Villain Pulp or Cool: What's In A Name?

[W E Ray]

What makes a cooler name for a Villain -- an NPC who the PCs come to hate, fear and enjoy playing against for several sessions before the final BBEG encounter?

Is it a Pulp name or just a cool sounding name?

Tongueeater ....or.... Loliadac
The Skinsaw Man ...or... Zensher
The Cold Rider ....or.... Wulvera
Father Jackal ....or.... Azurax
The Gray Philosopher ...or... Yarzoth
The Whistling Fiend ...or... Karylin
The King of Roses ...or... Laveth
Gobbling Jack ....or.... Ilkharis

What type is better?
Does it depend on the campaign (How; what criteria?)

[lucky7]

I like the first ones, as it implies they have a reputation (or at least a precedent) for themselves. Yes, Tar-Baphon sounds cool, but Whispering Tyrant? Much more impressive, and less blank stares.

[silverhair2008]

While I agree somewhat with lucky7, why not use both? Use the proper name then add the descriptor. An example:

Ghartok, the Carrion King.

In AP's proper names are useful for recurring NPC's, but to rely on them alone for BBEG's leaves a lot to be desired. When I mix the two I don't have to constantly say "The Carrion King" I can say "Ghartok" and the players still know who I am referring to.

Perhaps have the BBEG referred to by the descriptor, then as they get closer to finding him/her have their proper name start being heard.

Or they learn the proper name during their research into who and where the BBEG is.

Just my 2 cp.

[Qorin]

I think the danger with the random syllable names is that you accidentally (or maybe not) get me thinking about candy on a stick with the first one, and then I'm just snickering the rest of the way down the list.

[W E Ray]

@Qorin,

That's true -- I loved Sarenrae when she was first published, then someone on the Boards here said it was too like "saranwrap" and I've been stuck with that in my head ever since.

And I can't take Nidal seriously because it sounds too like a sleep medicine: "Nidal, will help you get your 'Zzzzs'."

But there's the same (potential) problem with the pulp names. When Carl Sergent introduced us to The Gray Philosopher back in the late 80s I thought it was the coolest "Pulp"-name for a villain ever. But Pulp names can just as easily evoke silliness or banality. "The Cold Rider," really? Tim Hitchcock and Nic Logue are two of the top 5 designers of the D20 era -- but I can see many gamers thinking that's a cheesy name for a villain even if Carnival of Tears is a great adventure.

. . . .

I think you have to use both. If you only ever use Pulp names it can become trope, but using them occassionally, mixed with the cool sounding, "random syllable" name, is great.

And when they're sometimes connected to great stories -- such as James Jacobs' "Loliadac" they're even greater.

I was wondering though -- what's BETTER?!
And why?
(Everyone's mileage will vary.)

[lucky7]

A modus operandi, something to recognize them by. If the PCs BBEG has a specific method of killing people, they will either be scared or thoroughly peeved that he/she/it did it.

When using things from fiction, use metagaming against the players. One example was when PC's investigating an ancient city.

Players: Whadda we hear?

GM: You hear (whatever the Shoggoth does in the Mythos)

Players(Most of whom read Lovecraft)...crap.

[W E Ray]

bump

[Usual Suspect]

I like a good mix. Some villains just have names, some have cool titles, some have a combination.

[Muad'Dib]

I am very careful with villain names. Gamers are quicker that Jr Highers at making fun of a persons name.