Easter Eggs and Puns in DDO

[NemesisS117]

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.

Jorn... I think he's referring to the giants by the dragons, not the dragons themselves, because I do remember a giant named Jorn in gianthold... would have to check if Jorn was with one, but I vaguely remember that name alongside the blue or white one, I think...

[Nephilia]

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?

Sex, Beer and shiiiiiiiinies I presume :P

[bigolbear]

axelrod gunnerson. I was recently informed this chap is infact a "tragic the saddening" character.

[Nedime]

Kobold not even supposed to be here today is a reference to clerks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWJpZad8zU8)

[SaneDitto]

(Say): Syndicate Muscle says, '"No one crosses the Sharn Syndicate and lives!"'

You'll be a fine Shadow Thief in Baldur's Gate 2, brother.

[jozzcooper]

Probably a day late and a dollar short, but:

There was a BBC TV show in the late '60s called Out of the Unknown. An early story (written by Asimov) called The Dead Past featured a device able to recapture any moment from the past called The Chronoscope.

Many of the WF in House Cannith are named for pole-arms and the like.

Fury of the Wild is a Hammerfall song.

Razzrex from Dreams of Insanity reminds me (perhaps wrongly) of Racer X, another metal band.

Earthshaker from the Depths of Doom is the name of an old adventure module.

An in-game reference came from the old 3-barrel cove.
-Charlotte the Scarlet (who appeared to be working for an escort service) asked if you've seen her friend Annelisa. -Annelisa is the lady PCs can save (or fight) in The Bounty Hunter, while Charlotte has seemingly improved her station in life and can be encountered in Delirium.
-On a side note, The Keeper's Sanctuary features a very similar-looking person named Annelisa who is up to no good. Perhaps we're right to knock her off in the earlier encounter.

[harry-pancreas]

a couple were mentioned, but the ddowiki has trivia on various pages...

on the page for the dust quest in the vale:

"Rainbow in the Dark" is a track and a single from Ronnie James Dio's 1982 "Holy Diver" album.
"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 titled ""Let Sleeping Dogs Lie"




hehe in the snitch in the dog part uses the actual reference too..."blah blah blah you might be able to let the sleeping dogs lie" - don't remember the entire phrase

Also in a quest from harbinger chain, think in missing, you find a deceased party of adventurers behind a hidden door. I think it's a reference to the D&D cartoons (rembmer there is an acrobat there now, not the rest)

[Azhanti]

Charlotte the Scarlet, Iron Maiden's Charlotte the Harlot perhaps?

[NemesisS117]

hehe in the snitch in the dog part uses the actual reference too..."blah blah blah you might be able to let the sleeping dogs lie" - don't remember the entire phrase

Also in a quest from harbinger chain, think in missing, you find a deceased party of adventurers behind a hidden door. I think it's a reference to the D&D cartoons (rembmer there is an acrobat there now, not the rest)

Yeah it is. Acrobat's dead, Cavalier, Barbarian, Ranger, and Wizard, and I think Thief, too, were undead. Uni is absent, so maybe he escaped at least...

[Silverleafeon]

Found a snowman in What Goes Up.

Encountered by falling off a ledge unto a dead end cliff.
Had to jump off and die to get back to adventuring.

[bulldogbreed]

Obvious one is Private Jake in Waterworks with Jake being slang for toilet.

However first time I saw him I always wondered if there was a private joke in there, especially the way he talks about how important it is that someone does the job. Sort of thing some one would say to a developer when told to populate an area based on toilets filled with Kobolds.... not exciting but someone has to do it. Then again that could be just my mind working.

[bigpooka]

Williem, the groundskeeper in A Study in Sable, named for Dr. William "Willie" MacDougal III a.k.a. Groundskeeper Willie of Simpsons fame.

[digital_terror1]

Yeah it is. Acrobat's dead, Cavalier, Barbarian, Ranger, and Wizard, and I think Thief, too, were undead. Uni is absent, so maybe he escaped at least...

Thief was nowhere to be seen as I recall, but it did mention that the dead acrobat's fatal wounds were in the back......



hehe in the snitch in the dog part uses the actual reference too..."blah blah blah you might be able to let the sleeping dogs lie" - don't remember the entire phrase

Also in a quest from harbinger chain, think in missing, you find a deceased party of adventurers behind a hidden door. I think it's a reference to the D&D cartoons (rembmer there is an acrobat there now, not the rest)

The Sleeping Dogs reference here is more likely referring to Chaucer's 1374 work 'Troyius and Crisedye' where he said 'It is not good a sleeping hound to wake', or perhaps it is a reference to some of ****en's works since he used the phrase in some of them.

[Ryethiel]

I found a hidden snowman as well in 'The Deal And The Demon'. It's right below the orb that ends the quest.

http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy315/AndrewCamillus/ScreenShot00005_zps445b5fc7.jpg

http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy315/AndrewCamillus/ScreenShot00006_zpsd1ef7919.jpg

[NemesisS117]

Found more draconic in the Crucible, the dragon heads you put the horns on.

Test of Cunning- Vaerirenthisj = Dance Speak
Test of Agility- Austratisk = Fly Star
Test of Instinct- Levexorn = Enchant Silver
Test of Endurance- Throdenvive = Many Victory

On a side note, Vaeri the dancing kobold may wish you the blessings of the Darastrix. If he does this, he is wishing you the blessings of the Dragon. Enjoy!

