Three shapes, and what the variants change
With no variant chosen, a result takes one of three forms: about 40 percent are a title plus a first name (Loremaster Cedric, Diviner Ignatius), about 30 percent a first name plus an epithet (Zephyr the White, Edmund the Learned), and about 30 percent a first name plus a seat (Ignatius of the Obsidian Spire, Edmund of the Runic Vault). The first names come from a list of 40 that favors old-world and literary choices: Cornelius, Erasmus, Thaddeus, Percival, Balthazar, Solomon. There are 30 general titles, 15 epithets and 12 towers.
The four variants work differently from what you might expect. Arcane, elemental, dark and nature each swap in a small set of six titles of their own (Stormcaller, Flamebinder and Tidecaller for elemental; Shadow Mage and Doom Sage for dark; Grove Keeper and Thornweaver for nature) and always return a title plus a name. They do not produce epithets or towers, so for "the Veiled" or "of the Azure Keep" use the default setting. The tool is independent and not affiliated with any publisher or game company.
Where the first names come from
Many of the 40 names are borrowed from history, scripture and legend, which gives them the feel of a library. Erasmus recalls the Renaissance scholar, Raphael and Uriel are archangels, Percival is Arthurian, and Faust, Prospero and Oberon come from literature. The list includes Merlin itself. It goes back through Geoffrey of Monmouth's Latin Merlinus to the Welsh Myrddin, and a famous name invites comparison, so alter it (Merlan, Merrick) if your wizard is meant to be original. The same applies to a result such as Dreamweaver Merlin.
Judging three results
| Result | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Archsage Arcturus | Rank and name tell you a senior scholar, and Arcturus is a star name. | Two grand words together; there is no humility to play against. |
| Zephyr the White | Short epithet, memorable, easy to say at a table. | "The White" is a color epithet widely associated with a famous fictional wizard, so you may want a different color. |
| Ignatius of the Obsidian Spire | Gives you a place to build a plot around. | Long for dialogue; most characters would just say Ignatius. |
Making a result into a character
Real power in fiction often hides. A hedge wizard might simply be Old Tam, while the archmage carries a twenty-syllable title, so decide where your character sits. Strong wizard names survive without their titles, so cut a result to its first name and see if it still works. An apprentice usually gets a plain name and no title: a stern master like Cornelius the Learned next to an apprentice called Pip shows the relationship before any dialogue. Piling on epithets ("the Great, the Wise") sounds self-appointed.
For nature casters try the druid name generator, for beasts the dragon name generator, and for tabletop advice read the D&D character names guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the four variants change?
Each swaps the title list for six titles in that theme: arcane, elemental, dark or nature. Variant results are always title plus first name. Only the default setting gives epithets (the Seeker) and seats (of the Silver Tower).
Does the tool give epithets and towers for every result?
No. Roughly 30 percent of default results have an epithet and 30 percent a seat; the rest have a title. Choosing a variant removes epithets and towers entirely.
Are Merlin and Gandalf real names?
They are older than the fiction suggests. Merlin derives from the Welsh Myrddin through Geoffrey of Monmouth's Latin Merlinus, and Gandalf is a name from a list of dwarves in Old Norse poetry that Tolkien reused. Merlin appears in the tool's first-name list, so change it for an original character.
Can I use these for sorcerers, mages or warlocks?
Yes. The patterns suit any spellcaster. Adjust the title word to your game's class names; some titles in the list, such as Sorcerer Supreme or Hexblade, may echo existing games or comics, so swap those too.