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== Overview ==
 
== Overview ==
  
Much like [[Easter Egg|Easter Eggs]], the "City of" franchise is filled with slang and references to outside material. Some times these take the name of a zone, or an issue update. Other times a contact will be a wink towards one of the Developers favorite shows or games. While these may seem similar to [[Easter Egg|Easter Eggs]], they're usually not hidden, just requiring knowledge of the outside material.
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Much like [[Easter Egg]]s, the "City of" franchise is filled with slang and references to outside material. Some times these take the name of a zone, or an issue update. Other times a contact will be a wink toward one of the Developers' favorite shows or games. While these may seem similar to Easter Eggs, they're usually not hidden, just requiring knowledge of the outside material.
  
 
== Issues ==
 
== Issues ==
  
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It has long been believed that City of Heroes Issues are traditionally named after chapters in various books.  However, Matt "Positron" Miller corrected this misconception in a [[City Scoop]] interview on September 21, 2007.  [http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=9227196&an=0&page=0#Post9227196 He said], "The names of Issues are NOT chapters of novels. Never have been, never will be. The fact that the users have found novel chapter titles that match, or are similar to, our Issue names is a testament to the tenacity of our users. I won't say we haven't been amused by this, because we have, but we don't go out of our way to find a chapter title that matches our issue in theme and content. We name the issue something cool, that's it."
  
 +
The belief that issue names were taken from book chapter titles was based on such coincidences as:
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 +
*'''[[Issue 1]]: Through The Looking Glass''' was believed to be named for the sequel to Alice in Wonderland [[wikipedia:Through_the_Looking-Glass|''Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There'']].
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*'''[[Issue 2]]: A Shadow of the Past''' was believed to be named for chapter 2 of [[wikipedia:The Two Towers|''The Two Towers'']]
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*'''[[Issue 3]]: A Council of War''' was believed to be named for chapter 12 of [[wikipedia:Treasure_Island|''Treasure Island'']]
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*'''[[Issue 4]]: The Colosseum''' was believed to be named for chapter 34 of [[wikipedia:The Count of Monte Cristo|''The Count of Monte Cristo'']]
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Other issue titles have real-world or popular culture references as well:
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*'''[[Issue 6]]: Along Came A Spider''' is named for a line in the "Little Miss Muffet" nursery rhyme.
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*'''[[Issue 8]]: To Protect And Serve''' is named for the Los Angeles Police Department's motto.
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*'''[[Issue 11]]: A Stitch In Time''' refers to the proverb "a stitch in time saves nine," though its interpretation is quite different.
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*'''[[Issue 13]]: Power And Responsibility''' is named for the dying words of Spiderman's Uncle Ben: "With great power comes great responsibility."
  
 
== Badges ==
 
== Badges ==
  
* The exploration badge, [[Around the Bendis Badge]], is likely named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Michael_Bendis Brian Michael Bendis], a comic book writer best known for the cop/superhero series, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powers_%28comics%29 Powers] and work on various Marvel titles.  
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* The exploration badge, [[Around the Bendis Badge|Around the Bendis]], is likely named after [[wikipedia:Brian Michael Bendis|Brian Michael Bendis]], a comic book writer best known for the cop/superhero series, [[wikipedia:Powers (comics)|''Powers'']], and work on various Marvel titles.
* The exploration badge, [[Doc Whedon Badge]], is likely a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_Whedon Joss Whedon], a writer best known for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer Buffy, the Vampire Slayer] television series. Whedon has also been a comic book writer, working most recently on Astonishing X-Men for Marvel comics. The "Doc" portion is reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_%28Buffyverse%29 Doc], a another character in Whedon's Buffy series.
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* The exploration badge, [[Doc Whedon Badge|Doc Whedon]], is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Joss Whedon|Joss Whedon]], a writer best known for the [[wikipedia:Buffy the Vampire Slayer|''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'']] franchise. Whedon has also been a comic book writer, working most recently on ''Astonishing X-Men'' for Marvel comics. The "Doc" portion is reference to [[wikipedia:Doc (Buffyverse)|Doc]], a another character in Whedon's ''Buffy'' series.
* The Achievement badge [[Malleus Badge]] seems to refer to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malleus_Maleficarum Malleus Maleficarum].
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* The achievement badge, [[Malleus Badge|Malleus]], seems to refer to the [[wikipedia:Malleus Maleficarum|''Malleus Maleficarum'']].
* The Exploration [[Ace Badge]] mentions that the hero is named Mustang. The text has been changed at some point and I remember that same hero being called Corsair. Both names come from American fighters which saw considerable action during WWII in the Pacific theater: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-51_Mustang Mustang] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_Corsair Corsair].
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* The exploration badge, [[Ace Badge|Ace]], mentions that the hero is named Mustang. The text has been changed at some point from the hero being named Corsair, possibly due to a naming conflict with the Marvel Comics character [[wikipedia:Corsair (comics)|Corsair]]. Both names come from American fighters which saw considerable action during WWII in the Pacific theater, the [[wikipedia:P-51_Mustang|P-51 Mustang]] and the [[wikipedia:Vought Corsair|Vought Corsair]].
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* The exploration badge, [[Newsman Badge|Newsman]], text reads "The Theodore Knight building was home to many Super Groups in the years before the Rikti War." Theodore "Ted" Knight was the actor who played anchorman Ted Baxter on the "Mary Tyler Moore" show, as well as the narrator for the "Superfriends" TV show. The Baxter Building was the original home of the Fantastic Four. Ted Knight is also the name of DC Comics superhero [[wikipedia:Starman_%28Ted_Knight%29|Starman]].
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* The PvP badge, [[Back from the Future Badge|Back from the Future]], is a reference to the movie [[wikipedia:Back to the Future|''Back to the Future'']].
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*The event badge, [[Evil's Resident Badge|Evil's Resident]], is a reference to the popular zombie genre video game/movie franchise, [[wikipedia:Resident Evil|''Resident Evil'']].
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*The accolade badge, [[Atlas Shrugged Badge|Atlas Shrugged]], is a reference to the famous philosophical novel [[wikipedia:Atlas Shrugged|''Atlas Shrugged'']] by Ayn Rand.
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*The accolade badge, [[Time Lord Badge|Time Lord]], is likely a reference to the [[wikipedia:Time_Lord|Time Lords]] (the species to which [[wikipedia:Doctor_(Doctor_Who)|The Doctor]] belongs) of the British science fiction television series, ''[[wikipedia:Doctor_Who|Doctor Who]]''.
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* The achievement badge [[Dam Hero Badge|Dam Hero]] may be a reference to an episode of the TV series [[wikipedia:Firefly_(TV_Series)|Firefly]], where Mal describes himself and his crew as "Big Damn Heroes."
  
== Story Arcs ==
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== Story Arcs and Missions ==
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=== Acquire Blood of Mu ===
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In the '''Forging the Blackwand''' story arc, [[Archmage Tarixus]] states "The blood, you see, is compulsory." in the briefing of the [[Archmage Tarixus#Acquire Blood of Mu|Acquire Blood of Mu]]. This is a reference to a quote by The Player in the play/film [[wikipedia:Rosencrantz_&_Guildenstern_Are_Dead_(film)|''Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead'']].
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=== Assist Subverted Spiderlings ===
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In the [[Regent_Korol#Assist_subverted_Spiderlings|Assist subverted Spiderlings]] mission from [[Regent Korol]], one of the Spiderlings you are sent to assist says "What is your major malfunction?" This is a reference to a quote from [[wikiquote:Full Metal Jacket|Full Metal Jacket]].
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=== Break Out ===
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In the City of Villains Tutorial, you must rescue the Arachnos Operative Jenkins. This is often believed to be a reference to the infamous [[wikipedia:World of Warcraft|World of Warcraft]] character [[wikipedia:Leeroy Jenkins|Leeroy Jenkins]]. This might also be a reference to Jeff Jenkins, one of the Developers who has had his named used similarly in-game for other NPCs.
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=== Checkout the Cargo Ship ===
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During the '''Checkout the Cargo Ship''' mission from [[Mercedes Sheldon#The Magic Man|'''The Magic Man''']] story arc from [[Mercedes Sheldon]], one of the Tsoo comments "You move like a pregnant yak!". This is a quote from Chiun, a character from [[wikipedia:Remo_Williams:_The_Adventure_Begins|''Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins'']].
  
