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View Full Version : DM Help "SG-1" "SEAL Team 6" - Fantasy versions



OdinTGE
2017-12-11, 06:03 PM
I've been trying to think up a good name for a group like those in the title. I'm looking for a name that works well for an individual, a small group of those individuals, and the entire collective. Navy Seals are a great example. "He's a SEAL." "They are SEALs." "SEAL Team #" and of course the whole group is the "Navy SEALs". In that case SEAL is an acronym but that need not be the case.

My custom world has a sort of United Nations. It's a council of Dukes that reside in the City of Dukes (super clever right?). The Dukes are essentially ambassadors appointed and sent by the various kingdoms/realms of the continent. During the campaign they will be copying the Citadel Council from Mass Effect and creating their version of Specters. The difference being that in ME the specters were each lone operators and in this case it will be more like Seal Teams.

My brain simply refuses to help me here so I need to borrow yours. What can I call this group/teams/individuals?

LibraryOgre
2017-12-11, 06:43 PM
Adventurers is pretty standard.
Champions.
Knights.
Paladins.
Heck, "Rangers" was originally such a title, at least in Tolkien.
Speaking of Tolkien, there's the Bounders in the Shire and, in LOTRO, the Wardens of Annuminas.
Mercedes Lackey has the Heralds of Valdemar.
You might even pick a professional name... the Masons, for example.

OdinTGE
2017-12-11, 06:52 PM
I considered Champions but to me that sounds too singular. Even if there's more than one, they aren't in groups; more like the Specters from ME. Knights is too generic and Paladins is a class and already a thing (5e D&D btw, should have mentioned that). Same for Rangers.

Heralds isn't bad, Wardens is better. I'm annoyed that it might sound like they're Grey Wardens from Dragon Age but I could probably live with that. "He's a Warden" "They are Wardens" work great. "Warden's Alpha?" "Warden's 1"? "Warden Team 1"? "Warden 1"

The continent is Vaelis. Wardens of Vaelis. WoV 1/2/etc.? I'm not 100% sold on it but as I had nothing before this is a pretty good start. Thanks :)

Jama7301
2017-12-11, 07:00 PM
Could you come up with an acronym, akin to SEAL, and then affix a kingdom or other organization to the front, if they're like the special forces of it.

CRAS - Conflict Resolution Action Specialist

or something like that.

Another evocative word that pops to mind is Shield, as it can be used as a noun, and as a verb. Lance is another word like that. You could use those as separate divisions within a larger group. "The Hemal Shield" "He's a Shield" "They're a Shield unit"

TheTeaMustFlow
2017-12-11, 07:00 PM
Heh, I just realised that SG-1 is pretty much exactly a D&D adventuring party...

Anyway, one obvious possibility is to call them Ducal Agents, Ducal Operatives, or something similar.

Another possibility is to continue the nobility theme and name them after some noble rank subordinate to a Duke. Like 'the Counts' or 'the Earls', for example.

Or perhaps 'the [Something]s of the Dukes'. Perhaps the Eyes of the Dukes, or the Hands - both are fairly traditional.

Could go the full hog on the UN comparisons and call them Peacekeepers. Similar possibilities might be Guardians, Defenders, or Protectors.

Legal or diplomatic titles are another option - Sheriffs, Marshals, Lawbringers, Reeves, Inspectors, Judges, Magistrates, Adjutants, Inquisitors, Adjudicators, Vindicators, Emissaries, etc.

Maybe Exemplars?

(Edit: More stuff added)

OdinTGE
2017-12-11, 07:04 PM
Another evocative word that pops to mind is Shield, as it can be used as a noun, and as a verb. Lance is another word like that. You could use those as separate divisions within a larger group. "The Hemal Shield" "He's a Shield" "They're a Shield unit"

The Shields of Vaelis
Gold Shield, Silver Shield, Bronze Shield, etc.
"They're shields" "He's a shield"

That's pretty good stuff. I don't feel like an acronym really works in a fantasy setting. Things like that seem to me like a quite modern technical convention.

