Cultural References within D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cultural References within D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Darksoupgod
04-08-07, 08:29 PM Has anyone ever compiled the various references made throughout the books of Dungeons & Dragons toward things existing in other fiction or the real world?

Some are obvious, especially material components (sesame seeds for Passwall). Some are not; the Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil may be referring to the Dance of the Seven Veils (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_of_the_Seven_Veils), for instance.

If no such compilation exists, I would like to start one here (provided anyone cares).
Fencerboy
04-08-07, 10:35 PM I'm still having trouble figuring what guano has to do with fireballs...
Bulabase
04-08-07, 10:37 PM I'm still having trouble figuring what guano has to do with fireballs...
Guano contains potassium nitrate, one of the key components to gunpowder.
Sakaki22
04-09-07, 01:21 AM My personal favorite is still Detect Thoughts.
Darksoupgod
04-09-07, 01:55 AM My personal favorite is still Detect Thoughts.
They screwed up the pun, though. It should have been a material component.
Tempest Stormwind
04-09-07, 02:03 AM Scrying. The eye is a lens, the mirror is a screen, the rest is a battery. You build a TV set and spy on people.

Hypnotic Pattern: You twirl a raver's glowstick.

Silent Image: see also "pull the wool over their eyes".

There's more, but I'll stop there since I'm tired. Material components are a joke in every sense of the term -- and they're bad jokes (again, in every sense of the term).
Fencerboy
04-09-07, 10:51 AM Guano contains potassium nitrate, one of the key components to gunpowder.

Aha. Thank you, my knowledge range of poo uses is now a little bit wider.
Grandpa Gamer
04-09-07, 09:35 PM Guano contains potassium nitrate, one of the key components to gunpowder.

That's kind of like an alchemical potion I created for a Forgotten Realms campaign - a play off of Alfred Nobel and the creation of Dynamite:

Item: "Potion of Explosion" or "Nobehl's Oil"

Description: Nobehl's Oil is a translucent, amber liquid that, when suddenly jarred, explodes violently.
Reputedly, this potion was created by the Sage/Alchemist Nobehl of Westgate approximately 100 years ago. After seeing his creation gain widespread use and massively escalate the already-deadly feuding between the noble houses of the city of Westgate, Nobehl retired from public life, dedicating the rest of his days to the Earth Mother, Chantea, as reparation for the suffering he felt he caused.

At rest, the potion is stable, reacting with neither air nor water. In fact, some Sage/Healers prescribe it in small amounts for certain types of chest pain! The oil WILL however explode when exposed to heat or flame sufficient to set normally-combustible items on fire, such as wood or paper.

A 1-pint flask can be thrown as a grenade-like weapon (see Grenadelike Weapon Attacks, p.138 PHB). Upon impact, the oil erupts into a fireball of five-foot radius, causing 2d6 explosive force damage, and 1d6 fire damage. Characters can make a Reflex Save (DC15) for half. Any fire resistance/immunity may apply to the fire damage, but not the explosive damage. All damage is non-magical. Unlike Alchemist's Oil, Nobehl's Oil neither "splashes" nor leaves burning residue for ensuing rounds - the explosion is completely self-consuming.
Combustible items in the area of effect will be set on fire (wood, paper, etc), other items must make a save DC15 or be set on fire as well.

The ceramic flasks themselves are of the same type and construction as those typically used for similar purposes, such as Alchemist's Oil.

Prerequisites: One part Acid (sulphuric), one part Acid (nitric), and one part especially processed vegetable oil (glycerine) - the total costing an average of 100gp. Craft (Alchemy) DC15 - failure incurs a 50% chance of explosion. "Failed" potions that do NOT explode are capable of only 1d4 explosive damage, no fire damage.

Suggested Price: 200gp. per flask (10 times the price for Alchemist's Oil, but only triple the damage)

Note: due to the relative difficulty of production, as well as the dangers inherent in long-distance transportation, Nobehl's Oil is rarely seen outside the southern coast of the Dragon Reach, and the city of Westgate in particular.
ElberethSilverleaf
04-09-07, 09:49 PM I think the material components are based upon the idea of "sympathetic magic".
Google it if you haven't heard of it

Back to the subject, Faerun is filled with cultural references...Isis, Ra, Tyr, the whole Aztec + Maya = Maztica ripoff. There are lots of cultural references, but a lot may be more historical than modern day.
TwiddleStootch
04-09-07, 11:39 PM All the Tolkien inspired stuff :D
Which then has references in them, like Dwarves.

The Dervish PrC from Complete Warrior.

Samurai :p

I'll stop there :cool:
ElberethSilverleaf
04-10-07, 12:12 AM sand for a sleep spell

Mr. Sandman, send me a dream,
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
V8122
04-11-07, 08:19 PM Nice. now I have an earworm.

