Easter Eggs and Puns in DDO

[Koowluh]

I'm so going to look for Velah in the Bogwater tavern now. I loved it when I found her in the Chrono raid and I would love to see her actually existing in the current world in polymorphed form. The chrono raid is in the past after all.

I loved the beholders in Acute Delirium; Look at the size of beds on that thing!

[Farseer-Lolotea]

Speaking of the Silver Flame, most people I've spoken to in game never caught on to this either.

If I were to as you when the moon symbol on the shrines meant you would probably say "rest". Validating it as moon equals night equals sleep time equals rest. But if asked about the flame, you would drawn a blank or joked MMOs are hell. So why fire for resurrection?

Well, the old alchemical symbol for silver is a crescent moon. The shrines are in fact stamped as "Silver Flame".

Sort of an implied ownership really, as if there wasn't enough propaganda for them already.

Actually, I interpreted the moon symbol as the crescent moon symbol you see on old-timey outhouses (so think "rest" as in "restroom"). The sun thing may simply be a counterpoint to that.

Getting back on topic, one of the other hireling vendors is named Kaeless, a take on Kahless, the famed Klingon Warrior.

[Farseer-Lolotea]

I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but Roskilde (Frost giant mini boss in Prey on the Hunter) is the name of a city in Denmakr, not tto far from Copenhagen.
Also the fire elemental rare in Orchard is named Firenze, Italian name of the city of Florence, but this is not a big mistery :)

Roskilde is more likely a play on "Rockslide," though the fact that it's also a place name probably helps.

[Enel]

The explorer Dr. Livingstone's Journal can be found in Offering of Blood at the shrine you have to swim to.


Could you explain that please?i dont get it!

[Farseer-Lolotea]

Could you explain that please?i dont get it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Livingstone

[VonBek]

Could you explain that please?i dont get it!

This used to be in every world history class from elementary through high school:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Livingstone

[Yazzman]

Nobody's mentioned the hirelings:

Byron Scoutsword: Iron Byron (golf club testing machine used by USGA) - inspired this post.
Grommisk Axehead (??? Grummish? can't place this one).
Frenzy: DDO reference
Rage: another DDO reference
Arnal Swarts: Lots of Arnold references in DDO. Hopefully inspired by Conan.
Club : Presumably the description "Do you have tickets to the club show?" is the joke
Alphar Fairwood: In light of Byron, I suspect a golf reference.
Brigita Hammersong: ??? Judging from the Vale, I suspect that these are obvious to the headbanger.
Anthem: Anthem is used a lot where bards are concerned. Since the Rush song is explicitly reference elsewhere...
Full Metal: Presumably full metal jacket. Hopefully he can break DR.
Veil (WF rogue): I thought Veil was an elf sorceress (VON3)?

On second thought, the first few hirelings seemed to be full of references, then they gave up. Can anybody place the rest?

There's a hireling called Dazhbog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dazhbog).

[Slartibreakfast]

13 pages in and no one has mentioned the Bard Bugbears near the Cerulean Gate??? The list of bands those guys could be is very short...

[Cognoscentus]

King Raiyum says, ''I'm a god, why can't I live on?''

Lyrics from Iron Maiden's "Powerslave"

[BadBuy]

Roskilde is more likely a play on "Rockslide," though the fact that it's also a place name probably helps.

Actually Roskilde ir probably more related to the town, because there is even a viking museum in Roskilde. Overall I think it just migh be a normal viking name.

[Aelonwy]

The bowling alley in one of the orchard of the macabre crypt ^^

I don't know if the two have anything to do with each other ...but there is an episode of Faery Tale Theatre, from the 80's, called "The Boy Who Never Got the Shivers" in which the main character has to stay the night in a haunted castle where ghosts and ghouls are bowling with bones and body parts in one scene.

[Zeruell]

Yaulthoon, the Illithid mastermind of the U9 quest line, has an interesting name (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Alhoon_lich). Did we actually kill him, or just leave him in a mindbroken state?

[RangerOne]

One of the house D questions (name forgotten, the optional one where you climb through the piping) has pair of gargoyles arguing that one always lies and one always tells the truth. This was showcased in "Labyrinth" but the logic exercise is older. And no, I can never figure it out.

Don't forget the memorials to Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and the fact they they narrate adventures in Delaera and Threnal.

[junior_w]

...(name forgotten, the optional one where you climb through the piping)...

The quest is Spies in the House.

[FuzzyDuck81]

And no, I can never figure it out..

I liked Hayley's solution to it...

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0327.html

[Blank_Zero]

Yes! Good call.

Excellent! What do I win?

[Quetzacoala]

Well, when Commodore Bloodeye in Three-Barrel Cove says "Savvy?" I believe that this is a reference to Captain Jack Sparrow.

Also, when I think about it, the short sword Sting from the Menachtarun desert may not simply be named after the stinger of a scorpion... there happens to be quite a famous short sword by the same name.

[Asmodeus451]

Well, when Commodore Bloodeye in Three-Barrel Cove says "Savvy?" I believe that this is a reference to Captain Jack Sparrow.

Also, when I think about it, the short sword Sting from the Menachtarun desert may not simply be named after the stinger of a scorpion... there happens to be quite a famous short sword by the same name.

true, but IMO if they wanted to go for THAT sting, they'd have given it Orc bane

[KanedaEX]

the sub boss for misery peak is named frostbite, as the old atari game: http://www.vizzed.com/videogames/a2600/screenshot/Frostbite-3-full.png

[SireUris]

The Desecrated Temple of Vol sports a Quell guardian who is labeled an "Ur-Quell". Now "Ur-" in German means very old or ancient, so the compound is not that spectacular, but when I first saw it I was reminded of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilsner_Urquell

Intercession, one way or the other... :D

[shawnvw]

You utter the words “Come with me if you want to live.” (Now, it’s both a Terminator and Chuck reference.) in the quest “The Bookbinder Rescue”.


Can't you also say something like "Wait here...I'll be back"?

[Domfig]

The farshifter in Gianthold who returns you to marketplace is Vanyel.... The most powerful Herald-Mage ever in Valdemar history in the Valdemar herald books was called...Vanyel

[SireUris]

in Rushmore's Mansion makes me feel quake old...

[whomhead]

In the Extraplanar Palace (I think it is there, but could be the lava caves) the kobolds say, "Kobold wasn't even supposed to be here today!" Which is a reference to Dante Hick's oft-repeated line from Clerks, one of my favorite movies.

[GrampaBill]

Thought of another one today: one of the dance options for the Warforged is . . . the robot dance.

While not a pun nor necessarily an Easter Egg, but the dance and taunt for female helfs cracks me up.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Sorry, but I haven't through all of these pages because I did not want to be spoilt for quests I haven't done/played yet ...

But today I stumpled upon a name in another post :


Suulomades

Looks to me like "Soulmate". ;) (Very obvious ! ;) )

There is another Easter egg which is a bit difficult to describe ... Under the Market Tent, thre are a few NPCs wandering around, talking to the merchants there.

While playing the game in German language (language of the game client) everything is in common (non-dialect) German, one of these NPCs says a sentence in a dialect, once in a while, and it very much looks like the dialect of Berlin.

I'd post a screenshot here if I could attach one, but it seems that it isn't possible here.

[katana_one]

In the Extraplanar Palace (I think it is there, but could be the lava caves) the kobolds say, "Kobold wasn't even supposed to be here today!" Which is a reference to Dante Hick's oft-repeated line from Clerks, one of my favorite movies.

First used in the Crystal Cove event.

[Tom318]

They may have taken the name for the quest "Dirty Laundry" from Don Henley's song of the same name.

Also, obvious Shakespeare reference in Marketplace :)

[QuantumFX]

Can't you also say something like "Wait here...I'll be back"?

That version is kind of generic. Though an “I’ll be back” reference is more apparent in Made to Order.

[Brennie]

Thought of another one today: one of the dance options for the Warforged is . . . the robot dance.

While not a pun nor necessarily an Easter Egg, but the dance and taunt for female helfs cracks me up.

Speaking of dancing and Halfelves, helf dance1 is a riverdance. And Helfdance2... look familiar to anyone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1cLOIxsQ8)?

[Enel]

I had completely forgotten those 2 but i remembered today:
1 The "Where There Is Smoke" quest in Cerulian Hills is a reference to the expresion : where there is smoke there is fire .
2 The Summerfield disctrict quest has a reference in the name of the disctrict that reminds as all of springfield....whats next?winterfield?

[Sinsyne]

The 3 pirates at the Bargain of Blood marketplace (the first square you enter right after the start) resembles the 3 very important looking pirates from the Secret of Monkey Island I. Their lines are Monkey Islandish too, like there's no waitress (in MI1 the pirates pretty much service themselves w/grog).

[airavon]

While playing Extraplanar Mining, one the kobolds said "Get in mah barrel!" Sounds like a reference, but I don't know it.

[Galeria]

Get in mah belly-

Character from the movie Austin Powers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_Bastard_(character)

[BOgre]

While playing Extraplanar Mining, one the kobolds said "Get in mah barrel!" Sounds like a reference, but I don't know it.

That would be from Austin Powers' Fat Bas*** character, saying Get in Ma' Belly

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Last Friday night I saw a Kobold yelling in "Eyes Of Stone" that he wants to see the whole town burning - I called him "Nero-Kobold" for that ... ;)

[DanteEnFuego]

Did you get Felix's magical bags?

Felix d'Cannith (http://ddowiki.com/page/Felix_d'Cannith)

http://Felix the Cat (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_the_Cat)

[Crono]

I may have missed it but I don't think anyone has mentioned in Chronoscope the warforged hostage in the Phoenix Tavern is named Retcon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroactive_continuity), heh

[donblas]

In the second part of Shan to Kor one of the Kobold slaves says, "Hobgob food is kobold! Is Koobooold!!!" this is a reference to the movie Soylent Green ("Soylent Green is people!"), adapted from Harry Harrison's book Make Room, Make Room.

[donblas]

Sorry to follow one of my own posts with another, but in Prove Your Worth there is an iron defender called "Old Iron sides2, obviously he has iron sides but most US players will probably think it's named after USS Constitution.

