'real' names in Fantasy Settings.

[Naruzeldamaster]

I'm not sure how common/uncommon this is with books and other media.
But with video games it happens a lot. Particularly in Final Fantasy. Heck, sometimes it happens in Zelda (Though very rarely)
Everyone seems to have names like Elliot etc, you know typical fantasy or fantasy leaning names.
Then there's always the one guy/girl with a 'normal' name.

You know, a guy named Bill or a girl named Joe/Mary etc.

In my book I plan to make fun of this (because the whole 'thing' of the book is poking fun at video game tropes) by having a village/town of people with regular name and the one 'oddball' with a fantasy name. But I do wonder if the bit would run a little thin. There's a strong chance readers won't get the 'joke' as well. Since the characters only draw attention to it once.

I am a bit wary of doing the bit, but I'm going through with it anyway. Hopefully readers will like/understand the joke.

 

[CupofJoe]

I am always a bit wary of in-jokes.
As you say there is a chance most people won’t get them, or they must be explained to them.
Or they are only for the "real" fans.
The one exception to this is Sir Terry Pratchett. He wrote in so many in-jokes or Easter eggs, that is hard to get them all straight. But that was part of his style.

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

I am always a bit wary of in-jokes.

Some of the in jokes I'm making are fairly obvious. (at least to me they are ? )

Like one of them I reference a couple of times is about doing a 'check' or rolling a 'D twenty' both of these are blink and miss it moments. But I feel like the joke is obvious. (DND) I feel like most people know about DND these days, even if it's just from the movie from a while ago.

As you say there is a chance most people won’t get them, or they must be explained to them.
Or they are only for the "real" fans.

This is what I'd like to avoid, I love the idea of the bit (Cause it amuses me particularly) but I may cut it. It feels...like fluff? You know, maybe there's rumors of a town where that happens but the characters never actually go there. It's world building but it feels like padding/excess.

The one exception to this is Sir Terry Pratchett. He wrote in so many in-jokes or Easter eggs, that is hard to get them all straight. But that was part of his style.

I believe he's the guy that wrote Olliver Twist right? Forgive me for making the mistake lol I have heard his name before. (though I forget which book)

As for the other jokes, the book isn't explicitly about poking fun at video game tropes in fantasy, just fantasy in general? But I will admit a few of the references are super leaning toward video games.

 

[Insolent Lad]

The one exception to this is Sir Terry Pratchett. He wrote in so many in-jokes or Easter eggs, that is hard to get them all straight. But that was part of his style.

As in his pseudo-Chinese culture with Chinese-sounding names, he had to throw in someone named McSweeney.

 

[pmmg]

I believe he's the guy that wrote Olliver Twist right? Forgive me for making the mistake lol I have heard his name before. (though I forget which book)

As for the other jokes, the book isn't explicitly about poking fun at video game tropes in fantasy, just fantasy in general? But I will admit a few of the references are super leaning toward video games.

I am not sure all things are forgivable, specially from those wanting to be writers...

Charles Dickens -- Oliver Twist
Terry Prachet -- Disc World.

How did you go from talking comedy to Oliver Twist?

 

[pmmg]

I am reminded of Sandy Squirrel from spongebob, as if a squirrel could just migrate to under the ocean...

I think I might notice this, specially if the fantasy name was hard to miss. Bob, Sally, Sarah, and Galvatar all went...

 

[Naruzeldamaster]

I am not sure all things are forgivable, specially from those wanting to be writers...

Charles Dickens -- Oliver Twist
Terry Prachet -- Disc World.

How did you go from talking comedy to Oliver Twist?

In my defense I only know a few famous authors by name....
Some of them I get the actual books mixed up (which is why I asked to be sure to begin with because my brain makes mistakes) unless they're the really obvious ones. (Like Tolkien and LOTR) If it helps, I'm equally bad with film directors. So the problem isn't exclusive to famous writers. I'm also bad at remembering actor names. (Both in video games and other media) I do wish I was better at it, but part of it is the way my brain is wired.

I am reminded of Sandy Squirrel from spongebob, as if a squirrel could just migrate to under the ocean...

I think I might notice this, specially if the fantasy name was hard to miss. Bob, Sally, Sarah, and Galvatar all went...

This was the idea with the town full of normal names and then randomly Galvatar or something. (And he/she would be teased for their name)
It's just a silly lore joke, probably would be a one off Bit about this trope in media. If readers got the joke, good for them for paying attention, but it wouldn't be all that important to the story. Hence why I'm debating cutting it.