Continuity/Viamont versus Viamonter versus Viamontian

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Viamont, Viamonter, and Viamontian have all been used as the adjective to people and things from or related to Viamont. In this article we will evaluate each word that has been used based on the following criteria:

  1. The number of sources.
  2. The in-universe sources.
  3. The in-universe dates.
  4. The real-world dates.

Viamont

In the text The Reign of Alfrega, written by the Aluvian scholar Midistaff the Learned, Viamont is used an adjective to describe things from Viamont, e.g. Viamont lace. Viamont also appears to be used as adjective to describe things related to people of Viamont, e.g. The Viamont invasion and Viamont Royal Governor.[1] This text also uses Viamontian as an adjective to describe the people of Viamont.[1] It is unknown when this text was written, but given that Midistaff wrote, "[Alfrega] was succeeded by her son, Osric, who would come to be known as the Wise,"[1] it had to be written during or after the reign of Osric - 810 RC (-711 PY) or later.[1]

In the text Aluvian Cookbook, there is a recipe for Viamont Toast, an Aluvian delicacy. This is another example of Viamont being used as an adjective to describe something from Viamont.[2] This text was written in Portal Year 10.

In the historical overview titled The History of Auberean, an Isparian scholar known as A Learned Sage used Viamont as an adjective describing things of Viamont (overlord of Viamont, Viamont invasion, and Viamont lords).[3] This historical overview was written in Portal Year 14.

The Aluvian heritage mask Alfric's Bull, created by the Aluvian craftsman Alexander the Deft, is described as being an ornate representation of the heraldic bull of Viamont Royal Governor Alfric. This mask was first created in Portal Year 14.[4]

In Portal Year 16, captains Nyino, Sovano, and Anrayl all used the phrases, "Viamont Portal Platforms," and, "prevent the Viamonts from reinforcing."[5]

Viamonter

In the text To Be A Shadow, written by the Gharu'rndim historical figure Mansur al-Rajan, Viamonter is used as an adjective to describe the people of Viamont.[6] This text written around 1022 RC (-393 PY).

In the Aluvian heritage book The D00dz, Vexorg of Thistledown used Viamonter to describe the people of Viamont.[7] This text was written in Portal Year 11.

In an introduction to Aluvian history, Viamonter is used as an adjective to describe the people of Viamont.[8] This text could either be considered to be written in an in-universe third-person, or by an Isparian scholar on Dereth. If it was written by an Isparian, it was likely written between -15 PY and 10 PY.

In an introduction to Gharu'ndim history, Viamonter is used as an adjective to describe the people of Viamont.[9] This text could either be considered to be written in an in-universe third-person, or by an Isparian scholar on Dereth. If it was written by an Isparian, it was likely written between -15 PY and 10 PY.

Viamontian

The term Viamontian first appears in the text The Reign of Alfrega, written by the Aluvian scholar Midistaff the Learned. In this text Viamontian is used as an adjective to describe the people of Viamont. The term Viamont is also used in this text an adjective to describe things from Viamont, e.g. Viamont lace. Viamont also appears to be used as adjective to describe things related to people of Viamont, e.g. The Viamont invasion and Viamont Royal Governor.[1] As stated above, this text had to be written during or after the reign of Osric - 810 RC (-711 PY) or later.[1]

The use of the term Viamontian spiked greatly with the release of Thone of Destiny. There are too many sources to list here, but it is used in character creation, the lore articles released prior to ToD, in new NPC dialog, and in the names of places, creatures, and items.

Analysis

  1. The number of sources - Viamontian is the most commonly used term.
  2. The in-universe sources - Viamontian is used by the people of Viamont to describe themselves.
  3. The in-universe dates - Viamontian is our most recently used term.
  4. The real-world dates - Viamontian has been used most recently by the developers.

Conclusion

Viamontian appears to be the proper term, although occasionally Aluvians and Gharu'ndim have used Viamonter and Viamont as an adjective.

Viamonter was a term used in the early development of the game. When writing for Throne of Destiny, developers went with the term Viamontian from The Reign of Alfrega. Although Viamont was still used as an adjective, it doesn't follow the same pattern as it did in earlier work, and was possibly an error.

References