What's in a Server Name?

By Ralsu

Now that Turbine has released the list of North America severs ready on launch day for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach (DDO), I want to take a little closer look at the names and size up what they mean to gamers.

To some massively-multiplayer online game (MMOG) fans, a server is a server is a server. That is, they just want to log in to their world as quickly as possible and hook up with their friends. To others, the sever's name means almost as much as their character's. And it's more than just a need for a cool-sounding name. They want a name with meaning--something that sets the tone for the server. Slap the name of the goddess of arts on a server and watch the bards pop up all over town. Name any server after a dragon and you can count on a high server population.

So, in the tradition of the many NFL analysts who try to predict the outcome of the SuperBowl during presoason, I will break down each server below. I will give you the meaning of the name, my prediction for population, and my expectation of the types of players you will meet on the server. Yeah, I know. It's all speculative and judgemental, but so is the evening news!

So, without further preamble, let's get to the servers!

Adar (A region of Sarlona, home of the kalshtar race)

This is the top server on the list. Servers higher on the list almost always end up with a large population. The reasons are many: some people don't care about server names and just pick the first one, powergamers want to get into the game quickly, and people with limited time want to log in as fast as possible. Adar is also a short name, so it will be easy to remember and spell for others. This makes it all the more attractive. Finally, diehard Eberron fans interested in playing a kalashtar character when (and if) the race is introduced to the game may choose this server because the name refers to the kalashtar home.

I anticipate that most players on this server will impatient, blast-through-the-content types. Most roleplayers will pick a lower server to avoid the crowds. And Adar will almost certainly be crowded.

Aerenal (Small continent southeast of Khorvaire, home of elves)

Any home of elves will be home to large numbers of players. Elves are just attractive, dammit! They are graceful and talented, ancient, and wise. Well, you know the deal, and you should check out our Elf Race guide if you don't. Only second down on the list, this server will draw a lot of people who don't want to be caught up in the glut of players on the top server. While the name isn't the easiest to spell and it's meaning doesn't inspire thoughts of conquest, Aerenal will be populous.

I expect some of the same types of people from Adar to play on Aerenal. I wouldn't be surprised by a little more roleplaying, though, as many fans of elves dig the noble disposition of the race and the inherit bickering among their different cultures.

Argonnessen (Southeastern continent, home of dragons)

Okay. This is the home of dragons. Expect Argonessen to be one busy server! It doesn't matter that the city of Stormreach is in Xen'drix. People who know that Argonessen is place known for its dragons are going to pick this server. Some will be roleplayers whose alter egos are dragon slayers. Others will be members of guilds with names such as Jade Dragons, Dragon Masters, Eyes of the Dragon, Dark Black Dragons of Midnight, and Dragonriders.

People on this server will most certainly be competitive, trying to prove they have the "heart of the dragon." They will also be the ones complaing to Turbine about the lag experienced in taverns due to the dozens of dragon-named guilds gathering for their weekly meetings.

Aundar (A nation in Khorvaire, center of the Arcane Congress)

Fourth down on the list, Aundar is still high enough to be on the screen without having to scroll down. Thus, it should garner quite a few players. The interesting tidbit about Aundar is its ties to the Arcane Congress. Expect to see the posts for "Best Wizard Build" coming from players on this server. A lot of roleplayers enjoy playing arcane casters, so Aundar may find itself home to a strong contigent of folks who proclaim, "Thou hast angered me!"

Fernia (Plane, The Realm of Fire)

It doesn't get much--well--cooler than The Realm of Fire. People who want a server name to connect to something cool will love Fernia. As such, I suspect the server will seldom be a lonely place to be. Look for strongheaded warrior-types here, including the first Level 10 fighters, barbarians, and rangers. Also look for the casters who focus on damage to be here.

Ghallanda (A powerful House, or faction, known for training hostelers)

Ah, finally a more serene server. Ghallanda is neither thrilling in name nor in ties to the world of Eberron. Plus, names that start G-h are hard to pronouce for many English speaking players. The name comes from the House that trains hostelers, people who use magice to perform the duties needed in an inn. One note is that hostelers often possess rudimentary healing abilities. As such, we can expect to see more than a handful or clerics played by people fascinated with Eberron's lore. Bards might also be common, as they are the posterboys (and girls!) for wanderlust--just the type of people who need an inn most. In the end, I expect Ghallanda to be the first server on the list that isn't bursting at the seams, but the people here should be kind and fun-loving.

Khyber (Dragon Below)

Oh boy--another dragon name! The imagery of Khyber is strong and will draw many people for some of the same reasons as Argonessen. What's more, those captivated by evil and the macabre may flock to this server (but see below). This will be another popular choice for dragon fans. Again, expect competitive people who will be interested in helping you if it also helps them. Khyber should be an active server.

