text | un: mazd

[mazd]

Something that's on my mind right now is how one goes about choosing a username. Of course I've chosen one and so has everyone else, but simple observation can't always tell you why someone chose something or what it means. A significant chunk of the population appears to be using their own names and that at least is self-evident - it's their name so of course they'd want to use it! This doesn't account for people who may be using aliases in order to mislead others, which is always a possibility. But the ones that are of more interest and that take more thought are the names that aren't just names. Little phrases or words mashed together...why were those things significant to that person? I can't help but wonder about it.

While observation can absolutely give you a window into someone else's point of view it can never be as good a view as the one you can get simply by knocking on the front door and asking. So I really do want to ask. But is that sort of knowledge something to be given freely? Maybe some of it is private, but also there could be a more fun way to learn than just asking, right?

If you'd like to volunteer the information, please do so. Otherwise...would anyone like to play a game with me? I know there's several going on right now from looking but I don't mind if it's just a few people. I'm just in the mood for something a little more involved than telling a lie and hiding it in the underbrush of truth.

Recently some students were passing by playing a game they called 20 questions. The concept is fascinatingly simple but can get complex depending on how devious your opponent is. You have to think of an object and your partner can only ask yes or no questions to discover what it is. Given our different points of origin, however, we should refine what could count as an object, no?

So, for the purposes of this game please consider the "object" to be "the reason you chose your username and the true meaning of it" or "an animal found in this world". If you're unsure if an animal exists here, there seem to be lists of them at the Guilds alongside our potential powers as creatures we may eventually be able to transform into, as well as an available bestiary. Just specify if you're thinking of your username or an animal. Then players (possibly just me) will ask you questions that can only be answered with "yes" or "no"...if they go over 20, they lose. Apparently the consequences for losing can be quite dramatic among the student body but that seems a bit much to me. Instead I'll tell you something interesting if you win or I lose, okay?

And of course you're free to guess the meaning of my own username using the question framework. That said, those of you who know the true meaning behind it already are obligated to assume I'm thinking of an animal instead. In those circumstances I'm going to include animals from back home, too.

As I said you're free to play with one another, too, but I mostly just wanted to try it out myself. For some reason the students were too nervous to play with me...but you wouldn't mind doing just one round, right? Even just one person would be okay.

Comments

un: abnormalitylover

[abnormalizes]

Sure, I'm game. I'm thinking about my username.

[mazd]

Is an abnormality a term for a type of person?

un: spinjockey

[nugrass]

doubt you'll guess mine
but it sounds fun enough to me
doing this for usernames i mean
animals are cool but too easy.

[mazd]

Does the "jockey" portion refer to horses?

UN: Yuki

[applehearted]

Oh, twenty questions...

I've heard of that game before. I don't mind playing if you'd like. Do you want us to take turns asking questions or do you want me to just ask you questions?

[mazd]

I think we can take turns! I'll let you go first.

un; scribe

[rudementary]

My username is meant to be easily recognizable for those who would know me, and unless I'm sorely mistaken, yours is much the same. But I'll take part in the secondary version of this game.

I've already selected an animal.

[mazd]

That is indeed part of the true meaning of my username. I would expect nothing less from you, Scribe.

In that case, so have I. Is your animal capable of flight?

un: gaine

[sangreine]

My username isn't very creative if you speak two languages from opposite sides of my home world. But not many here do, so it might look like a jumble of letters with no significance to them.

[mazd]

There may be some overlap in languages between worlds, however. To me, that feels distinctly like it ought to be from one of the other nations.

Is your username related to a type of holder?

un:🐺

[at_heart]

[ oh boy is he ever not reading all of that I'm sorry Nahida ]

It's nice to meet you too

[mazd]

You're the first username I've seen that's a picture!

un: cecilias

[outofoffice]

Ohhh, you've thought a lot more about this than I have, hehe!

Okay, I'll play. Let's do my username.

[mazd]

In that case...

Is a cecilia a type of flower?

un: childe

[monoceroscaeli]

Well, mine is an alias, as you specified, but wouldn't it be more fun to guess what it means? It's not just any old name assigned to me, after all. And I don't mind sharing.