War_lord
2017-12-11, 07:52 PM
I think the best way to approach it is to think of where they get their name. For example, the Temerian Special Forces in the Witcher are named the Blue Stripes, because their attire has a motif. Elite units in any military at any point in history will look for ways to distinguish themselves from the rank and file, subtly or not.

So think of details like: Do they wear any distinct equipment, where were they founded, do they have a central HQ, who founded the organization? And that'll give you ideas for a name.

OdinTGE
2017-12-11, 08:07 PM
Another possibility is to continue the nobility theme and name them after some noble rank subordinate to a Duke. Like 'the Counts' or 'the Earls', for example. This was one of my first thoughts but as there are actual Counts etc. in the world I thought that could get weird.


Or perhaps 'the [Something]s of the Dukes'. Perhaps the Eyes of the Dukes, or the Hands - both are fairly traditional. Another early thought but most things like that seemed to get clunky when thinking about referencing them in conversations as individuals vs. a group etc.


Could go the full hog on the UN comparisons and call them Peacekeepers. Similar possibilities might be Guardians, Defenders, or Protectors. There could certainly be something here. I'll think on these.


Legal or diplomatic titles are another option - Sheriffs, Marshals, Lawbringers, Reeves, Inspectors, Judges, Magistrates, Adjutants, Inquisitors, Adjudicators, Vindicators, Emissaries, etc. Most of these strike me as similar to "Champion." At least to my mind these evoke images of singular people. They may be part of an organization but they operate alone.


Maybe Exemplars? Exemplar is a cool word but I feel like it lacks punch. It just feels good to say "SG-1" or "SEAL Team #" etc. The 3 beat phrase feels weighty. Things like "Exemplar 1" or "Exemplar Gold" don't seem to flow well.


I think the best way to approach it is to think of where they get their name. For example, the Temerian Special Forces in the Witcher are named the Blue Stripes, because their attire has a motif. Elite units in any military at any point in history will look for ways to distinguish themselves from the rank and file, subtly or not.

So think of details like: Do they wear any distinct equipment, where were they founded, do they have a central HQ, who founded the organization? And that'll give you ideas for a name.

Well in this case there's no uniform or anything. These groups are going to operate on a somewhat covert level. They're sort of "unofficially official". When the campaign starts they don't even exist. The party I'll be DMing for are intended to be the first of their kind (I mean, unless somebody runs off with a Duke's daughter or some other thing I can't predict....).

I do like the idea of a "nickname" sort of thing though. Something like that could allow their name to be a bit more formal sounding, like one of the "Hands of the Dukes" kind of suggestions above, but then derive a nickname like Blue Stripes that allows for better referencing in conversation.

I hadn't really thought of any sort of HQ. In my mind the Dukes wouldn't never have more than 2-4 of these teams at a time and those teams would likely be out and about doing things quite often. It's not a large military force with a command structure etc. Just the teams that report directly to the Dukes. Saying all that I do kind of like the idea of the Dukes providing them some sort of lair for the rare occasions they aren't off saving the world and so on.

Anonymouswizard
2017-12-11, 08:20 PM
My first instinct would be, as said, to follow the nobility theme. Viscounts would be my first choice, I'm planning to use it as the government run peacekeeping force employing the PCs when I can get a space opera running, but you also have Barons, Earls, technically Squires (might be a good fit), and a whole lot of other nobility titles.

Ambassadors might be another idea. Officially they're only supposed to observe and act view official channels, however everybody knows that of an Ambassador shows up then there's something they're supposed to solve.

Another idea could be how you want to theme them. My Viscounts mix in with interstellar nobility and politicians, and so actually do for the look the name brings up, but a more standard adventurer style might men you want to go with something like Rangers, Wanderers, or similar.

If they're supposed to act in a more military role Troubleshooters is the classic pun, although it doesn't really work in most D&D settings where bows reign (you don't shoot an arrow).

Naming them after their founder is also an option, or after a deed of their founder. The Wyrmslayers or, to use a defunct real world police force example, Peelers.

OdinTGE
2017-12-11, 09:02 PM
Officially they're only supposed to observe and act view official channels, however everybody knows that of an Ambassador shows up then there's something they're supposed to solve.