 
=== The Clockwork Captive ===
 
=== The Clockwork Captive ===
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In '''The Clockwork Captive''' story arc, during the [[Template:StoryArc The Clockwork Captive#Rescue the kidnapping victim before the Clockwork can move him|Rescue the kidnapping victim before the Clockwork can move him]] mission, a note can be found with 'CVX-1701 junction RVB-0070' written on it.  The registry number for the starship ''Enterprise'' from the ''Star Trek'' TV and movies series is NCC-1701.
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=== Gather [Color] Kora Fruit and Defeat the Guardians in a [Size] Cave ===
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Kora fruit are a reference to Soma, the recreational drug from author [[wikipedia:Aldous_Huxley|Aldous Huxley]]'s fictional masterpiece, [[wikipedia:Brave_New_World|Brave New World]].
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NPC Dr. Ada Huxley states, "Kora fruit [..] They act just like the most powerful kinds of inspirations", emphasising their [[wikipedia:Drug|drug-like]] effects.
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Soma is also a leafless East Indian vine; its sour milky juice used to make an intoxicating and sacred drink which is used in rituals. This might explain the reason why the [[Soldiers of Rularuu]] guard Kora fruit as they do, yet do not consume it - perhaps it is sacred to them.
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=== Join Ouroboros ===
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In the mission to retrieve the computer information from the 5th column base, one of the 5th Column soldiers can be overheard saying, "But, the robots are completely cloaked in a hard light hologram."  The hard light hologram is a reference to [[wikipedia:Arnold_Rimmer|Arnold Rimmer]], a character in the television series ''[[wikipedia:Red_Dwarf|Red Dwarf]]''.
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*More importantly, this is an in-joke about how rescuable NPCs would sometimes be replaced by 5th Column Mekmen. Sadly, this line was put in the same issue that broke that bug. Now NPCs are replaced by [[Col. Burkholder]].
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=== Locate Crate 878-932 ===
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Prior to [[Issue 3]], the crate in this mission was known as '''Crate 9906753'''. The same identification was used for the crate holding the [[wikipedia:Ark of the Covenant|Ark of the Covenant]] at the end of [[wikipedia:Raiders of the Lost Ark|Raiders of the Lost Ark]].
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=== Mass Duplicity (Anton Sampson) ===
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In the [[Anton_Sampson#Mass_Duplicity_.2835-39.29|Mass Duplicity]] arc from [[Anton_Sampson|Anton Sampson]], there are two businesses named Lovewest and Gordonless that you visit during the mission.  This is a reference to the Wild Wild West's Jim West, Artemis Gordon and the mad genius villain Doctor Loveless.  In the 1990s movie version of Wild Wild West, Dr. Loveless made extensive use of "steampunk" technology similar to that used by Nemesis.
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=== Operation Skyhook Story Arc ===
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The story arc from [[Lt. Chalmers]] is a reference to the code name for the Rebel Alliance's operations regarding the Death Star from the Star Wars movies. The operation shares the name [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Operation:_Skyhook Operation Skyhook].
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=== Project: World Wide Red ===
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In the '''Project: World Wide Red''' story arc, you encounter a Dr. Hedia Lamarr, who could be a reference to [[wikipedia:Hedy Lamarr|Hedy Lamarr]], famed actress and inventor, or "Hedley Lamarr" from the movie [[wikipedia:Blazing Saddles|Blazing Saddles]].
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=== Rescue Daniel Hawthorn ===
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In this [[Hardcase]] mission, Daniel Hawthorn is a reference to [[Wikipedia:The_devil_and_daniel_webster|The Devil and Daniel Webster]]. Like in the story, the in-game character "made a deal with the devil" and wanted to get out of it.
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=== Rescue Doctors ===
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*A 35-40 hero mission has you rescuing doctors the Rikti kidnapped, as they are dying from chicken pox. This whole fragment is a reference to [[Wikipedia:War of the Worlds|''The War of the Worlds'']] where the undefeated aliens succumb en masse to common cold.
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=== Retake your Cloning Facility! (Leonard)===
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The 5th Column will say "Fire! Fire everything!" This might be a reference to the movie "Star Trek" which was released not too long before the mission came out. In the movie, Nero says a similar line.
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=== Save firm from Devouring Earth ===
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In Jenny Firkins' arc, you have to save lawyers from the law office called Wolffe, Wolffe & Wolffe. In Angel[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_%28TV_series%29]the law office is named Wolfram & Hart and is often mentioned as "The Wolf, the Ram and the Hart".  Alternately, it may be a reference to the comic book "Wolff and Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre"[http://www.toonopedia.com/wolfbyrd.htm].
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=== The Sky Is Falling ===
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In the [[Admiral Sutter Task Force]], the admiral's recon fleet in the first mission consists of four [[wikipedia:Arleigh Burke class destroyer|Arleigh Burke class missile destroyers]]. This a real class of US Navy warship; in fact, the four vessels in the mission are all real ships of this class:
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*[[wikipedia:USS Mason (DDG-87)|USS Mason (DDG-87)]]
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*[[wikipedia:USS Mitscher (DDG-57)|USS Mitscher (DDG-57)]]
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*[[wikipedia:USS Stout (DDG-55)|USS Stout (DDG-55)]]
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*[[wikipedia:USS Donald Cook (DDG-75)|USS Donald Cook (DDG-75)]]
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=== Steal a Goldbrickers Rocket pack ===
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In '''Steal a Goldbrickers Rocket pack''' story arc, the leader of the Goldbrickers is "The Torch". Furthermore, you deliver the rocket pack to "Dr. Flammond". Both of these are references to the movie [[wikipedia:Top Secret!|''Top Secret!'']].
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=== Stop attackers in Arachnos lab ===
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*The mission's boss, a Zeus Titan named Enforcer-39 makes a reference to the ''Robocop'' movie. ("Surrender, {{Character}}! You have five seconds to comply! Three! Two! One! I am now authorized to use lethal force!")
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=== Television ===
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The entire contact is one great reference to many different things, amongst them:
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*"The Simpsons" (First mission of The TV Report)
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*"Mission Impossible" (Second mission of The TV Report)
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*"Deep Space Nine"/"Babylon 5" (Last mission of The TV Report)
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*The song [[Wikipedia:Video Killed the Radio Star|"Video killed the Radio Star"]] (Video Killed the Radio arc)
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*"The Outer Limits" ("A strange test pattern flashes across the screen, establishing control over the horizontal and the vertical, then the screen returns to normal")
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*"The Prisoner" (The "Help Televison" Mission)
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*"Pokemon" (The mission that gives the "Couch Potato" badge)
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*"The X-Files" (The "Recover Report on Malta" Mission)
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<!--the following section is struck out temporarily to supposition; does anyone have any harder evidence on this?>===[[Twinshot|The Shining Stars - A New Day Dawning]]===
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inigo_Montoya " My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."]<!--->
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=== Time After Time (Captain Mako) ===
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The first mission of this story arc has elements of Planet of the Apes, (humans being treated as inferior by creatures that they treated as inferior) and even shares some of the more memorable lines.
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=== Welcome to Praetoria ===
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During the introductory mission from [[Officer Flint (Praetorian)]] in [[Precinct Five]] he introduces you to [[Reese]].  Reese says, "I am a Top Dog in Praetor White's Powers Division. That means I'm famous, well known, and respected."  Famous, Well Known and Respected are adjective status traits used in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Wolf,_Inc. White Wolf's] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire:_The_Masquerade Vampire: the Masquerade] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness#Old_World_of_Darkness_.28oWoD.29 World of Darkness] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_action_role-playing_game live-action role-playing] game ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind%27s_Eye_Theatre Mind's Eye Theatre], Laws of the Night 3rd. edition) and are automatically conferred by holding the position of Prince in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camarilla_%28World_of_Darkness%29#Camarilla Camarilla].
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=== The Red and the Black ===
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Every named character unique to the [[Gaussian#Story Arc|story arc]] (i.e. discounting previously-established NPCs) is named after a character from [[wikipedia:%C5%8Cban_Star-Racers|Oban: Star Racers]] (a sci-fi fantasy animated show revolving around a variant of pod racing), either directly or as a play on words. In order of appearance, these are:
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*Rikti Negotiator Sah'Teece, whom Gaussian describes as a "Rikti sports hero." This refers to Oban's Satis, the former racer known as "Super Racer" and secretly the previous tournament's champion.
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*Captain Flint, a mission boss. This is a reference to Flint, the "local hero" and star racer of the host planet of Alwas. Captain Flint's yell of "No one can stop the power of Flint!" is an almost word-for-word quote from Flint's catch phrase in Oban, as his character is shown as a flamboyant boaster in the show.
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*Lt. Ceres, Lt. Sefu Tendaji's captor. This is a reference to Oban's Ceres, a wood-like magical alien racer. Lt. Ceres' speech of "You've made a poor choice, Character!" is a reference to Oban's Ceres, who is shown as a calm and methodical racer.
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*Captain Grool, a mission boss. This is a reference to Oban's Groor (with a letter switch), who is a large robotic racer with a foul temper and aggressive style. Grool's "Character and Tendaji have joined forces? Bah! The fools!" dialogue, specifically the ending, is an almost exact quote from a scene with Groor in the show.
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*Bill J. Wylde, a name-drop for the deceased diplomat the Rogue Vanguard have killed, is a reference to the father of Oban's Jordan C. Wilde's father. He is described as "a former astronaut" which is a direct reference to the father's role in Oban, which was first contact with an alien race as an astronaut.
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*Martha, a name-drop found on an unfinished letter. This is likely a reference to Maya Wai, the deceased wife of Oban's Don Wei, whose death is the driving force behind the man's self-destructive behaviour and crushing guilt.
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*Lt. Donai, Lady Grey's captor. This is a reference to Oban's Ondai, a sentient robot whose racing strategy is statistical analysis of all possible opponent moves. Lt. Donai's comment of "But the odds against this are impossible!" is a direct reference to Ondai's machine calculating nature.
