DMN
02-14-2019, 09:08 PM
An incredibly large portion of non-generic NPC names in vanilla EQ were actually derived in some fashion from Verant employees, testers, or friends of Verant employees. First names, last names inside jokes/nicknames, etc.
The thing is, most of them are obscured by being anagrams and/or slight misspellings. Often to decipher them you also need to know several related people so the name makes logical sense. For instance, you would have to know Jason was good friends with Daman, then recognize that Nosja is an anagram for Jason. Then, by piecing these bits of information together, when you happen upon the wedding scene in the tower of the frozen shadow you immediately chuckle when you recognize Daman and Jason. And as an inside joke an even smaller set of people would understand the significance of the "enraged relative" who looks like a spectre with beer stained clothing.
The thing is, most of them are obscured by being anagrams and/or slight misspellings. Often to decipher them you also need to know several related people so the name makes logical sense. For instance, you would have to know Jason was good friends with Daman, then recognize that Nosja is an anagram for Jason. Then, by piecing these bits of information together, when you happen upon the wedding scene in the tower of the frozen shadow you immediately chuckle when you recognize Daman and Jason. And as an inside joke an even smaller set of people would understand the significance of the "enraged relative" who looks like a spectre with beer stained clothing.