This wasn't part of my initial thinking but I kind of like this idea. These groups are official and they wander about doing the business of the Dukes; all very formal and standard. But people "in the know" are aware that when these people show up something bad is happening or is about to happen. Lots of room for subtle role play. Saying things without saying them etc.

I may try to work this thread into the weave of what they are.

RazorChain
2017-12-11, 09:52 PM
Let's just take a look at from historical and quasi mythical perspective


Silver Shields: hand picked men serving in the army of Alexander the great.

Sacred Band of Thebes: made up of 150 gay warrior couples, only the finest warriors were chosen. The thought was you would fight harder to protect your partner.

The Companions of Alexander: ot just the heteroi, the elite heavy cavalry of Alexander the great.

The Immortals of persia: The elite heavy infantry of persia. Called the immortals because a wounded or a dead soldier was always replaced keeping them at full strenght and "immortal"

Extraordinarii: The handpicked men of the Roman Allies with the dangerous privilige to lead the army or used as rearguard if the danger was from the back.

Paladins : The 12 peers, the foremost warriors of emperor Charlemagne.

Jómsvikingar The vikings from Jomsborg, each and every of them a hero in their own right.

Varangian Guard: hand picked mercenary warrios mostly german or scandinavian that served as the bodyguard of the Byzantine Emperors

Earthwalker
2017-12-12, 06:30 AM
CRAS - Conflict Resolution Action Specialist



Given the players in my game and their ability to plan I would say they were more Professionals as opposed to Specialists.

In terms of the Acronym at least.

Anonymouswizard
2017-12-12, 06:49 AM
Given the players in my game and their ability to plan I would say they were more Professionals as opposed to Specialists.

In terms of the Acronym at least.

One of my groups started dropping the letters from the word 'plan' based on how bad they were. We very often had plns, sometimes had pns, and rarely succeeded.

Knaight
2017-12-12, 07:08 AM
Objects and animals often work for group names, at least in terms of nicknames given by the general populace. "Shields" has already been mentioned, with "Blades" being a pretty standard equivalent. In this particular case I'm getting some secret police vibes, which brings to mind "Eyes" and "Ears" as possibilities. On the animal side there's always rats, dogs, spiders, and various birds as group labels - a less clandestine group can still use dogs, use a different group of birds, and start bringing in animals like bears and lions.

All of these can be added to organizational labels, although in practice the shorter version is more likely to be used in most cases. "Duke's Eyes", "Blades of the Ducal Council", "City Owls", etc.

With that said, if you're swiping from Mass Effect anyways you can get really blatant. "Phantoms" works just fine, and it has an added bonus of being potentially misleading complements of the Ringwraith. It also nicely splits into "Phantom", "Phantoms", and "The Phantoms", covering organizational needs.

Another option is to give them a more respectable name for internal use, and then have people outright call them the secret police.

TheTeaMustFlow
2017-12-12, 01:41 PM
Dunno if you've settled on something yet, but how about Rooks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rook_(chess))? Nice and short, and chess motifs are always a classic.

Given the secret police/intelligence agency vibe, Shadows is another possibility. (I've always wanted to have a conspiracy called the Shadow Cabinet (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Cabinet)).

Vogie
2017-12-12, 02:05 PM
The American Style of naming things - that is, stating exactly what is to happen, plainly - doesn't mesh well with a fantasy version with out stretching. Sea Air Land Team #, StarGate Team #, et cetera.

For example, Paladin came from the root palatinus or palatine which just meant "of the palace". You can do something similar with other languages, just fooling around with Google Translate
From the Barracks - Aus der Kaserne in German, call them the Austerkas.
From the Castle - Von der Burg in German, drop the r and call them Wonderbugs
To the Ends - Ad Terminos in Latin, call them Terminos (but pronounced like Dominos)

Other ideas

Executor - A person or group that executes a legal requirement, while being a nod to the term executioner.
PeaK - PeaceKeepers
PORT - Portal/Ordnance Response Team
WOMBAT - WarriOr/Mage Border Action Team

OdinTGE
2017-12-12, 03:28 PM
Objects and animals often work for group names, at least in terms of nicknames given by the general populace. "Shields" has already been mentioned, with "Blades" being a pretty standard equivalent. In this particular case I'm getting some secret police vibes, which brings to mind "Eyes" and "Ears" as possibilities. On the animal side there's always rats, dogs, spiders, and various birds as group labels - a less clandestine group can still use dogs, use a different group of birds, and start bringing in animals like bears and lions.