[Quetzacoala]

The attitude of the Dungeon Master in "The Coalescence Chamber" towards the party is obviously an analogy of the attitude of the leader of a PUG to the rest of his/her group.

I don't know if that counts as an Easter egg though

[TheDjinnFor]

The farshifter in Gianthold who returns you to marketplace is Vanyel.... The most powerful Herald-Mage ever in Valdemar history in the Valdemar herald books was called...Vanyel

I dunno, it seems like just a coincidence. With most of the other references there's a clear pattern (80's metal or whatever), or the references are rooted in classic video games and RPGs (Xyzzy), or they're nerd-culture references (Pinky and the Brain, or Zero Wing).

I doubt a reference to a moderately obscure fantasy series is anything more than a coincidence. Although there is an Elspeth reference too. If there was a third one I'd be intrigued.

[Vasiok]

Did you get Felix's magical bags?

Felix d'Cannith (http://ddowiki.com/page/Felix_d'Cannith)

http://Felix the Cat (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_the_Cat)

Oh man.nice one there.Hadn't noticed that.Felix 4ever

[Erekose]

The quest givers in the House D Hammersmith Inn for the Depths series are loosley named after Manchester United Football players.

Giggs Elorreathi ---> Ryan Giggs
Neville Stormhammer ---> Gary Neville
Scholes of Vedykar ---> Paul Scholes
Keane d'Deneith ---> Roy Keane

Cheers

[Book_O_Dragons]

I dunno, it seems like just a coincidence. With most of the other references there's a clear pattern (80's metal or whatever), or the references are rooted in classic video games and RPGs (Xyzzy), or they're nerd-culture references (Pinky and the Brain, or Zero Wing).

I doubt a reference to a moderately obscure fantasy series is anything more than a coincidence. Although there is an Elspeth reference too. If there was a third one I'd be intrigued.

I think its a coincedence; in the books Vanyel was pained by gate energies so having him teleport people would be really ironic.

[PadrePio]

Probably someone already mentioned it, but monk's lvl 20 special finisher is named "shining star" and it's activated by the earth+wind+fire+finisher combo. Of course there's a song named "shining star" made by Earth Wind and Fire band :)

[katz]

(Say) Kobold Scavenger says, 'These not the metal shinies you looking for!'


kobold jedi mind trick? :eek:

[Sinsyne]

The mimic... if you play nethack or other rogue-likes you will certainly encounter one. It turns out in nethack when you meet one, you get the same exclamation as in Acute Delirium ("A mimic!") and when you destroy it, it may drop a Scroll of Yum Yum and yum-yum is just the words it speaks while devouring Belashyrra's scepter.

[Expalphalog]

Probably someone already mentioned it, but monk's lvl 20 special finisher is named "shining star" and it's activated by the earth+wind+fire+finisher combo. Of course there's a song named "shining star" made by Earth Wind and Fire band :)

Nice catch!

Unfortunately, no +1 for you since it is your fault that this song will now be stuck in my head all day. :(

[Asmodeus451]

Probably a coincidence, but:

one of the Greensteel tier effects is called "BOLAS" (Balance of Land and Sky)

this is, as i learned during a recent hospital stay, also a medical term, though i think it is spelled somewhat differently

[CThruTheEgo]

I don't think this one has been mentioned yet. I just noticed the golem in the Cannith Manufactury who guards the door to the Research Facility says "You have ten seconds to comply" and then "You have five seconds to comply," which are lines by ED-209 from Robocop.

[Vaerin]

don't know if it's been mentioned yet. but the monk disciples in front of the monk trainer in the marketplace are Ryutar and some form of Ken, aka - ryu and ken from street fighter

[dlsidhe]

Or more correctly, daughter of a builder. And I am amost sure that datter means daughter in one of Scandinavian languages. Norge maybe? Or Dannish.


Icelandic. ;) The only living language that does not use any form of family name, only patronymics (and, in some cases, matronymics). Icelandic phone books are organized by first name, patronym, and occupation.

Korthos Island is...well...iced land.

If you click on all the guests in Partycrashers, you get some interesting conversations. Over near the bar there's a guy attempting to convince his very drunk wife to just go home, a warforged on the upper level complaining about discrimination ("I'm sure your friends' invitations just got lost in the mail..."), a monk telling a House K representative that exploring Korromor is a bad idea, three girls arguing over wearing the same dress, and a lot more just party chatter. My favorite is an ironic elvish member of the Twelve, who mentions how he left House Phiarlan to escape the plotting, secrecy, and intrigue...

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Yes, I loved these dialogues, too ... ;)

[Quetzacoala]

The specter Oglethorpe in the Caverns of Korromar shares his name with the founder of Georgia.

[Tenchi]

Lahar, the Epic Trader at the Twelve, is a term used for a combination of gray mud and lava flow:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahar

[centuar1963]

there is a hireling named " arnal swarts".... if you dont see it, you were not meant to.....

[Qzipoun]

there is a hireling named " arnal swarts".... if you dont see it, you were not meant to.....

Arnold Schwarzenegger...

[Krelar]

there is a hireling named " arnal swarts".... if you dont see it, you were not meant to.....

You sir have a dirty mind! (And apparently so do I)


Arnold Schwarzenegger...

Try removing one letter from each word instead of adding letters...

[Qzipoun]

Try removing one letter from each word instead of adding letters...

Yes but given the fact that it's a barbarian hireling, that's clearly not the intent...

[DanteEnFuego]

Not sure of the connection yet...if any. Chronicle Reporter is named for a Biblical plant also used in Absinthe... Hyssop Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyssop)

[xoowak]

A couple I didn't see posted yet:

In the Flesh is the title of a Pink Floyd song.

The Time Foreman in the Rushmore challenges makes a Most Interesting Man in the World reference.

[SireUris]

- Klinsmann, a known German soccer/football player, sitting in a tavern


along with Cole and Henri (and a guy I don't know), enjoying an after game beverage in the Open Palm Inn in House J. 7 of 11 almost makes a soccer team... ;)

[Truga]

in Rushmore's Mansion makes me feel quake old...

Yeah, those power-ups seriously need quake wavs to go with them.

[BoBach]

In front of the shrine behind the underwater part (near the ramps with the lightning traps) are the remaining corpses of Livingstone and his party.

Regards Bo
Btw: Livingstone was the famous african explorer in the 19th century

[Flavilandile]

I'm too lazy to check the whole thread.

It just jumped at my face monday that one of the kobold in Reaver's Refuge is called Edlin.

For those that never dealt with the prehistory of modern computing, edlin was the line editor included in MS-DOS.
Basicaly it's more or less the MS-DOS version of my great friends ed and sed ( who are the line editors of the various *nix flavor ).

[Purkilius]

Icelandic. ;) The only living language that does not use any form of family name, only patronymics (and, in some cases, matronymics). Icelandic phone books are organized by first name, patronym, and occupation.

Korthos Island is...well...iced land.



I laughed when I saw that :)

Very true but it is pronounced dóttir for example Danielsdóttir and Kothos feels like home :D

[WarDestroyer]

"the Devil You Know" is Heaven & Hell's only album with it's name. It was the last album from Ronnie

[Soodo]

I didn't see Stand Your Ground mentioned yet. You have to protect Maxwell Statler and his brother Rance. I always assumed it to be a reference to an old country music group (The Statler Brothers).

[GrampaBill]

The end boss in the Lord Of Stone quest is named Kudgel, and what he's carrying could be considered quite a large cudgel (another name for a club).

[redspecter23]

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but if you read the book on the pedestal near the teleporter in Lava Caves, you'll find it was written by Dorris the Explorer. It's unknown whether or not she travels with a monkey or is constantly having her stuff stolen by a weasel type thing.

[devlkiller0]

I do not know if this has been posted but in the quest Delirium there is a hidden Thaarak Hound optional named Ruul and it sounds a lot like the demon thingy "Zuul" from Ghostbusters.

[Vengeance777]

I do not know if this has been posted but in the quest Delirium there is a hidden Thaarak Hound optional named Ruul and it sounds a lot like the demon thingy "Zuul" from Ghostbusters.

Hah its in the Icebox (refrigerator) too. Nice catch.

[Malshier]

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but if you read the book on the pedestal near the teleporter in Lava Caves, you'll find it was written by Dorris the Explorer. It's unknown whether or not she travels with a monkey or is constantly having her stuff stolen by a weasel type thing.

Might also refer to Dorris from one of the Lordsmarch quests.

[DanteEnFuego]

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but if you read the book on the pedestal near the teleporter in Lava Caves, you'll find it was written by Dorris the Explorer. It's unknown whether or not she travels with a monkey or is constantly having her stuff stolen by a weasel type thing.

Dunno, was the message bilingual with a subtle political message?

[Therigar]

A Burg, as far as I know it from Germany, is often built on hills and mountains. That obviously gives it an advantage over enemies attacking the Burg. The word "burg" can sometimes be used for fortifications as well, usually, because a Burg often *is* some sort of an fortification (on a mountain or hill).


Although this is a bit of a resurrected thread, I did read all the way through it.

Lots of interesting observations concerning the game -- both obvious references and fun speculations.

Regarding burg and berg it is important to know that these are two different things. The one spelled with the U is used to identify a stronghold or fort. The one spelled with the E is used to identify a mountain.

In English the two are pronounced very much the same way and so can easily be confused. It is even possible to think that they are the same word -- just spelled differently.

In German the two are pronounced differently -- even if we don't always hear the differences with our English attuned ears. :)

One of my favorite easter eggs is the bunny hat that you can buy from the DDO store. Get one and then equip a club.

I understand there are a few other items that revel special abilities when the right gear combo is in place. :D

[SaneDitto]

The mimic... if you play nethack or other rogue-likes you will certainly encounter one. It turns out in nethack when you meet one, you get the same exclamation as in Acute Delirium ("A mimic!") and when you destroy it, it may drop a Scroll of Yum Yum and yum-yum is just the words it speaks while devouring Belashyrra's scepter.

"Yum Yum" could also refer to one of Nethack's random names you get from unidentified scrolls (you initially see them as "a scroll labeled YUM YUM" or something).


