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4 Years of Identity Lost - Roleplayers Beware!

TeIvanni
TeIvanni
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It is saddening to see that Zenimax/Bethesda would ban lore friendly and roleplaying names in their MMO.

Over this past weekend I had a very trying experience.
My account username "@ TeIvanni" <- (third letter is a capital i) was banned.
I have had this account name for over 2 years now without incident.
Additionally, most of my character names were banned as well.
This included my very first character that I leveled to 50 "Enar Telvanni" a sorcerer.
Enar was my favorite character, one that I have had for over 4 years.
It was the first and only character that I ever reached Veteran Rank 16 on, back when veteran ranks were a thing.

This is a portion of the message that ZoS sent to me initially:
unknown.png

I was understandable confused. How could any of these names possibly be offensive or construed as offensive?
I responded politely and asked if they could elaborate further as to the reason for the Account and Character name bans.

This was the relevant portion of their response:
unknown.png

I could understand why ZoS/Bethesda would prohibit us from naming our characters after existing NPCs and Bosses.

However, my favorite character and long time in game identity "Enar Telvanni" is not a character in any of the Elder Scrolls series or any other franchise.

The closest thing I could find to this name was an "Enar Releth" who was a low ranking member of Dunmer society in The Elders Scrolls Morrowind.

It is concerning that lore appropriate names in a major roleplaying game are at risk.

Roleplayers beware! This could happen to you too!

Update:
I recieved another message from ZoS/Bethesday this afternoon:
unknown.png

At first glance this was very reassuring, I was overjoyed! Enar was coming back!
But unfortunately, I am still unable to name my character "Enar Telvanni" again. As i get "Invalid name".

On the bright side "Telvanni" surnames are confirmed to be permissible. So we have some relief there. :smiley:
Edited by TeIvanni on July 30, 2019 9:45PM
-Telvanni
The Greatest of the Great Houses

Late Night ERP GM
Nightfighters - Officer/Raid Lead
[Immortal Redeemer]
[Gryphonheart]
[Tick-Tock Tormentor]

  • DocFrost72
    DocFrost72
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    I have plenty lore friendly names that never got removed.

    The @name I can see them coming down on. I have one guess why you used a capital "i" originally, tell me what it was if you feel comfortable doing so?

    Character name sanction is dumb though. Unless the full name is an actual TES character, having house names should be allowed and I'll agree there.
    Edited by DocFrost72 on July 30, 2019 3:03PM
  • Dalsinthus
    Dalsinthus
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    What was the sanction they hit you with? Forced you to change user and character names? Or was it something more severe?
  • Elara_Northwind
    Elara_Northwind
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    Dalsinthus wrote: »
    What was the sanction they hit you with? Forced you to change user and character names? Or was it something more severe?

    I think that having to change your characters names is pretty severe! Although I suppose that is probably a personal thing. I would be really upset if ZOS made me change any of my characters names, one of which was created on day 1 of early access! I am super attached to them and in all honesty, it would likely drive me to consider quitting the game if that happened to me! But then again, I know people who probably wouldn't care if they had to do that, so I suppose it depends how attached to your characters you are!

    I also don't see how that name is in any which way offensive! I've seen a character in game named 'Banker ***' and that was allowed, and yet Enar Telvanni is not? Strange logic :neutral:
    Edited by Elara_Northwind on July 30, 2019 3:31PM
    Sorcerer, Templar, Wolf Collector, Housing Addict!

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  • hedna123b14_ESO
    hedna123b14_ESO
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    The game is run by idiots...
  • Streega
    Streega
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    What kind of roleplayer are you if you can't even come out with your own lore-friendly names, instead of stealing them from the game? And on top of that you now play innocent victim on the official forum, breaking TOS again... Seriously?
    ⊂( ̄(工) ̄)⊃ Don't-Care-Bear ⊂( ̄(工) ̄)⊃
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  • Marginis
    Marginis
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    I have a lot of different character names that are at risk of getting banned if that is the sole reason they were banned. I sincerely hope this does not happen to me. Of course, I take care not to troll with these characters, and they aren't my @ name, so hopefully I remain safe. I love hearing the joy in people's voices when they react to my character Ma'iq standing next to M'aiq, and I get to roleplay Ma'iq as M'aiq's twin brother.
    @Marginis on PC, Senpai Fluffy on Xbox, Founder of Magicka. Also known as Kha'jiri, The Night Mother, Ma'iq, Jane Shepard, Damia, Kintyra, Zoor Do Kest, You, and a few others.
  • Benzux
    Benzux
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    Streega wrote: »
    What kind of roleplayer are you if you can't even come out with your own lore-friendly names, instead of stealing them from the game? And on top of that you now play innocent victim on the official forum, breaking TOS again... Seriously?

    What part of OP's character names were "stolen" from the game? The use of a Dunmer surname? Does that mean that if I create a character with a particular surname, and that surname happens to appear in a TES game, I'm "stealing" names as well? That... just does not make any sense lol. OP created this character name themselves, and just decided to use a surname that appears in-game to make it lore-friendly.