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*Lt. Furter, one of Lady Grey's attackers. This is a reference to Oban's Lord Further, an arrogant pirate-themed alien who wins races by killing his opponents in their downtime using his numerous crew. His line "Come on, Men! Get Character!" is a direct quote of his hatchphrase, as well as his propensity to regard his crew as "men."
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*Captain Nin and Captain Skung, showing as an attacker and an ambush for the attacker, respectively. These are a reference to Oban's Ning and Skun, a duo of vampire-themed aliens who race "hoverbikes" which can merge together and use team tactics to overpower competitors. The entire setup of Captain Nin summoning Captain Skung when hurt is a direct reference to their Oban counterparts' racing style.
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*Colonel Toros, one of Lady Grey's attackers. This is a reference to... Well, Colonel Toros from Oban, a militaristic alien commander and xenophobic bigot. His "No one gets out alive!" line is a reference to the characters' ruthless racing tactics and propensity to try and murder his competitors.
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*Captain Racer, a dead Rogue Vanguard commander. This is a reference to Super Racer, the secret identity of Satis mentioned earlier, and the persona with which he won the previous tournament.
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*Lt. Rush, the commanding officer of the Longbow base raided for information. This is a reference to Oban's Rush, a large bearded alien known for his imposing strength and physique, as well as jolly disposition. Lt. Rush's line "BWAH-HA-HA! Let's fight, then!" is an almost direct quote of his from the show.
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*Agent Ikah, a name-drop for the creator of a tactical projection. This is a reference to Oban's Prince Aikka
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*Renegade Leader Gen. K. Alito, a mission boss. This is a reference to Canaletto, Oban's antagonist and tremendously powerful sorcerer. His line "Fool! You will not interfere with my plans!" is not an exact quote, but very accurate to the way in which Canaletto speaks in the show. His position as leader of the "bad guys" and his powers - he is a Vanguard Sorcerer - also fit well.
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*Technicians Kan and Stoji, appearing as mission "bosses." These are a reference to Stan and Koji, the Earth Team engineers from Oban. Stan is depicted as a roughneck mechanic while Koji as an otaku programmer. Their dialogue - "What am I even doing here?" and "I never even wanted be here." reflects their personalities accordingly, though they may be swapped around.
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*Su'Uul, a Rikti Magus and non-essential boss encounter. This is a reference to Oban's Suul, a great magical alien who is depicted as quiet, contemplative and displaying no real emotions. Su'Uul's dialogue of "Pondering: Hmmmm" is a direct reference to this.
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=== Police Band Missions ===
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* Rescue Ayn Race - The text states that you must rescue novelist Ayn Race. This may be a reference to the author [[wikipedia:Anne Rice|Anne Rice]] who wrote [[wikipedia:Interview with the Vampire|''Interview with the Vampire'']]. Reference is made in the mission text that the supernatural elements of her novel are "too real" to be made up.
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**The name also may refer to [[wikipedia:Ayn Rand|Ayn Rand]], or perhaps a mixture of the two.
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* Rescue Betty Jo Bialaski - Betty Jo is a character in [[wikipedia:The Firesign Theatre|Firesign Theatre's]] "Nick Danger" skit.  When rescued, she says, "Just call me Nancy, everyone does."
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**This mission also appears as "Rescue Audrey Farber", an alias for Betty Jo Bialaski.
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**Based on the skit, an additional mission might appear as "Rescue Melanie Haber", but this has not yet been attested.
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* Rescue Dr. Frank N. Scott - When you reach the hostage, the following dialog happens:
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:Wing Raider: We already know that the ritual begins with a jump to the left.
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:Dr. Frank N. Scott: I won't tell you a thing.
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:Assault Jump Bot: Yes, and then a step to the right.
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When aggroed, they yell:
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:Wing Raider: Dr. Scott! ''Hero Name''!
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:Dr. Frank N. Scott: ''Hero Name''!
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:Assault Jump Bot: ''Hero Name''! Dr. Scott!
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And when rescued, the hostage says:
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:Dr. Frank N. Scott: If they'd pried that ritual from me, it could have opened a time warp, or worse!
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The entire exchange is a reference to [[wikipedia:The Rocky Horror Picture Show|''The Rocky Horror Picture Show'']], which includes a Dr. Frank N. Furter, a Dr. Everett Scott, and a song called '''Time Warp''' with the lyrics "It's just a jump to the left / And then a step to the right", as well as a scene with characters calling each other's names.
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* Rescue Dr. Nivenah Sing - Dr. Sing, of Datalore Labs, is likely named after Dr. Noonien Soong, creator of androids Data and Lore, from Star Trek.
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* Rescue Dr. Philo - The text states that the Engineer for UHF station 62 was kidnapped. The manager George reported him missing. This is a reference to the [[wikipedia:"Weird Al" Yankovic|"Weird Al" Yankovic]] movie [[wikipedia:UHF (film)|''UHF'']]  Incidentally, when the doctor is led to the exit, he comments,  "My work here is done", which is the same line the doctor uttered in his last scene in UHF.
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* Rescue Dr. Priddy  - The text states that you must rescue Dr. Priddy who is developing the "Oberation Oscillthruster". This is a reference to the movie [[wikipedia:The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the 8th Dimension|''The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension'']] where [[wikipedia:Ellen Barkin|Ellen Barkin]] plays the character "Penny Priddy". In the movie Dr. Buckaroo Banzai is developing the "Oscillation Overthruster".
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* Rescue Dr. Stephen Fayte - The mission description says, "Due to random circumstances of birth, he's often mistaken for one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world.  However, he's really just a gifted surgeon, and nothing more.  When his attackers are engaged: the following conversation takes place:
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:Attacker 1: We were wrong!  He's just a gifted surgeon, and nothing more!
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:Dr. Stephen Fayte: Truly, I am merely a gifted surgeon, and nothing more.
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:Attacker 2: You fool!  He's merely a gifted surgeon, and nothing more!
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:Attacker 1: We must attack the hero and completely ignore Dr. Stephen Fayte!
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:Dr. Stephen Fayte: Ah.  Well, I'll just let you handle this.
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:Attacker 2: Yes, as he is merely a surgeon and nothing more, he is no threat to us.
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: When the attackers are defeated, Dr. Fayte says the following:
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: Dr. Stephen Fayte: That was a timely extraction from imminent peril, as I am merely a surgeon and nothing more.
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: When Dr. Fayte is rescued, he repeats one more time:
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: Dr. Stephen Fayte: Thank you.  You really saved me, as I am only a gifted surgeon, and nothing more.
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: The name "Stephen Fayte" is amalgam to two popular comic book characters, [[wikipedia:Doctor Strange|Doctor Strange]] and [[wikipedia:Doctor Fate|Doctor Fate]].  Both are powerful sorcerers with the ability to control others.  Dr. Stephen Strange in particular has the power to hypnotize others to his will, and is a gifted neurosurgeon.
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*  Rescue Dr. Zhondervan - This appears to be a reference to [[wikipedia:Zondervan|Zondervan]], a Christian publishing company most famous publishing the [[wikipedia:New International Version|New International Version]] of the Bible.
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**In fact, neither of co-founder Pat Zondervan's sons have continued the family business and one of them is a doctor, though a psychiatrist.
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* Rescue Jake Emmet - Jake Emmet is a computer game designer who, it is feared, may have made some super-powered beings mad with his latest computer game.  This is an obvious reference to City of Heroes'/Villains' former lead designer [[Jack Emmert]] ([[Statesman]]).
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* Rescue Jon "Booster" Rhodes - The description of this mission states that Jon Rhodes is the VP for Kord Industries. This is a Reference to [[wikipedia:War Machine|James Rhodes]], who works for Stark Industries in the [[wikipedia:Marvel Comics|Marvel Comics]] [[wikipedia:Iron Man|''Iron Man'']] series.
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**Also, upon saving him from his captors he says: "Nice work. You took those guys down like some kinda war machine." which is another reference to James Rhodes and his alter ego, War Machine.
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**At the mission exit he says: "Thanks for the help. I actually was expecting someone else, but you did a great job." implying that he was expecting his employer and friend (who is most likely [[Tony Kord]] (another NPC referencing both Iron Man and the Blue Beetle, see the entry lower on this list)) to save him.
 +
**The name (or rather, the nickname) also appears to refer to [[wikipedia:Booster Gold|Booster Gold]] - reinforced by the fact that Ted ''Kord'' is [[wikipedia:Blue Beetle|Blue Beetle]], a [[wikipedia:DC Comics|DC]] hero commonly associated with Booster.
 +
 +
* Rescue L33t Sk1zzl3s - When you have finished rescuing him, he says "Wait till I tell everyone on Dotslash about this.". This is a reference to the news site [[wikipedia:Slashdot|Slashdot]].
 +
 +
* Rescue Lois Watson - Lois Watson is expecting to be rescued by Unbelievable-Man, but "you'll do."  The name Lois Watson is an amalgam of [[wikipedia:Lois Lane|Lois Lane]] and [[wikipedia:Mary Jane Watson|Mary Jane Watson]].
 +
 +
* Rescue Mazzy Stardusk - The text states that you must rescue "Mazzy Stardusk" a big rock star back in the day. This is a reference to the both the [[wikipedia:David Bowie|David Bowie]] concept album [[wikipedia:The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars|''The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars'']] and the music group [[wikipedia:Mazzy Star|Mazzy Star]].
 +
 +
* Rescue Mr. L. Jenkins - The text states that you must rescue an office worker "Mr. L. Jenkins". This is another reference to "World of Warcraft"'s Leeroy Jenkins.
 +
 +
* Rescue Peter Kent - You find this hostage threatening his captors and making them very nervous.  The name Peter Kent is an amalgam of [[wikipedia:Peter Parker|Peter Parker]] and [[wikipedia:Clark Kent|Clark Kent]].
 +
 +
* Rescue Stephen Duke - The text states that you must rescue novelist Stephen Duke. This is a reference to the author [[wikipedia:Stephen King|Stephen King]]. Reference is made in the mission text that he was in a car accident; the real King was in a severe auto accident.
 +
 +
* Retrieve the Oxygen Destroyer- The [[wikipedia:Oxygen destroyer|oxygen destroyer]] is the device that killed [[wikipedia:Godzilla|''Godzilla'']] in the 1954 movie.
 +
 +
* In one of the police band missions the phrase "All Units: The Use of excessive force in the apprehension of {{Character}} has been approved" might be a reference to the movie [[wikipedia:The Blues Brothers (film)|''The Blues Brothers'']].
  