[FranOhmsford]

Probably mentioned previously in this thread but:

Mariana Ravenwood - Lvl 17 Halfling Rogue Hireling - http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3197209856/ch0089018

Other Fun Hireling Names:

Arnal Swarts - Lvl 17 Dwarf Barb Hireling

Tini Brightlight - Lvl 17 Halfling Paladin Hireling

Full Metal - Lvl 18 Warforged Paladin Hireling

Lilo Blackstitch - Lvl 21 Halfling Rogue Hireling

Algaur Forestfriend - Lvl 9 Elf Sorceror Hireling

[axel15810]

Other Fun Hireling Names:

Arnal Swarts - Lvl 17 Dwarf Barb Hireling



Kinda gross, but always makes me lol.

[NemesisS117]

So to sum up the kobold dancer buffer.
Name: Vaeri (dance)
Title: Lejirastrix (lej one a invigorate, could only partially translate)
Brings: Blessings of the Darastrix (Blessings of the Dragon)
Role: Dancer of the Iredar (Dancer of the One Earth)

[Ailaesaedol]

http://ddowiki.com/images/Carnifex.png

Carnifex is a title taken by an executioner/torturer in Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun.

[saryent]

Not sure if this is intended but I am always reminded of Catch 22 and Snowden's death when Boro Charldon dies in Stromvauld's Mine.

He says "I'm cold, why is it so cold Milos?"

If he had said it to someone with a name like Yossarian rather than Milo I'd have said it was a definite Easter Egg.

[Rougemastert]

According to a book I recently read (Of Dice and Men), it states that Gary Gygax's first (first?) name was Ernest, which could be an anagram for Tenser's transformation and other "tenser" spells... (credit goes to David Ewalt, who wrote the book which is stated above).

[Xahtep]

According to a book I recently read (Of Dice and Men), it states that Gary Gygax's first (first?) name was Ernest, which could be an anagram for Tenser's transformation and other "tenser" spells... (credit goes to David Ewalt, who wrote the book which is stated above).

Its not a posibility, its an anagram of Gygax's son: Ernest.


I noticed that the name of the end boss of the prision of the planes Cochitlehua means Among the dreams in nahuatl (a pre-hispanic méxican languaje) the devs really do their research for those.

[Ailaesaedol]

According to a book I recently read (Of Dice and Men), it states that Gary Gygax's first (first?) name was Ernest, which could be an anagram for Tenser's transformation and other "tenser" spells... (credit goes to David Ewalt, who wrote the book which is stated above).

Close, Gary Gygax's character was Mordenkainen. His son was named 'Ernie' (oft short for Earnest) and he played a wizard called Tenser. Robert J. Kuntz (co author of Greyhawk) played a character called Bigby. His other son Lucien played a character called Melf. Don Kaye (co founder of TSR) created Murlynd.

Most of those "<name> spells" came from characters created by the very first people who played DnD which mostly consisted of Gary Gygax and his friends and family.

[Caliban]

There's a subtle one in the Tangleroot chain:

In part 1, the eastern cell block has a pit with scorpions in it. At the bottom of the pit is a tunnel that leads to a room with a guy that promptly dies of (scorpion) poison after you enter.

In part 2, you return to the dungeon, and if you got back to that room there is a dead body on the floor that promptly reanimates as a zombie.

In part 3, you go back again, and if you go visit the room there is a skeleton on the floor that promptly animates.

In part 4, he animates as a wraith. I think that's the end of it.

[Clemeit]

The Sane Asylum quest (Reign of Madness pack) is a reference to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975 film).
Nurse Ratchet, the end boss (beholder), is a reference to the nurse in the film who largely plays the leading antagonist.

[Xahtep]

From wikipedia: Ataraxia (???????? "tranquility") is a Greek term used by Pyrrho and Epicurus for a lucid state of robust tranquility, characterized by ongoing freedom from distress and worry.




Great name for a spa. ( dont know if that counts as a easter egg tho)

[SaneDitto]

(Say): Captain Markus says, 'I didn't think I'd live through all this -- I'm two days away from retirement.'


Oh, no, Markus! It's saying that you're two days away from retirement that kills you! :p

[Nédime]

(Say): Captain Markus says, 'I didn't think I'd live through all this -- I'm two days away from retirement.'


Oh, no, Markus! It's saying that you're two days away from retirement that kills you! :p

Ain't it a reference to lethal weapon movie (Danny Glover is supposed to be close from retirement) ?


* * *

Friends in Low Place questgiver is Faline Abbot. ... Falling after the ascension ? Or is it a reference to his kneeling when he gets stunned ?


Last questgiver in the arc (Through a Mirror Darkly), is Jacinta Last.
And a Mirror Darkly is clearly a reference to Corinthians XIII, 12 : "For now we see through a mirror, darkly" - which reference was also used in Star Trek Enterprise (4th season, ep. 18 & 19).

[Extispex]

Could it be ... ? :D

http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae79/Extispex/DDO/AStudyinSable.png
https://www.developersaccomplice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Gauntlet.jpg

[Book_O_Dragons]

Could it be ... ? :D

They died in the shroud. It seems they failed to destroy the portals.

[SaneDitto]

People who've been through the Catacombs may be interested in this bit of continuity.

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/GoldenAshtray/ScreenShot00000_zps5b634148.jpg

[pjc1]

In coal chamber the gelatinous cube with a key inside it is possibly a reference to the classic PnP module "night's dark terror" where the monster kartoeba is a giant ooze with a key inside it, obtained after killing it.