And I have seen several cultral references whithin DnD.

Knights.
Zephania
04-11-07, 08:55 PM i cant seem to find which spell, but one's material components included a small box and some cat fur...Schrodinger's cat. cookie for whoever finds the spell!
Raymond_Luxury_Yacht
04-11-07, 11:27 PM The Wilder from the XPH is extremely obviously inspired by Tetsuo from Akira.
parad0cz
04-11-07, 11:53 PM One thing i always wonderd about was the Summon Monster bag and (not necessaraly lit) candle. Its odd enough that it has to be a reference to SOMETHING
Darksoupgod
04-14-07, 01:00 PM I don't know about summon monster, but Lightning Bolt's components create a static charge when rubbed together. Kind of minor though.
ktgodstgarden
04-14-07, 01:06 PM The plane of Existance "The Peaceable Kingdoms" is also a Rush song. And, a related subject, Rush is the best band to listen to while playing D&D... Figure that out I say!
Darksoupgod
04-26-07, 12:57 AM Does anyone know why Haste requires "a shaving of licorice root?" That sounds like its leading to a pun.
navar100
04-26-07, 01:52 AM i cant seem to find which spell, but one's material components included a small box and some cat fur...Schrodinger's cat. cookie for whoever finds the spell!

There Not There - 2E Tome of Magic Wild Magic Spell
navar100
04-26-07, 01:55 AM In 2E, Sticks To Snakes is a reference to Moses and Pharoah's magicians.

Also in 2E, Sending's material component was two cylindrical objects connected with a string.
Zyfax
04-26-07, 02:37 AM Flamestrike: First book of kings; 18:38

Name of the book might be off. I'm using the swedish bible translation from 2000.
Fencerboy
04-26-07, 12:56 PM One thing i always wonderd about was the Summon Monster bag and (not necessaraly lit) candle. Its odd enough that it has to be a reference to SOMETHING

Probably because summoning circles usually have candles around the circumference.
_Jayne_Cobb_
04-26-07, 01:50 PM The Wilder from the XPH is extremely obviously inspired by Tetsuo from Akira.

You mean they are all whiny little turds?
_Jayne_Cobb_
04-26-07, 01:52 PM One thing i always wonderd about was the Summon Monster bag and (not necessaraly lit) candle. Its odd enough that it has to be a reference to SOMETHING

Candles are traditional for summoning. The bag part comes from "let the cat out of the bag."

Does anyone know why Haste requires "a shaving of licorice root?" That sounds like its leading to a pun.

Licorice root is a laxative. It give you "the runs."

If that is not sufficient to convince anyone that material components are indeed very bad puns/jokes then nothing will.
CBeyond
04-26-07, 04:26 PM In the D&D book "Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords" there is a prestige class called the Eternal Blade. One of the class features is called "Eternal Training" which is provided by a "Blade Guide." The Blade Guide is the ghost of an ancient warrior who trains you in endless sparring sessions while you sleep. The skills you learn in your dreams can be recalled to help you defeat enemies in the real world.

I think this whole idea was lifted from the "Oathbound" books by Mercedes Lackey. Lackey's character Tarma is the one who benefits from the teachings of an ancient ghostly warrior of her tribe.

http://www.amazon.com/Oathbound-Vows-Honor-Book/dp/0886774144
Werebat
04-26-07, 06:32 PM Has anyone ever compiled the various references made throughout the books of Dungeons & Dragons toward things existing in other fiction or the real world?

Some are obvious, especially material components (sesame seeds for Passwall). Some are not; the Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil may be referring to the Dance of the Seven Veils (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_of_the_Seven_Veils), for instance.

If no such compilation exists, I would like to start one here (provided anyone cares).

Be careful -- doing so is likely to summon Great Cthulhu.

- Ron ^*^
Dire_Kitten
04-26-07, 06:39 PM How direct do you want? The D&D troll is pretty much directly lifted from Three Hearts and Three Lions. Big, green, rubbery skin, regenerating, but killable by fire.

There's lots of things they took from that story, including a lot of stuff about Paladins.
GDwarf
04-26-07, 07:13 PM One thing i always wonderd about was the Summon Monster bag and (not necessaraly lit) candle. Its odd enough that it has to be a reference to SOMETHING
I always thought 'snipe hunting'.

It's a prank-ish thing that most Scouts/campers go through. Their leaders tell them to go snipe hunting. One person holds open a bag with a candle on the far side of it, and the rest run through the woods towards the bad, in the hopes of scaring a 'snipe' into it.

