Hello, my name is Olaf... Olaf Caesar
Anyone who looks at more than the surface of the Wolfen will see that they have two very heavy cultural influences. The first is early Middle Ages Scandinavian, or, vulgarly, "Viking". The second is very much Roman. With two rich histories and cultures to draw upon though, how do you name a Wolfen character, and why do you name him that? The naming of a Wolfen character, perhaps more than any other race, is very important, as it explains where he sees himself in the scope of the Empire's plans, and in the culture of his people.
In order to understand the odd fusion of cultures that is uniquely Wolfen, one must understand their origin. The original culture of the Wolfen was very Scandinavian, and this is evident when one travels to the Hinterlands of the Empire. The practical gear, the art, even the lifestyle is such that a Norseman from the Orkney Isles could easily slip into the rhythm of life in these villages and small towns. For how long this pattern of living continued, only Od knows. However, after the Algor Mountain Tribe was destroyed, the Wolfen stopped themselves, and looked at their society. There was still much to love in that society and its ways, and many still do. However, working from unknown inspiration*, the Founders of the Wolfen Empire drew themselves up along distinctly Roman lines. The Wolfen Empire has been Romanized for more than sixty years.
Being Romanized, however, does not mean that they have abandoned their past. For all their refinement, the Wolfen are only three generations out of barbarism, and the hinterlands are even closer to their roots. One
distinctly non-Roman ritual that remains is a powerful rite-of-passage. While not so severe as the Kankoran, the Wolfen Rite of Passage is still an important time in every Wolfen's life. It commences during the 15th year of a Wolfen's life, on the mid-point between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice, though some have started much earlier (one famous hero, Haakon, was rumored to have completed his Rite of Passage at seven, though Pragmatists consider this to be somewhat of an exaggeration). After a night of fasting and meditation, the young Wolfen is tested in his chosen profession, as well as being subjected to general tests of the body and mind. Though failure rarely results in death, many are injured in the mock-combats, runs, and other feats that prove a pup's right to be called a Wolfen. Even non-Wolfen may participate in order to join a tribe, though this is very rare.
If a Wolfen completes his (or her... Wolfen society has a refreshing lack of gender bias) Rite of Passage successfully, he is seen as an adult, with all the rights and duties attendant to that. Those who fail remain as
children, to try again the next year. (Legend also speaks of another, a she-Wolfen named Gjarlaug, who failed her Rite of Passage three times before she passed. She is now known as a legendary warrioress, credited with driving the Great Dragon known as Night-Flyer back into the wilderness, when he last awoke three hundred years ago.) When a Wolfen ascends to adulthood, he chooses a name. It is this naming that, traditionally, told who the Wolfen was and what he did... now, it identifies his place in the Empire, and in his alignment with the two cultures that exist in his world.
Many Wolfen choose names from the old times. These often identify themselves more closely with tribe than with Empire, and, while they reject the ways of inter-tribal warfare that destroyed the Huntsmen, are fiercely traditionalist. They often react poorly to those of other races that they do not recognize as part of the tribe, and Imperial Officials who are not of their tribe are given no more respect than tradition demands for all guests, and the only orders obeyed are those that the traditionalist would have done anyway. Names favored by male traditionalists include Haakon, Amundi, Bork, Ottar, and Vagn. Female tend to go with names such as Arnorna, Dotta, Katla, and Ragna.**
Other Wolfen choose names that represent the modern trend of the Empire. Those who intend to join the military or the government most often take these names, though it is a rare Long Knife or Sea Hawk that carries a traditional name, these days. The prevailing attitude amongst these Wolfen is to regard traditionalists as backwoods hicks who are unwilling to put aside the past so the race as a whole may step into the future. Names like Ambrosious, Claudius, and Aurelius are common amongst the men, while women prefer Julia, Cornelia, and Maria.***
While the tension between the extremists in these two camps is great, it is not yet pervasive. Like almost all societies, many Wolfen still follow a middle path, one which maintains pride in both Tribe and Empire, without sacrificing either. However, as tensions mount, with no clear way to defuse them, the possibility of open civil war amongst partisans becomes more and more prevalent... and that is what is feared most of all, for if the Wolfen fight amongst themselves, the humans will truly win.
*Eventually, I intend to rewrite a short story I once developed, which explained the relationship between Rome and the Wolfen.
**Any good source on the names of the Norse and Swedes from the Middle Ages will work well... I prefer the Eddas and the Sagas, though Beowulf also includes some good ones with a similar feel, though not entirely the same origin.
***Again, a good source of Roman names will provide many more. Look for social histories, which are more likely to give female, as well as male, names.
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