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Proper name for blink dogs and displacer beasts?

Started by Shipyard Locked, September 29, 2015, 01:46:49 PM

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Shipyard Locked

September 29, 2015, 01:46:49 PM
In the history of the game, has there ever been a 'proper' name assigned to blink dogs and/or displacer beasts? You know, the way 'orca' is a step up from 'killer whale'?

If not, any suggestions?

Phillip

#1
September 29, 2015, 02:01:38 PM
The inspiration for the displacer beast is Coeurl in A.E. Van Vogt's story "Black Destroyer".  Coeurl is the individual's name, but it could be taken as a name for the species.

And we are here as on a darkling plain  ~ Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, ~ Where ignorant armies clash by night.

Tahmoh

#2
September 29, 2015, 03:57:36 PM
Not sure blink dogs have a proper name, i think they were created whole cloth as a deterrant to displacer beasts at some stage in the early days of the game...i could be completely wrong though.

Just Another Snake Cult

#3
September 29, 2015, 05:14:38 PM
Canis Gygax Nicto

Xeno-Pseudopanthera Vogt Conniveo
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The Butcher

#4
September 29, 2015, 05:44:55 PM
Threadjacking from "proper" names to Linnaean species names...

Quote from: Just Another Snake Cult;858227Canis Gygax Nicto

Xeno-Pseudopanthera Vogt Conniveo

Naah. Only if you assume the original description depict a particular subspecies.

Canis conniventes and Xenopanthera mendax would be the easy way outs.

If you want a "homage", well, I think the right forms would be adding an "i" to the name. Canis gygaxi and Xenopanthera vogti.

Sorry for the threadjack. Loved the idea of giving monsters scientific names at least since Shadowrun. :)

Spinachcat

#5
September 29, 2015, 08:09:48 PM
Quote from: Shipyard Locked;858198In the history of the game, has there ever been a 'proper' name assigned to blink dogs and/or displacer beasts?

Tinkles and Gary!

They punish the wicked then break into song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbra-rKXzk4

ostap bender

#6
October 01, 2015, 05:28:13 AM
Quote from: Just Another Snake Cult;858227Canis Gygax Nicto

Xeno-Pseudopanthera Vogt Conniveo

:D

great. i know what i'll be using in my game.

didn't one pf product feature 'real' coeurl and not d&d appropriation?

Ghost

#7
October 01, 2015, 06:17:36 AM
Quote from: Shipyard Locked;858198In the history of the game, has there ever been a 'proper' name assigned to blink dogs and/or displacer beasts? You know, the way 'orca' is a step up from 'killer whale'?

If not, any suggestions?

bah...orca is a step backwards.  "Killer Whale" is so much cooler.

Omega

#8
October 01, 2015, 07:27:53 AM
Nothing official I recall. Though I believe somewhere in one of the books was the elven name for the blink dog. Tihta Huan was the closest I got with a D&D elven translator..

Thoa works for the Blink Dog as it is one of the early names for the Cape Hunting Dog which is what the Blink Dogs were sometimes described as.

Coeurl works for the Displacer Beast. That is as noted by a poster above the name given in the book it is derived from. I am pretty sure it was given an elven name too at some point.

Omega

#9
October 01, 2015, 07:28:37 AM
Quote from: Ghost;858465bah...orca is a step backwards.  "Killer Whale" is so much cooler.

They prefer Murder Dolphin now-a-days.

JRT

#10
October 01, 2015, 07:30:39 AM
Why are the compound names so bad?  They work and some names are like that when they are translated.  Plus we have all these descriptive names.

Turkey Vulture.
Ant Lion.
Duck-Billed Platypus
Praying Mantis

So, Blink Dog and Displacer Beast for me are fine.  Not everything needs a one-word name.
Just some background on myself

http://www.clashofechoes.com/jrt-interview/

Omega

#11
October 01, 2015, 07:34:28 AM
Quote from: JRT;858477Why are the compound names so bad?  They work and some names are like that when they are translated.  Plus we have all these descriptive names.

Turkey Vulture.
Ant Lion.
Duck-Billed Platypus
Praying Mantis

So, Blink Dog and Displacer Beast for me are fine.  Not everything needs a one-word name.

They also fit in perfectly in Forgotten Realms. :banghead:

Panjumanju

#12
October 01, 2015, 05:34:21 PM
Quote from: Phillip;858201The inspiration for the displacer beast is Coeurl in A.E. Van Vogt's story "Black Destroyer".  Coeurl is the individual's name, but it could be taken as a name for the species.

Thanks for beating me to pointing this out; A.E. Van Vogt is one of my favourite authors.

//Panjumanju
"What strength!! But don't forget there are many guys like you all over the world."
--
Now on Crowdfundr: "SOLO MARTIAL BLUES" is a single-player martial arts TTRPG at https://fnd.us/solo-martial-blues?ref=sh_dCLT6b

Gronan of Simmerya

#13
October 01, 2015, 09:10:15 PM
Quote from: JRT;858477Why are the compound names so bad?  They work and some names are like that when they are translated.  Plus we have all these descriptive names.

Turkey Vulture.
Ant Lion.
Duck-Billed Platypus
Praying Mantis

So, Blink Dog and Displacer Beast for me are fine.  Not everything needs a one-word name.

This.  Crom's hairy nutsack.

And originally UFOs were called "foo fighters."

And in the mid 1970s the bomb release on a B-52 was called the "pickle button."
You should go to GaryCon.  Period.

The rules can\'t cure stupid, and the rules can\'t cure asshole.

Shipyard Locked

#14
October 01, 2015, 09:55:04 PM
Quote from: JRT;858477So, Blink Dog and Displacer Beast for me are fine.  Not everything needs a one-word name.

I believe a one-word name would work a little better if speaking versions of these creatures with a slightly more developed society were referring to themselves.
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