[mginster]

Has there been a list of all of the Easter Eggs and Puns people have found in DDO? I've only found one thread so far mentioning the name of a Rakshasa in Let Sleeping Dust Lie. There's of course Mentau the Fleshmaker.

The reason I ask is that I just discovered one today that was new to me: Xy'zzy, the boss in Hound of Xoriat is also the password used in what is likely the original computer game Adventure. XYZZY was entered at the beginning of the game to transport the player into the caves bypassing much of the initial stages of the game.

If there's already a thread, I'd be happy to drop this there, otherwise maybe we should make a comprehensive list as they are discovered.


How about monk elemental attack: Earth, Air (Wind) & Fire - Shining Star. Makes you dance.

[HatsuharuZ]

Remember the one optional prisoner in "Prison of the Planes", who is named Sir Raleigh? Raleigh was an English explorer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Raleigh

Oh, Raleigh spent quite a bit of time in prison. :D

[SaneDitto]

"You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?" - Dwarven Executioner

- Or the Happy Mask Salesman (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Majora's_Mask#Happy_Mask_Sale sman).

[pjc1]

Don't know if this one has been spotted yet,

There is a lizardman NPC in wheelon prison who hides in the drainage culvert and transports players out of the prison. His name is "snake" and he wears an eye patch on his left eye just like iconic anti hero Snake Plissken. Seems to be a reference as the whole wheelon prison area/quests has an "escape from New York" vibe to it.

[HatsuharuZ]

Could it be ... ? :D

I was thinking those four might be a reference to the board game "Clue". In that game there are a bunch of characters, all of whom were color-coded and had names that fit their color. There was "Ms. Scarlet" (red), "Colonel Mustard" (yellow), "Professor Plum" (purple), amongst others.

[-Avalon-]

May or may not be a subtle tip to Dave the Barbarian, but every time I hear someone say "Lay Waste" I immediately remember this episode (http://youtu.be/RrCUveHuQ7s?t=1m36s)...

[pjc1]

There is a rare in the epic orchard where you have to reanimate a flesh golem like Frankenstein. After it is done the golem and another npc, very much like a scientist talk, the npc says he's going to call the golem Shelley. This would seem to refer to Mary Shelley the author of Frankenstein.

[pjc1]

Just noticed this one. One of the Beholders in Dreams of Insanity is named Garellek. Seems a reference to Garelick Farms, which is a large dairy in Massachusetts, not far from where Turbine has its HQ.

[Killer_Kockroach]

So I didn't see this posted but i only read to page 12 of the posts. Has anyone else noticed the Naked woman that the mountains make at the end of the Cult of the Six quest series on Sorrowdusk Isle?

[lyrecono]

screenshot? or it didn't happen :P

[noble_pirate]

quest Sane Asylum - album «Sane Asylum» (1988) of Blind Illusion band ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Illusion )

[Uska]

quest Sane Asylum - album «Sane Asylum» (1988) of Blind Illusion band ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Illusion )

doubt that was on purpose that album is pretty well unknown

[Sierim]

So I didn't see this posted but i only read to page 12 of the posts. Has anyone else noticed the Naked woman that the mountains make at the end of the Cult of the Six quest series on Sorrowdusk Isle?

The appearance of the mountains when facing due southwest from the corner of the temple? That doesn't seem like an Easter Egg to me; more of a reading in of patterns that aren't there. Humans are good at that. ;)

Unrelated: Vbec Godskiller, the dwarven guard in the Bank of Kundarak, sounds like a Morrowind reference to me.

[Raddeon]

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

Aussiroth (mate of Aussircaex, found in Prey on the Hunter) means White Tooth


Another possible Easter Egg is that the Aussiroth is in Prey on the hunter, which has been translated to White Tooth The fact that the only static reward, and named reward is a Toothpick (http://ddowiki.com/page/Toothpick), which is a rapier(Possibly a little foreshadowing as it's mate is White Sword?)


"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)

I do believe the direct Quote is on Toven's Hammer (http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Toven%27s_Hammer)

Unsure if the first one exactly fits the critera of the thread, but I found it interesting

[Dungeoner49]

This is one heck of an awesome thread! Some of these references I have even heard of, yet didn't realize even though I have watched and enjoyed Princess Bride several times (other than the fact that the entry screen for The Pit seemed a bit unoriginal even though it seemed completely original)! Not sure I know of one that hasn't been added already, but I will certainly keep my eyes out for them! Oh and I believe that The Lizard Man from one of the Soul Caliber games may have given rise to it being put in as a creature race for ether a version of PnP DnD (or the other way around) or DDO, even though I don't and won't play any Soul Caliber games.

[Vooduspyce]

Just noticed that there's a rare golem in epic orchard named Thorfl... ROTFLH. lol :p

[djaffi]

the music in the area around the bat rare encounter in the Vale of Twilight sounds suspiciously similar to something ive heard before. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lleMzuAv8o)

it could just be in my imagination though.

that's not me playing by the way.

sounds suspiciously like Mr. Crowley

[Vooduspyce]

Lol I never noticed this guy's name in Outbreak before... Michael Jackson?

http://s16.postimg.org/ltva3wtxh/Screen_Shot00244.jpg

[CThruTheEgo]

Lol I never noticed this guy's name in Outbreak before... Michael Jackson?

http://s16.postimg.org/ltva3wtxh/Screen_Shot00244.jpg

He is a zombie, sort of, so... Thriller reference?

