I wonder how much of this is coincidence?

[jakia]

Alistair is the gaelic version of Alexander and means Defender of the People.

Morrigan is also a gaelic name, coming from the name of the old Irish Goddess of War and Fertility, though DG has said he named her after a friend.

On a whim, I decided to look up more names.  For example:

Elissa, the default name for fem!Cousland, means Vow of God, is a

Comments

[rurone]

Not a PC, but Tamlen is likely a reference to Tam Lin, a legendary character from a ballad who guarded a forest for the fairy queen (he's even referred to as 'an elfin knight' in some versions).