Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 drackthor Jun 30, 2009 3:18:40	Alright, it's really petty, but a fellow player and I simply cannot agree on how to pronounce Asmodeus. He insists that it's pronounced "Az-muh-dee-us" like saying "Asthma (the disease) -Dee-us". I, however, say that it is pronounced more like "Az-Moh-Dee-Us". He typed it out on some computer voice program and it pronounced it his way, at which point I congratulated him on finding a fellow who agrees with his interpretation, and that it would be even more impressive if he could find one that has a functioning, sentient brain. Please, for the love of letting us move on, how do you pronounce Asmodeus?
#2 atrius2006 Jun 30, 2009 3:22:42	I pronounce it the same way you do. To be honest, I can't see where/how he would get -mur- part. :P I hope it hasn't halted the progress of your game. Besides, unless they are playing a divine class or an incredibly religious character, I doubt anyone will have to say it often enough to bug either of you.
#3 kouk Jun 30, 2009 3:28:41	This may surprise some younger folks, but the majority of monster names (that aren't silly compound words) stem from "actual" monster names. As such, Asmodeus is in ... several dictionaries. EDIT: P.S. Your friend appears to be correct.
#4 drackthor Jun 30, 2009 3:31:52	Oh, I'm aware of it's religious roots, didn't know it was in dictionaries, though. And no, we reserve the petty, needless arguments for the After-Game Wrap-Up.
#5 tourq Jun 30, 2009 3:32:55	"Other spelling variations include Asmodaeus (Latin), Asmodaios-Ασμοδαίος (Greek), Ashmadia, Asmoday, Asmodée (French), Asmodee, Asmodei, Ashmodei, Ashmodai, Asmodeios, Asmodeo (Spanish and Italian), Asmodeu (Portuguese), Asmodeius, Asmodi, Chammaday, Chashmodai, Sidonay, Sydonai, Asimodai (Romanian)." Seeing as there are so many spellings, you can say it how you want. However, English dictionaries pronounce it as, "az-muh-DEE-uss" This is not how I normally say it, until now. Thanks a lot. Sheesh.
#6 drackthor Jun 30, 2009 3:35:44	No, wait, we can fix this. We're just going to need a hell of a lot of markers.
#7 kouk Jun 30, 2009 3:51:11	However, English dictionaries pronounce it as, "az-muh-DEE-uss" This is not how I normally say it, until now. Thanks a lot. Sheesh. Honestly I never looked it up before either, and always said it the way the OP stipulated :P I think it sounds cooler the first way. :D EDIT: I've had similar experiences with "Wyverns" too, heh.
#8 drackthor Jun 30, 2009 3:53:17	Honestly I never looked it up before either, and always said it the way the OP stipulated :P I think it sounds cooler the first way. :D EDIT: I've had similar experiences with "Wyverns" too, heh. Wait... it's pronounced "Wiv-urns", right? ...Right? ...Right?! :P
#9 tourq Jun 30, 2009 3:55:45	I think it sounds cooler the first way. :D. For truth! EDIT: I've had similar experiences with "Wyverns" too, heh. Damb you!
#10 atrius2006 Jun 30, 2009 3:56:34	Just for laughs, this is what would happen if you argued in game: NPC: Welcome to the temple of Az-Moh-Dee-Us. Player: Oh, Az-muh-DEE-uss, smite this follower who can not pronounce your name. *Nothing happens for a few minutes* Player: Fine, I'll do it for you! *Kills priest* DM: ... :P
#11 tourq Jun 30, 2009 4:01:15	LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#12 rowl Jun 30, 2009 4:26:56	I pronounce it Mo. But I guess it's appearantly pronounced Muh. Huh.
#13 ridureyu Jun 30, 2009 6:58:39	http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/asmodeus There we go. "As-muh-DEE-us." http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wyvern "W-EYE-vern"
#14 AaronOfBarbaria Jun 30, 2009 20:22:43	http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wyvern "W-EYE-vern" *drops to his knees, arms outstretched and face to the sky - suddenly it begins to rain heavily* WWWWWHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYY?! *regains his composure* ...I hate dictionaries so much right now... guess it's time I start checking to see how many other words I don't pronounce correctly.
#15 shadow_viper Jun 30, 2009 21:04:24	Why not you both just continue to pronouce it how you each think it should be, with neither correcting the other on their way of saying the word? Problem solved. :D
#16 gregt_314 Jun 30, 2009 21:15:15	Bearing in mind there are several dictionary quotations here, surely it should nevertheless be az-mo-DAY-us, following the Latin? In any case, you should follow the rule that Buffy the Vampire Slayer used in production for made-up words: first person to say it "on camera" decides the pronounciation and thereafter everyone else follows it.
#17 Novacat Jun 30, 2009 21:23:27	I've always pronounced it Az-MOH-dee-us, and I will continue to do so, because it sounds a lot more intimidating than As-muh-DEE-us.
#18 Mechalibur Jun 30, 2009 21:53:29	The roots come from old English which is much different than modern English. Because of that, I'll pronounce it Az-Moe-Dee-Us. Because, well... that's what it looks like it should sound like.