[Dungeoner49]

I don't know if this counts... but the Manager from Bargain of Blood, the kobold sitting atop the Minotaurs shoulders, that always reminded me of the characters from that Mad Max film, you know Master & Blaster.

Could also be yet another princess bride reference as the "mastermind" of the kidnapping plot sits on Andre the giant to travel. (that his name?)


in a small problem in phiarlan carnaval

The giant Brawspit that you have to convince to be an actor is realy similar to the Bradspit Hollywood actor

Nope.avi, the giants name is Brawnpits not brawspit.


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.

Maybe thats how you banish Beetlejuice in the comics, but in the movie, thats how you summon him.

Also, I think I found another easter egg despite it being a bit unlikely: the rune arm Knives Eternal has a description that is incredibly similar to the ultimate upgrade's description for the Saints Row 4's Knifethrower, which grants infinite ammo for it without the use of cheats.

Knives' description: This Rune Arm belonged to an intrepid House Cannith Artificer who once tried (and failed)to stop the Abbot's plans. No one knows where the knives it conjures come from, or where they go when they disappear, but there always seem to be more.

Knifethrower ultimate upgrade's description: A gift from Johnny (Gat): knife ammo now never depletes. Because you can never have too many knives.

Maybe Johny or someone he knew got sucked into another dimension, and made a huge stock pile of knives just for the rune arm to use. But that is about as plausible as SR4 making that much of an impression on someone who could get a item made and into the live build for DDO.

[CThruTheEgo]

Maybe thats how you banish Beetlejuice in the comics, but in the movie, thats how you summon him.

In the movie, he is both summoned and banished by saying his name 3 times.

[Dungeoner49]

Huh, didn't know twinblade was a weapon in DDO until the 10th anniversary event came. I'm also guessing that at least some of you didn't know that there is a bandit leader called Twinblade in the game Fable that came out about 2 years before DDO did. I may have been only 6 years old when Fable came out, but I'm glad I played Fable: TLC at 17.

[CaptainPurge]

Looks like this one hasn't been posted yet.



Reed in the Wind: Ki Melee Attack: Deals +1[W] damage. If you successfully damage your target you gain a +3%/+6%/+9% Insight bonus to Dodge for 6 seconds. (Cooldown: 20 seconds)







Reed In The Wind: Focus Melee Attack: Deals +1[W] damage. If you successfully damage your target you gain a +3%/6%/9% Insight bonus to Dodge for 6 seconds. (Cooldown: 30 seconds.)






Dune
Muad'Dib vs Feyd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ze1uMtFVE

[HungarianRhapsody]

Looks like this one hasn't been posted yet.



Reed in the Wind: Ki Melee Attack: Deals +1[W] damage. If you successfully damage your target you gain a +3%/+6%/+9% Insight bonus to Dodge for 6 seconds. (Cooldown: 20 seconds)






Reed In The Wind: Focus Melee Attack: Deals +1[W] damage. If you successfully damage your target you gain a +3%/6%/9% Insight bonus to Dodge for 6 seconds. (Cooldown: 30 seconds.)





Dune
Muad'Dib vs Feyd
video

Reed in the Wind is a traditional metaphor for avoiding attacks. Dune and DDO got that from the same tradition, so I wouldn't list that as a "Dune" easter egg in DDO.

[ThomasMink]

Been a while since anyone posted in here, so I apologize.
However.. I didn't see this mentioned, and feel I HAVE to.. Transformers fan that I am..

There is a group of Kobolds in Reaver's Refuge that, when talked too, will say random parts of the 'universal greeting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzE2BoNW6bc)' used in the '86 Transformers movie
"Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong"

It works every time! ;)

[Grandern_Marn]

Another one of theses Easter Eggs was in a recent thread:


So I was browsing through the tvtropes page for DDO and this is what I find:

"The dragon the Devourer cult is using to freeze up Korthos is being controlled by a mind flayer named Drastix Achthend. In Draconic, this translates to 'dragon food.'"

Here's the thread link:

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/476995-Fun-Fact-The-Mind-Flayer-in-Misery-s-Peak

Don't remember it being in the thread but a good catch by ForgettableNPC.

[oldkraft2]

i havent read the Whole tread maybe this is here before : and maybe the egg is a coincidence - in that case a marvellous one :
It started with that I noticed the crucial rednamed Roskilde in RR White Dragon quest.
Then I noticed that the whole quest layout loosely resembled the Danish railroad system, with the dragon placed in Elsinore, after the labyrinth of blindended metro-lines - and some sidelines before that in Jutland where u seek some levers.
The start of the game is thus entering by ferry from Norway - Theres even an extra sideline where drunken Swedes attack from the right - they came in from Gothenburg.
Heh !

[Amorais]

I liked "Private Jake" in Waterworks.

(as in Private Joke)

[Dungeoner49]

Been a while since anyone posted in here, so I apologize.
However.. I didn't see this mentioned, and feel I HAVE to.. Transformers fan that I am..

There is a group of Kobolds in Reaver's Refuge that, when talked too, will say random parts of the 'universal greeting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzE2BoNW6bc)' used in the '86 Transformers movie
"Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong"

It works every time! ;)

Somebody (I don't remember who) already posted that egg.

[Systern]

The NPC that freezes your Bravery streak is named Kranston Bell.

Kristen Bell voiced the main character in Disney's Frozen.

[CaptainPurge]

https://s12.postimg.io/j4yqvoazh/Screen_Shot00299_Copy.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AFf0ysgNiM

Young Frankenstein is the movie in question. It is a MUST SEE, go ahead and illegally dl/torrent it, I don't care, but you have to watch this movie. It is black and white but that is for effect.