EDIT: Also, Haxxoraxx the Mind Flayer in Acute Delirium is probably a reference to its plot armour. You can attack it while chasing it, but you can't kill it. Hence...hax. ;)

[katz]

found a new one while running VON3 the other day...
http://i.imgur.com/79P6Y.jpg

:p

[DanteEnFuego]

found a new one while running VON3 the other day...
http://i.imgur.com/79P6Y.jpg

:p

Nice work!

[SaneDitto]

Oh, just remembered one.

Roll a monk, or a monk splash. Find a nice vest monk-y outfit. Bonus points if outfit shows a lot of skin. Level and get the Whirlwind Attack feat (requires Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, and Combat Expertise), then use it while unarmed.

(Bonus: Whirlwind Attack is actually more effective that way; you hit the enemy four times as opposed to once with a weapon!)

[Fuzzycheetah]

Neihoden in Fear factory could also be a reference to Nidhogg from Norse mythology. Nidhogg is the serpent/dragon that gnaws at the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. Some interpretation of the story says that the arrival of Nidhogg heralds the coming of Ragnarok = the end of the world.
See what I just did there....?
dooooom! ;)

[Fuzzycheetah]

[QUOTE=yawumpus;4356432]Nobody's mentioned the hirelings:

...
Grommisk Axehead (??? Grummish? can't place this one).
...
QUOTE]

could be Gruumsh, orc deity from pnp D&D ?

[Vengeance777]

In Partycrasher's the wolves in the Illusionarium are chewing on a real corpse and the frozen statues drop loot implying they aren't decorations.

House Phiarlan's secret business is Espionage. Makes you wonder.

[brian14]

Oh, just remembered one.

Roll a monk, or a monk splash. Find a nice vest monk-y outfit. Bonus points if outfit shows a lot of skin. Level and get the Whirlwind Attack feat (requires Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, and Combat Expertise), then use it while unarmed.

(Bonus: Whirlwind Attack is actually more effective that way; you hit the enemy four times as opposed to once with a weapon!)
Where is the Easter Egg in that?

[SaneDitto]

Where is the Easter Egg in that?

The Easter Egg's in Whirlwind Attack. Unarmed, centered, and possessing the "Unarmed Strike" feat, you perform a Hurricane Kick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHXkfPPoy8o) that strikes everything four times.


EDIT: And while we're on the subject of Street Fighter, a bugbear's casting animation is a Hadouken (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pZHrlPIv4M).

[captain1z]

Zombie on korthos island in the slayer area

"swollow your soul, swollow your soul"

Obviously a line from Evil Dead.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

I always answer to those lines : "No, you won't."

[Qezuzu]

http://ddowiki.com/images/Nightmare.JPG

http://ddowiki.com/images/Celestia.JPG

http://i50.tinypic.com/19l6cj.png

Ponies? In my DDO? It's more likely than you think.

Nightmare is a reference to Nightmare Moon (http://images.wikia.com/mlp/images/f/f0/Nightmare_Moon_depicted_in_legend_S1E1.png). NMM was originally Princess Luna, who controls the movement of the Moon in the universe of My Little Pony, before she became bitter and corrupted, turning into the evil Nightmare Moon. She was then banished to the moon by her sister, and became spiritually imprisoned within it for a thousand years before she could be cleansed of evil.

Celestia is a reference to Princess Celestia (http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/141/475/Princess_Celestia.jpg). She controls the Sun, i.e. the brightest star of the day, and is Princess Luna's sister. The description also contains the phrase "This Magnificent Bastard". It's a shame it doesn't have banishing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4f9m4OYkCY) on it; there's a running joke that, whenever Celestia encounters an annoying problem (like a misbehaving sibling), she sends it to the moon (http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/strangething/ponies/Celestia/moon-toaster.jpg).

Twilight is a reference to Twilight Sparkle (http://mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw1936-132455587156.gif). She's the apprentice of Celestia, and being studious is her defining characteristic and main source of income. And she literally is the Element of Magic (http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Elements_of_Harmony).

There are a lot of references in the new content. The Slavemaster at the end of House of Broken Chains says "One does not simply walk out of Sschindlyrn", a reference to "One does not simply walk into Mordor" from Lord of the Rings. The boss wolf in Murder by Night says "My name is *something*, you killed my pack. Prepare to die", a reference to The Princess Bride. I'm told the bosses' name is also an anagram of the character from The Princess Bride.

[DougGlyndwyr]

Gilles Stonehurler in the Anvilfire Inn appears to be channeling his inner Cream (Born Under A Bad Sign) with the quote "If it wasn't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all".

[Stev69]

In Irestone inlet Mad Anne Rackham is possibly a ref to "Calico" Jack Rackham a pirate and one of his crew members Anne Bonny, yep they used to get it awwwwwn,

[Siftrant]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the quote by the Alpha wolf at the end of Murders at Midnight...


Edit: Appears someone had.

[Jaid314]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the quote by the Alpha wolf at the end of Murders at Midnight...

that's only because you haven't been reading very carefully.


[snip]

There are a lot of references in the new content. The Slavemaster at the end of House of Broken Chains says "One does not simply walk out of Sschindlyrn", a reference to "One does not simply walk into Mordor" from Lord of the Rings. The boss wolf in Murder by Night says "My name is *something*, you killed my pack. Prepare to die", a reference to The Princess Bride. I'm told the bosses' name is also an anagram of the character from The Princess Bride.

(bolded text for emphasis)

[grgurius]

While i have read trough this thread, my memory is not what it used to be, so excuse me these were already mentioned:

- In Reavers refuge there are 3 kobolds name Klatu, Baratu and Niktu

- Quest Enter the Kobold might be a reference to the movie Enter the Dragon

- One of Shiradi champions tier one abilities is called stay frosty

[fyrst.grok]

In Irestone inlet Mad Anne Rackham is possibly a ref to "Calico" Jack Rackham a pirate and one of his crew members Anne Bonny, yep they used to get it awwwwwn,

I always thought they used the pirate name generator from 'talklikeapirate.com to get the name.. Remember getting that particular name amongst others very like it while trying it.
But of course it's made up of names of infamous pirates :)

[Yan_PL]

I may have missed it but I don't think anyone has mentioned in Chronoscope the warforged hostage in the Phoenix Tavern is named Retcon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroactive_continuity), heh

Wonder if he's hanging a lampshade or something.

As for United Players sitting in Deneith Tavern, there's also guy with name Axelson... like Alex Ferguson... and Canton for Eric Cantona... somewhere else... and i think few others. Great thread, BTW.

[Nephilia]

In Searing Height there are two named mobs, who spawn near each other, named "Cuore Giallo" and "Rosso".
The italian football team Roma got an anthem that say "Noi c'avemo il CUORE grosso, mezzo GIALLO e mezzo ROSSO" that in english sounds like "We have a big HEART, half YELLOW and half RED" cause yellow and red are the social colours of that team :)

(Since I'm italian for me and my friends that was really easy to catch up XD)

[LazarusPossum]

Not a huge deal, but the spirit binder in Eveningstar Tavern is named Melinde Agister.

M. Agister

[Fefnir_2011]

the epigraph for Raiyum in Wiz-King paraphrases the poem "Ozymandias", written by Percy Bysshe Shelley (husband of Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein).



I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: `Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear --
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.'



Here lies the Wizard-King, Raryum-de. Wise Ruler of Menechtarun, Lord of Scorpions, Demon Conjurer.Look upon his works and despair, O Sons of Man. For his kingdom is Eternal, and he reigns supreme over all lands under the sun.

[DanteEnFuego]

the epigraph for Raiyum in Wiz-King paraphrases the poem "Ozymandias", written by Percy Bysshe Shelley (husband of Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein).

+1. Nice work!

[Bennum]

I also noticed the Raiyum reference to Ozymandias you know before everyone else in the quest got mad at me for stopping to read the things, but hey it was my first time there.

[Fefnir_2011]

+1. Nice work!

Thanks :) I knew that Brit Lit class would come in handy one day! (too bad I thought it was a Paradise Lost quote at first...)

[phillymiket]

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4969/24105471.jpg

Said by Slavemaster Solul in House of the Broken Chains.
.

[Fefnir_2011]

Didn't see this one listed either...

The Mad Lute's flavor text says, "The goal of many adventurers over the years, you have finally found the Mad Lute, after fighting through the fires and flames of Shavarath." which is a reference to the song "Through the Fire and Flames" by the power metal band Dragonforce.

[Jaid314]

Didn't see this one listed either...

The Mad Lute's flavor text says, "The goal of many adventurers over the years, you have finally found the Mad Lute, after fighting through the fires and flames of Shavarath." which is a reference to the song "Through the Fire and Flames" by the power metal band Dragonforce.

i also presume that the mad lute is supposed to be "mad loot" ;)

[0akenshield9]

Searing Heights has a rare named Guck, Muck's Cousin. Not an outside reference, but still... also: anyone else feel like Undermine references Minesweeper?

[grayham]

Vague star wars reference in 'the unquiet graves'.

When you are hacking down the first red named necromancer guy, he says something to the effect of:

"If you strike me down I will become far more powerful than you can imagine".

[DanteEnFuego]

House of Broken Chains... Slave pop up text said "give me liberty or give me death", made famous by Patrick Henry in 1775...

[amoraenk]

The rapier "Balizarde (Protector of the King)" from the raid Caught in the Web...
In "The Three Musketeers", the novel by Alexandre Dumas, Porthos's favorite rapier is called Balizarde.
The Musketeers of the Guard were a junior unit in the Royal Guard.

[Mithril_Hand]

The description of Sireth, Spear of the Sky (http://ddowiki.com/page/Sireth,_Spear_of_the_Sky) states that it is:

Said to have been wielded by an astral deva, this spear is capable of tearing open the vault of heaven to bring the wrath of the skies down upon your enemies.


This is possibly a reference to a line in the first episode of the english dub of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurren_lagann). Paraphrased from memory:

Your's is the drill that will break through the vault of heaven!

[Feather_of_Sun]

The rapier "Balizarde (Protector of the King)" from the raid Caught in the Web...
In "The Three Musketeers", the novel by Alexandre Dumas, Porthos's favorite rapier is called Balizarde.
The Musketeers of the Guard were a junior unit in the Royal Guard.

I was wondering how long it'd take someone to catch that. Nice work!