    I have a Telvanni character as well, though I haven't been contacted by ZoS yet to make me change his name :P
    I fully understand not allowing the names of actual NPCs and bosses, but names created by us using already existing lore-friendly names? That is a bit ***.
    BenzuxGamer - Xbox One since day 1 - CP 1500+
    Guildmaster of the Sacrificial Warriors, one of the oldest and most member-orientated Guilds on the Xbox One EU Megaserver
    "Casual" player from Finland who enjoys questing and dumb builds even after well over 1000 CP levels and 4000+ hours. A fan of Argonians, Goats and Elk. Also a massive Otaku (MAL Profile).
    "Following the meta makes you a sheep. That's why I'm a goat: I go in the opposite direction and make use of the things the sheep cannot." - Me, 2019
    Characters:
    Ben-Zu - Argonian MagDK DPS - EP (Main)
    Benzuth Telvanni - Dunmer MagSorc DPS - EP
    Haknir Head-Crusher - Nord DK Tank/Stam DPS - EP
    Delves-Deepest-Depths - Argonian StamBlade DPS - EP
    Raises-The-Dead - Argonian Mag Necromancer DPS7Healer - EP (Previously a Sorc healer, RIP)
    Bthuzdir Ynzavretz - Dwemer StamSorc DPS - AD (Dunmer in-game)
    Fafnir the Dragon - Nord Stam DK DPS - EP
    Bloodmage Thalnos - Breton MagBlade DPS - DC
    Finnis Wolfheart - Bosmer Stam Warden DPS - EP
    Gwyneth - Nord Warden Tank - EP
    Kud-Wazei Xeroicas - Argonian Mag Templar DPS/Tank - EP
    Barkskin Ben-Zhu - Argonian Warden Healer - EP (Alternate version of main)
    Xal-Vakka Xeroicas - Argonian DK Healer - EP
    Jaree-Shei the Wamasu - Argonian Sorcerer Tank - EP
    Gwennen Ereloth - Snow Elf Mag Warden DPS - EP (Dunmer in-game)
    Friedrich der Grosse - Imperial Nightblade Tank - EP
    Warfarin - Altmer Nightblade Healer - EP
  • Jaimeh
    Jaimeh
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    Gosh that sounds like a nightmare--I assume they've provided you with name change tokens at least. Still, it sucks having to change the names of your beloved characters, it's part of their personality and backstory, and new ones will take getting used to. I could understand if the names in question were derogatory, offensive, etc., but since this is a TES game, players wanting lore-friendly names is to be expected. There's also another caveat about this policy: I distinctly remember in a similar thread someone saying how they had an old character with a name like an NPC from a newly released content, and were wondering if ZOS would ask them to change it, but in that case, the player character's name came first... It's a nonsensical policy, I hope they will rethink it in the future.
  • Integral1900
    Integral1900
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    Never attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by ZOS being as dense as a lead brick 🤓
  • TeIvanni
    TeIvanni
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    DocFrost72 wrote: »
    I have plenty lore friendly names that never got removed.

    The @name I can see them coming down on. I have one guess why you used a capital "i" originally, tell me what it was if you feel comfortable doing so?

    Character name sanction is dumb though. Unless the full name is an actual TES character, having house names should be allowed and I'll agree there.

    The name I wanted "TeLvanni" was taken. but "Teivanni" looks pretty much the same ingame.
    I know someone has the actual @ TeLvanni name in game. I can't tell you how many times I've lost mail because of that.
    I wonder if they will get their account name banned as well. I hope not! They've had to have that username since like early access.
    Edited by TeIvanni on July 30, 2019 5:49PM
    -Telvanni
    The Greatest of the Great Houses

    Late Night ERP GM
    Nightfighters - Officer/Raid Lead
    [Immortal Redeemer]
    [Gryphonheart]
    [Tick-Tock Tormentor]

  • TeIvanni
    TeIvanni
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    Dalsinthus wrote: »
    What was the sanction they hit you with? Forced you to change user and character names? Or was it something more severe?
    Jaimeh wrote: »
    Gosh that sounds like a nightmare--I assume they've provided you with name change tokens at least. Still, it sucks having to change the names of your beloved characters, it's part of their personality and backstory, and new ones will take getting used to.

    Yeah thankfully it was just a mandatory username/character name change.
    And I am very relieved the forced name changes were "free".

    But it still hurts losing a character identity you've fostered and embraced over the course of 4 years. :(

    I hope other players with lore friendly names don't have to go through this as well.
    Edited by TeIvanni on July 30, 2019 6:29PM
    -Telvanni
    The Greatest of the Great Houses

    Late Night ERP GM
    Nightfighters - Officer/Raid Lead
    [Immortal Redeemer]
    [Gryphonheart]
    [Tick-Tock Tormentor]

  • SirAndy
    SirAndy
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    headbang.gif


  • Watchdog
    Watchdog
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    I am now worried about my own lore friendly characters. :/
    Member of Alith Legion: https://www.alithlegion.com
  • TeIvanni
    TeIvanni
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    Marginis wrote: »
    I have a lot of different character names that are at risk of getting banned if that is the sole reason they were banned. I sincerely hope this does not happen to me. Of course, I take care not to troll with these characters, and they aren't my @ name, so hopefully I remain safe. I love hearing the joy in people's voices when they react to my character Ma'iq standing next to M'aiq, and I get to roleplay Ma'iq as M'aiq's twin brother.