[Huor_Twotrees]

There's a flesh golem named Wollstonecraft. That's funny as heck.

[Lanadazia]

Williem, the groundskeeper in A Study in Sable, named for Dr. William "Willie" MacDougal III a.k.a. Groundskeeper Willie of Simpsons fame.

when he dies he also shouts out the famous 'wilhelm scream' ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn6hhrX34Pw )

its a common easter egg. was used in star wars, indiana jones, lord of the rings, etc

since i know about this, i notice it in so many movies. makes me grin every time

[Pieter-Bas]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned the Illithid Navigator Crewmember on some airships.

Talk to him and ask him why he's working for your guild and he makes some vague reference to Spelljammer and hints at Giant Space Hamsters.

I wish I could remember the text exactly, but I can't get in-game to check.

Argh! Yes! Now let's just hope the guys at Standing Stones have the rights to the Spelljammer expansion! PLEEEAAAASE give us Spelljammer in DDO! Would really fit in well with the Airships and all!

Sorry. This may not really be the place to write this but I couldn't help myself :D

[Pieter-Bas]

Close, Gary Gygax's character was Mordenkainen. His son was named 'Ernie' (oft short for Earnest) and he played a wizard called Tenser. Robert J. Kuntz (co author of Greyhawk) played a character called Bigby. His other son Lucien played a character called Melf. Don Kaye (co founder of TSR) created Murlynd.

Most of those "<name> spells" came from characters created by the very first people who played DnD which mostly consisted of Gary Gygax and his friends and family.

I haven't read all of the posts above but here I need to mention that many of such references and names in the game come straight from the many MANY books, modules and campaign settings of pen and paper D&D and AD&D... So although the devs of Turbine/StandingStone have done/are doing a great job and have added lots of funny references themselves, we also need to give credit where it is due... Just saying

[RootinTuutin]

Apologies if someone mentioned it and I missed it, but regarding the spell Niac's biting cold, Niac is Cain spelled backwards.

[Dungeoner49]

It appears that someone has been playing as a leader to both sides. We know him for bringing us various classes and updates, as well as foes to kill us. Whether you call him a traitor, a , a Dungeon Master, or an executive producer, it matters not. What matters is that Severlin or someone of the same name has been leading the Cult Of The Dragon as we have struggled against it and other evils, and that he be called to justice, even if its god is dead. Severlin, even if you you do not have any words for us to hear before the charges and evidence have been presented, I am sure you will have some after. It has come to light that in the tomes of Neverwinter (the 2013 mmorpg), you or someone of the same name are the creator and leader of the Cult of the Dragon, which is responsible for countless destruction, deaths, and an uncountable number of of other heinous crimes including but not limited to: theft, murder, grave robbing, desecration, and consorting with known PCGE's (Person or Creature of Great Evil). While your assistance in the eradication of countless criminals, cultists, demons, devils, aberrations, and other various low life and.or evil creatures has been taken into account and may reduce the sentence, as double dealing is on the list of charges.

(Taking two hours to type a decent narrative for a theory sucks)

[CaptainPurge]

It appears that someone has been playing as a leader to both sides. We know him for bringing us various classes and updates, as well as foes to kill us. Whether you call him a traitor, a , a Dungeon Master, or an executive producer, it matters not. What matters is that Severlin or someone of the same name has been leading the Cult Of The Dragon as we have struggled against it and other evils, and that he be called to justice, even if its god is dead. Severlin, even if you you do not have any words for us to hear before the charges and evidence have been presented, I am sure you will have some after. It has come to light that in the tomes of Neverwinter (the 2013 mmorpg), you or someone of the same name are the creator and leader of the Cult of the Dragon, which is responsible for countless destruction, deaths, and an uncountable number of of other heinous crimes including but not limited to: theft, murder, grave robbing, desecration, and consorting with known PCGE's (Person or Creature of Great Evil). While your assistance in the eradication of countless criminals, cultists, demons, devils, aberrations, and other various low life and.or evil creatures has been taken into account and may reduce the sentence, as double dealing is on the list of charges.

(Taking two hours to type a decent narrative for a theory sucks)

Quoting to keep your 2 hours of work to get it out.

[Grandern_Marn]

Here is a thread about a likely Easter Egg regarding the naming of of King Bendix as a nod to King Diamond.

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/490838-King-Bendix

[MalkavianX]

also, the corpses in part 1 of the shroud are the bodies of the player characters from the old "gauntlet" series.

Aren't they the characters from the dungeons and dragons cartoon? Or is that a different quest?

[CThruTheEgo]

Aren't they the characters from the dungeons and dragons cartoon? Or is that a different quest?

That's Fear Factory (http://ddowiki.com/page/Fear_Factory).

[CaptainPurge]

"Canton", Ohio, is home to the NFL Hall of Fame.

"Silverarm" is what one might call an elite quarterback.

"Canton Silverarm", man that elf has a rifle for an arm.

https://i.imgur.com/ouyWVHS.jpg

[Dabima]

Chaney the Werewolf in Resurrection Chamber is named after Lon Chaney, the original actor for Wolfman.
Lord Harryhausen the skeleton from the same quest is named after Ray Harryhausen, the creator of stop-motion model animation.
There is also a "Broken Adventurer" npc huddled at the bottom of the huge shaft that is notorious as one of the most hated parts of DDO, especially back in the days before they added in the air lifts, that complains about who thought it was a good idea to make that place.

