The God of Death is well known for a stark refusal to use the names of others, unless that being happens to be a god. Even in the case of other divines, Shia often gives them some form of nickname or title. For what reason this is, remains unknown, much like many of Shia's more personal matters. Almost all of Shia's nicknames and titles for others follow a similar format, generally calling the target of them a child, then an important aspect of their life. In some cases, it seems as though Shia's nicknames may reference things that have not yet come to pass. Many of Shia's nicknames are puns, jokes, or used with heavy sarcasm.
A Note: Many of these nicknames do not necessarily mean a character has interacted with Shia directly, and may not even be aware of the nickname Shia has for them yet. Consider them to be what Shia will call them, if they haven't met yet.
Nicknames among the pantheon:
"Child of Defiance": Refers to
Soliairs Taeyang, almost always used in a mocking and bitter tone, referring to Soliairs' habit of going against shi's orders.
"Child of Desperation":
Benjamen Stridde. The meaning of his nickname went unknown for many years, until his death and subsequent revival at Soliairs' insistence. It is widely accepted by most that Shia's use of the nickname was done knowing about his death ahead of time.
"Child of Mourning":
Ferventi, God of Wolves. Among mortals, it is thought this name is in reference to Ferventi's aspect of war, and the mourning he brings for widows/widowers of soldiers. Among the pantheon, however, it is known that this name is in reference to Ferventi's deep grief at the loss of his mate, Cryce, and later, the death of his daughter Akinra at his own fangs.
"Child of foolish hope":
Ryoma, God of Tuna.
"Child of the cold north":
Ludovic.
"Child of the great wolfmother":
Wolfmother Akinra- Her mother,
Chezira, is often called the 'original' wolfmother.
Nicknames among mortals:
"Child born at the death of the world": Refers to
Chiiri Hanley, referencing he was born during the Black Ash Mass Extinction event.
"The moonlit child"/"Child of the moon":
Lorenzo McConnell. Shia may be aware of the fact that 'the moonlit one' is Lorenzo's name in dragontongue.
"Child blessed by the gods"/"Child beloved by gods": Refers to
Orion. It's not entirely clear what Shia means by these titles for him. It's possible that the titles reference that Orion's life was saved by a favored child of Ferventi, or that Orion is an extremely dedicated follower of Tekuani, God of Jaguars while still being a part of the
Pack of Ferventi, a somewhat rare occurrence.
"Favored child of the wolf":
Ryoten's nickname, given by Shia. Ryoten is often considered by many to embody all of Ferventi's aspects (hunting, fathers, sons, woodsmen) aside from war and soldiers, and has had many favors done for him on Ferventi's insistence.
"Child without humanity"/"Child of man":
Sekhm McConnell. The latter is used sarcastically. Both nicknames refer to how quickly Sekhm cast off any association with humans, and that he heavily distances himself from them, having almost immediately considered himself no longer human after becoming an omnia.
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