Character name

A character is defined by a unique character name, and a surname.

Name
The name of a character is its main identifier. It's used in features like myDDO, friend list, in-game email and so on. It has to be unique within the context of a given game server.


 * The name must follow Turbine Character Naming Policy. The policy enforces usual obvious rules (no profanity, etc.) but also exclude names related to in-game content and NPC.


 * Since Turbine never deletes any character (no matter how out-of-date they can be) the number of locked names rises with time. Finding a name when creating a new character might be tricky, so prepare several alternatives.


 * It's possible to use myDDO search feature to check if a given character name is currently in use or not.
 * the feature will not reveal names that have been used in the past by now-deleted characters.


 * If you choose a name already in use at character creation, the game system will tell you and prompt you for another.
 * However, the game system will let you pick the name of a now-deleted character - and won't tell you!
 * Doing so will lead to naming conflicts in myDDO feature, where oldest characters appear first.

Admin: failed to rename Suris (0x0E000030DY)
 * Character name can be changed after creation with a Name Change Parchment item, purchased in the DDO Store.
 * If failing to rename the character, the Name Change Parchment item is not destroyed from inventory. You can use it again and again until you find an available character name.
 * Contrary to character creation, a Name Change Parchment will only let you choose a pristine character name. Choosing a name that has been already in use for any reason, even if the character bearing it has been deleted, will lead to an error:

As a rule of thumb, avoid deleting and creating again characters bearing the same name. It can only lead to trouble with myDDO website. Alteration of character builds should be done through reincarnation. If you want to try out a few things, however, you can use a dummy character name and reuse it as often as you want. Just don't use this name for any "serious" character you plan to play for a long time, or want to use myDDO feature on.

Surname
A character may have a family name or a surname. This surname can be a short character sequence of several words (like "the great"). The surname has not to be unique. The surname has no in-game effect of any kind.


 * The surname must also follow Turbine Character Naming Policy.


 * The surname can be changed via a Name Change Parchment (Surname) item, purchased in the DDO Store.


 * Although Turbine Character Rename FAQ states that a Name Change Parchment (Surname) item can't be used to remove a character surname but just to change it, this is actually not true.
 * Typing a blank space in the dialog box when prompted for a character surname change will actually clear the surname completely.