Names of the Humes and the Galka

How are you, dear readers? It's already time for another installment of "Just for Fun."

In this, our second lecture, we will be discussing the names of the Humes and the Galka, both of whom are found in Bastok.

Can anyone tell me which race is the most populous in Vana'diel?

That's right! It's the Humes. While Humes are most common in Bastok, they can be found pretty much everywhere. I think that's one of the things that make them Humes. Adventurers are sure to meet Humes wherever they go.

Hume names come in as wide a variety as the places Humes choose to live. Are you beginning to see a pattern here?

How about some examples? For male Humes, "Carmelo" and "Arawn" are typical, but so are names like "Naji" and "Piotr." For females, "Hilda," "Rin," "Brigid," and "Tami" are excellent examples.

Don't you find it interesting that, unlike the other races, Hume names have no special rules that they follow? But maybe that, too, can be considered a rule.

This doesn't apply just to names, though. Hume bodies seem to have a similar variety to them. Humes possess no special traits like the Elvaan and their prodigious sword skills, or the rather magical leanings you find among us Tarutaru. On the other hand, there is nothing that a Hume can't learn to do. Humes are well balanced both in their natural ability and in what they can learn.

Next, then, is the Galka. Like the Humes, the Galka are found primarily in Bastok.

I spent some time doing research in Bastok. I was always worried that I was going to be trampled by some Galka who didn't even notice me. But what I really want to know is this: What on earth do they eat to grow so big.

When I was a student, I would have killed to have strong arms like a Galka. In fact, I almost did kill myself lifting weights. Alas, it was to no avail; my arms never attained such grand proportions. I'm still a bit jealous.

Ah. Excuse me. I seem to have strayed off topic. Back to naming...

I'd like to begin with Galka real names. The first that come to mind are "Gelzerio" and "Balgamirob." And "Dalzakk." These are noble names comprised of strong sounds. Maybe their names are a part of their strength?

In days long past, the Galka had their own language. I think that Galka names preserve some of the sounds of that language.

On the other hand, there are many Galka who have names like "Bright Moon" and "Gray Wolf," names that have no connection to their cultural history.

This is an artifact of Humes calling Galka by names that Humes can pronounce. Not all Galka are willing to abide by this. I, myself, find the hume-given names to have a certain romantic quality to them. It's rather "groovy," I think.

So, what do you think? See you next time. Stay well.