[CaptainPurge]

Call it what you will. But I'm calling out Anthrax for real. Did we miss this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUf8Ho60Zjg

[CaptainPurge]

Lord Harryhausen the skeleton from the sam e quest is named after Ray Harryhausen, the creator of stop-motion model animation


Yeah posted that earlier. The adventurer imo is interesting.

[Grandern_Marn]

This is more of a D&D Easter Egg as Baba Lysaga is a character from the Ravenloft game modules. I came across the Eastern European Baba Yaga myth here and thought there were some close similarities:

(can't figure out the HTML code stuff, jump to 6:26)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OCPQG4bMFs

After a little searching I found there are some further connections:

http://ravenloft.wikia.com/wiki/Baba_Lysaga
https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/5e4msu/oc_the_dancing_hut_of_baba_yaga/

[CaptainPurge]

New raid: Killing Time

The raid name fits with the lore nicely.

Since "Creeping Death" is a quest named after an iconic Metallica tune, I'm going to allow "Killing Time" to be another Metallica Easter egg. The former is a Metallica original, the latter a cover by Metallica.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZwEju_9QBY

[Grandern_Marn]

^- nice find, more early days Metallica would make for more reminiscent moments for this thread.

Not so much an Easter Egg as a purposeful play on words which deserves attention.
'Carver's Copies' sounds a lot like 'Carbon copies' especially with the wording the DM uses in the end fight.

[jozzcooper3]

Oath of Vengeance involves a Silver Dragon named Argynvost.
Argyn from the word argent meaning silver....also the name of a band whose most familiar song is 'Hold Your Head UP'...and the quest is about returning the dragon's head....

[CaptainPurge]

Oath of Vengeance involves a Silver Dragon named Argynvost.
Argyn from the word argent meaning silver....also the name of a band whose most familiar song is 'Hold Your Head UP'...and the quest is about returning the dragon's head....

You're coming up with 32.33 repeating of course.
Basically you're reaching. But nice try fam.

[DougGlyndwyr]

The quest giver for Memories of an Illusionary Larcener is named Callumie. "Calumny" is an old fashioned word that means "a lie, usually meant against reputation." Well, this guy's a liar alright. (I learned this from James A. Mitchener's book Centennial)

[CaptainPurge]

Well this one should be obvious. But in the spirit of reviving this thread for new Sharn. New Cogs quest "The Magma Must Flow" vs the ref
https://youtu.be/E_fzSc_i0Tc

[Alisonique]

And the dead shall rise.....


Nicely done Mon Capitain

[Dabima]

This one is a bit obvious, but in one of the new Sharn quests you come across an office with a dead guy named Lenny. Some guards run in and say “oh my god they killed Lenny!” “You bastards!”

[rabidfox]

The "tears in the rain" bit in House of Pain was a nice reference to Blade Runner. (And "House of Pain" possibly being another [one of many] Dr. Moreau references)

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Here in town and elsewhere there is a street named after a general Scharnhorst https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_von_Scharnhorst ... "Scharn" can also be found as parts of markets : https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scharn (there doesn't seem to be any English-language article about that).

"Scharn" is pronounced like "Sharn".
The German "sch" is pronounced like the English "sh".
Example : "Schule", with the "e" being pronounced like the "e" in "market", as far as I can tell.



Since I'm on the topic of words :

"Fell" means "fur" in German language, leading to this word-game : "The Shadowfur Conspiracy" ...

"Tief" means in German language "deep", making "Tieflings" basically "Deeplings".

[CaptainPurge]

This is a report of a failed opportunity.
"Same Old Song" should've been "The Song Remains the Same". Hope this gets fixed ASAP.

[Dragavon]

When you open the last door in Smash and Burn a group of halflings will come running to escape the forgewraiths.

One of the yells: Fly, you fools!

[Frogger1234]

This one is a bit obvious, but in one of the new Sharn quests you come across an office with a dead guy named Lenny. Some guards run in and say “oh my god they killed Lenny!” “You bastards!”

I was hoping to see a monster with that name (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/501880-Name-one-monster-you-d-like-to-see-in-the-game?p=6167664&highlight=#post6167664), but it's better than nothing.

[Seph1roth5]

I just caught the Lenny line earlier today, it was awesome.

[CaptainPurge]

It took us this long.

https://i.imgur.com/atobg5D.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcCK99wHrk0

[Saekee]

While running to a quest in Wheloon, I ran into the usual heretics, malcontents, emos and Netherese. I fought one self-important bloke who laughed scornfully and informed me...

"Never go against a Netherese when DEATH is on the line!"

(I haven't seen anything about the most famous classic blunder of all time, but I hope it's only a matter of time.)

That, right there, is one of the things I most love about this game.

Thank you.
Good find! Hello Princess Bride!!!!

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Title : "Finding Dorris" ...

[niknight]

Title : "Finding Dorris" ...

And there's an Easter Egg in the quest too. When you get to the fighting arena, the challenger is announced as Phillip Glassjaw. This is a reference to the character Grog Strongjaw, played by Travis Willingham (who is also the DM voice for the Slave Lords chain) in campaign 1 of Critical Role. When Grog found himself fighting as the challenger in the Crucible (C1E17, "Hubris"), he told the announcer that he was named Phillip.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

There's also a composer with the name of Philip Glass ... I know him from a version of "North Star" by Mike Oldfield ...
Another thing I get reminded of are the "Jaws" , the movie.