Of course, snipe are marsh birds who are smart enough to not run into brightly lit bags, but that never seems to stop scouts from trying to catch them.
Darksoupgod
04-28-07, 01:14 AM The Holocaust Cloak maneuver from Tome of Battle is probably a reference to The Princess Bride (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_Bride).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Darksoupgod 04-08-07, 08:29 PM	Has anyone ever compiled the various references made throughout the books of Dungeons & Dragons toward things existing in other fiction or the real world? Some are obvious, especially material components (sesame seeds for Passwall). Some are not; the Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil may be referring to the Dance of the Seven Veils (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_of_the_Seven_Veils), for instance. If no such compilation exists, I would like to start one here (provided anyone cares).
Fencerboy 04-08-07, 10:35 PM	I'm still having trouble figuring what guano has to do with fireballs...
Bulabase 04-08-07, 10:37 PM	I'm still having trouble figuring what guano has to do with fireballs... Guano contains potassium nitrate, one of the key components to gunpowder.
Sakaki22 04-09-07, 01:21 AM	My personal favorite is still Detect Thoughts.
Darksoupgod 04-09-07, 01:55 AM	My personal favorite is still Detect Thoughts. They screwed up the pun, though. It should have been a material component.
Tempest Stormwind 04-09-07, 02:03 AM	Scrying. The eye is a lens, the mirror is a screen, the rest is a battery. You build a TV set and spy on people. Hypnotic Pattern: You twirl a raver's glowstick. Silent Image: see also "pull the wool over their eyes". There's more, but I'll stop there since I'm tired. Material components are a joke in every sense of the term -- and they're bad jokes (again, in every sense of the term).
Fencerboy 04-09-07, 10:51 AM	Guano contains potassium nitrate, one of the key components to gunpowder. Aha. Thank you, my knowledge range of poo uses is now a little bit wider.
Grandpa Gamer 04-09-07, 09:35 PM	Guano contains potassium nitrate, one of the key components to gunpowder. That's kind of like an alchemical potion I created for a Forgotten Realms campaign - a play off of Alfred Nobel and the creation of Dynamite: Item: "Potion of Explosion" or "Nobehl's Oil" Description: Nobehl's Oil is a translucent, amber liquid that, when suddenly jarred, explodes violently. Reputedly, this potion was created by the Sage/Alchemist Nobehl of Westgate approximately 100 years ago. After seeing his creation gain widespread use and massively escalate the already-deadly feuding between the noble houses of the city of Westgate, Nobehl retired from public life, dedicating the rest of his days to the Earth Mother, Chantea, as reparation for the suffering he felt he caused. At rest, the potion is stable, reacting with neither air nor water. In fact, some Sage/Healers prescribe it in small amounts for certain types of chest pain! The oil WILL however explode when exposed to heat or flame sufficient to set normally-combustible items on fire, such as wood or paper. A 1-pint flask can be thrown as a grenade-like weapon (see Grenadelike Weapon Attacks, p.138 PHB). Upon impact, the oil erupts into a fireball of five-foot radius, causing 2d6 explosive force damage, and 1d6 fire damage. Characters can make a Reflex Save (DC15) for half. Any fire resistance/immunity may apply to the fire damage, but not the explosive damage. All damage is non-magical. Unlike Alchemist's Oil, Nobehl's Oil neither "splashes" nor leaves burning residue for ensuing rounds - the explosion is completely self-consuming. Combustible items in the area of effect will be set on fire (wood, paper, etc), other items must make a save DC15 or be set on fire as well. The ceramic flasks themselves are of the same type and construction as those typically used for similar purposes, such as Alchemist's Oil. Prerequisites: One part Acid (sulphuric), one part Acid (nitric), and one part especially processed vegetable oil (glycerine) - the total costing an average of 100gp. Craft (Alchemy) DC15 - failure incurs a 50% chance of explosion. "Failed" potions that do NOT explode are capable of only 1d4 explosive damage, no fire damage. Suggested Price: 200gp. per flask (10 times the price for Alchemist's Oil, but only triple the damage) Note: due to the relative difficulty of production, as well as the dangers inherent in long-distance transportation, Nobehl's Oil is rarely seen outside the southern coast of the Dragon Reach, and the city of Westgate in particular.
ElberethSilverleaf 04-09-07, 09:49 PM	I think the material components are based upon the idea of "sympathetic magic". Google it if you haven't heard of it Back to the subject, Faerun is filled with cultural references...Isis, Ra, Tyr, the whole Aztec + Maya = Maztica ripoff. There are lots of cultural references, but a lot may be more historical than modern day.
TwiddleStootch 04-09-07, 11:39 PM	All the Tolkien inspired stuff :D Which then has references in them, like Dwarves. The Dervish PrC from Complete Warrior. Samurai :p I'll stop there :cool:
