Posted January 14, 2014
I know that there's a topic about references in Driftmoon already, but it doesn't cover up some that I've seen and that mostly belong to the category of cultural knowledge (apart from gaming, that is).
An example is this quote that can be seen on a sign at the eastern monastery's library : "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read". In case you didn't know, this is a quote attributed to Groucho Marx (you know, of the Marx Brothers comedians) who reputedly loved to read and also has said "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." (I just quote this, so that you see just how much he loved reading).
Another cultural reference can be found in the Urn Chamber of the crypt, on one of the grave signs (which, by the way, are pretty funny, you should read them all) stating : "Here lies the armless gamesmaster Luke Starfarmer. Died from Shock. He didn't listen to the advice : Let the Wookie win". It's obviously a Star Wars reference.
And finally, my favorite as I consider it the most obscure of all : In Robert's smithy, the player can see a circular "tool" with the inscription Sampo and the player character states upon clicking on it : "Robert is working on a machine that's supposed to make gold,grain and salt. Who needs so much salt ?". Actually, this one comes from Finnish mythology (yes, finnish have mythology as well on their own) ; according to legend, it was made by the smith Ilmarinen on the behalf of the god (or something, actually I recognised the myth as I had read a collection of world's mythology for kids when I was a kid, and remembered some of it) Väinämöinen (ugh, how do you manage to pronounce that one ? No offense to the Finnish, of course)-by the way, sorry for the interruptions. Anyways, I don't remember what he wanted it for (and the wikipedia entry -that also states that these myths are from the Kalevala- is too complicated for me to read right now), but I remember that a witch stole it, Väinämöinen killed her, but the sambo ended up in the sea with its gold and grain mechanism broken and the salt one stuck working continually - and that's why (according to Finnsh mythology) sea is,you know, salty !
Well, seems I talked (wrote, whatever) too much. And now you can also state any cultural references you find in the game in this thread and want others to know about ! I'm probably going to rest a bit now, but I will contribute upon finding other references not found by others.
Just a small P.S. now : It was very interesting that one of the men in the market in front of the monastery spoke only Finnish. I wonder what he said ! (And, by the way, in case you didn't know -just saying- the developers are Finnish and thus I expect more cultural references relating to Finland to show up ; I appreciate this homage of theirs to their home country, that reminds that not everyone is the same, as globalisation tries to achieve).
An example is this quote that can be seen on a sign at the eastern monastery's library : "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read". In case you didn't know, this is a quote attributed to Groucho Marx (you know, of the Marx Brothers comedians) who reputedly loved to read and also has said "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." (I just quote this, so that you see just how much he loved reading).
Another cultural reference can be found in the Urn Chamber of the crypt, on one of the grave signs (which, by the way, are pretty funny, you should read them all) stating : "Here lies the armless gamesmaster Luke Starfarmer. Died from Shock. He didn't listen to the advice : Let the Wookie win". It's obviously a Star Wars reference.
And finally, my favorite as I consider it the most obscure of all : In Robert's smithy, the player can see a circular "tool" with the inscription Sampo and the player character states upon clicking on it : "Robert is working on a machine that's supposed to make gold,grain and salt. Who needs so much salt ?". Actually, this one comes from Finnish mythology (yes, finnish have mythology as well on their own) ; according to legend, it was made by the smith Ilmarinen on the behalf of the god (or something, actually I recognised the myth as I had read a collection of world's mythology for kids when I was a kid, and remembered some of it) Väinämöinen (ugh, how do you manage to pronounce that one ? No offense to the Finnish, of course)-by the way, sorry for the interruptions. Anyways, I don't remember what he wanted it for (and the wikipedia entry -that also states that these myths are from the Kalevala- is too complicated for me to read right now), but I remember that a witch stole it, Väinämöinen killed her, but the sambo ended up in the sea with its gold and grain mechanism broken and the salt one stuck working continually - and that's why (according to Finnsh mythology) sea is,you know, salty !
Well, seems I talked (wrote, whatever) too much. And now you can also state any cultural references you find in the game in this thread and want others to know about ! I'm probably going to rest a bit now, but I will contribute upon finding other references not found by others.
Just a small P.S. now : It was very interesting that one of the men in the market in front of the monastery spoke only Finnish. I wonder what he said ! (And, by the way, in case you didn't know -just saying- the developers are Finnish and thus I expect more cultural references relating to Finland to show up ; I appreciate this homage of theirs to their home country, that reminds that not everyone is the same, as globalisation tries to achieve).
Post edited January 14, 2014 by Treasure