[Valerianus]

Title : "Finding Dorris" ...


at the end, the lord of blades says: "if you don't find her and those responsible, mournlands will go to war. in a fortnight, i will level this city and slay everyone inside. it's the only way to be sure".

movie "aliens"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCbfMkh940Q


it's the only way to be sure :)

[rfachini]

The "tears in the rain" bit in House of Pain was a nice reference to Blade Runner. (And "House of Pain" possibly being another [one of many] Dr. Moreau references)

I just found this one today!

Beggar says,
'I've seen things you wouldn't believe. A Dwarf with his head on fire, descending from the heavens! No matter, all will be gone, like tears in the rain.'

[Frogger1234]

The Lucky Hat (https://ddowiki.com/page/Lucky_Hat), which is supposed to "imbue its wearer with incredible luck" was once owned by THREE Toed Tobias.

in Old Baba's Hut, Baba Lysaga croaks her last line of dialog, then dies (croaks).

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

In the area around the Keep, there's a ruin ( or ruins ? plural or singlular ? ) of a tower. If you look *very* closely on the ground on one side of it, you can see actual Egyptian pictures and Hieroglyphs ...

There's an even far bigger Easteregg in a distant valley ... But I won't write it so nobody can be spoiled ... ;)

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

I just saw that there is an item called "Broken Musical Box" - related to the Genesis piece "The Musical Box", I guess ...

[C-Dog]

The KotB quest Violent Delights has several references to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, from which play the Quest Title is borrowed.

The phrase "Violent Delights" is from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, a warning given the couple (by a priest), appropriate both for the hidden plotline revealed at the end, and for the end-fight itself: "These violent delights have violent ends..."
In the closing dialogue selection to end the quest, "you" say, "All's well that ends well...", which is the name of another play by Shakespeare.
"Yula". the primary (friendly) NPC, is a variant spelling of Julia, or Juliette.
I was hoping to find a gnollish "Romeo" or some Montagues or Capulets to round out the cast, but either Oro Sandcloak & co. aren't quite there, or that easter egg slipped by unnoticed so far.



... related to the Genesis piece "The Musical Box", I guess ...
Actually, I think it's just "a music box" - hundreds, if not thousands of cultural references to that term. :/

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

The item "Helm Of Clarity" https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Helm_of_Clarity has a gem in it which looks like Sauron's Eye ... *chuckles*

[Valerianus]

quest: best laid plans


the roof is on fire


song: sway by coal chamber


i probably should not link it cause "language" reasons, google it by yourself :)


coal chamber were already cited in the quest named coalescence chamber (all vale quests are music cit of some sort and this is well known)

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Actually, I think it's just "a music box" - hundreds, if not thousands of cultural references to that term. :/

Maybe, but it is part of the story in the Genesis song that it becomes broken. That makes it so unique : That it gets broken.

[Grandern_Marn]

In the 3rd quest in the 1st arc of the Masterminds of Sharn chain 'Best Laid Plans' you catch a conversation when the group of Vaunt arch-henchmen are making their escape through a portal. Gish Helion says:

You hear a gruff voice howling, "The roof! The roof!"
The excited Gnoll bounces around. "The roof is on fire!"
Lagging behind, the Gnoll notices you on the way out. It turns and howls, "Burn, father-hugger, burn!"

This is an excellent reference to the song lyrics originally sung by Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three in their rap classic from 1984 'The Roof is on Fire':


https://youtu.be/-Vv_LwwwpmU?t=264
(4:24 mark of the video)

The lyrics are probably better known from multiple renditions or samples from groups like 2 Live Crew, Bloodhound Gang or from an interlude in the music video for Nelly's 'Hot in Herre':


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV4NeZ6gd4k

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

There are several bankers with the names of "Goldenthumb" and "Silverthumb" ( perhaps related families ? ;) ) ... in german language, there exists the expression "he/she has a green thumb" meaning that he or she is very good in working with plants.

[Dabima]

Now, this may be coincidence, but is this Michael Tew from Sentinels and epic Three Barrel Cove on a wanted poster in Sharn? https://i.imgur.com/Ms2fdLL.jpg

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Good catch. I think I've seen that poster somewhere else ... In Deneith, maybe ?

[shawnvw]

There are several bankers with the names of "Goldenthumb" and "Silverthumb" ( perhaps related families ? ;) ) ... in german language, there exists the expression "he/she has a green thumb" meaning that he or she is very good in working with plants.

That's a very common expression in America too. Although in this case I wonder if it's a reference to the James Bond character "Goldfinger".

(Leading to Bond's line: "Sounds like a French nail varnish.")

[shieldmate]

i thought the 'datter' at the end was a remnant of 'daughter of' naming conventions from way back when. in otherwords, the last name translates "daughter of Bauer"

wouldnt that make her the farmers daughter

[Zorrbeania]

quest: best laid plans


the roof is on fire


song: sway by coal chamber


i probably should not link it cause "language" reasons, google it by yourself :)


coal chamber were already cited in the quest named coalescence chamber (all vale quests are music cit of some sort and this is well known)

That's awesome! XD I had the sound off when I did that quest because it was late, but I'll have to do it again just because of that!

[Zorrbeania]

In the 3rd quest in the 1st arc of the Masterminds of Sharn chain 'Best Laid Plans' you catch a conversation when the group of Vaunt arch-henchmen are making their escape through a portal. Gish Helion says:

You hear a gruff voice howling, "The roof! The roof!"
The excited Gnoll bounces around. "The roof is on fire!"
Lagging behind, the Gnoll notices you on the way out. It turns and howls, "Burn, father-hugger, burn!"