Though, I have a feeling you'll be able to figure it out quickly enough.

[mazd]

Your name has meaning in conjunction with a group of other aliases, doesn't it?

un: dixin

[lonesummit]

Very well.

I will give you no hints- it is my username.

[The fun of it is in the attempt, isn't it? Win or lose, it should be interesting.]

[mazd]

Is your username a word or concept in your own language?

un: alchemist

[leucosis]

Well, I feel my name is fairly obvious in its meaning, as I picked it so I could be recognized. I suppose an alias might have been more fun. Maybe some day.

You seem fairly thoughtful.

[mazd]

There isn't anything wrong with an obvious meaning. To anyone who knows the meaning of my own username, it's fairly obvious as well. I was just wondering about some of the stranger combinations I've seen.

un: wanderer

[littlesilhouettoofaman]

Sure, humor me.

[mazd]

Does that mean you will pick an animal? I already know the meaning for your username.

un: adler

[disasdeer]

Sure, we'll see if you can guess the meaning of mine. In 20 questions, of course.

[mazd]

Is "adler" a concept?

Un: skylark

[inspiteful]

I think my username is a little obvious, but sure, let's play.

[mazd]

If it's obvious, does that mean Skylark is your name?

text; un:sanctuary

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Ah, why the hell not.]

I am thinking about my username. Shall we take turns asking questions?

[mazd]

Yes!

Is your username in reference to a place?

un: haagentus

[godofdust]

Hmmm, my username might be a little too easy.

I'm thinking of an animal!

[Fufufu... Guizhong loves puzzles.]

[mazd]

Certainly it might be to those familiar with the mythos of Teyvat. To clarify: have you decided to use this world's animals or those of our own?

un: gin

[lanyards]

[ oh boy, more games! this place sure is friendly. ]

my username wouldn't be any fun, it's just my name

but i've got an animal thought up if anyone wants to play!

[mazd]

I will also think of an animal if you wish to ask reciprocal questions!

Does your animal have the capability for flight?

UN: K

[composalvation]

oh... i've never played this, but games like this are always good for getting to know people better
if you're still looking for people to play with, i don't mind

um
my username is pretty easy to guess about, so i can do an animal
i've got one in mind

[mazd]

I'm happy to play with as many people come along!

Does your animal have the capability for flight?

un:lancelot

[kishin]

[ Oh... It's so long. But Suzaku reads it through diligently. ]

I'm afraid mine might be too easy to guess?

We can try it. Then I'll think of an animal.

[mazd]

[ IT IS ]

You mean it's your name?

But okay, so shall I. Is your animal capable of flight?

un: nenonen

[essenceborn]

Asking twenty questions is a game?

[mazd]

Apparently so! The objective is to figure out the object within 20 questions of only yes and no answers...which can be more challenging than one would think!

Text; un: ushiromiya_eva

[angerintomiracles]

[One day she'll stop formatting her text messages like little letters.]

Mazd-san,

Sure, I have no objections playing. My username's just my name, so I'll think of an animal instead.

Ushiromiya Eva

[mazd]

Excellent! I too shall think of an animal, then.

Is your animal aquatic?

Text; un: fenrirfang

[corpsewarblade]

I don't want to admit how long it took me to figure out what username to use... um, I'm not good at guessing so I'm going to ask what yours means?

[mazd]

Anyone who seeks knowledge deserves some kind of answer.

"Mazd" means "wisdom" in the language of my homeland. It's a trait I value highly.

un: devilbreaker

[nihilmancy]

Mm. My user name is rather self evident, but I don't mind elaborating. However, simply saying "exorcist," shall not be enough. That much is obvious.

Re: un: devilbreaker

[mazd]

So you're a more specific type of exorcist, then?

un: starbound

[glidinglight]

I don't think that guessing the origins of my username would provide you much if any challenge. I'll pick an animal, unless you think the name holds any difficulty for you.

[mazd]

Similarly, I doubt mine would either. Then using the animals of this world...

Is your animal a quadriped?