In '''The Clockwork Captive''' story arc, during the [[Template:Mission StoryArc The Clockwork Captive#Rescue the kidnapping victim before the Clockwork can move him|Rescue the kidnapping victim before the Clockwork can move him]] mission, a note can be found with 'CVX-1701 junction RVB-0070' written on it.  The registry number for the starship ''Enterprise'' from the ''Star Trek'' TV and movies series is NCC-1701.
+
=== Newspaper Missions ===
 +
* Dr. Theopolis to Speak on Time Travel - Dr. Theopolis was a recurring character on the television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
  
 
== Zones and Places ==
 
== Zones and Places ==
  
*'''[[Perez Park]]''', and it's various neighborhoods and badges, are named after various famous comic book creators.
+
=== Brickstown ===
** '''Perez Park''' is named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_P%C3%A9rez George Pérez], a comic book illustrator and writer
+
Some of the names seem to be related to the legend of [[wikipedia:Epic of Gilgamesh|Gilgamesh]].
**'''Gaiman Woods''' is named after [http://www.neilgaiman.com/ Neil Gaiman], best known in comics for his unique update of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandman_%28DC_Comics_Modern_Age%29 The Sandman].
+
*'''The Crescent''' is likely a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Fertile Crescent|Fertile Crescent]], the crescent-shaped region in the Middle East believed by some to be the cradle of civilization.
**'''Everett Lake''' is named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Everett Bill Everett], a comic book artist and writer most famous for creating the superhero,[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namor_the_Sub-Mariner The Sub-Mariner].
+
*'''Dark Waters''' seem to be referred to one of the parts of Gilgamesh' travel. Water is very important in the Gilgamesh myth, and the tunnels under Brickstown are full with water here as well.  
 
+
*'''Mashu Bridge''' is related to the [[wikipedia:Mashu|Mashu tunnel]].
 +
*The [[wikipedia:Ziggurat|Ziggurat]] is an old Babylonian construct.
  
*'''[[Skyway City]]'''
+
=== Croatoa ===
**'''The Gruff''' neighborhood is most likely named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Billy_Goats_Gruff Three Billy Goats Gruff]. This is a fairy tale where a Troll tries to prevent three goats from crossing a bridge. This area is a hangout for [[Trolls]].
+
This zone harkens back to many myths and legends, especially those of Ireland.
**'''The Land of the Lost''' neighborhood shares a name with a television series, ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_of_the_Lost_(1974_television_series) Land of the Lost]). [[The Lost]] enemy group can be found in this area.
+
*The name of the zone itself is a reference to the lost colony of [[wikipedia:Roanoke Colony|Roanoke]]. In 1590 the colony had disappeared, with the only clue being the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree.
 +
*The town's name, '''Salamanca''', refers to a [[wikipedia:Salamanca|Spanish city]]. During the Middle Ages it inhabited a no man's land between the Christian north and the Muslim south. It also had a [[wikipedia:University of Salamanca|famous university]].
 +
*The [[Fir Bolg]] and [[Tuatha de Dannan]] are the fourth and fifth invaders of Ireland listed in the [[wikipedia:Lebor Gabala Erenn|Irish Book of Invasions]]. The Tuatha De in particular were supposed to be adept at magic and semi-divine, but eventually disappeared into the spirit world and became faeries and goblins.
 +
*'''New Connaught''' is a reference to Connacht, the western province of Ireland. According to legend, the Tuatha de Dannan allowed the Fir Bolg to have Connacht after their defeat, as they were impressed with the heroism of Sreng.
 +
*[[Eochai]] appears to refer to [[wikipedia:Eochaid mac Eirc|Eochaid mac Eirc]], the legendary last king of the Fir Bolg. '''Bres''' appears to refer to the [[wikipedia:Bres|first king of the Tuatha De Dannan]] in Ireland. '''Streng''' appears to be a misspelling of '''Sreng''', who was a champion of the Fir Bolg during their war.
 +
*[[Red Caps]] are malevolent faeries or goblins in British folklore, whose eponymous red hats were stained with the blood of their victims. They were supposedly impossible to outrun, and one could only escape by reciting a verse from the Bible.
 +
*[[Jack In Irons]] was a giant in Yorkshire lore, covered in chains and wearing the heads of his victims.
  
