• Out of Character • Melrath Q&A Thread

[Visna Namdalen]

Trying to get up to speed with some Melrathi lingo. I see 'rel' used in family names - particularly those from Alivilda - which leads me to think it means 'of'/'from'.

1.) Is this assumption correct?
2.) Is this a Melrathi thing or just unique to Alivilda?

Thanks!

[Pig Boy]

Trying to get up to speed with some Melrathi lingo. I see 'rel' used in family names - particularly those from Alivilda - which leads me to think it means 'of'/'from'.

1.) Is this assumption correct?
2.) Is this a Melrathi thing or just unique to Alivilda?

Thanks!

1. I believe so?
2. I think it's an Alivilda thing. Specifically not a noble thing, however. Typically nobles associate with the house they were born into, or else take the married name (after they marry into another house, which is often enough part of the bargain in a political type marriage).

Dilluting the name of the house a member belongs to with other names, even that of another noble house is seen as ... er disrespectful?... for lack of a better term. That said, lineage isn't as important in Melrath as merit, and the Jarls are often chosen on the basis of merit, rather than lines of succession based on lineage or birth order. Of course lineage and belonging to a house by blood factor heavily into who is selected for special roles/marriages/alliances and such, but yeah. So for that reason, the nobles tend to only bear the name of the house they currently belong to, whether by marriage or birth.

Other names in their full legal name are acceptable, however. But generally, they'll be introducing themselves as belonging to one house/family.

[Visna Namdalen]

1. I believe so?
2. I think it's an Alivilda thing. Specifically not a noble thing, however. Typically nobles associate with the house they were born into, or else take the married name (after they marry into another house, which is often enough part of the bargain in a political type marriage).

Dilluting the name of the house a member belongs to with other names, even that of another noble house is seen as ... er disrespectful?... for lack of a better term. That said, lineage isn't as important in Melrath as merit, and the Jarls are often chosen on the basis of merit, rather than lines of succession based on lineage or birth order. Of course lineage and belonging to a house by blood factor heavily into who is selected for special roles/marriages/alliances and such, but yeah. So for that reason, the nobles tend to only bear the name of the house they currently belong to, whether by marriage or birth.

Other names in their full legal name are acceptable, however. But generally, they'll be introducing themselves as belonging to one house/family.

Thank you! This all makes a lot of sense and clears things up for me.

[Jasper]

The Rel is a Alivilda thing. Rel mostly is reference to some one who is a biological descendent of one of the original founders of the village, and they or there ancestors weren't adopted into the clan. Though as long as one side has one of the founders you could use the Rel. Though in more recent times it has also come to signify those with in a couple generations of the clan chiefs.

[Visna Namdalen]

The Rel is a Alivilda thing. Rel mostly is reference to some one who is a biological descendent of one of the original founders of the village, and they or there ancestors weren't adopted into the clan. Though as long as one side has one of the founders you could use the Rel. Though in more recent times it has also come to signify those with in a couple generations of the clan chiefs.

Ohh interesting! Good to know. Thank you so much