Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be named too conveniently? A smith with forge somewhere in their name, or an archer with a name reminiscent of their skills? That is often due to the adoption of surnames by that individual. But the connection to that person and their surname often runs deeper than most realize.
In a world where one’s being is tied to the land and the ether, the power of their true name is uniquely individual. It signifies their bond with the world around them. When one adopts a surname that resonates with them, or is granted one, it harmonizes within the core of who they are, and becomes a true name. Some beings are born without a surname, and live their whole lives without one. Some are born without, and gain one through great or unique acts. Some are born with one name, but eventually earn or resonate with another. But that true name that lies under it all is, at its core, a connection to the heart of the world, and the spark from which one can grow beyond the normal and mundane.
Knowledge of that true name is power. Living with that true name in one’s heart is a great boon, and a great source of power. But that same true name can also be a liability. Those who know that true name can use that knowledge combined with rituals and magic to divine information about that person. Location, status, and direction can all be discerned, and knowing one’s true name makes it even easier. True hunters and trackers often spend time learning the true name of their prey, so that no distance or obfuscation can prevent their pursuit. Deals with deities, devils, and fey patrons are signed to the true name. Some of those bargains based on a true name are so powerful that breaking them willfully can result in immediate consequence or even death.
Excerpt from History of Paragons - Rev 1. Published 592 by Stillwell Inkblazer