 +
=== Dark Astoria ===
 +
Some neighborhoods seem to be named after directors of horror films.
 +
*'''Raimi Arcade''' is named after [[wikipedia:Sam Raimi|Sam Raimi]]
 +
*'''Romero Heights''' is named after [[wikipedia:George Romero|George A. Romero]]
 +
*'''Toffet Terrace''' - may be an alternate spelling of [[wikipedia:Tophet|Tophet]], which is an unpleasant place, or another name for hell.
 +
*'''Dido's View'''. It should be noted that the neighborhood names were ''probably'' in place when Dark Astoria was simply Astoria - before Mot rose, and before the earlier shrouding fog. In Dark Astoria, Dido's View is adjacent to Moth Cemetary. In a sense, it overlooks the cemetary. The Dido in this name possibly refers to [[wikipedia:Dido (Queen of Carthage)|Dido, Queen of Carthage]], about whom many myths, legends and stories arose. The most well-known stories are the [[wikipedia:Aeneid|Aenid]] and the [[wikipedia:Dido's Lament|Lament of Dido]], which is from the opera, [[wikipedia:Dido and Aeneas|Dido and Aeneas]].
 +
:It's probable the in-game place bears some relationship to the stories and place surrounding Dido's View in Carthage. Dido's View is described in the Aenid Book 4.401: "What were your feelings Dido, then? What were the sighs you uttered at that sight, when far and wide from your high citadel, you saw the beaches boil and turmoil take the waters, with such a vast uproar before your eyes?" This description resonates strongly with a viewer looking across Moth Cemetary; also noting that, like Carthage, Astoria could be said to have been sacked (not once, but twice).
  
*'''[[Talos Island]]''' names come from Greek mythology, and particularly from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey Homer's Odyssey]:
+
*[[Madame Bellerose]] mentions that ''Nightmare on Raimi Boulevard'' is a movie that was filmed in Dark Astoria. This is both a reference to Sam Raimi (above) and the horror film, [[wikipedia:A Nightmare on Elm Street|A Nightmare on Elm Street]].
**'''Talos''' is referred to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talos the giant automaton] of the same name.
+
**'''Argo Highway''' seems to be related to Jason's ship [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argo Argo].
+
**'''Circe Island''' can be related to the goddess [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circe Circe], who used to live in an island as well.
+
**'''Eleusis'''  seems to refer to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elefsina city of the same name].
+
**'''Helen Point''' may be related to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen Helen of Troy].
+
**'''Ithaca Island''' is named after the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer%27s_Ithaca island] of the same name, homeland of Odysseus.
+
**'''New Corinth''', '''New Sparta''', '''New Thebes''', and '''New Troy''' are named after the cities of the same names: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinth Corinth], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparta Sparta], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thebes Thebes] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy Troy].
+
**'''Scylla Island''' seems to be named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scylla the monster of the same name].
+
  
 +
=== Founders' Falls ===
 +
The neighborhoods here are related to either Rhode Island (the state [[Paragon City]] is set in) or the American Revolution:
 +
*'''Blackstone Hills''' could refer to the [[wikipedia:Blackstone, Providence, Rhode Island|Blackstone district]] of [[Wikipedia:Providence, Rhode Island|Providence, Rhode Island]].
 +
*'''The Gaspee''' references the [[wikipedia:Gaspée Affair|Gaspée Affair]], in which a British naval ship of the same name was destroyed off the coast of Rhode Island prior to the war.
 +
*'''Hutchinson Park''' may reference either of the Rhode Island historical figures [[wikipedia:Thomas Hutchinson|Thomas Hutchinson]] or [[wikipedia:Anne Hutchinson|Anne Hutchinson]].
 +
*'''Williams Square''' is likely named after [[wikipedia:Roger Williams (theologian)|Roger Williams]].
 +
*'''Louis Forest''' is likely named after [[wikipedia:Louis XVI of France|King Louis XVI of France]], the French King who contributed troops, arms and money to the fledgling American Continental Congress during the war.
  
*'''[[Dark Astoria]]''' neighborhoods (at least some of them) seem to be named after directors of horror films:
+
=== Kings Row ===
**'''Raimi Arcade''' is named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Raimi Sam Raimi]
+
This area is named after a street near Cryptic's Headquarters. It may also be a reference to the Ronald Reagan [[Wikipedia:Kings Row|film of the same name]].
**'''Romero Heights''' is named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Romero George A. Romero]
+
*'''The Gish''' is likely a reference to silent film star [[Wikipedia:Lillian Gish|Lillian Gish]].
  
 +
=== Mercy Island ===
 +
*'''Darwin's Landing''' is named after [[wikipedia:Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin]], whose theory of natural selection is often summarized as "survival of the fittest" - very fitting given the way Lord Recluse treats Mercy Island as a test to remove those too weak to live up to their destiny.
  
*'''[[Terra Volta]]''' neighborhoods seem to refer to 1930's pulp comic characters:
+
=== Nerva Archipelago ===
** '''Carter Engineering''' refers to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carter_(character) John Carter].
+
The zone is named after the Roman Emperor [[wikipedia:Nerva|Nerva]]. According to an NPC in City of Villains, "Nerva was a Roman Emperor who selected his heir rather than choosing a blood relative".  
** '''Challenger Technology''' may refer to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor_Challenger Professor Challenger] from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's ''The Lost World''.
+
*'''Agincourt''', the Longbow massive base, likely named after the [[wikipedia:Battle of Agincourt|battle]] of the same name. Notice the role of the English longbow during the battle.
** '''Gordon Trench''' refers to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Gordon Flash Gordon].
+
** '''Walker Energy''' refers to Christopher "Kit" Walker, secret identity of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom The Phantom].
+
** '''Rogers Industries''' refers to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Rogers Buck Rogers].
+
** '''Savage Waste Disposal''' refers to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Savage Doc Savage].
+
** The very name of '''Terra Volta''' ''(The land of Volta)'' can be related to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandro_Volta Alessandro Volta], developer of the electric battery.
+
  
 +
=== Perez Park ===
 +
The zone, its various neighborhoods and badges, are named after various famous comic book creators. The zone itself is a reference to [[wikipedia:George Pérez|George Pérez]], a comic book illustrator and writer.
 +
*'''Gaiman Woods''' is named after author [[wikipedia:Neil Gaiman|Neil Gaiman]].
 +
*'''Everett Lake''' is named after [[wikipedia:Bill Everett|Bill Everett]], a comic book artist and writer best known for creating [[wikipedia:Namor the Sub-Mariner|The Sub-Mariner]].
  
*'''[[Croatoa]]''' seems to be based on the legend of the lost colony of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatoa Roanoke].
+
=== Peregrine Island ===
**'''Salamanca''' is by no means a fictional place. This [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamanca Spanish city] has one of the oldest [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamanca_University universities] in Europe.
+
Some of the neighborhoods seem to be related to the DC hero [[wikipedia:Aquaman|Aquaman]]:
 +
*'''Curry Cove''' references Arthur Curry, the civilian identity of the hero.
 +
*'''Mera Heights''' is named after Aquaman's ex-wife, [[wikipedia:Mera (character)|Mera]].
 +
*'''Tempest Quay''' references the current heroic identity of Aquaman's former sidekick Aqualad, now known as [[wikipedia:Aqualad#Garth|Tempest]].
 +
*'''Nelson Borough''' may be related to the DC hero [[wikipedia:Dr. Fate|Dr. Fate]], but is just as likely to be named after the renowned British Vice-Admiral [[wikipedia:Admiral Nelson|Horatio Nelson]].
  
 +
=== Rikti Crash Site/Rikti War Zone ===
 +
The neighborhoods in the old Rikti Crash Site are named after battles where the American Army has been present:
 +
*'''Bloody Lane''' comes from [[Wikipedia:Battle of Bloody Lane|Antietam]], during the American Civil War.
 +
*'''The Bulge''' references the Ardennes Offensive of World War II, better known as [[Wikipedia:Battle of the Bulge|the Battle of the Bulge]].
 +
*'''The DMZ''' references a [[Wikipedia:Demilitarized zone|demilitarized zone]].
 +
*'''Little Round Top''' was the place of one of the actions during the [[Wikipedia:Little Round Top|Battle of Gettysburg]] in the American Civil War.
 +
*The '''Point Du Hoc''' action was part of the [[Wikipedia:Pointe du Hoc|Normandy Landing]] during WWII.
 +
*'''Pork Chop Hill''' is related to the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Pork Chop Hill|battle of the same name]] which took place during the Korean War.
 +
*'''Sunken Road''' may refer to the same location as Bloody Lane, or it may refer to part of the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Shiloh#Hornet's Nest|Battle of Shiloh]] or [[Wikipedia:Battle of Fredericksburg|Battle of Fredericksburg]].
  