This is possibly a reference to a line in the first episode of the english dub of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurren_lagann). Paraphrased from memory:

When I made it, I was actually thinking of Milton's Paradise Lost- "He spake, and as to confirm his words, out flew millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze far round illumined Hell. Highly they raged against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms clashed on their sounding shields the din of war, hurling defiance toward the vault of Heaven."
Gurren Lagann works too though. It's almost epic enough.

[GrampaBill]

Pretty cool this thread is still going and that there are more Easter Eggs still being placed into the game.

Thanks to everyone that's participated and continues to participate. Sorry I didn't summarize everything in the first post, but I think it'd end up being a page's worth by now.

[grgurius]

Not sure if this was mentioned before: the quest Storm the Beaches might be inspired by D day; assaulting a heavily fortified beach, defended by artillery (ballistas), and if you take the teleport option there are miss drops everywhere.

[BeccaBop]

In Stopping the Sauhagin, there's a line by the WarForged, where he warns, "There will be...trouble." A reference to RoboCop.

Another RoboCop reference, in the Cannith Manufactury, where the golem says "You have ten seconds to comply."

[phillymiket]

Not sure if this was mentioned before: the quest Storm the Beaches might be inspired by D day; assaulting a heavily fortified beach, defended by artillery (ballistas), and if you take the teleport option there are miss drops everywhere.

I always thought of this quest as this:

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1412/imgthegunsofnavarone1.jpg

(I get to be Gregory Peck o/c :) )

.

[dlsidhe]

In one of the Sands quests (Chamber of Kourush?), one of the rare optionals is a gnoll packmaster.

Ruu-Ooru.

As in *assumes Scooby voice* "Ruu-Ooru, Raggy!"

Similarly, a gnoll aeromancer in Chamber of Rahmat is Oneeou..."OH NO!"

And a rare in the Sands explorer is Lieutenant Ayurro, which sounds a lot like Uhura to my ear.

[DanteEnFuego]

Pretty cool this thread is still going and that there are more Easter Eggs still being placed into the game.

Thanks to everyone that's participated and continues to participate. Sorry I didn't summarize everything in the first post, but I think it'd end up being a page's worth by now.

Shouldn't you be receiving a Hall of Famer title? Love this one and many of your other threads...

[GrampaBill]

Shouldn't you be receiving a Hall of Famer title? Love this one and many of your other threads...

I've wondered about that as well and wanted to say something, but it seemed a little attention whorish. Anyways, I think I read somewhere that only join date 2006 accounts get it.

Thanks for the kind words.

[Nuryam]

Fury of the Wild Epic Destiny:

Tier 2 power called: Injury
Tier 3 power called: Insult with requirement Injury

Add Insult to Injury? :)

[Bekki]

I don't know if anyone got this one already,
But the Quest giver for Missing in Action
(in the Market place), is Named Ulcana Braddock ;)

[Bekki]

I've wondered about that as well and wanted to say something, but it seemed a little attention whorish. Anyways, I think I read somewhere that only join date 2006 accounts get it.

Thanks for the kind words.

No no my friend, that is only founder.
And I think that was only with the first 3 months of launch.

I just missed it. :(

You could qualify for the hall of Fame.

[teh_meh]

not an Easter Egg to a popular-cultural reference but, rather, to a hidden area in Jeet's Mind.

once you complete all 3 doorways and speak to Jeets, he run's up to the 4th and is paralyzed by the appearance of the Devourer of Dreams who utters something along the lines of:

[very bad paraphrasing follows]

"Congratulations on freeing this twerp from the paltry distractions of wealth, drink, sauna-erotica AND PORK BYPRODUCTS but this halfling's true obsession lies with the need to do good"

The bold/capped text refers to the 4th hidden window under the main, central platform.

[TeacherSyn]

In the Cannith Manufactury, there's a reference only old post-pinball wizards like me will get.

Listen to some of the Iron Golems just before they attack you. Some of them say, "Get the humanoid!" or "Get the intruder!"--a reference to the classic arcade game, "Berzerk" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berzerk).

Ah, memories.

[DanteEnFuego]

Partycrashers...

(Say): Cyan says, 'Barkeep -- a Dirty Kobold, shaken, not stirred.'

[Spinktor]

Rudolph Schenker is the guitar player of the Scorps, not the singer(well...he does sing backup). Also, his brother Michael was the lead guitar player of the Scorps when he was 16 but he hasn't played for the Scorps in years. Michael's claim to fame is being the lead guitar player of UFO.

In Wiz King the Boss says "I don't want to die. I'm a god, why can't I live on?" or some variation of that. This is a reference to the song Powerslave from Iron Maiden.

It is clear that at one time DDO employed someone who was a huge metal head. LOL!!!

you gotta love the hard stuff...
it just makes for so much better battles
kinda wish they tinkerd a few songs to fit for background sounds

oh and to add to the list of close ones...
how about the hireling barrok daushbog or somthing like that it sounds alot like the us prez name and a female cleaning tool <<< cleanest i could think of, but you get the idea, sorry if i offend anyone....
and dont forget the rashaka in the labor shortage / buying time challenges his name is salt shaka---right?

[phillymiket]

From Kobold Island: Short Cuts

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/263/relookingforh.jpg
.

[Mithril_Hand]

Not sure if this counts but i've always found it odd that Mikayl the Pious (http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Hireling:Mikayl_the_Pious) had Dragonmarks of Passage. Well, it turns out, his father had an encounter with a Fire Reaver (http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Fire_Reaver) which ended up with his father running away to save his life. This may explain why he took the Dragonmarks. In addition, it's said that Mikayl is curiously religious for a fighter. The fact Fire Reavers are demons might be related.

[Arlathen]

When I made it, I was actually thinking of Milton's Paradise Lost- "He spake, and as to confirm his words, out flew millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze far round illumined Hell. Highly they raged against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms clashed on their sounding shields the din of war, hurling defiance toward the vault of Heaven."
Gurren Lagann works too though. It's almost epic enough.

This one item has caused me the greatest character building conundrum that I have faced in the 6 years of playing DDO.

Give yourself a pat on the back for that one, Feather, because attempting to create a thematic character build that is based around an Angel/Deva, wielding Sireth, and is actually a workable, decent, end-game viable Melee build?

Yeah, cheers for that mate :P

PS I wouldn't of typed this reply if I hadn't of cracked it - watch this space....

PPS Never read Milton's Paradise Lost, I think that is to my loss and will have to engage myself.

[Ssdprref]

First off, I'd like to say that Made to Order ( the multigate section at the end ) has always reminded me off Dexter's Laboratory. Not only is said that he as proficient artificer but a brilliant one too.
Added to the fact he blew up his laboratory once and was trapped by his forgotten inventions the next. He is also a dorf, small, squared and fat one.

Second, how do you guys missed Myrmidon Patroclus? That's a clear homage to Homer's Illiad, Achilles cousin and alleged lover. Also we have tons of Myrmidons (which is part of the same tribute, you don't see Spartans anywhere near right?) running around like wimps over all the quests with Skellies on them.

We all know the reference to The Day the Earth Stood Still. Which I think it's pretty nice.

Next, doesn't count as a EE, but if you talked with Verisgante while in Undead form. You became buddies for being the same "kind".

Last in the Drowning Sorrows Tavern there's a drunk pal named Old Man Newton.

PS: As a pun, one guy in EveningStar is named Melburne PIKER.

[Asmodeus451]

i ran into one in Enter the Kobold yesterday, it was a line that the Big Boss Kobold says while you are fighting him, but now i cant remember what it was.

somebody help me out here?

[brian14]

Second, how do you guys missed Myrmidon Patroclus? That's a clear homage to Homer's Illiad, Achilles cousin and alleged lover. Also we have tons of Myrmidons (which is part of the same tribute, you don't see Spartans anywhere near right?) running around like wimps over all the quests with Skellies on them.
<skip>
Last in the Drowning Sorrows Tavern there's a drunk pal named Old Man Newton.

PS: As a pun, one guy in EveningStar is named Melburne PIKER.
I know who Patrocles in "Iliad" was, but had to google Myrmidon Patroclus. Optional in Delera's Tomb -- that explains why I never heard of him. Or maybe met once and forgot.

What's so punny about Old Man Newton? I do not associate Newton with drinks and taverns in any way.

The last one goes over my head completely. "Melburne Piker" is a pun on what?

[Saaluta]

I think that GrampaBill is deserving of a special title, for his role in starting this thread and helping to keep it going. As such, I sent a PM to Tolero asking if such a thing could be done for him and even made the suggestion of The Egg-Man or The Walrus(in reference to The Beatles song, lol). If anyone thinks this would be a good idea, send her a PM with his name in the title and let her know he deserves a special forum title.

Saal :)

[Auralana7214]

I think that GrampaBill is deserving of a special title, for his role in starting this thread and helping to keep it going. As such, I sent a PM to Tolero asking if such a thing could be done for him and even made the suggestion of The Egg-Man or The Walrus(in reference to The Beatles song, lol). If anyone thinks this would be a good idea, send her a PM with his name in the title and let her know he deserves a special forum title.

Saal :)

Easter Bunny?

[Ssdprref]

What's so punny about Old Man Newton? I do not associate Newton with drinks and taverns in any way.

Well, Newton seems like a name out-of-place in Eberron.



The last one goes over my head completely. "Melburne Piker" is a pun on what?

Not much as a pun, but a joke. Come on, we all have piked once or twice.

[Saaluta]

Easter Bunny?

Was trying to stay away from that one, but if you think it's better, PM it to Tolero :)

Saal :)

[SireUris]

Neihoden in Fear factory could also be a reference to Nidhogg from Norse mythology. Nidhogg is the serpent/dragon that gnaws at the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. Some interpretation of the story says that the arrival of Nidhogg heralds the coming of Ragnarok = the end of the world.
See what I just did there....?
dooooom! ;)

_Nehoiden_ is also the name of the chief the founders of Needham, MA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needham,_Massachusetts) bought the land off that the town is now located on. Turbine has it's HQ conveniently close to/in that place.

This is the kind of useless knowledge that Google and the great server meltdown last month lead to... :D

Mustardseed

PS: The chief also has a street and a golf course named after him. Google ftw.

