Masquerade time in Venus (Venice)
Fantasy writing published in English-speaking worlds relies heavily on Medieval England as a setting. I suppose it’s because most early fantasy writers were, in fact, English, and then there’s the influence of the Inklings that included J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. It’s a heavy base that has only gotten heavier over the years. Even much of anime takes place in an English never-never land of castles, lords, and country villages. I hear enough grousing about it on social media to suggest that readers, writers, agents, and publishers are tired of it by now.
In contrast, Italian-based settings are not used as much. Historical fantasies using Renaissance Italy can be found without too much trouble, such as R. A. McAvoy’s Damiano trilogy, but I know of only a few alternate-world Italies. There’s the city of Cittgazza in Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, the Peninsula of The Hand in Guy Gavriel Kay’s Tigana, and the city of Venus in Tanith Lee’s The Secret Books of Venus quartet, based on an alternate world Venice tilted slightly askew, which is the richest of the three works. I am sure I am missing more.
Writers wanting to create a world with an Italian feel, without it actually being Italy, can use these randomly generated character names.
Alternate World Italian Names
| Female
Gialladella Elanco Lanrica Bartenzano Belitalia Bernessa Morlina Sante Valsaria Violina Spinzola Ensatra Bronerio Candrelle Castrota Chanitta Polifazzo Vitterica Anneta Cerricchi Sindelise Viparini Elsatra Ezlisco Stelladise Romesa Melandrisa Barzagna Sabrana Ilazzi Fioria Scarese Marghelisa Firoghi Vittalia Montecricero Silvria Tazasca Denaura Rissa Fafitti Issia d’Pomegiore |
Male
Iolamo della Qualmonti Fortipal d’Pozzio Antonesco Ercozio Lucisto Zapala Terumbro Strazonti Netasio Paprina Darchetto Grazzietto Fiertisto Stratziella Fornnato Rivghetti Olmero Firalbio Palanzo Barbasco Eurnetto Castroria Bentavio Torssito Orestopal Villaligneo Givtonio Tellgliata Ranchetto Sforiano Luvino DeBonatti Lucigi Bugcina Givido Canobano Lesmero Mezzadini |
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