Lhazaar (Area of Khorvaire known for piracy, necromancy, and the occasional volcanic eruption)

Maybe the only thing harder to say than a G-h word is an L-h word like Lhazaar. Nevertheless, I expect this server to be crawling with wizards and clerics built to be dark magi. I expect the people to tend somewhat toward roleplaying.

Mabar (Plane, The Endless night)

While The Endless Night sounds really cool, we're starting to get far enough down the list of servers that people shopping for a cool name may not get this far. With Argonessen, Fernia, and Khyber above it, Mabar may not get as much traffic. It may turn out to be a draw that Mabar falls in the middle of the pack, though. People will expect it to be less populous. As for the personalities of the people who land in Mabar, I can only guess that they will exhibit hints of despair and ennui. It is a desolate plane, afterall.

Riedra (Headquarters of the Dreaming Dark, a group of quori spies and assassins who call Sarlona home)

If Eberron's lore were as common knowledge as that of Forgotten Realms, Riedra might just be the busiest server. The background of the Dreaming Dark would appeal to a wide audience of would-be assassins. Look for solid rogue builds from those who know what Riedra represents. Also be wary of "roguish" behavior--dropping group without warning, tricks, and lies. Intentional or not, we tend to allow the characteristics of a server's meaning to manifest in our actions.

Risia (Plane, Plane of Ice)

If anything can match the coolness that is The Realm of Fire, it has to be the Plane of Ice. And only the coolest people should attempt to play on Risia. Within minutes of the release of the North American server list, the first self-proclaimed guild for powergamers had posted in the official DDO forums stating that Risia was the server for them. The roleplaying contigent quickly answered to the effect of, "Duly noted. We'll stay out of your backyard." The players on Risia will game long and hard, and they will be the first to complete most of the quests in DDO. Consequently, they will be the first demanding more content on the forums. Without revisiting the Casual vs. Hardcore debate, let's just say the players of Risia will drive Turbine to keep updating frequently and fix the problems with new quests.

Sarlona (Northeastern continent, once the home of humans, but now ruled over by psychics from Dal Quori)

Many posts on the official DDO forums indicate that this will be the gathering place of roleplayers. Sarlona is a continent steeped in history and opportunities for storytelling, so it is no surprise that roleplayers would be intrigued by what the name represents. The server will be highly populated--at least at first. Expect a lot of "thees" and "thous" out in Aspirant's Corner. Also expect a slight bit of hautiness if you mention that you need to go move the laundry from the washer to the dryer. Commitment to roleplaying will vary from guild to guild and person to person, but some level of "performance" in character will be the norm. Impatient gamers need not seek a party on Sarlona, as they will soon find themselves frustrated and lonely after a few sour groups with Gundak, the warforged cleric who speaks with a stutter and insists on a strategy session before opening any door.

Shavarath (Plane, The Battleground)

If ever Turbine decides to answers the endless cries for a player vs. player (PvP) server, Shavarath is the perfect candidate. With a name signifying a plane of tireless strife, this server is the easy pick. Until the server converts to PvP (if it ever does), expect extremely competitive people who vie for the best build for a given class by comparing combat numbers and times through quests. It is my advice that people who don't care about PvP stay clear of Shavarath. The petitions to have it converted should start any moment now.

Tharask (A powerful House, or faction, of bounty hunters)

We're getting near the end of the server list now, and traffic should pick up again. People will pick this server for a couple of reasons. First they will expect it to be less crowded because it is near the bottom. Secondly, bounty hunters are freaking cool! I anticipate a few Drizzt Do'Urden wannabes on Tharask, along with a few conspicuously named Fetts. This server should be a popular haven for rogues, rangers, and fighters who perceive themselves and swords for hite. The bounty hunter's life is tough, and so will be life on Tharask.

Thelanis (Plane, The Faerie Court)

Thelanis doesn't inspire visions of combat-oriented adventure, but it has drawn interest from the roleplaying community. Locked in a heated debate against Sarlona on DDO's official forums, Thelanis holds a slight edge (3%) in the voting as the Head Start event draws near.

Outside of that, as the next-to-last server on the list, this server will be home to those who wanted to find a home away from the masses. Will the people be agoraphobic? I wouldn't go that far. It's more like they just didn't want to be caught in all of the races and competitions of the so-called mainstream.

Xoriat (Plane, Realm of Madness)

The bottom of the list of servers--the bottom of the barrel in players. The concept of the Realm of Madness will serve as the perfect excuse for some people to be outright jerks. "Jakk Darippa tells you: I can leave group anytime I want to. This is the Realm of Madness, baby!" Expect the server to be crowded, as some will go straight to the bottom of the server list as an easy location to describe to friends. Moreover, names starting with X are cool. Don't be surprised if every character on Xoriat is Chaotic Neutral (see our Guide to Alignments) and if half of them are bards. Only the brave should enter Xoriat!

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