Yeah, I'm definitely going to do that quest again! XD

[Andy_Dash]

In the Into the Mists quest there's a revenant named Vasiliy Ivanovich. It's the name of russian civil war general Vasiliy Ivanovich Chapaev. And he even looks like him...
Coincidence? Don't think so )

https://ddowiki.com/images/Into_the_Mists.jpg


https://www.peoples.ru/military/commander/chapaev/R5SHobKpIChwS.jpeg

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Thank you for that Genesis easter egg : "Evidence Of Autumn" ... ;)

[Valerianus]

immortality lesson

the satyr named Fortunato dead behind the wall, it had to be a reference, and i finally remembered and checked


a story by Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado.

[Valerianus]

memoirs of an illusionary larcener


the 2 men at the start named Vincent and Julius, they are clearly a ref to Vincent and Jules from the movie Pulp Fiction

the quest final boss, Lucy Lawful, is an obvious ref to the OMG WONDERFUL actress Lucy Lawless a.k.a. Xena the warrior princess.


of particular interest, what the "perfectly ordinary citizen" are saying...a real lot of different phrases. for sure more than a ref is hidden, after all the quest is about "stories". please check them out and add to this list!


(Say): Perfectly Ordinary Citizen says, 'I'm not the citizen you're looking for.' this is a clear ref to the star wars droids.

(Say): Perfectly Ordinary Citizen says, '... Then the story ends, and you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe' this is from the movie "the matrix", the red pill\blue pill talk.

[Plantasiax]

Thaddeus Donbury, the quest-giver of "An Element of Chaos" ...
The name reminds me of "Thaddäus Tentakel", which is German for Squidward in Spongebob. :):)

[CaptainPurge]

This week's store freebie is lasting heroism post. "NEEDAHERO" code.

Bonnie Tyler "Holding out for a Hero"
https://youtu.be/bWcASV2sey0?t=55

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

The Mabar Night Revels quest "Under new ravagement" has a certain line :

"Pounding can be heard from below".

This is a direct reference to the old story by Edgar Allan Poe called "The Tell-Tale Heart".

In it, an insane murderer confesses his murder because of the loud pounding of the heart of the murdered man from down below the floor ...
The story's jest or joke, however, isn't that easy to understand : A dead person cannot have a still beating heart - thus, the muderer falls victim to his false believe that the dead person's heart is still beating - but instead it is the murderer's heart thart's beating !

[Erekose]

There are four NPC's in the Hammersmith Inn House Deneith called:

Scholes of Vedyker,
Neville Stormhammer,
Giggs Elorreathi, and
Keane d'Deneith.

They give the four Depths quests.

All named after Manchester United Players

Paul Scholes,
Gary Neville,
Ryan Giggs, and
Roy Keane.

[Arkat]

There are four NPC's in the Hammersmith Inn House Deneith called:

Scholes of Vedyker,
Neville Stormhammer,
Giggs Elorreathi, and
Keane d'Deneith.

They give the four Depths quests.

All named after Manchester United Players

Paul Scholes,
Gary Neville,
Ryan Giggs, and
Roy Keane.


Pointed out much earlier in the thread.

[Shadospawn]

OK in Saltmarsh there’s one of the rare encounters you tell “Don’t touch it! It’s evil!”

This has GOT to be a Time Bandits reference.

[DRoark]

"We're releasing the shifter race, and...."

Biggest pun of that year.

[Arkat]

OK in Saltmarsh there’s one of the rare encounters you tell “Don’t touch it! It’s evil!”

This has GOT to be a Time Bandits reference.

Nice. Was "it" in a microwave oven?

[shawnvw]

"We're releasing the shifter race, and...."

Biggest pun of that year.

I don't get it.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

It took me until this past weekend, to realize that a line of DM text that I have heard probably a hundred times; is actually a play on words pun.

"The Spinner of Shadows looms in the distance."

The Spinner, Looms.... :cool:

[Moribund_the_Greater]

Was down exploring the Cogs and doing all of the walk ups quests for the first time. I cant remember if it was in a quest or just out in the explorer area. There is a goblin who says "looks like meat is back on the menu."

[Erekose]

Pointed out much earlier in the thread.

oh, right on, I had forgotten I had already mentioned this, being that it was in 2012, cheers +1

[phinius]

Elyd Edge has elven script on the blade reading "Anthem of the heart; Anthem of the mind."

Rush has a song called Anthem with the lyrics "Anthem of the heart and Anthem of the mind"

When upgraded to Epic Elyd Edge, the weapon gains Screaming, which is what many people agree Geddy Lee's early singing amounted to.

Elyd Edge is also an anagram for Geddy Lee.

[oldkraft2]

Real Life persons, dead or alive, featured in DDO : Blixa & Unruh (Cogs), Sigurd Snake-eye ( Salt) - probably more ?

[DAVIDARC]

I notice this being said in Saltmarsh by NPCs and have seen it somewhere else (I do not remember). The Black Knight tells King Arthur this after Arthur cuts off his leg in Monty Python and the Home Grail.

[gott_ist_tot]

Now, this may be coincidence, but is this Michael Tew from Sentinels and epic Three Barrel Cove on a wanted poster in Sharn?

Quite probable, given there's several 3bc references in Sharn. Like after you kill Irk in "Just Business" he reappears in wraith form, skewered by Jack Jibbers' blade