The Dukes do already have an Owl. Its a moniker for their head of intelligence. As for calling each group by a different, but related, animal name-I kind of like that as well. One thing that crossed my mind while thinking about this was the Terran Armor Corp (from the Ember War, and Terran Armor Corp books). They're all "Armor" but each group has a mostly unrelated name. "Iron Hearts" "Hussars" "Iron Dragoons" "Smoking Snakes" etc.

So the Duke's could create this loose organization calling it the "Shields of Vaelis" or what not but then each group picks its own name that's fitting for them. I've really appreciateD all the ideas. I had a serious case of mental block when thinking about this for some reason. Now I get to ruminate on all these until one settles to the top.


In regards to the posts about the Secret Police that's not exactly the vibe I'm going for. The issue for the Dukes is that they don't have any actual power...officially. They're supposed to just be ambassadors and negotiators. However, in a world without telegrams, or phones, or internet, etc. they end up with a great deal of autonomy while executing their duties. That's why this initiative (to create a special forces) needs to be mostly covert. They don't have the political authority to actually do something like that; on paper anyway. They, both the current dukes and the group over the centuries, have just come to realize that they can affect more change if they...you know...give themselves some authority.


The American Style of naming things - that is, stating exactly what is to happen, plainly - doesn't mesh well with a fantasy version with out stretching. Sea Air Land Team #, StarGate Team #, et cetera.

I certainly agree. I was referencing those because of how nicely they can be used in conversation when referring to the whole group, a sub-group, or an individual.


For example, Paladin came from the root palatinus or palatine which just meant "of the palace". You can do something similar with other languages, just fooling around with Google Translate
From the Barracks - Aus der Kaserne in German, call them the Austerkas.
From the Castle - Von der Burg in German, drop the r and call them Wonderbugs
To the Ends - Ad Terminos in Latin, call them Terminos (but pronounced like Dominos)

I like this type of idea but I feel like that might add a layer of obscurity for the players. I think it would end up being similar to the situation of having to explain a joke; at which point it's no longer funny.

LibraryOgre
2017-12-12, 05:28 PM
Wolves
Falcons
Hawks
Ravens
I like Shields
Badges
You might name them after a distinctive piece of clothing... Red Sashes, Grey Cloaks, Pink Tutus. They don't all wear it all the time, but it's part of their official uniform.
One thing I like about Rooks (as suggested above) is that it has a double meaning (can also apply to corvid-type birds, like the Ravens), but would also tend to follow a chess theme... the Rooks are below the Knights, below the Bishops, below the Royalty, but above the Pawns.

Knaight
2017-12-12, 05:48 PM
You might name them after a distinctive piece of clothing... Red Sashes, Grey Cloaks, Pink Tutus. They don't all wear it all the time, but it's part of their official uniform.
One thing I like about Rooks (as suggested above) is that it has a double meaning (can also apply to corvid-type birds, like the Ravens), but would also tend to follow a chess theme... the Rooks are below the Knights, below the Bishops, below the Royalty, but above the Pawns.

As much as I like Yellow Turbans sort of naming (to use a historical example) it doesn't fit a secret police organization all that well. Rooks on the other hand is excellent.

LibraryOgre
2017-12-12, 06:09 PM
As much as I like Yellow Turbans sort of naming (to use a historical example) it doesn't fit a secret police organization all that well. Rooks on the other hand is excellent.

Like I said, it's their official uniform, but not, necessarily, something they have to wear every day.

You see a bunch of them on guard outside of the King's Quarters, they're wearing Yellow Turbans. But Matches Malone, who has a finger in every pie in the underworld, is ALSO a Yellow Turban, though he never wears it (and doesn't even own one, because that would be a stupid way to have your cover blown).

NRSASD
2017-12-12, 09:56 PM
Of course, the tried and trusted classic, the one I'm using right now in my campaign, is...

The Troubleshooters
We find trouble. And shoot it