    Yeah unfortunately it is names like that which are at the highest risk of getting removed/changed.
    Those are actual NPC names/look like actual NPC names and very likely considered a "reference to a popular character".

    But it seems like ZoS doesn't have any sort of automated system to detect these "inappropriate" names?
    So you're probably safe unless someone has it out for you.

    I genuinely hope they don't take that away from you! Ma'iq is an awesome idea and i love it!
    -Telvanni
    The Greatest of the Great Houses

    Late Night ERP GM
    Nightfighters - Officer/Raid Lead
    [Immortal Redeemer]
    [Gryphonheart]
    [Tick-Tock Tormentor]

  • Bherdani
    Bherdani
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    Streega wrote: »
    What kind of roleplayer are you if you can't even come out with your own lore-friendly names, instead of stealing them from the game? And on top of that you now play innocent victim on the official forum, breaking TOS again... Seriously?

    I thought most games people can RP as the characters. Or is this something specific to ES?
    Nightfighters - Legion of the Bloodworks
    www.elderscrubsonline.com
    NO PARKING IN THE RED
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  • Jaeysa
    Jaeysa
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    Bherdani wrote: »
    Streega wrote: »
    What kind of roleplayer are you if you can't even come out with your own lore-friendly names, instead of stealing them from the game? And on top of that you now play innocent victim on the official forum, breaking TOS again... Seriously?

    I thought most games people can RP as the characters. Or is this something specific to ES?

    Because it's an MMO they do require your characters not be named after other Elder Scrolls characters. Which, most of his were. Let's run down the list:

    Telvanni - Dunmer House but in general I wouldn't think it would be a problem since I don't know of anyone named straight Telvanni.
    Lokkestiiz - Gear set
    Yolnahkriin - Gear set
    Telvanni - with a fancy i
    Saint Felms the Bold - Trial Boss
    Saint Olms the Just - Trial Boss
    Saint Sotha Sil - An Elder Scrolls Character
    Shade of Z'Maja - Trial Boss
    Nahviintaas - Trial Boss
    Assembly General - Trial Boss
    Uulkar Bonehand - Dungeon Boss
    Rolis Hlaalu - An Elder Scrolls Character and seller of pretties
    Enar Telvanni - There's no character specifically named Enar Telvanni. There is an Enar Releth who is of the Telvanni house.
    Z'Maja - Trial Boss

    They probably saw that MOST of the characters violated the TOS and someone went ban-happy on the names
    Edited by Jaeysa on July 30, 2019 8:37PM
    PC/NA: Primarily Daggerfall Covenant.

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  • Marginis
    Marginis
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    Jaeysa wrote: »
    Bherdani wrote: »
    Streega wrote: »
    What kind of roleplayer are you if you can't even come out with your own lore-friendly names, instead of stealing them from the game? And on top of that you now play innocent victim on the official forum, breaking TOS again... Seriously?

    I thought most games people can RP as the characters. Or is this something specific to ES?

    Because it's an MMO they do require your characters not be named after other Elder Scrolls characters. Which, most of his were. Let's run down the list:

    Telvanni - Dunmer House but in general I wouldn't think it would be a problem since I don't know of anyone named straight Telvanni.
    Lokkestiiz - Gear set
    Yolnahkriin - Gear set
    Telvanni - with a fancy i
    Saint Felms the Bold - Trial Boss
    Saint Olms the Just - Trial Boss
    Saint Sotha Sil - An Elder Scrolls Character
    Shade of Z'Maja - Trial Boss
    Nahviintaas - Trial Boss
    Assembly General - Trial Boss
    Uulkar Bonehand - Dungeon Boss
    Rolis Hlaalu - An Elder Scrolls Character and seller of pretties
    Enar Telvanni - There's no character specifically named Enar Telvanni. There is an Enar Releth who is of the Telvanni house.
    Z'Maja - Trial Boss

    They probably saw that MOST of the characters violated the TOS and someone went ban-happy on the names

    There may also be the possibility that what we see in this post isn't the full story - perhaps OP was using the characters in inappropriate contexts *notes ERP in OP's forum signature* or for trolling - but I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. The enforcement of the TOS in this way is somewhat troubling considering that it depends all too much on the enforcer's whim for my liking, regardless of what happened in OP's case specifically.
    @Marginis on PC, Senpai Fluffy on Xbox, Founder of Magicka. Also known as Kha'jiri, The Night Mother, Ma'iq, Jane Shepard, Damia, Kintyra, Zoor Do Kest, You, and a few others.
  • jircris11
    jircris11
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    I always come up with custom names to avoid this very thing. Zeni technically owns the name telvani so yea.
    IGN: Ki'rah
    Khajiit/Vampire
    DC/AD faction/NA server.
    RPer
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