[sjbb87]

The sound coming from the Stunning Blow, is very familiar with the series of El chavo (chaves) that was very successful in Brazil and Mexico.
Here follows a link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T8QobP5F0k

[der_kluge]

In Let Sleeping Dust Lie, (home of Kkomglol), the name of the Queen Spider you protect is Lycosa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycosa) which is the name of the Genus of wolf spiders.

Lycos, the website, was also named for the same thing.


In Three Barrel Cove, there are two drunk House Deneith Sentinel guards, and if you talk to them, one of them mentions (in his drunken state) that the only way someone could breach House D's defenses is if they were able to fly like a bird - which of course is exactly what the pirates do in the Sentinel's chain.

[GrampaBill]

Came across a couple new items as I traverse the TR road.

In Delerium when you attempt to free the cook, the Xorian Madness takes effect and the hams and clams in the kitchen become: Clambies and Hambies.

While not an Easter Egg, I always get a kick out of Irestone Inlet when you kill the Captain. The DM ends with something like "As Yaaryar draws his final breath he yells out 'I'll kill you all'. Effectively calling his own bluff." And I just realized that Yarryar is Pirate double speak.

[Kahath]

The fire elemental in the end of Rainbow in the Dark is called Turun Palo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Fire_of_Turku) for a reason!

[Lyonson]

Its not realy an easter egg, but still I was shocked when I found this. The Black Abbot, final boss of the Accursed Ascension story arc has quite a lot in common with "Malekith the Accursed" (http://marvel.wikia.com/Malekith_%28Earth-616%29) - a supervillain in the Marvel Universe.

[grgurius]

Thorn and Paw:
One of the orange named druids says: You are to late... the druid you are looking for is in another den.

Relic of the Sovereign Past:
End boss says: You can have the sword once you pry it from my cold dead hands.

[GrampaBill]

One of the biggies that I don't believe has been mentioned is the slight change to the Eberron loading screen for every adventure pack introduction. The only one I'm not sure about was U14. Was the "v" shaped crack right below the light going skyward always there? I think it'd be great if anyone has a screen capture of the changes the loading screen has gone through with each pack introduction.

The last update I'm sure about was the building to the far right with the lightning - that was when House Cannith was introduced.

[katz]

[img]
[img]

Ponies? In [I]my DDO? It's more likely than you think.

Nightmare is a reference to Nightmare Moon (http://images.wikia.com/mlp/images/f/f0/Nightmare_Moon_depicted_in_legend_S1E1.png)...

Celestia is a reference to Princess Celestia (http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/141/475/Princess_Celestia.jpg)...

Twilight is a reference to Twilight Sparkle (http://mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw1936-132455587156.gif)...



if you *really* wanna be technical, i believe there's a forth, slightly more subtle one.


http://ddowiki.com/images/Pinion.JPG
Pinion, Cloud-piercer... Pinions refer to a bird's flight feathers... sometimes used to refer to the whole wing. cloud-piercer... screaming... and the ranged alacrity propery on this weapon all imply extreme speed across the sky...and ranged alacrity 20%... 20% cooler, no? come on some pony fan tell me who you think of now.. with these clues laid out so plainly? :eek: :D

[mcgowan]

One I noted the other day was in The Captives quest in Cerulean Hills. There's a rare ooze in that one named Oozo, which is probably a reference to the anise-flavored liqueur Ouzo, which is popular in Greece.

[Superspeed_Hi5]

One of the NPCs in the Marketplace is named Rudolf Reitman, which is obviously a reference to my old Scoutmaster from NYC Troop 589 Rudolf Reitmann. Weird that anyone in Turbine knows about him.

LOL Im kidding unless one of my old Troop mates works for Turbine and I dont know about it. It just always brings a tear to my eye when I run into this NPC as Mr. Reitmann passed from cancer about 15 years ago and really did alot for the community.

[bigolbear]

New druid quests:

Day of the triffid references abound.

There is also a reference to subtle baldurs gate(the computer game not the place) from the bards dialogue.


"Be a wolf a bear and a fish", is actualy consistant with some very old druidic lore(2k years+), the kind that gets passed down through families to escape witch trials through the ages. Kudos to the devs on excelent research there. The info could of course have come from older D&D literature, as the harpers and biowares grey wardens are both based on an ancient bitish/celtic bard/druidic group that were notorious for wearing grey cloaks and acted as peacekeepers and law enforcers across multiple towns and villages. That quote above being a reference to various orders and practices of said group.

[Expalphalog]

Pinion, Cloud-piercer... Pinions refer to a bird's flight feathers... sometimes used to refer to the whole wing. cloud-piercer... screaming... and the ranged alacrity propery on this weapon all imply extreme speed across the sky...and ranged alacrity 20%... 20% cooler, no? come on some pony fan tell me who you think of now.. with these clues laid out so plainly? :eek: :D

Screaming I assume would represent the Sonic Rainboom... I can definitely see it but I think it's a stretch. Of course, I would love it if FoS were to confirm or deny that the only reason the bow's name is Pinion is because someone up the chain vetoed "Rainbow" and "Dash" as names.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Raiyum -> Faiyum : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faiyum

[deadmanet]

One of the biggies that I don't believe has been mentioned is the slight change to the Eberron loading screen for every adventure pack introduction. The only one I'm not sure about was U14. Was the "v" shaped crack right below the light going skyward always there? I think it'd be great if anyone has a screen capture of the changes the loading screen has gone through with each pack introduction.

The last update I'm sure about was the building to the far right with the lightning - that was when House Cannith was introduced.

Glad you posted this one, I thought I was going nuts or my memory was going. Will be keeping a closer eye on loading screens now. :cool:

[CaptainPurge]

Raiyum -> Faiyum : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faiyum

this reminds me, the fire giant in Von2 - Ingstoldt ---> Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a city in Germany, the setting of Frankenstein, founding location of the Illuminati, and other historical themes.

[ekniff]

Came across a couple new items as I traverse the TR road.

In Delerium when you attempt to free the cook, the Xorian Madness takes effect and the hams and clams in the kitchen become: Clambies and Hambies.

While not an Easter Egg, I always get a kick out of Irestone Inlet when you kill the Captain. The DM ends with something like "As Yaaryar draws his final breath he yells out 'I'll kill you all'. Effectively calling his own bluff." And I just realized that Yarryar is Pirate double speak.


oh I always thought that Yaaryar goes with Dinks to make a bastardization of Jarjar Binks

[bigolbear]

found a cracker tonight:

taming the flames, tribute to bobdylan spanish harlem incident.

its obvious when you listen to it while playing taming the flames

[Missing_Minds]

In the Phiarlan Carnival quest "Under the Big Top" there is a reference to the Superman villain, Mr. Mxyzptlk and to Superman himself.

"3 months", aka 90 days, is the minimum banishment period of Mr. Mr. Mxyzptlk who could be banished by getting him to say or spell his name backwards.
"over-muscled, blue and red armored do-gooder of a paladin" aka Superman.


The rare mob tiefling named Maz'il'tilnik has he following dialog:

---------------------------------------------

Of Course! Mortals lives are nothing to be but bargaining chips. And unlike a Demon, once a Devil gives their word they're bound to it. So what say you, <race>? you collect the crystals for me, and i release the prisoners to you.

Do we have a deal?

*khyber take me ... but I have no choice. I will collect the crystals.

* In the name of the Silver Flame I banish thee! Die Tiefling, die!

-> So ... what happens if you say your name backwards?

End conversation.

--------------------

Argh! Nothing happens! Nothing! Nothing at all!

I don't even know how that stupid rumor got started, but every three months the same over-muscled, blue and red armored do-gooder of a paladin shows up trying to trick me into saying my name backwards. Kinlit'li'zam! Kinlit'li'zam! Kinlit'li'zam! See, nothing happens!

Now... what were we discussing again?

[seebs]

Just as a point of detail, you didn't have to get him to say it three times. I think "say X three times to banish" is Beetlejuice. (Disclaimer: This could totally have changed since the 50s-70s era, which is when the comics I last saw him in were.)

[Missing_Minds]

Just as a point of detail, you didn't have to get him to say it three times. I think "say X three times to banish" is Beetlejuice. (Disclaimer: This could totally have changed since the 50s-70s era, which is when the comics I last saw him in were.)

I *think* the animated superman series of the 1990s had him say it backwards 3 times. But only after he got fed up with Sups always outwitting him with a single shot. So I agree with your point of detail. It was just a single time to say/write it backwards.

But the trio deff sounds more like Beetlejuice, I can't argue that.

Or, something I just thought about. The Tiefling is ticked and just said the name backwards 3 times to prove a point. Probably this. I have edited to reflect that. Thanks for the catch.

[sacredguyver]

I *think* the animated superman series of the 1990s had him say it backwards 3 times. But only after he got fed up with Sups always outwitting him with a single shot. So I agree with your point of detail. It was just a single time to say/write it backwards.
This is how I remember it. Nice find, Missing.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

this reminds me, the fire giant in Von2 - Ingstoldt ---> Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a city in Germany, the setting of Frankenstein, founding location of the Illuminati, and other historical themes.

I vaguely remember the name of "Ingoldt" from somewhere else ... But I don't remember anymore, where from. A giant of nordic mythology, perhaps ? Of the Siegfried story ?

[seebs]

I found a map of Gerard Dryden's tomb. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorry!_%28game%29)

[kensy]

Can't forget Livingston's journal in OOB's underwater shrine room

[-Avalon-]

I found a map of Gerard Dryden's tomb. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorry!_%28game%29)

Possibly... but I think maybe if it is mixed with Trivial Pursuit or something, because the direction you go is different, and the object is to get to the center and finish the 'game'...

As for a possible New Easter Egg... Everything is Nothing.

Top tier ability from Epic Destiny, a feature that allows you to twist in other abilities...

'Everything is Nothing, with a Twist' - Kurt Vonnegut

Course, could also be another reference to heavy metal songs... Obscure band, Death, "Nothing is Everything"? But I think it is more likely they were going with Kurt, or possibly just going with pure Zen Buddhism, where they believe everything is nothing, and nothing is everything.

[seebs]

It's a little like parcheesi, too, but the color, the little offshoots, etc. are more like Sorry!

