Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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I have a little challenge for you guys, just for fun.
For a long time now, online forums have used the word "gish" to describe a class that is essentially a fighter/magic-user from the old 1e days. More recent approaches to this class have included the hexblade and the spellblade, from our pals over in Renton.
Every so often we have cause to discuss such a class in meetings here at the office, which brings up a problem.
The word "gish" sends us up the friggin' wall.
I challenged my staff to come up with a better name than "gish" to end this annoyance, and thus far they have been unable to do so satisfactorily. So, since 170,000 minds are better than 10, I've decided to ask you guys.
What is a better name for the "gish" class concept?
THE RULES
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1. NO NONSENSE WORDS: I don't want to replace the "gish" with a "schmonktarn," thanks.
2. NO PORTMANTEAUS: This is two words smooshed together: Spellblade. Hexblade. Nothanks.
3. ONE WORD: All other base classes are ONE word. This one should be no different.
Sounds easy, right?
Not so easy round these parts.
So, what's a better name for these guys that fits all three criteria?
Please save us from annoying ourselves in meetings. The situation is growing desperate.
Thanks!
Magus
Spellar
Auror
Exciter.. hehe, I'm listening to Judas, what can I do?
JEDI! Oh ... that one’s been taken already has it?
Eldor
Kensi roughly translates into "sword saint"
Mr. Fishy will look a round for a word.
Scout
Warmonger
Wildcat
Slayer
Proselyte
Legionnaire
Desperado
Highwayman
Wanderer
Warden
Janissary
Dragoon
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You’re right Erik, this is hard. Pretty much all of the previous goes at this sort of thing that I can think of have used made up words, portmanteaus (thanks Erik, now I know a new word), or two word names. Hmmm. Tricky, tricky.
Out of interest, why not portmanteaus? Personal dislike, or its been done too often before? Because this would be the obvious route – you are taking two different concepts (warrior and magic user) and mooshing them together, so a mooshed together word sort of fits. On the other hand, I do not expect Paizo to take the obvious or easy route.
gish is an ingrained word, it won't be easy to get rid of it.
Speaking of wiz/fighter classes, is the next issue of KQ still going to have a new take on it?
I always liked 'arcanamach', but it is a name already used by your Washington neighbors.
Fishy?
Warlock, Tovenaar, Acero, Templar, Acolyte, Shade, Seeker,
I think we should call them portmanteaumancers :P
But seriously folks, how about Enchanter (that way, I could name mine Tim). Plus, if they guy's a gish he's probably casting spells primarily on himself to buff his combat abilities, thus he's enchanting his gear, etc. I also like Warlock (one word, not a portmanteau, has the word "war" in it coincidentally).
I think we should call them portmanteaumancers :P
But seriously folks, how about Enchanter (that way, I could name mine Tim). Plus, if they guy's a gish he's probably casting spells primarily on himself to buff his combat abilities, thus he's enchanting his gear, etc. I also like Warlock (one word, not a portmanteau, has the word "war" in it coincidentally).
The 3.5 version of the warlock is stuck in my head, but why can't we have a Pathfinder version that means 'fighter/mage'? Warlock works for me.
Myrmidon?
Youxia/Xiake? (both being the sorts of semi-magical type warriors you see in wuxia films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
Thaumaturge?
Dervish?
2. NO PORTMANTEAUS: This is two words smooshed together: Spellblade. Hexblade. Nothanks.
Well, now you're just being mean.
Great challenge, though!
I have a little challenge for you guys, just for fun.
For a long time now, online forums have used the word "gish" to describe a class that is essentially a fighter/magic-user from the old 1e days. More recent approaches to this class have included the hexblade and the spellblade, from our pals over in Renton.
1st: Gish became famous because 1E Gith were fighter/mages. They could fight and had magic (or psionics but treated the same usually).
2nd: Suggestions:
1) Fa-ge? (F from fighter + Age from mage)
Pronounced like Sage with a F
2) Mighter? (Ighter from Fighter + M from mage)
3) Slade
Actually, warlock is kind of interesting for this.
For fun, make it a class that has to be a single evil alignment, just to balance paladin and give people something to argue about for years to come.
Awesome?
Kick@$$?
Hsig?
Morefunthanthewizard?
What about...
Champion ?
Adherent
Artisan
Disciplined
Factotum
Mercane
Ronin
Knight Arcane
Madawesomekilldude
Dish
Fish
Mish
Slish
Kish
Bish
Tish
Zish
Gash
virtuoso
bravo
sabreur
ace
gesith (haha!)
Theurge
Knave
Prodigy
If this is a vote, though, I kind of like Acolyte, Templar and my own Adherent.
I actually like Warlock for this. I'm sure you won't use it, and really don't blame you. But I like it.
Here are a few ideas.
All are names with historical significance within the context of D&D. All were level titles for different classes in AD&D (As was Warlock for that matter).
Myrmidon (Fighter)
Justicar (Paladin)
Cabalist (Illusionist)
and of course Warlock was from the Magic-user class.
I think any of these four would work. I'm partial to Myrmidon myself, but for entirely unrelated reasons.
I would recommend going old school and look at some word roots.
Sidsa or Siden relate to old Norse magic wielders akin to berserkers and warlocks.
Svinfylking is also a good example of warriors that used magic to confuse the enemy and give the warriors great strength in battle... but this is probably more of a title then you really want.
I am sure people can come up with some other examples from Greek or Roman roots.
maven
(too bad adept isn't available)
spellbinder
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I see many of you visited Thesaurus.com as well
I think Savant fits rather well, as one would have to have a very extensive training to learn the magical arts intertwined with the martial arts. Of course, if this was a vote though everyone would end up voting for themselves like a bunch of unruly pirates...
3. ONE WORD: All other base classes are ONE word. This one should be no different.
But there's precedent for classes like fighter/magic-user!
If you want to go really old school, how about 'elf'?
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I'd like to avoid 'warlock', we're going to need that to describe male witches.
Obi
(The problem with going down a linguistic gender road for male witches is the word is actually wizard. This "warlock" usage and is a much later, interesting story, I believe.)
Hunterofthedusk: and other such sites. Beats breaking the rules.
Ah, here's a great and fitting term. Gaukler. ;)
I'd like to avoid 'warlock', we're going to need that to describe male witches.
Actually, a male member of the witch class will be called ... a witch!
Agreed, a male witch is called a witch, it is not a gender specific name.
Actually, a male member of the witch class will be called ... a witch!I'd like to avoid 'warlock', we're going to need that to describe male witches.
As most practicing male witches would agree.
Rune Blade (thank you Monte Cook)
I love that class
Nonpareil
That-build-which-will-satisfy-noone-or-else-will-break-all
Obi
What, my name means 'Heart', not 'arcane dude with a weapon'!