#19 1958Fury Jun 30, 2009 22:12:40	It's funnier if you pronounce it more like Amadeus.
#20 salla Jun 30, 2009 22:38:26	http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/asmodeus There we go. "As-muh-DEE-us." Cue Falco! "Rock me As-muh-DEE-us ..."
#21 sockmonkey66 Jun 30, 2009 22:59:18	This thread has made me sad.
#22 kouk Jun 30, 2009 23:03:33	This thread has made me sad. Well then you'd better not look up "Chimaera."
#23 Novacat Jun 30, 2009 23:39:24	Gith-YAHN-kee, or Gith-YANG-kee? Gith-ZARE-eye, Gith-ZER-eye, or Gith-ZARE-ee? TEE-fling, or TIE-fling? Also, is the F at the end of the second syllable, or the beginning of the third?
#24 jgumbyrx Jul 01, 2009 0:31:00	have also debated "drow" and "mul" not such a big deal to me, but some people insist in fighting about it.
#25 entropy_judge Jul 01, 2009 1:16:38	*drops to his knees, arms outstretched and face to the sky - suddenly it begins to rain heavily* WWWWWHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYY Yup, just make sure to add the "vern" at the end.
#26 BlinkBlink Jul 01, 2009 2:52:36	...I hate dictionaries so much right now... guess it's time I start checking to see how many other words I don't pronounce correctly. Aaaargh! And just how am I supposed to figure out which words I should look up?!? Obviously, I already think I'm pronouncing everything correctly already...but as this thread has shown repeatedly, I'm even more obviously quite wrong about that. Do I just need to start looking up the pronunciation of every. frakking. word?
#27 sockmonkey66 Jul 01, 2009 3:08:47	have also debated "drow" and "mul" not such a big deal to me, but some people insist in fighting about it. Wait, so drow might be pronounced like row?
#28 drackthor Jul 01, 2009 3:09:37	Yup, just make sure to add the "vern" at the end. Sorry guys, next time I think about making a thread, I'll consider the possibility of ruining everyone's day before posting it.
#29 AaronOfBarbaria Jul 01, 2009 5:39:27	Wait, so drow might be pronounced like row? I sure hope so... no, scratch that: I sure say so - I like the race too much to ever believe that its name could possibly be correctly pronounced by combining "dur" (sound of someone insult your intelligence) and "ow" (sound you make just before the vulgarity starts pouring out when you stub your toe). That one, I don't care if I am wrong... Wyvern, Asmodeus, and I am sure there are more... well, no reason not to say those correctly (no matter which way turns out to be correct).
#30 innabinder Jul 01, 2009 6:00:27	It's pronounced 'Throat-warbler Mangrove". :P what?
#31 onusbone Jul 01, 2009 7:52:55	'Throat-warbler Mangrove". Python for the win! Related Anecdote: I didn't know how to pronounce paladin correctly, until I joined a group where everyone but I said it properly. First time I said "Pah-lad-in" I got some stares.
#32 _jayne_cobb_ Jul 01, 2009 9:26:48	http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wyvern "W-EYE-vern" Not quite. It is only two syllables: WHY-vern.
#33 Novacat Jul 01, 2009 13:53:33	Python for the win! Related Anecdote: I didn't know how to pronounce paladin correctly, until I joined a group where everyone but I said it properly. First time I said "Pah-lad-in" I got some stares. ... just a difference of inflection, mostly, is what that look like. Little difference between "pah-lad-in" and "pal-uh-din".
#34 Centauri Jul 01, 2009 14:09:06	Wait, so drow might be pronounced like row? No, it definitely rhymes with "sow."
#35 Novacat Jul 01, 2009 14:25:08	I've handled Drow differently depending on context. If I say "drow elves", I pronounce it like "foe", but if it's just "drow", I pronounce it like "drown".
#36 nonei Jul 01, 2009 15:40:12	No, it definitely rhymes with "sow." I agree! It definitely either rhymes with sow (as in plant) or sow (as in pig)
#37 stealthmarmot Jul 01, 2009 15:46:57	I call him Bob.
#38 _jayne_cobb_ Jul 01, 2009 16:20:04	Wait, so drow might be pronounced like row? Row as in fight or argument, yes. As in what you do with a paddle to make your boat go, no. Drow is "Drown" without the "n". It rhymes with how, now, cow, plow, wow, and pow. This has been officially confirmed many, many, many times.
#39 erendor Jul 01, 2009 19:26:45	As a student of linguistics, this entire thread makes my head hurt. So many ambigious, vague, useless 'pronunciations' that could have a hundred different meanings, not even taking into account things like accents and presupposing a definite definition of a syllable. Hey, I pronounce it "Ahzh-moehe-daiye-usz". It sure is a good thing you all understand that and can reproduce it yourselves. (Sorry, I just have this enormous 'thing' about pronunciation guides using ambiguous syllable spellings. If everyone would just learn IPA it would be so much easier...) Although, the 'Drow rhymes with row/sow' thing was pretty funny. "No, I mean it rhymes with sow in a way that supports my pronunciation!"
