The Worst Kobold Chapter 38: Storyweaver Interlude #2 - How To Name Your Kobold

Read chapter 38 of The Worst Kobold by Thalaas on NovelPedia.

I’m going to interrupt the story right from the beginning, and go over another little social lesson. It’ll be fun I promise. In fact, let’s make a little riddle of it. What is something you have, that others use more than you do yourself? Any guesses? The answer is ‘Your name’. Your name is arguably one of the most important traits about you. When you think of a loved one’s name? It conveys a wealth of information. Their age, gender, species, loves, hopes, fears… you get all of that simply from a single word. Despite how important names are, how we get names varies greatly in the world. First off everyone can get a variety of nicknames, pet names, or have their name shortened for convenience. Then there are titles. Alexander and King Alexander are the same person, but one name clearly has more power behind it. But then, different races in the world acquire names in a multitude of ways. Humans will name their babies at birth. They will give the child a unique first name, and then give them a second family name from either one of the parents or both. They will often include a third middle name. So, we get names like Chantelle Fetter or Alexander Falcon from my previous stories. Humans also seem to have a strong belief that certain names should only be used for certain genders. I admit, I could never figure out what makes Christopher a boy’s name, yet Christine a girl's. Goblins have a strong belief that names hold power. So they will name their homes, businesses, livestock, inventions, and more. As for themselves? Goblins will have four to ten names on average. And they collect these for a variety of reasons. Again, from the previous take, let's look at Emberchild Ghazal Magehand Sneakgleam. Emberchild was the name given to her at birth. Ghazal was added from a loving aunt. Magehand was given when she found out she was a mage. And Sneakgleam is her family name. Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! Orcs generally have short, singular names. It will start with their clan or family name, and the first clear sound they utter a baby. It’s believed by many tribes that a child's first word should be tied to them for life. So, if the clan name is Thal, and an orcish baby makes a clear ‘Or’ sound, you get the name Thal’or. Just like the name of the orc cartographer in the previous book. A dragon’s name will be based on their power, so they won’t often get their names until they know what magic type they control. Fluke, had he remained a dragon, would have probably been given something like Stormbringer, Thunderstriker, or something that sounds equally impressive. And then, his full title would have been something like Lord Blitzcrash of the Jagged Crag Clan, Master of Lightning and Thunder. Wow, now that I say that mouthful out loud? I think I prefer the simplicity of Fluke. But, as a suggestion, if you do meet a dragon, use their full name and title. Better safe than annihilated. Kobolds have the most fluid names of the bunch. Most kobolds will go through two or three name changes in their life, based on accomplishments, deed, looks, and a host of other factors. The naming often happens very organically, depending on what the clan starts to call you. Normally for children, it starts simple. Greyscale, Tailchewer, Bighorn. A kobold’s first name is almost always based on their look, or a simple act they do as a child. Then as they get older, they often change names based on their position or major accomplishments. For example, Sunlight kept her name until she killed a griffon in her teens. Then she was Griffonslayer, but it was shortened to Griffon. I say all this because, the next chapter I find quite the emotional one. I, um may have seemed a bit emotional in the introduction of the book, when I mentioned the kobold that gave Fluke his name. I just want to reiterate, calling someone a nub-horned, tail-sucking, worthless discarded piece of scale, is not appropriate. Even if they