GURPSよろず

　Using the target’s name may give a bonus. In settings where this works, assume that every sapient entity (and probably others) has a True Name by which the universe knows him.
　In modern society, the subject’s True Name might simply be the full legal name on his birth certificate.
A Roman Catholic may be baptized or confirmed with a different name, however – the ritual renames him and takes precedence – and other groups have similar practices.
In many tribal societies, everyone has a True Name and a public name; some also have a “secret name,” granted at coming-ofage. Wizards sometimes follow this practice to protect themselves, and True Names may be known only to parents, loved ones, priests, or magic teachers. A wizard might adopt a public name, which can become famous and feared, even powerful, in its own right (ask Merlin) – but one of its purposes is as a mask. Using such a pseudonym or a clear informal identifier does allow magic to find its subject (“Show me Faustus” is a legitimate, if dangerous, thing to ask of a crystal ball), but grants no bonus.
　As with Sympathy (pp. 243-245), count only the best available bonus:

Pseudonym or public name: +0

Full legal name (where different from True Name), or military serial number, Social Security Number, etc.: +1*

Private “pet” name, baptismal name, or similar secret name (where different from True Name): +2

Fully individual and almost completely unknown identifier (e.g., a superhero’s secret identity when working magic on his hero guise), at the GM’s option: +3†

True Name: +4‡

　*A Social Security Number or similar usually gives +1. However, if the GM wants to give magic a modern air, note that such codes define individuals more precisely than almost anything else! Two people can share a name – but this number is unique. Thus, it may grant a higher bonus.

　† Similarly, a complete DNA sequence might rate as a unique identifier (disregarding identical twins and clones), and so be worth +3 if not being used as a sympathetic link.

　‡ At the GM’s option, a True Name may provide an even higher bonus – or ensure automatic success – with magic that calls the subject (e.g., Planar Summons or Summon Demon), and possibly with Mind Control spells and similar highly personal magics.

　Changing one’s True Name should be tricky at best, and perhaps totally impossible – remember that the universehas to be convinced!
A priest might be persuaded to perform a new baptism, but he’ll require some kind of theological justification, even if he sympathizes with the need. Secular legal name changes involve time and paperwork, and might turn out to work only if all the original documentation can be destroyed. In other cases, an individual’s close family and lovers may have to be convinced not only to use his new name, but to thinkof him by it. Changes may take effect over weeks, months, or years, with bonuses for the old True Name gradually shrinking as the new one fades in.
　In some cultures, a name given at coming-of-age actually becomes the True Name, overriding whatever name the child’s parents gave him at birth. An adult is by definition beyond the (magical) control of his parents, although he probably becomes subject to the priests. His original True Name becomes a secret name (+2) once replaced, unless the naming ceremony is powerful enough to destroy the link altogether.
　

　A moderately obscure True Name (e.g., all public birth certificates quietly lost, and few people knowing one’s middle name) might be a valid perk. In high-fantasy settings where True Names have great power and formal bureaucracy is light, Zeroed (p.B100) could primarily imply a True Name that’s hidden from everyone but the character – or even one that’s completely unknowable. The latter has the advantage that enemies can’t ever acquire the name by luck or trickery, and the disadvantage that the nameless one’s trusted allies will never get the bonus for a True Name when working beneficial magic on him.

　Most people do know their own True Name, though. The GM may permit a wizard who doesn’t know his True Name (for whatever reason), and who therefore can’t cast magic on himself at +4, to take this as a quirk. He can only claim a +3 name bonus with careful preparation – perhaps by using a carefully cultivated secret name.