On Names

Naming conventions are not yet set in stone.

Across the history of the Empire, there has been a somewhat changable list of Great Families. This honor is bestowed upon the lingeages of men who have aided, honored, or served in the Empire. A single syllable is chosen and all descendants use this like a title in their family name. When two people of different roots marry, their children bear both syllables. There have never been more than 14 Great Families recognized at one time, and their importance goes in and out of fashion. The last induction was Liao Fen Hitchon’s “Ona,” embued upon him as an honor after his death in battle.

Mei Ba is a descendant of Endoba, a monk who was said to have the power to speak to the Lords of Heaven.

Concubines eschew their family names, as most of them come from very poor, inconsequential families. If their original names are not considered  ‘appropriate’ (who would lust after a woman named after the family cow?), the Master of the WQ gives them a new one. This is typically several syllables and means something along the lines of ‘Delicate Flower’ or ‘Sweet Plum.’ Kuroma was renamed upon arrival by Master Jun.

Consorts, coming from noble families, retain both their given name and their family’s root name. It is possible for a consort to lose her priveledges and be bumped down to the position of a concubine, without a benefactor and forced to serve multiple men. Her root name is either dropped entirely, or integrated into her first name. Kyon Cho was demoted to Kyoncho.

The Emperors are currently descended from Lung-Chi. Their relatives take the root name “Chi,” and only princes in direct succession may take the name “Lung-Chi.”