*'''[[Brickstown]]''' Some of the names seem to be related to the legend of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_of_Gilgamesh Gilgamesh].
+
The Rikti War Zone adds additional battles:
**'''Dark Waters''' seem to be referred to one of the parts of Gilgamesh' travel. Water is very important in the Gilgamesh myth, and the tunnels under Brickstown are full with water here as well.
+
*'''Heartbreak Ridge''' is the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Heartbreak Ridge|Battle of Heartbreak Ridge]].
**'''Mashu Bridge''' is related to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashu Mashu tunnel].
+
*'''Thin Red Line''' refers to [[Wikipedia:The Thin Red Line (1854 battle)|an action]] during the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Balaclava|Battle of Balaclava]].
**'''Ziggurat''' is an old Babylonian [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziggurat construct].
+
*'''Pavia''' appears to refer to the city of [[Wikipedia:Pavia|Pavia]], the site of a number of historic battles, the most recent of which was in 1525.
  
 +
=== Skyway City ===
 +
*'''The Gruff''' neighborhood is most likely named after [[Wikipedia:Three Billy Goats Gruff|"Three Billy Goats Gruff"]], a fairy tale where a troll tries to prevent three goats from crossing a bridge. This area is a hangout for [[Trolls]].
 +
*'''Hide Park.''' Several large cities feature a Hyde Park (London, Sydney, New York). Hide Park in Skyway City features [[Trolls]] consuming [[Superadine]] and transforming their bodies. This ''may'' be an homage to Mr. Hyde of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_Case_of_Dr_Jekyll_and_Mr_Hyde Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde].
 +
*'''The Land of the Lost''' neighborhood is likely named after the television series [[wikipedia:Land of the Lost (1974 television series)|''Land of the Lost'']]. and is a pun referencing [[The Lost]] enemy group found in this area.
  
*'''[[Founders' Falls]]''' neighborhoods seem to be related to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island Rhode Island] and persons associated with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_revolution American Revolution]:
+
=== Striga Isle ===
**'''Blackstone Hills''' could refer to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackstone_River Blackstone River Valley]
+
The zone's name refer to the [[Wikipedia:Striga (plant)|striga]], a parasitic plant that is found in parts of Africa and Asia. This parasitic nature can be found in [[Council]] Vampyrs that have the ability to drain life from their targets, while strengthening themselves. It's also a potential spelling of [[wikipedia:Strix_(mythology)|Strix]] a variety of vampire from Roman legend which appeared as a monster in D&D.
**'''The Gaspee''' seems to be related to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaspee HMS Gaspée].
+
**'''Hutchinson Park''' is probably named after the last British colonial governor of Massachusetts [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hutchinson Thomas Hutchinson].
+
**'''Williams Square''' seems to be named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Williams_%28theologian%29 Roger Williams].
+
**'''Louis Forest''' is likely named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XVI_of_France King Louis XVI of France], the French King who contributed troops, arms and money to the fledgling American Continental Congress during the war.
+
  
*'''[[Peregrine Island]]'''  
+
=== Talos Island ===
*Some of the neighborhoods seem to be related to the DC hero [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Curry Aquaman]:
+
The names come from Greek mythology, particularly from [[Wikipedia:Odyssey|Homer's ''Odyssey'']]: '''Talos''' is named after [[Wikipedia:Talos|the golem]] of the same name.
**'''Curry Cove''' seems to be named after Arthur Curry, the civilian identity of the hero.
+
*'''Argo Highway''' references the [[Wikipedia:Argo|ship of the same name]].
**'''Mera Heights''' seems to be named after Aquaman's ex-wife, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mera_%28character%29 Mera].
+
*'''Circe Island''' is related to the sorceress [[Wikipedia:Circe|Circe]], who used to live in an island as well.
**'''Tempest Quay''' seems to be named after the current heroic identity of Aquaman's former sidekick Aqualad, now known as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqualad#Garth Tempest].
+
*'''Eleusis''' is an alternate spelling of the city [[Wikipedia:Elefsina|Elefsina]].
**'''Nelson Borough''' can be related to the DC hero [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Fate Dr. Fate], but is just as likely to be named after the renowned British Vice-Admiral [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiral_Nelson Horatio Nelson].
+
*'''Helen Point''' refers to [[Wikipedia:Helen|Helen of Troy]] Fitting, as the area named after the woman whose "beauty launched a thousand ships" is a shipping port.
 +
*'''Ithaca Island''' is named after the [[Wikipedia:Homer's Ithaca|island of the same name]].
 +
*'''New Corinth''', '''New Sparta''', '''New Thebes''', and '''New Troy''' are named after the cities of the same names: [[Wikipedia:Corinth|Corinth]], [[Wikipedia:Sparta|Sparta]], [[Wikipedia:Thebes|Thebes]] and [[Wikipedia:Troy|Troy]].
 +
*'''Scylla Island''' references [[Wikipedia:Scylla|the monster of the same name]].
  
 +
=== Terra Volta ===
 +
The name of the zone comes from [[wikipedia: Alessandro Volta|Alessandro Volta]], the creator of the electric battery and whose name the measurement [[Wikipedia:Volt|volt]] comes from. The neighborhoods here refer to 1930's pulp comic characters:
 +
* '''Carter Engineering''': [[Wikipedia:John Carter (character)|John Carter]].
 +
* '''Challenger Technology''': [[Wikipedia:Professor Challenger|Professor Challenger]] from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's ''The Lost World''.
 +
* '''Gordon Trench''': [[Wikipedia:Flash Gordon|Flash Gordon]].
 +
* '''Walker Energy''': Christopher "Kit" Walker, secret identity of [[Wikipedia:The Phantom|The Phantom]].
 +
* '''Rogers Industries''': [[Wikipedia:Buck Rogers|Buck Rogers]].
 +
* '''Savage Waste Disposal''': [[Wikipedia:Doc Savage|Doc Savage]].
  
*'''[[Rikti Crash Site]]''' neighborhoods are named after battles where the American Army has been present:
+
== Businesses and Billboards ==
**'''Bloody Lane''' comes from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bloody_Lane Antietam] during the American Civil War.
+
**'''The Bulge''' (battle of), also called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_bulge the Ardennes Offensive] was the last offensive from the Nazi army during WWII.
+
**'''The DMZ''' comes from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_Demilitarized_Zone the DeMilitarized Zone], from the Vietnam War.
+
**'''Little Round Top''' was the place of one of the actions during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Round_Top battle of Gettysburg], in the American Civil War.
+
**'''Point Du Hoc''' action was part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointe_du_Hoc Normandy Landing] during WWII.
+
**'''Pork Chop Hill''' is related to the battle of the same name which took place during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pork_Chop_Hill Korean War].
+
**'''Sunken Road''' seems to refer to the Antietam Battle as well.
+
  
 +
*'''Benedict Tech''', a technology corporation in game that specializes in prosthetics. The name Benedict references a character from [[wikipedia:Roger Zelazny|Roger Zelazny's]] [[wikipedia:The Chronicles of Amber|''The Chronicles of Amber'' novels]], who lost an arm and had it replaced with an artificial one.
  
*'''[[Nerva Archipelago]]'''
+
*'''City of Gyros''' is, of course, a play on "City of Heroes".
**The very zone is named after the Roman Emperor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerva Nerva]. According to an NPC in City of Villains, "Nerva was a Roman Emperor who selected his heir rather than choosing a blood relative".
+
**'''Agincourt''', the Longbow massive base, seems to be named after the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Agincourt battle] of the same name. Notice the role of the English longbow during the battle.
+
  
*'''[[Mercy Island]]'''
+
*'''Cooke's Electronics''' a technology store is a reference to [[wikipedia:Fry's Electronics|Fry's Electronics]], an electronic retail store.
**'''Darwin's Landing''' is named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin Charles Darwin], whose theory of natural selection is often summarized as "survival of the fittest" - very fitting given the way Lord Recluse treats Mercy Island as a test to remove those too weak to live up to their destiny.
+
 
 +
*'''In Front Steakhouse''' billboards can be seen in the city. This is a reference to [[wikipedia:Outback Steakhouse|Outback Steakhouse]].
 +
 
 +
*'''Junk Depot''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Radio Shack|Radio Shack]].  The store logo is a red J in a circle, very similar to Radio Shack's logo.
 +
 
 +
*'''Major Flanders Chicken''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Colonel Sanders|Colonel Sanders]] and [[wikipedia:Kentucky Fried Chicken|Kentucky Fried Chicken]].
 +
 
 +
*'''Red Beast''' drink billboards can be found in Paragon City. This is a reference to [[wikipedia:Red Bull|Red Bull]] energy drink.
 +
 
 +
*'''[[wikipedia:Scheherazade|Scheherazade]]''' signs can be seen in several zones of Paragon City. The fictional storyteller and style of the sign are references to [[wikipedia:Borders Group|Borders]].
 +
 
 +
*'''Up-N-Away Burger''' is a play on [[wikipedia:In-N-Out_Burger|In-N-Out Burger]], a fast food restaurant in the western part of the US.
 +
 
 +
*'''Super Bowl''' bowling alley is a pun on the super heroes fighting crime, and also on the annual professional football event in the US.
 +
 
 +
*'''[[Wentworth's Fine Consignments]]''' may be a reference to any or all of the following:
 +
**Richard Wentworth, the civilian alias for the pulp hero known as [[wikipedia:The Spider|The Spider]].
 +
**Another possibility is [[wikipedia:J.G. Wentworth|J.G. Wentworth]], a real-life financial services firm known for its "It's my money, and I need it NOW!" commercials.
 +
**Yet another possibility is [[wikipedia:F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth's]], the United States' original "five and dime" store, more recently known as [[wikipedia:Foot Locker|Foot Locker]].
  