[Ssdprref]

Just found another one in Sschyndylrin, in the House of Broken Chain the main boss says

"One does not simply walk out of Sschyndylrin"

Which refers to the popular phrase from the Lord of The Rings, "One does not simply walk into Mordor".

[Meetch1972]

"My name is *something*, you killed my pack. Prepare to die", a reference to The Princess Bride. I'm told the bosses' name is also an anagram of the character from The Princess Bride.

The name is: Ogiyon Tomain. An anagram of ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3W5GDkgf2w

Edit: I saw this when I first ran the quest this week. The name struck me before he even said anything about his pack... :)

Edit 2: Then the poor thing had to deal with a minII DAxe buried in his chest... was probably only on normal.

Edit 3 (thanks to Katz): The name is Ogiyon Tomain, not Oogiy Montain.

[-Avalon-]

Just found another one in Sschyndylrin, in the House of Broken Chain the main boss says

"One does not simply walk out of Sschyndylrin"

Which refers to the popular phrase from the Lord of The Rings, "One does not simply walk into Mordor".

Think it is actually based on the meme that has been going around for quite some time, which is based on LotR anyways...

Waiting to see a guard or something make a comment about a knee and an arrow...

[NemesisS117]

Yeah, developer's put a lot of thought and research into a lot of things here, including learning the Draconic Language (these are all Draconic-to-English translations). Example:

Aussircaex (the white dragon from Korthos and Prey on the Hunter) translates to White Sword
Darastrix Achthend (the mindflayer killed in Misery's Peak by Aussircaex) translates to Dragon Food
Ternathear (from Reaver's Refuge) can't find translation of Tern, but athear means Celestial
Aussiredar (past-owner of the gem needed for SoS found in Aussircaex's valley) means White Earth
Iskaryte (past-owner of the SoS gem found on Mount Reysalon) means Star War (double reference)
Omaekrix (past-owner of the SoS gem found in Soami Gardens) maekrix means Leader (O is some prefix?)
Sventusk (past-owner of the SoS gem found in Gianthold) means Slay Iron
Thadargix (past-owner of the SoS gem found in Menechtarun) gix means Claw (couldn't find Thardar)
Vuthesjing (past-owner of the SoS gem found in Orchard of the Macabre) hesjing means Water (couldn't find Vut)
Vorace (drow dragontouched vendor in Reaver's Refuge) Vor means Beauty (couldn't find ace)
Toriavic (next to Thear in reaver's refuge) Tor means Ask (might be able to translate more if I knew full dragon-name)
Tharmalos (Green Dragon boss of Don't Drink the Water) means Circle a Block (Tharm a los)
Varath (Black dragon boss from Mired in Kobolds) Va means Eh, so unless there's a translation for rath, it's Eh rath
Grundaussir (White Dragon in Gianthold Tor) Aussir means White (couldn't find Grund)
Yorgulhar (Blue Dragon in GHT) Yor means Learn and ulhar means Blue (Learn g Blue?)
Rhindvutha (Black Dragon in GHT) Vutha means Black (couldn't find Rhind)
Aussiroth (mate of Aussircaex, found in Prey on the Hunter) means White Tooth
Kear (quest-giver of The Stormreaver Fresco) means Day

[NemesisS117]

Also of note; those pillars in every House Kundarak bank, the ones up the path leading to the center banking area, seem to form the symbol for Earth from the show Stargate (triangle with a circle at the top)

[Missing_Minds]

Omaekrix (past-owner of the SoS gem found in Soami Gardens) maekrix means Leader (O is some prefix?)
Well, it is the gardens. Perhaps the "O" is used in the same fashion as the honorific "O" in the Japanese language?

[NemesisS117]

Well, it is the gardens. Perhaps the "O" is used in the same fashion as the honorific "O" in the Japanese language?

Ah, that's true, "A Leader", perhaps, then.

[katz]

The name is something like: Oogiy Montain. An anagram of ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3W5GDkgf2w

Edit: I saw this when I first ran the quest this week. The name struck me before he even said anything about his pack... :)

Edit 2: Then the poor thing had to deal with a minII DAxe buried in his chest... was probably only on normal.

http://i.imgur.com/lFhsh.jpg

[dlsidhe]

Screaming I assume would represent the Sonic Rainboom... I can definitely see it but I think it's a stretch. Of course, I would love it if FoS were to confirm or deny that the only reason the bow's name is Pinion is because someone up the chain vetoed "Rainbow" and "Dash" as names.

On that subject, I think "Needle, the Quill-Slinger" is a quiet nod to Spike (needles are little spikes, after all) and his continual light sarcasm towards Twilight and the other ponies.

[Rockinggipsy]

No idea if it has been mentioned, but the llitany of the dead clicky has the same name as a Metallica song, Turn the page :)

[Dhalgren]

No idea if it has been mentioned, but the llitany of the dead clicky has the same name as a Metallica song, Turn the page :)

That's a Bob Seger song. Metallica covered it.

Rush also has a song--not a cover--called "Turn The Page".

[Merlin-ator]

When the Orthons dance, they throw the horns.

[Missing_Minds]

No idea if it has been mentioned, but the llitany of the dead clicky has the same name as a Metallica song, Turn the page :)

So NOT a Metallica song, but they didn't do too horrible of a job covering Bob Seger's "Turn the Page" which was released back in 1973.

However, which one influenced the developers more is unknown.

The Abbot was as part of Mod 5, September 27th, 2007.
http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Module_5

Metallica released it as part of their Garage Album in 1998 if my google fu isn't lying to me.
http://www.encycmet.com/songs/sgtpage.shtml

edit
Heck, there are several "Turn the Page"s out there. However, Bob Seger seems to be the earliest to have used that title.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_the_Page

[Flavilandile]

I'm too lazy to check if it has already been pointed :

In Blown to Bits you have Hunter and Gatherer...

Hunter/Gatherer is the standard term used in a lot of PnP campaign setting ( and in real life ) to describe low tech nomadic tribes. ( for example the primitive barely contacted tribes in the Amazon Bassin are hunter-gatherers )

[katz]

http://i.imgur.com/xVlyR.jpg

have fun storming the castle! :p

[NemesisS117]

Anyone notice that some of the music in Harbinger of Madness chain, especially In the Flesh, sounds suspiciously similar to certain parts of Marylin Manson's version of "Sweet Dreams"?

[Akristorn]

Would people who have posted mind giving the original reference? I knew about most of these, and "get" them, but the 9000 skull factor hat has always eluded me. It sounded like a reference to something when I first saw it, but I've never been able to place it!

9000 skull factor is a reference to bragon ball z.. "he has a power level over 9000.. echo echo echo

[NemesisS117]

Ever wonder how creative kobolds are at naming? Here you go.

Vaeri (dancing ship buffing kobold) means Dance
lejirastrix (title of Vaeri) strix means invigorate (lejira=unknown)

[mcgowan]

In the Swiped Signet, you come across a Quickfoot who tells you to "tremble before the might of Quinn," which might be a reference to the song "Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn)" by Bob Dylan and made famous by Manfred Mann. At least that's what I hear every time I see him.

[Missing_Minds]

I have no idea if this is correct or not, but this is what I always think of, ever since I first ran the quest.

In the quest, Deal and the Demon, there is a central "Star" that is always visible, even on the map.
http://ddowiki.com/page/File:M_deal_and_the_demon.png

I think this star is a Dr. Who reference to the ep. "The Runaway Bride", where in the star is seen as being the seed that forms the Earth. Also fitting for it is the fact that it is the only ep that shows off the Rancoss which are a drider looking race.

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/spider-doctor-villains.jpg

[dlsidhe]

The CiTW rapier "Balizarde" shares a name with the sword of Porthos from Dumas' "The Three Musketeers." The fictional musketeers were, of course, the protectors of the king...

[SealedInSong]

But since this great thread is also featuring puns and meta-game references and the such, I'd also like to give some dev kudos for the description of the Recoyle runearm:

http://ddowiki.com/page/Recoyle

[Nephilia]

Talk to the guy u've to escort in the u16 new quest and there's a talking option where u say "oh no I dislike escort quests! the guy always die stupidly or get stuck or fall from an edge without possibility to recovery" or something similar!!!
Le lol XD

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

In the Swiped Signet, you come across a Quickfoot who tells you to "tremble before the might of Quinn," which might be a reference to the song "Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn)" by Bob Dylan and made famous by Manfred Mann. At least that's what I hear every time I see him.

Yes, that's how I perceived it, too.

[katz]

Yes, that's how I perceived it, too.

Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn!

[whereispowderedsilve]

Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn!

http://youtu.be/liIQLIx2Onw

Can't figure out how to embed it! epic fail! :(

[katz]

(Say): Durk the Deranged says, 'Don't let the Sane Asylum sneak up on you. It's worse than a gazebo, it is.'(Sane Asylum)


pretty well known D&D Gazebo joke. (http://www.comedycorner.org/90.html)


http://cdn.motinetwork.net/motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/0710/communication-demotivational-poster-1191343934.jpg

[Ivan_Milic]

Idk if it was mentioned but some zombies say:Swallow your soul.
Evil Dead 2

[Flavilandile]

[snip the Legendary D&D Gazebo stuff ]

I know it has already been put in this thread, but just as a reference :
In Ataraxia Haven, you have the Deadly Gazebo explorer. Which is a clearer reference to the said Gazebo than Durk's speech.

[Morningfrost]

Talk to the guy u've to escort in the u16 new quest and there's a talking option where u say "oh no I dislike escort quests! the guy always die stupidly or get stuck or fall from an edge without possibility to recovery" or something similar!!!
Le lol XD

The NPC response is even better :)

[Sunarch_Kunari]

The mad archon in Amrath, sounds like a reference to me, but not sure if it is.

Collected his/her talky thingies:
Love with vision dies, and sovereign truth...
...like unto a serpent, feeds upon itself...
...till heaven rivals hell for fury.
...upon the perfect glass a chasm tears.
Birthed in pain, her rebel thought...

