Chrysoberyl, Clinohumite, Epidendroideae, and Asteraceae). When in doubt, simplify.

This doesn't mean we don't want you to exercise a good vocabulary. Just be reasonable.

Names that imply major social taboos will be rejected. Names that imply cannibalism, incest, rape, etc. will be rejected, primarily for OOC reasons but also because the Swamp is unlikely to bestow her own children with such a name, even if they engage in such practices. Minor vices--lying, unfaithfulness, etc.--are fine as names, and in fact we have a Kimeti named "Rotten Liar." A Kin named Philanderer would be unusual but not unheard-of.

Probably the absolute best way to approach a name is to consider the naming dream or story first, and then the name, even if you never plan on writing out the dream. It makes it easier to ensure you've chosen a solid one that won't give our RP staff a headache.

[Matope]

Miscellaneous things about naming dreams:

Not only is there a subforum for naming dreams, the Quests subforum can be used to house one naming dream per person for a Kin that doesn't exist yet.

There are almost no restrictions on naming dreams, save that they must be your own original work. They can be long, short, even one sentence--they may even be a drawing to represent merely a strong image. Feel free to break out of your comfort zone and be creative in your formatting--these are dreams, after all, and dreams follow no rules.

The specific details of the imagery in a naming dream may say something about your Kin's personality. Does the tone of your naming dream set the tone of their personality? It doesn't have to, but it's fun to try.

Themes of death are common in naming dreams. No one is entirely sure why, but many Kimeti theorize that it is because birth and death are so inextricably linked. Some naming dreams may actually prophesize the manner of a Kimeti's death; others are merely full of morbid imagery.

[Matope]

Need some ideas?

Here's a list of words to get you started, or check out the owners' list if you're confused about the rules.

Plants: Petal, blossom, flower, vine, leaf, twig, branch, tree, moss
Animals: Crane, duck, rabbit, rat, fox, swallow, fish, crocodile, beetle
Weather: Rain, snow, sleet, sun, cloud, star, moon, mist, fog
Swamp: Mud, ripple, stone, ancient, heat, canopy, dark
Ideas: Swift, bright, cunning, distant, dream, thought, voice, song
Kimeti: Horn, scale, hoof, foot, eye, back

[Matope]

Naming Stories

Totoma from the mountains used to be robbed of Naming Dreams. In a concept that seemed incredibly alien to the other Kin, the Totoma neither dreamt their names nor were given them by their parents: instead, Totoma always earned their names through some act of bravery or valor. Totoma were called "Totoma" until they became an adult, at which point they earned their name and the right to use it.

HOWEVER....

Time has passed and cross-breeding has proliferated in the swamp. As such, the strict rule of kin names -- naming dreams for Kimeti, Kiokote, Acha, and Zikwa, but not for Totoma -- has degraded, and some newborn Totoma have begun to have naming dreams, instead. On the flip side of the coin, some of the other species have awoken from their larval or eggy slumber to realize they have had no dream, and have no idea who they are or what they should be called. These kin will have to take a page out of the Totoma book: they'll have to earn their names, being gifted by those around them as they come of age.