The concept of Names is important in Earthdawn. If an object or a creature has a Name, it becomes a unique independent entity whose unique Pattern can be seen from Astral space. Something without a Name is not a unique independent entity, magically speaking. That’s the big difference between “This is a sword” and “This is Glamdring, the Foe Hammer”

A Namegiver is a self-aware being which can Name things. Names have power. Many magic items can only be used properly if their Name is known. Some mages can make spells permanent by granting them a Name.

Not all intelligent creatures are Namegivers. Some intelligent creatures may be Namegivers, but noone knows for sure. Intelligent magic constructs or creatures warped or created by Horrors (called Horror constructs) are not Namegivers.

Some known Namegivers in Barsaive:

• Dragons
• Dwarves
• Elves
• Humans
• Obsidimen
• Trolls
• T’skrang
• Orks
• Windlings

Some intelligent beings that are NOT Namegivers

• Drakes (shapeshifting draconic servant constructs)
• Griffins (and other intelligent beasts)
• Horrors
• Jehuthra (Horror constructs)
• Spirits
• Undead