Put together in all different possibilities:
Love with vision dies, and sovereign truth, like unto a serpent, feeds upon itself, till heaven rivals hell for fury.
Love with vision dies, and sovereign truth, like unto a serpent, feeds upon itself, upon the perfect glass a chasm tears.
Love with vision dies, and sovereign truth, till heaven rivals hell for fury.
Birthed in pain, her rebel thought, like unto a serpent, feeds upon itself, till heaven rivals hell for fury.
Birthed in pain, her rebel thought, like unto a serpent, feeds upon itself, upon the perfect glass a chasm tears.
Birthed in pain, her rebel thought upon the perfect glass a chasm tears.

[dlsidhe]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but some of the mummies in Delera's during Mabar were saying, "Good, evil...I'm the guy with the keen khopesh."

[The_Rocking_Dead]

Yeah, developer's put a lot of thought and research into a lot of things here, including learning the Draconic Language (these are all Draconic-to-English translations). Example:

Grundaussir (White Dragon in Gianthold Tor) Aussir means White (couldn't find Grund)
Yorgulhar (Blue Dragon in GHT) Yor means Learn and ulhar means Blue (Learn g Blue?)
Rhindvutha (Black Dragon in GHT) Vutha means Black (couldn't find Rhind)


You'd probably need knowledge of a particularly old Adventure to understand why these particular dragons are named the way they are.

[Phemt81]

If you're into characters' name etimology i can report that a LOT of names come from italian language.

Lavora, an npc for example (meaning "work").

If you like to know i can report all the names when i remember/see them again.

[fco-karatekid]

So who are the names like mbeke in sands and vikram in necropolis - are these developers who contributed to the original DDO?

I ask because they sound like "normal" names (as compared to like Bragdii Wyvernbourne).

[Shindurza]

Originally Posted by NemesisS117
Yeah, developer's put a lot of thought and research into a lot of things here, including learning the Draconic Language (these are all Draconic-to-English translations). Example:

Grundaussir (White Dragon in Gianthold Tor) Aussir means White (couldn't find Grund)
Yorgulhar (Blue Dragon in GHT) Yor means Learn and ulhar means Blue (Learn g Blue?)
Rhindvutha (Black Dragon in GHT) Vutha means Black (couldn't find Rhind)


You'd probably need knowledge of a particularly old Adventure to understand why these particular dragons are named the way they are.

Grundle was the Green dragon (G for Green)
Yorgle was the Yellow dragon (Y for Yellow)
Rhindle was the Red dragon (R for Red)

All these dragons appeared in the old Atari 2600 video game called simply: Adventure

Spent MANY an hour on that as a youth :)

[yibble]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but a quick search yielded no results.

In the Detour quest in the High Road of Shadows pack, one of the optional named enemies will say, "Oh no, not again!" when killed. This is a reference to Agrajag from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", commonly known from his incarnation as a bowl of petunias.

[Septimus]

So who are the names like mbeke in sands and vikram in necropolis - are these developers who contributed to the original DDO?

I ask because they sound like "normal" names (as compared to like Bragdii Wyvernbourne).

For Vikram, I refer you to one of the most famous translations of an ancient tale: Vikram and the Vampire (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2400)

[The_Rocking_Dead]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but a quick search yielded no results.

In the Detour quest in the High Road of Shadows pack, one of the optional named enemies will say, "Oh no, not again!" when killed. This is a reference to Agrajag from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", commonly known from his incarnation as a bowl of petunias.

Technically, no. It's a reference to his back story, which is revealed in Dolthin's dossier at the start of the quest. But, I definitely couldn't stop thinking of good old Agrajag after I wrote the line!

[der_kluge]

The necromancer you meet at the entrance to the Church and the Cult is named "Halpur Selfin" an apparent play on the words "Help yourself in".

[Ovrad]

Grundle was the Green dragon (G for Green)
Yorgle was the Yellow dragon (Y for Yellow)
Rhindle was the Red dragon (R for Red)

All these dragons appeared in the old Atari 2600 video game called simply: Adventure

Spent MANY an hour on that as a youth :)

Those annoying duck-faced dragons had names?! /mindblown

[Sqrlmonger]

Technically, no. It's a reference to his back story, which is revealed in Dolthin's dossier at the start of the quest. But, I definitely couldn't stop thinking of good old Agrajag after I wrote the line!

When they cover Agrajag in the book you have to be dead inside not to be dying of laughter.

Freaking Hilarious.

Even better in the audiobook versions with Adams reading.

[der_kluge]

Those annoying duck-faced dragons had names?! /mindblown

Your geek card - turn it in.

[susiedupfer]

Ever notice in Sane Asylum how easily Reality dies compared to Daydream and Nightmare?

[donblas]

I was always a bit puzzled when Jeets, in the introductory quest, says, "Tidy lasses up the wazzoo!". As he is quite small I wondered how he could get even one lass (never mind lasses) up his bottom. :0

It was all answered when I talked to the barman in Ataraxia, who told me that his bar is The Wazzoo, and the quest I Dream of Jeets introduced me to the Tidy sisters. It seems Jeets takes the Tidy sisters to the pub, which is rather more believable. :)

[yawumpus]

I was always a bit puzzled when Jeets, in the introductory quest, says, "Tidy lasses up the wazzoo!". As he is quite small I wondered how he could get even one lass (never mind lasses) up his bottom. :0

It was all answered when I talked to the barman in Ataraxia, who told me that his bar is The Wazzoo, and the quest I Dream of Jeets introduced me to the Tidy sisters. It seems Jeets takes the Tidy sisters to the pub, which is rather more believable. :)

From memory he is looking for Tidy lasses and pints up the wazoo. Presumably a University of Tennessee alumni (a bit odd, considering his accent).

[phalaeo]

In the quest "A small problem" there are two giants brothers Grim. The name comes from the classic fairy tale authors - the Grimm Brothers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimm_Brothers

And their names are Thum and Nale. Thumbnail.... :p

[Phemt81]

Just remembered another!

"Cuor rosso" (italian language) the skeleton from searing heights (iirc) actually means "red heart"

[Yogibane]

In all the taverns with PvP areas, there is always a NPC named Jackson Laws. There are two well known game designers in the pnp gaming world -- Steve Jackson and Robin Laws.

[binnsr]

Obviously the vale quests are named after songs/bands:

Rainbow in the Dark - Dio
Running with the Devils - Van Halen
Coalescence Chamber - (Coal Chamber)

Ritual Sacrifice and Let Sleeping Dust Lie...not sure of those 2

...that's all I have time for

Ritual Sacrifice is a rock band
http://us.myspace.com/ritualsacrifice1

[Morningfrost]

Just remembered another!

"Cuor rosso" (italian language) the skeleton from searing heights (iirc) actually means "red heart"

Yes, and in the same wilderness, "Giallo" means "Yellow" (and for a strange tradition, it also means "detective story").

I can't remember many other italian references.

[delsoboss]

I can't remember many other italian references.

Dannato (the special collector that gives inflict potion to pale masters) = damned, condemned

Then you have Brother Salasso (boss of the Bloody Crypt that took out his own hearth to avoid being killed), Salasso in italian means leeching the blood. It was an old medical practice used in treating someone poisoned or with blood diseases by removing the infected blood, a lot of infected blood.

His buddy in Cursed Crypt is Brother Maldetto ... Maldetto = Maledetto = Cursed

A lot of undead are named in italian ... but i assure you we're still alive here

(Oh found a not-undead reference! In the Orchard there is a named fire elemental: Firenze, that's Florence a city in Italy, but i think you have Florence somewhere in the USA too)

[Morningfrost]

(Oh found a not-undead reference! In the Orchard there is a named fire elemental: Firenze, that's Florence a city in Italy, but i think you have Florence somewhere in the USA too)

Oh yeah, forgot that one.

[Ssdprref]

In "Made to Order" the doors have the Aztec Calendar on them . . .

You know this one, I was going to take a Screen Shot but deleted the game weeks ago.

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/33/azteck.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/azteck.jpg/)

[Ssdprref]

(Oh found a not-undead reference! In the Orchard there is a named fire elemental: Firenze, that's Florence a city in Italy, but i think you have Florence somewhere in the USA too)

Ezio Auditore da Firenze :D

[Nephilia]

Phemt81 Just remembered another!

"Cuor rosso" (italian language) the skeleton from searing heights (iirc) actually means "red heart"
+

Yes, and in the same wilderness, "Giallo" means "Yellow" (and for a strange tradition, it also means "detective story").

I can't remember many other italian references.

Cuore Giallo Rosso are three words of the anthem of Rome Football club (It say "Noi c'avemo il core grosso mezzo giallo e mezzo rosso" where core= cuore in Roma's dialect and the translation is "Our heart is big, half yellow and half red") and that team have them as its social's colors.
I'm from Rome so it was easy for me to recognize (Even if I support Milan Inter Football club :P) !!!
And usually Rome's supporter refeer to their selves saying they got it.
Cuore Giallo Rosso in english is translated "Red-Yellow Hearth".
This is long way more than a coincidence since the 2 named are 1 two feets away from the other!!!


Originally Posted by furbyoats View Post
Obviously the vale quests are named after songs/bands:

Rainbow in the Dark - Dio
Running with the Devils - Van Halen
Coalescence Chamber - (Coal Chamber)

Ritual Sacrifice and Let Sleeping Dust Lie...not sure of those 2

...that's all I have time for

From ddowiki : "Let Sleeping Dust Lie" is a bit more obscure but most likely a reference to a track
from Michael Schenker Group's 1981 album "MSG".
The track is Let sleeping dog's lie... who got 2 reference in the game ("If u're careful you can catch up Roderic Nettle and still let sleeping dogs lie!!" from the snitch :D )

[Tyld]

Surprised no one mentioned the Firefly / Serenity references. Collector in the Harbor named "Wash", and the minotaur in House D named "Gorram"

[NemesisS117]

+


Cuore Giallo Rosso are three words of the anthem of Rome Football club (It say "Noi c'avemo il core grosso mezzo giallo e mezzo rosso" where core= cuore in Roma's dialect and the translation is "Our heart is big, half yellow and half red") and that team have them as its social's colors.
I'm from Rome so it was easy for me to recognize (Even if I support Milan Inter Football club :P) !!!
And usually Rome's supporter refeer to their selves saying they got it.
Cuore Giallo Rosso in english is translated "Red-Yellow Hearth".
This is long way more than a coincidence since the 2 named are 1 two feets away from the other!!!