 
== NPCs ==
 
== NPCs ==
  
*'''Agent McClane''' and '''Operative Gruber''', the contacts of the Winter event 2005 seem to be based on the characters of the same name from the film [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Hard Die Hard].
+
* [[Agent Arthur Bell]] is possibly an allusion to [[wikipedia:Art Bell|Art Bell]], the founder and longtime host of the paranormal-themed radio program [[wikipedia:Coast to Coast AM|Coast to Coast AM]].
 +
 
 +
* Three characters in the game are references to the manga ''Gunnm'' (known in English as [[wikipedia:Battle Angel Alita|''Battle Angel Alita'']]):
 +
** '''[[Agent Gally Ido]]''': Gally is the name of the cyborg heroine ("[[wikipedia:Alita|Alita]]" in the translation) and [[wikipedia:Daisuke Ido|Daisuke Ido]] is her adopted father.
 +
** '''[[Hugo|Hugo Figure]]''' is a reference to both series characters Hugo and [[wikipedia:Figure Four (Battle Angel Alita)|Figure Four]].
 +
** '''[[Arachnos#Named Bosses|Bane Spider Zapan]]''' is a reference to [[wikipedia:Zapan|Zapan]], a bounty hunter in the series.
 +
 
 +
* [[Agent McClane]] and [[Operative Gruber]], the contacts of the [[Winter Event 2005]] seem to be based on the characters of the same name from the film [[wikipedia:Die Hard|Die Hard]].
 +
 
 +
* Agent Oakley, a Crey sharpshooter encountered in one of [[Daedalus]]'s missions, is a reference to [[wikipedia:Annie Oakley|Annie Oakley]], a historical sharpshooter.
 +
 
 +
* '''Aleister Crowley''', also mentioned in many of the Magic enhancements, was a real life person as well: [[wikipedia:Alistair_Crowley|Alistair Crowley]]. He was an occultist who was involved in the [[wikipedia:Hermetic_Order_of_the_Golden_Dawn|Golden Dawn]] in turn of the century England, and led a rather scandalous lifestyle. He is noted for utilising the motto of the real life [[wikipedia:Hellfire_Club|Hellfire Club]] (who were in turn [[wikipedia:Hellfire_Club_(comics)|referenced in comic form as a supervillain group]]), "Do What Thou Wilt", and for a meeting with [[wikipedia:Aldous_Huxley|Aldous Huxley]].
 +
 
 +
* '''[[Ambassador Kuhr'Rekt]]''': After completing his first mission, he says "Invitation extended: Consume mass quantities", an obvious reference to the [[wikipedia:Coneheads|Coneheads]] of [[wikipedia:Saturday_Night_Live|SNL]] fame.
 +
 
 +
* '''Axel F''' a Freakshow boss on Sister Psyche's Task Force is a reference to the song of the same name by Harold Faltermeyer, which is the theme tune of the film, "Beverly Hills Cop", and is named after the protagonist: Axel Foley.
 +
 
 +
* '''Black XIII''', a Super Arachnoid test subject you recover in one of [[Efficiency Expert Pither]]'s mission could be a reference to either [[wikipedia:Final Fantasy 7|Final Fantasy 7's]] [[wikipedia:Characters of Final Fantasy VII#Red_XIII|Red XIII]] or the most dangerous of the crystal balls found in Stephen King's [[wikipedia:The Dark Tower (series)|The Dark Tower]] book series which is also referred to as Black 13.
 +
 
 +
* [[Carson]] is an homage to [[wikipedia:Carson Kressley|Carson Kressley]], one of the 'festive' hosts from the TV makeover show, [[wikipedia:Queer Eye|Queer Eye For The Straight Guy]].
 +
 
 +
* [[Clive Loveking]] is a parody of [[wikipedia:H.P. Lovecraft|H. P. Lovecraft]], and refers to several of his works when you meet him in a police band mission. His name may also reference modern horror authors Stephen King and Clive Barker.
 +
 
 +
* '''Detective Wright''', an [[Outbreak]] contact that was replaced by [[Coyote]], is a reference to [[Positron (Developer)|Matt "Positron" Miller]]'s old roommate.
 +
 
 +
* [[Doc Kryten]] is a parody of Red Dwarf's Kryten.
 +
 
 +
* '''Douglas''', a Captain of the [[Sky Raiders]], is a reference to the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider, a single-seat propellor-driven ground-attack aircraft in use from the 1950s through the 1970s.
 +
 
 +
* [[Dr. Aeon]]: The Latin word [[wikipedia:Aeon|Aeon]], also spelled eon or æon, means "age," "forever," or "for eternity".
 +
 
 +
* [[Dr. Forrester]]: This [[Grandville]] contact is almost a complete visual tribute to the mad scientist Doctor Clayton Deborah Susan Forrester of cult TV show [[wikipedia:Doctor Clayton Forrester (MST3K)|''Mystery Science Theater 3000'']], whom in turn is a tribute to Doctor Clayton Forrester of the science fiction classic [[wikipedia:Doctor Clayton Forrester (War of the Worlds)|The War of the Worlds.]]
 +
 
 +
* '''Dr. Franklin Vimes''' appears to be an homage to [[wikipedia:The Simpsons|The Simpsons]] character [[wikipedia:Homer's Enemy|Frank Grimes]]. He is found in the [[Kristof Jaeger#Kidnap Dr. Franklin Vimes|Kidnap Dr. Franklin]] mission from [[Kristof Jaeger]].
 +
 
 +
* [[Dr. Huxley]]: Dr Ada Huxley is a reference to the author [[wikipedia:Aldous_Huxley|Aldous Huxley]], who wrote [[wikipedia:The_doors_of_perception|The Doors of Perception]] about his experiences when taking the psychedelic drug mescaline.
 +
 
 +
* [[Dr. Quaterfield]]: Dr. Thomas Quaterfield is a reference to [[wikipedia:Bernard_Quatermass|Professor Bernard Quatermass]], a fictional character, originally created by the writer Nigel Kneale for BBC Television. The character first appeared in [[wikipedia:The_Quatermass_Experiment|The Quatermass Experiment]] in 1953.  It is just as likely to refer to [[wikipedia:Quatermain|Allan Quatermain]], the main character of the pulp novels of [[wikipedia:H._Rider_Haggard|Sir Henry Rider Haggard]].
 +
 
 +
*[[Empyrean Michael]] is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Michael (archangel)|the archangel of the same name]]
 +
 
 +
* [[Ganymede]] is from Greek Mythology. [[wikipedia:Ganymede|Ganymede]] is the most beautiful of mortals.
 +
 
 +
* [[General Hammond]] in [[Firebase Zulu]] is a reference to [[wikipedia:George Hammond|George Hammond]], a character on [[wikipedia:Stargate SG-1|''Stargate SG-1'']].
 +
 
 +
* [[Gordon Stacy]] is a police captain you can find in [[Brickstown]] as a contact. His named seems to be composed of two famous police characters in comics: the first would be [[wikipedia:Commissioner Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]], from Batman, and the second would be Captain Stacy, father of [[wikipedia:Captain Stacy|Gwen Stacy]], first girlfriend of Spiderman.
 +
 
