Is it just me, or is there a Donnie Darko reference in the Guide to the Multiverse? Specifically, the translucent cords radiating from the torsos of those who enter the doorway in the Dimension of Time.
I'd be interested in other references or points of inspiration people have found in other paizo products. I've got a bunch more myself (names, national identities, character idioms) but I'd like to hear from you all too.
Not inspired by Donnie Darko in that particular case. It's a truly awesome movie, but I was just taking a page from the D&Dism of the silver chords that tether astral projections back to their material bodies. Same thing going on with the translucent tether between their body and either their soul or some temporal projection (different explanations having different ramifications for a campaign).
The only obvious (modern) references in TGB off the top of my head are to Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. Probably a few more subtle ones, but its been a while since I read it all over. ;)
Creative Director
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Not inspired by Donnie Darko in that particular case. It's a truly awesome movie, but I was just taking a page from the D&Dism of the silver chords that tether astral projections back to their material bodies. Same thing going on with the translucent tether between their body and either their soul or some temporal projection (different explanations having different ramifications for a campaign).
The only obvious (modern) references in TGB off the top of my head are to Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. Probably a few more subtle ones, but its been a while since I read it all over. ;)
Including a Lovecraft reference so subtle it snuck by me! Which is no mean feat. (and it's a really cool reference, too!)
And one minute left until it's not HPL's birthday anymore too!
Including a Lovecraft reference so subtle it snuck by me! Which is no mean feat. (and it's a really cool reference, too!)And one minute left until it's not HPL's birthday anymore too!
What reference are you referring to James?
Man, I'm a terrible fan. I actually forgot H.P.'s birthday this year. We usually get together and play CoC or Arkham Horror in honor.
Not inspired by Donnie Darko in that particular case. It's a truly awesome movie, but I was just taking a page from the D&Dism of the silver chords that tether astral projections back to their material bodies. Same thing going on with the translucent tether between their body and either their soul or some temporal projection (different explanations having different ramifications for a campaign).
The only obvious (modern) references in TGB off the top of my head are to Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. Probably a few more subtle ones, but its been a while since I read it all over. ;)
Yeah I wasn't talking about any of the obvious ones like Leng. I always appreciate the sidebars in many of the AP bestiaries explaining the real world myth or inspiration behind the stats, and was wondering if any of the writers felt like sharing more. Ustalav seems to take a great deal from Ravenloft (and we could spend hours discussing the various inspirations of that), Galt from the French revolution (right up to them changing the names of the months of the year :D), and Andoran from the American revolution. Cheliax at times seems take aspects of colonial Brittan, especially if we take Sargava into account.
One of the slightly more subtle ones that really made me snicker was the disturbed surrealist painter in Escape from Old Korvosa named Salvator Scream, which I can only assume is a reference to both Salvador Dali and "The Scream" by Edvard Munch. Feedback on more stuff like this would be cool.|
Creative Director
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Including a Lovecraft reference so subtle it snuck by me! Which is no mean feat. (and it's a really cool reference, too!)And one minute left until it's not HPL's birthday anymore too!
What reference are you referring to James?
Man, I'm a terrible fan. I actually forgot H.P.'s birthday this year. We usually get together and play CoC or Arkham Horror in honor.
At the end of the entry for the Demiplane of Time, there's a mention of Stethelos. Just like there is at the end of Lovecraft's story fragment "The Green Meadow."
As for announcing these little easter eggs... it's my opinion that they're more fun when folks find them on their own. I'm more than willing to confirm or deny them when they're found, but most of them are going to remain subtle.
At the end of the entry for the Demiplane of Time, there's a mention of Stethelos. Just like there is at the end of Lovecraft's story fragment "The Green Meadow."
Probably my favorite of Lovecraft's lesser known stories. :D
At the end of the entry for the Demiplane of Time, there's a mention of Stethelos. Just like there is at the end of Lovecraft's story fragment "The Green Meadow."As for announcing these little easter eggs... it's my opinion that they're more fun when folks find them on their own. I'm more than willing to confirm or deny them when they're found, but most of them are going to remain subtle.
I don't think I've read that one actually. Cool. Something to read tonight. :)
Hrm...I guess that's a good point. In that case...everyone else! What do you have to say! What have you found!
Oh, and since there's an Eye of Abendego, are there Eyes of Shadrach and Meshach as well? ;)
Oh, and since there's an Eye of Abendego, are there Eyes of Shadrach and Meshach as well? ;)Nope.
He he.
I really like a lot of the naming conventions you guys have used. Azlant/Atlantis. Most are just close enough to elicit the sort of wonder I felt as a kid and I was first reading tales of sunken empires and men surviving burning furnaces. They feel ancient, like the hulks of ships composed of memories being dredged out of a collective subconscious.