I saw an old thread on considering a new name for the Barbarian to prevent such a narrow interpretation of the character among players.
I was thinking that this could arguably be applied to many other classes, notably the base ones. Are there perhaps other names that could broaden up the interpretation.
This initially inspired by a confusing discussion with a GM creating a homebrew setting who seemed fiercely opposed to Oracles because they would require him to plan out too much of his world and the future events in advance. Which seemed like a fundamental misinterpretation of the class to me.
Note: I can't immediately think of better names which is why I am opening it to the floor...
Classes that made me think of this:
> Witch - default assumption is female and cackling old crone.
The class seems to actually be a way of gaining arcane magic through an outside force rather than be born with it or study for it (there is a wizard archetype that does this as well)
> Oracle - assumption is a mystic/fortune teller with a focus on telling the future (the Glass Cannon Podcast actually uses the NPC Oracles in Giantslayer to provide exposition even if they don't have the spells to do this)
The class is actually for those granted divine power whether they wanted it or not.
> Inquisitor - assumption "Nobody expects the...", but seriously the assumption is based on Catholic Inquisitions (which can safely be described as of a Lawful bent). The name doesn't really leave much open for the interpretation for Non Lawful deities
I am sure some people might think there are others (perhaps Cavalier?).
What do people think could be alternate names that have less chance of giving newer players the wrong idea.
I don't know. I hear Witch and my first thought is closer to Charmed than Malificient or Snow White's mother.
Not touching Inquisitor. Given their abilities and suggested role, I think it's fine.
Cavalier.... I'm not sure just what I'd rename it. Rider seems boring.
I think GMs should pass Oracle players note cards to read -preferably in a dramatic fashion- that gives hints about the future campaign stuff.
Oracle could by reflavored as Mystic or Cultists depending on the mystery allowed. A lot of the other ideas I've had have been taken by new classes (slayer instead if warrior, hunter instead of ranger). Mage is a possibility for wizard but might step on the toes of the magus. Scoundrel for rogue.
I do a little of that. Nothing really exciting to write home about though. For me its:
Swashbuckler rogue = Blade Master
Witch = Warlock
I run a homebrew world, with different ethnic groups who have different names for classes.
Off the top of my head, in my setting... one human ethnic group that has a higher than usual number of certain classes, and have names for those classes. Brawlers are called “Tan’Tori” fighters, and the fey trickster archetypes mesmerist, are called “Celladori”.
Its fluff, but it involves anyone outside this ethnicity to roll either a knowledge local, or geography check to know what those names even mean.
For what it’s worth, this is a reason why I hope most of the core Pathfinder books remain setting neutral.