#40 Centauri Jul 01, 2009 20:22:11	As a student of linguistics, this entire thread makes my head hurt. So many ambigious, vague, useless 'pronunciations' that could have a hundred different meanings, not even taking into account things like accents and presupposing a definite definition of a syllable. To paraphrase another linguist "It's 'drow' and 'xorn' that keep them in their place, not their wretched clothes and dirty face!" Although, the 'Drow rhymes with row/sow' thing was pretty funny. Why, thankee kindly, guv'na!
#41 entropy_judge Jul 01, 2009 22:15:39	Hey, I pronounce it "Ahzh-moehe-daiye-usz". It sure is a good thing you all understand that and can reproduce it yourselves. (Sorry, I just have this enormous 'thing' about pronunciation guides using ambiguous syllable spellings. If everyone would just learn IPA it would be so much easier...) ... You just spelled "Fish" phonetically.
#42 shadow_viper Jul 01, 2009 22:16:09	Row as in fight or argument, yes. As in what you do with a paddle to make your boat go, no. Drow is "Drown" without the "n". It rhymes with how, now, cow, plow, wow, and pow. This has been officially confirmed many, many, many times. Please provide links to these many many confirmations. :D
#43 drackthor Jul 01, 2009 22:26:05	As a student of linguistics, this entire thread makes my head hurt. So many ambigious, vague, useless 'pronunciations' that could have a hundred different meanings, not even taking into account things like accents and presupposing a definite definition of a syllable. Hey, I pronounce it "Ahzh-moehe-daiye-usz". It sure is a good thing you all understand that and can reproduce it yourselves. (Sorry, I just have this enormous 'thing' about pronunciation guides using ambiguous syllable spellings. If everyone would just learn IPA it would be so much easier...) However, everyone else seems to be getting around A-OK, so maybe you shouldn't have learned IPA, it'd be so much easier! :P Hey, the saying isn't "Ignorance is a painful migraine.", right? ;)
#44 sockmonkey66 Jul 01, 2009 22:36:07	Meh, I'm still gonna say em' hows I likes em. I'm just that kind of guy.
#45 _jayne_cobb_ Jul 02, 2009 8:34:50	Please provide links to these many many confirmations. :D First link I could find: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20070308a 'By the way, drow is pronounced like "how," "now," and "cow." Not like "crow."' From the official WotC D&D pronunciation guide: "Drow: DRAU (as in drowsy; rhymes with now and how)" Going back further to the 2e "Grand Tour of the Realms": "Dark elves, also called Drow (pronounced to rhyme with now or how)..." Do the rest of your homework yourself.
#46 slyjay Jul 10, 2009 20:04:15	First link I could find: Do the rest of your homework yourself. Pwnt.
#47 mock26 Jul 10, 2009 20:31:04	This was actually covered in Issue 93 of Dragon Magazine, in their article titled, "Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd, An informal index of the right things to say," compiled by Frank Mentzer. In the article Asmodeus is listed as having two pronunciations: Asmodeus (M) . . . . . . . . . . . . @z-mo-DAY-us, or @z-MO-dee-us I know that Dragon Magazine is NOT an official source for pronunciation, but I find if funny that this "argument" has been going on for at least 14 1/2 years now!
#48 mock26 Jul 10, 2009 20:36:50	If everyone would just learn IPA it would be so much easier...) Do not get me wrong, I am a big fan of beer, but what does India Pale Ale have to do with pronunciation? :D
#49 salla Jul 10, 2009 20:39:00	... just a difference of inflection, mostly, is what that look like. Little difference between "pah-lad-in" and "pal-uh-din". I knew people who used to (and one who still does accidentally) pronounce Paladin to rhyme with 'Aladdin'.
#50 Caeric Jul 10, 2009 22:11:18	I always pronounced it Azz-moh-DAY-uss. I also think it'd be neat to have characters in a campaign setting that pronounced it Azz-MOD-ee-us. I think I'll still pronounce it my way, if no one minds. Just easier to stick to.
#51 shadow_viper Jul 10, 2009 23:54:02	First link I could find: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20070308a From the official WotC D&D pronunciation guide: Going back further to the 2e "Grand Tour of the Realms": Do the rest of your homework yourself. I just wanted to see if you'd do it. :evillaugh
#52 tourq Jul 11, 2009 1:56:03	Aaaargh! And just how am I supposed to figure out which words I should look up?!? Obviously, I already think I'm pronouncing everything correctly already...but as this thread has shown repeatedly, I'm even more obviously quite wrong about that. Do I just need to start looking up the pronunciation of every. frakking. word? Yes. Not only are you saying "frakking" wrong, you're spelling it wrong, too. :D
#53 tourq Jul 11, 2009 1:57:54	I knew people who used to (and one who still does accidentally) pronounce Paladin to rhyme with 'Aladdin'. This is awesome. I have a Paladin in my group. I'm going to have an NPC start referring to him as Aladdin-Paladin.
#54 Myck Oct 17, 2009 10:11:43	One of my favorite things ever said in a game was:  "When we're done with you, your name's just going to be Modeus because we're going to own your Az!"  I think I laughed for weeks at that bit of wordplay.  From then on we've always called him Modeus as a joke.