I’ve read enough Russian novels* that I often find myself reaching for the patronymic in play even though most of the PCs don’t have one. So I made up a little sheet that lists a bunch of the most common ones (lifted from the State Department’s Russian embassy site, thanks guys!) and bundled that with a one-page handout that gives a bit of background on the youth organizations Night Witches PCs might have belonged to growing up, as well as a short note on the difference between comrade and citizen in ordinary use. Neither is necessary, but on the odd chance you or your fellow gamers like a little extra background, have at them!
*Well, War and Peace a bunch of times, Anna Karenina twice, and The Master and Margarita which I highly recommend for a wry look at this period.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw8iFfIRXgBOSktXU3Z3YlQ2Nlk/view?usp=sharing
Thanks for sharing that around for me, Paul. FYI an earlier version of the patronymics handout referenced The Americans as an example of the First Name + Patronymic = Respectful But Friendly form of address 🙂
Catherine Ramen it’s so weird to hear/read when they do that in the show!