Evocative Magical Item Names: Wizardry CRPG Series
This is the first in a planned series of evocative names of magical items from any media. Names that spur one’s own imagination of what they could be outside of their source material.
My first computer role-playing game (CRPG) was 1981’s “Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord“. Still then being new to Dungeons & Dragons, Wizardry had a considerable influence—good and bad—on my early gaming.
Like early D&D, items found as treasure had to be identified. The game would initially say only “Xenograg found a sword.” Via either of the two provided methods, an item would be determined to be mundane or magical (including cursed). This step delayed the player’s gratification and heightened their anticipation.
The original game has three items with names that have stuck in my mind ever since:
- Blade Cuisinart’
- Lords Garb
- Murasama Blade
The game’s sequel, “Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds“, has only one name of similar evocation:
- Staff of Gnilda
I did not get far in the third game of the series, Wizardry III: Legacy of Llylgamyn, and thus never found any of its ‘big name’ magical items.
I am intentionally omitting my imaginings for these items so you may do so for yourself.
The power of names.