From ddowiki : "Let Sleeping Dust Lie" is a bit more obscure but most likely a reference to a track
from Michael Schenker Group's 1981 album "MSG".
The track is Let sleeping dog's lie... who got 2 reference in the game ("If u're careful you can catch up Roderic Nettle and still let sleeping dogs lie!!" from the snitch :D )

I also saw a tip once, in the loading screen, if I'm not mistaken, that read "It is best to let sleeping dragons lie."

[Vasiok]

Hmmmm.noone has mentioned one of the door passwords at the Riddle quest?Friend and Enter?the moment i saw it the fellowship came to my mind.

[dterror]

+


Cuore Giallo Rosso are three words of the anthem of Rome Football club (It say "Noi c'avemo il core grosso mezzo giallo e mezzo rosso" where core= cuore in Roma's dialect and the translation is "Our heart is big, half yellow and half red") and that team have them as its social's colors.
I'm from Rome so it was easy for me to recognize (Even if I support Milan Inter Football club :P) !!!
And usually Rome's supporter refeer to their selves saying they got it.
Cuore Giallo Rosso in english is translated "Red-Yellow Hearth".
This is long way more than a coincidence since the 2 named are 1 two feets away from the other!!!



From ddowiki : "Let Sleeping Dust Lie" is a bit more obscure but most likely a reference to a track
from Michael Schenker Group's 1981 album "MSG".
The track is Let sleeping dog's lie... who got 2 reference in the game ("If u're careful you can catch up Roderic Nettle and still let sleeping dogs lie!!" from the snitch :D )

Let Sleeping Dust Lie is likely a reference to the rock song, because it fits with the theme of the rest of the vale quests, but the 2nd reference is most definitely NOT. The phrase (proverb, actually) to let sleeping dogs lie was around at least as long ago as 1374, when Chaucer wrote that particular phrase in "Troylus and Crisedye", and would thus not be a reference to anything in particular but rather just a normal usage of an old, old proverb/phrase.

[AegonTargaryen]

Just thought of a new one: Malchor's Undersun Goggles, as in Malchor Harpell. Anyone who has read a few Drizzt novels (specifically The Starless Night) can tell you the significance of that. (the Harpell family crafted Cattie-Brie an amulet that allowed her, as a human, to see in the inky blackness of the Underdark as well as a drow.)

[Nedime]

Haven't scanned the whole thread yet : in Doctor Rushmore, the assassin's house is called assassin's crib.

[Nedime]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but a quick search yielded no results.

In the Detour quest in the High Road of Shadows pack, one of the optional named enemies will say, "Oh no, not again!" when killed. This is a reference to Agrajag from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", commonly known from his incarnation as a bowl of petunias.

Also said by zombies in Black loch when killed. Pretty sure there is another undead who says so - in necro 2 or 3.

[Sunarch_Kunari]

The guy who passes out tickets in the Eveningstar Midwinter Festival is named Brace Bullhorns. ^^

(for if you don't understand (https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=define%20brace&oq=&gs_l=&pbx=1&fp=93a0003da4073894&bpcl=40096503&ion=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.b2I&biw=2304&bih=1158))

[Shindurza]

The Spider of Unusual Size rare would appear to be a take-off on the Rodents Of Unusual Size from The Princess Bride.

-Shin

[Sunarch_Kunari]

The fire reaver rare in the high road, the merchant says "Oh no, my cabbages!" or something similar. Reference to Avatar: the Last Airbender!

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5obryJk7E1qccxuqo1_500.gif

[nibel]

In Siegebreaker, sometimes you get a rare orc cook by the second area named Skinny. If you kill him, and set all tents in fire, a Medusa appears and say "looks like we'll need another Skinny!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFvvfNlof-4)

[Rhomnibus]

The Titan names Ronny and Margie from the Master Artificer must denote something - Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher perchance?

[Mr_Ed7]

The ENGINES of the airships look and perhaps more importantly SOUND like the ENTERPRISE of Star Trek!

Great homage!
Thanks guys for putting that in the game!

NOW CAN I CHANGE IT PURPLE?

[Mr_Ed7]

The cascading opening of doors in MADE TO ORDER is a GET SMART homage!

[Missing_Minds]

The cascading opening of doors in MADE TO ORDER is a GET SMART homage!
That depends. It could have actually been an MST3K homage, but we don't know if MST3K was an homage to Get Smart or not.

[GrampaBill]

Just wanted to stop by and thank all of you for continuing the thread, it is quite amazing all of the little details that have been added and continue to be added.

[bigolbear]

The Titan names Ronny and Margie from the Master Artificer must denote something - Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher perchance?

Its a purple ronnie reference I assume. purple ronie is a cartoon - it too may well be taking the mic about regan and thatcher.

[catmamor]

The kobolds in the second part of STK will sometimes say "Get hand off me, you dirty Ape!"

The kobold and ogre bosses in Seigebreaker are named Brinky and Major Pain who have the following conversation:

Brinky: 'AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!'
Pain: 'AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!'
Brinky: 'Ow.'
Pain: 'Hey, that's my middle name: Ow!'
Brinky: 'Major Danger Ow Pain, really?'
Pain: 'Special Parents. Don't want to talk about it.'
Brinky: 'Hey, look at this mess. Someone set us up... the...'
Pain: 'I know! Never going to get that promotion now... what are we going to do Brinky?'
Brinky: 'Same thing we do every day pain! Take over the world!'

There's a guard in the Coin Lord's palace that says something along the lines of "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"

The giant rare in Frame Work is named Ahnold the Hungry

Pinky and The Brain?!? LOL

[fco-karatekid]

Its a purple ronnie reference I assume. purple ronie is a cartoon - it too may well be taking the mic about regan and thatcher.

You'd think the reference to Mrs. Thatcher would be "Maggie", though...

[Nedime]

In epic Gianthold wilderness there's an inner reference : A Smaller Problem, featuring Brawn Pits.

[catmamor]

I know who Patrocles in "Iliad" was, but had to google Myrmidon Patroclus. Optional in Delera's Tomb -- that explains why I never heard of him. Or maybe met once and forgot.

What's so punny about Old Man Newton? I do not associate Newton with drinks and taverns in any way.

The last one goes over my head completely. "Melburne Piker" is a pun on what?

It's an English phrase "Pi**ed as a Newt"

[Nedime]

"If all you have is a barrel everything looks like a crystal" (the time travelling foreman) is a reference to Maslow's Hammer (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/if_all_you_have_is_a_hammer,_everything_looks_like _a_nail)

[Vooduspyce]

Jussko Kwahn may be a reference to J-Kwon the rapper. I keep meaning to see if Jussko has any dialogue referencing the song "tipsy" by J-Kwon :-D

Erbody in the club get tipsy!!

[FoggyKnight]

Don't forget you can see Velah talking about invading the Vault of Night in the Bogwater tavern with her dwarf lover. Also, she appear on Chronoscope too, talking about breaking into the vault.

WHAT?? I've been in both, and I have never seen her. Maybe I should go again and look a bit closer. Also, why the heck would a dragon sleep with a dwarf?

[Galeria]

WHAT?? I've been in both, and I have never seen her. Maybe I should go again and look a bit closer. Also, why the heck would a dragon sleep with a dwarf?

Here's one explanation (http://moonbreaker.info/preface-dragon)

[Vooduspyce]

And as I sit here during the 40th hour of downtime waiting for the servers to come back up, I am reminded of another reference that I've been meaning to post here...

Brynleifur, the rare djinn from the vale of twilight, may be a reference to US hockey player Brian LaFleur of the NHL.

[DMCain]

Yeah, developer's put a lot of thought and research into a lot of things here, including learning the Draconic Language (these are all Draconic-to-English translations). Example:

Grundaussir (White Dragon in Gianthold Tor) Aussir means White (couldn't find Grund)
Yorgulhar (Blue Dragon in GHT) Yor means Learn and ulhar means Blue (Learn g Blue?)
Rhindvutha (Black Dragon in GHT) Vutha means Black (couldn't find Rhind)


You'd probably need knowledge of a particularly old Adventure to understand why these particular dragons are named the way they are.


My guess, and it's ONLY a guess is that these reference the Againts the Giants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Against_the_Giants) series of modules.

[Jaid314]

My guess, and it's ONLY a guess is that these reference the Againts the Giants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Against_the_Giants) series of modules.

nah, think someone already figured that one out. there's an old video game that has dragons with those names in it, or something close, iirc.

[fco-karatekid]

Jussko Kwahn may be a reference to J-Kwon the rapper. I keep meaning to see if Jussko has any dialogue referencing the song "tipsy" by J-Kwon :-D

Erbody in the club get tipsy!!

I got a fake ID tho!

^*(! You make me wanna go see if Kwan says anything relevant to the song now!

[LightBear]

I know it has already been put in this thread, but just as a reference :
In Ataraxia Haven, you have the Deadly Gazebo explorer. Which is a clearer reference to the said Gazebo than Durk's speech.


(Say): Durk the Deranged says, 'Don't let the Sane Asylum sneak up on you. It's worse than a gazebo, it is.'(Sane Asylum)


pretty well known D&D Gazebo joke. (http://www.comedycorner.org/90.html)


http://cdn.motinetwork.net/motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/0710/communication-demotivational-poster-1191343934.jpg

Careful now, before we know it we have to rescue Durk in one of his derailed chasms of his mind while being chased by a Deadly Gazebo of course we have to try and keep Cole awake the whole time. For some reason Cole has some severe head trauma that causes him to fall a unconscious for no apparent reason.

[ShanScathglic]

In VON 5, the DM narration right before Otto Knucklebones says something like, "A shambling mass of zombies shuffles towards you. The sign above the door reads 'Accounting'."
Not exactly an Easter Egg, but amusing all the same....

[Domfig]

Noticed in cabal for one last night one orange name is Olos Nobrac..... reversed Carbon Solo... is someone an Empire Strikes Back fan...

[brian14]

WHAT?? I've been in both, and I have never seen her. Maybe I should go again and look a bit closer. Also, why the heck would a dragon sleep with a dwarf?

Where do you think sorcerers come from? :)

Although in all D&D lore I can think of, when dragons in humanoid form take lovers, it is usually elves.