Post by Onyx on May 15, 2015 9:27:07 GMT -5
Prefix Guidelines
- The prefix should be for physical appearance.
- The prefix should be given for the predominant appearance.
- Do not choose a prefix due to special circumstances at birth.
- The prefix should be as accurate and specific as possible.
- Do not choose a prefix due to eye-colour.
- The prefix should be something that is familiar to the clan.
- Do not choose a prefix that is derogatory, regardless of situation.
- Do not choose a prefix that is sacred or off-limits.
Suffix guidelines:
- The suffix should appropriately acknowledge the cat’s most notable characteristic, where possible.
- The suffix should not be derogatory or given in bad faith.
- The suffix should not require much explanation to make the meaning clear.
- The suffix should also be something that is familiar to the clan.
Reasoning Behind These Guidelines:
- Kits are named before they display much of a personality, so it is difficult to name them for anything other than the predominant appearance they would have shown at birth, i.e. pelt color. I'm willing to make some minor exceptions, however, as long as it is reasonable. Remember to keep in mind the sort of flora and fauna that would be on this island. There are palm trees, but not any Acacia trees, so you can't have an Acaciakit.
- The third prefix rule is in place because this system focuses on appearance; however, if your gray kit was born during a storm, then it would be appropriate to name him/her Stormkit. Again, I'm willing to make some reasonable exceptions.
- This system doesn't allow you to choose a prefix for eye color, as kits are born with their eyes closed and even after they open, they are a shade of blue for several weeks before they change to their true color. They would have already been named by that point.
- To quote directly from ailuronymy, "Within this naming guide, derogatory names are strictly forbidden regardless of circumstances. There is never a time when it is appropriate to name a kitten something rude or deprecating. Likewise, morbid or grotesque names are unacceptable. Examples of these kinds of prefixes would be blood-, death-, bone-, dirt-, cursed-, so on. Even if the kitten’s parent dies giving birth to them, it is wholly unacceptable to name the kitten something that indicates blame or tarnishes their name in any way." Here, is certain situations regarding plot, I may make an exception.
- To quote directly from ailuronymy, "Within this naming guide, the sun, moon, and stars are considered sacred to the clan cats. Therefore, it is unacceptable to give any cat the prefix sun-, moon-, or star-."
- Suffixes should be chosen for the most notable positive trait the warrior displayed when he/she was an apprentice, in order to give the cat a strong sense of identity. They should not be negative. I'll allow you to sometimes create a suffix that relates to the character's appearance; it's not traditional, but generally fine with me.
- Suffixes should be simple and easy to understand how they relate to the character.
This is just a guide! As I said a couple times in the text above, I may be willing to make an exception to some of the rules. Still, some names I may not allow, probably on the basis that the Clans wouldn't understand the meaning behind the prefix or suffix. If you're unsure if your name works, just ask! I will never judge you for asking; I'm glad you took the time and you care to get it right!
If you're still having trouble with naming your character, Ailuronymy has some wonderful lists with meanings behind the names, so you can fit a name to your character easily. And remember, there may only be one name being actively used throughout the site (If someone's already named Leafpelt, you can't use it until that character dies), and there may only be one prefix being used at a time within a Clan (If in SunClan, there is already a Stormkit/paw/anything, your SunClan character can't be named Storm- until that character dies.)
Traditional Suffixes (I know, this one's short, check out the nontraditional ones as well, but keep in mind the rules above!)
Nontraditional Prefixes Not all of these may be used here! Keep in mind the rules above!
Nontraditional Suffixes Not all of these may be used here!