ElberethSilverleaf 04-10-07, 12:12 AM	sand for a sleep spell Mr. Sandman, send me a dream, Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
V8122 04-11-07, 08:19 PM	Nice. now I have an earworm. And I have seen several cultral references whithin DnD. Knights.
Zephania 04-11-07, 08:55 PM	i cant seem to find which spell, but one's material components included a small box and some cat fur...Schrodinger's cat. cookie for whoever finds the spell!
Raymond_Luxury_Yacht 04-11-07, 11:27 PM	The Wilder from the XPH is extremely obviously inspired by Tetsuo from Akira.
parad0cz 04-11-07, 11:53 PM	One thing i always wonderd about was the Summon Monster bag and (not necessaraly lit) candle. Its odd enough that it has to be a reference to SOMETHING
Darksoupgod 04-14-07, 01:00 PM	I don't know about summon monster, but Lightning Bolt's components create a static charge when rubbed together. Kind of minor though.
ktgodstgarden 04-14-07, 01:06 PM	The plane of Existance "The Peaceable Kingdoms" is also a Rush song. And, a related subject, Rush is the best band to listen to while playing D&D... Figure that out I say!
Darksoupgod 04-26-07, 12:57 AM	Does anyone know why Haste requires "a shaving of licorice root?" That sounds like its leading to a pun.
navar100 04-26-07, 01:52 AM	i cant seem to find which spell, but one's material components included a small box and some cat fur...Schrodinger's cat. cookie for whoever finds the spell! There Not There - 2E Tome of Magic Wild Magic Spell
navar100 04-26-07, 01:55 AM	In 2E, Sticks To Snakes is a reference to Moses and Pharoah's magicians. Also in 2E, Sending's material component was two cylindrical objects connected with a string.
Zyfax 04-26-07, 02:37 AM	Flamestrike: First book of kings; 18:38 Name of the book might be off. I'm using the swedish bible translation from 2000.
Fencerboy 04-26-07, 12:56 PM	One thing i always wonderd about was the Summon Monster bag and (not necessaraly lit) candle. Its odd enough that it has to be a reference to SOMETHING Probably because summoning circles usually have candles around the circumference.
_Jayne_Cobb_ 04-26-07, 01:50 PM	The Wilder from the XPH is extremely obviously inspired by Tetsuo from Akira. You mean they are all whiny little turds?
_Jayne_Cobb_ 04-26-07, 01:52 PM	One thing i always wonderd about was the Summon Monster bag and (not necessaraly lit) candle. Its odd enough that it has to be a reference to SOMETHING Candles are traditional for summoning. The bag part comes from "let the cat out of the bag." Does anyone know why Haste requires "a shaving of licorice root?" That sounds like its leading to a pun. Licorice root is a laxative. It give you "the runs." If that is not sufficient to convince anyone that material components are indeed very bad puns/jokes then nothing will.
CBeyond 04-26-07, 04:26 PM	In the D&D book "Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords" there is a prestige class called the Eternal Blade. One of the class features is called "Eternal Training" which is provided by a "Blade Guide." The Blade Guide is the ghost of an ancient warrior who trains you in endless sparring sessions while you sleep. The skills you learn in your dreams can be recalled to help you defeat enemies in the real world. I think this whole idea was lifted from the "Oathbound" books by Mercedes Lackey. Lackey's character Tarma is the one who benefits from the teachings of an ancient ghostly warrior of her tribe. http://www.amazon.com/Oathbound-Vows-Honor-Book/dp/0886774144
Werebat 04-26-07, 06:32 PM	Has anyone ever compiled the various references made throughout the books of Dungeons & Dragons toward things existing in other fiction or the real world? Some are obvious, especially material components (sesame seeds for Passwall). Some are not; the Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil may be referring to the Dance of the Seven Veils (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_of_the_Seven_Veils), for instance. If no such compilation exists, I would like to start one here (provided anyone cares). Be careful -- doing so is likely to summon Great Cthulhu. - Ron ^*^
Dire_Kitten 04-26-07, 06:39 PM	How direct do you want? The D&D troll is pretty much directly lifted from Three Hearts and Three Lions. Big, green, rubbery skin, regenerating, but killable by fire. There's lots of things they took from that story, including a lot of stuff about Paladins.
GDwarf 04-26-07, 07:13 PM	One thing i always wonderd about was the Summon Monster bag and (not necessaraly lit) candle. Its odd enough that it has to be a reference to SOMETHING I always thought 'snipe hunting'. It's a prank-ish thing that most Scouts/campers go through. Their leaders tell them to go snipe hunting. One person holds open a bag with a candle on the far side of it, and the rest run through the woods towards the bad, in the hopes of scaring a 'snipe' into it. Of course, snipe are marsh birds who are smart enough to not run into brightly lit bags, but that never seems to stop scouts from trying to catch them.
Darksoupgod 04-28-07, 01:14 AM	The Holocaust Cloak maneuver from Tome of Battle is probably a reference to The Princess Bride (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_Bride).