 +
* [[Hard Luck]], the Golden Giza enforcer, seems to have a well-hidden reference here: during one of his missions you will be asked to save his brother, whose surname is "Luciano". Hard Luck himself is known for his bad luck, making him an Unlucky man. And he's involved with the Family deals. This makes him a gangster who could be called "Unlucky" Luciano. "Unlucky" Luciano --> [[wikipedia:Lucky_Luciano|"Lucky" Luciano]]
 +
 
 +
* '''Humperdinck''', a boss in the [[Dr. Quaterfield Task Force]], is a reference to [[wikipedia:The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'s villain, [[wikipedia:Prince_Humperdinck|Prince Humperdinck]], who in turn is probably named after the singer [[wikipedia:Engelbert_Humperdinck_(singer)|Engelbert Humperdinck]] who took his name from the german composer [[wikipedia:Engelbert_Humperdinck|Engelbert Humperdinck]].
 +
 
 +
* '''Isaac the Bartender''' gets his name from bartender Isaac Washington on the show [[wikipedia:The Love Boat|The Love Boat]].
 +
 
 +
* [[Jake Emmet]], an NPC captive is a reference to [[Statesman (Developer)|Jack Emmert]], the Cryptic Studios developer.
 +
 
 +
* [[Joe Young]], the proprietor of the [[Monkey Fight Club]]s in [[Sharkhead Isle]] and [[Pocket D]], may be a reference to the giant ape film (and its recent remake), [[wikipedia:Mighty Joe Young|Mighty Joe Young]].
 +
 
 +
* '''Joey''', of the band in the Tiki Lounge along with Johnny are members of the [[wikipedia:Ramones|Ramones]].
 +
 
 +
* '''Johnny 23''', a [[Prisoners]] boss is named after a prisoner character on the film [[wikipedia:Con Air|Con Air]].
 +
 
 +
* '''Johnny''', of the band in the Tiki Lounge along with Joey are members of the [[wikipedia:Ramones|Ramones]].
 +
 
 +
* '''J.P. Mason''', a [[Prisoners]] boss is named after Sean Connery's character, John Patrick Mason on the film [[wikipedia:The Rock (film)|The Rock]].
 +
 
 +
* [[Kyle Peck]] - a contact who is an EPA agent, taking his name from the EPA inspector Walter Peck in [[wikipedia:Ghostbusters|Ghostbusters]].
 +
 
 +
* '''Levantera''', the [[Rikti War Zone]] contact is named after a dry wind in the Mediterranean. Her sister, '''[[wikipedia:Boreas|Borea]]''', is named after Boreas, the personification of the cold north wind in Greek mythology. Both, of course, are members of the [[Order of the Four Winds]], and the origins of the villains [[Scirocco]] and [[Ice Mistral]] seem to be related.
 +
 
 +
* [[Longbow P.O.W.]]: His panicked words during his rescue is an homage to the character [[wikipedia:Private William Hudson|Private Hudson]] on the movie [[wikipedia:Aliens (film)|Aliens]].
 +
 
 +
* [[Mender Lazarus]] is an homage to [[wikipedia:Lazarus Long|Lazarus Long]], a fictional character featured in a number of science fiction novels by [[wikipedia:Robert A. Heinlein|Robert A. Heinlein]]. Lazarus Long is an unusually long-lived kilt-wearing time traveler.
 +
**[[wikipedia:Lazarus of Bethany|Lazarus of Bethany]] is a biblical character, mentioned in John 11:41-44, whom Jesus raised from the dead.
 +
**It's also possible that Mender Lazarus may also be a reference to the Doctor Who villain, [[wikipedia:Professor Richard Lazarus|Richard Lazarus]]
 +
 
 +
* '''Mender Roebuck''', the store contact in [[Ouroboros]], might be a homage to the cofounder of [[wikipedia:Sears, Roebuck and Company|Sears Roebuck]].
 +
 
 +
* [[Mender Tesseract]] is an homage to [[wikipedia:A Wrinkle in Time|A Wrinkle in Time]] where the main protagonist of the story is named Meg, Mender Tesseract's first name. Also, the means by which they travel in the book is by using a [[wikipedia:Tesseract|Tesseract]].
 +
 
 +
* '''Pirates''': The Rogue Isles are mentioned as a nest of thieves and [[wikipedia:Piracy|pirates]] at one time. Many of the pirates mentioned in missions and badges were, in fact, real:
 +
** [[wikipedia:Mary_Read|Mary Read]] and [[wikipedia:Anne_Bonny|Anne Bonney]] were both lieutenants of [[wikipedia:Calico_Jack|"Calico" Jack Rackham]].
 +
** [[wikipedia:William_Kidd|William Kidd]]
 +
** [[wikipedia:Fran%C3%A7ois_l%27Ollonais|Jean David Nau, "L'Ollonais"]]
 +
** [[wikipedia:Blackbeard|Blackbeard]] is a special case, as he seems to have a more direct participation in the events of the Rogue Isles. Notice that: A) his ship, the [[wikipedia:Queen Anne's Revenge|Queen Anne's Revenge]] is mentioned in the official info as the ship which attacked Port Hades. and B) The flag that you can find during the heist on the Blackbeard's Tavern is (was) his real life flag.
  
*'''Aleister Crowley''', also mentioned in many of the Magic enhancements, was a real life person as well: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alistair_Crowley Alistair Crowley].
+
* [[Noble Savage]] is the signature character created and adopted by the art lead [[Noble Savage (Developer)|David Nakayama]]. The name is most likely based on the literary concept of the same name [[wikipedia:Noble savage]], or less likely the dual-identity Beast Machines character [[wikipedia:Savage/Noble|Savage/Noble]]
  
*'''Dr. Aeon''':  The Latin word Aeon, also spelled eon or æon, means "age," "forever," or "for eternity". [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeon]
+
* [[President Marchand]]'s appearance is an homage to legendary comic book creator, [[wikipedia:Stan Lee|Stan Lee]].
  
*'''[[Clive Loveking]]''' is a parody of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.P._Lovecraft H. P. Lovecraft], and refers to several of his works when you meet him in a police band mission.
+
* [[Protean]], the villain who killed Manticore's parents, takes his name from the god [[wikipedia:Protean#.22Proteus.22_and_.22protean.22_in_English|Proteus]].
  
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganymede Ganymede]''' is from Greek Mythology, the most beautiful of mortals.
+
* [[wikipedia:Rasputin|Rasputin]], the monk, is mentioned by the [[Paragon Times]] as the mentor of the infamous Baron Zoria, founder of the Circle of Thorns.
  
*'''General Hammond''' in Firebase Zulu seems to be named after the character of the same name of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate Stargate]
+
* '''Sam the Bartender''' gets his name from [[wikipedia:Sam Malone|Sam Malone]] from the show [[wikipedia:Cheers|Cheers]].
  
*'''Gordon Stacy''' is a police captain you can find in Brickstown as a contact. His named seems to be composed of two famous police characters in comics: the first would be [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commissioner_Gordon Commissioner Gordon], from Batman, and the second would be Captain Stacy, father of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Stacy Gwen Stacy], first girlfriend of Spiderman.
+
* '''Serafina''' is said to be a [[wikipedia:Djinn|Djinn]].
  
*'''Hard Luck''', the Golden Giza enforcer, seems to have a well-hidden reference here: during one of his missions you will be asked to save his brother, whose surname is "Luciano". Hard luck himself is know for his bad luck, making him an Unlucky man. And he's involved with the Family deals. This makes him a gangster who could be called "Unlucky" Luciano. "Unlucky" Luciano --> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Luciano "Lucky" Luciano]
+
* '''Sgt. Maj. Day''', '''Lt. Harris''', and '''Sgt. Fillion''' are members of [[Vanguard Shield]] appearing in [[Mission:The Anti-Matter Collision - The Final Chapter|the final chapter]] of [[Tina Macintyre]]'s [[Tina Macintyre#The Anti-Matter Collision / The Instant Army|The Anti-Matter Collision]] story arc. The three are references to [[wikipedia:Felicia Day|Felicia Day]], [[wikipedia:Neil Patrick Harris|Neil Patrick Harris]], and [[wikipedia:Nathan Fillion|Nathan Fillion]] who played the three main characters in [[wikipedia:Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog|Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog]].
  
*'''Nectanebo''', often mentioned in the Magic origin enhancements, was a real life pharaoh of Egypt: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nectanebo_I Nectanebo I].
+
* '''Technician Naylor''' (aka Portal Technician Grant Naylor), Grant Naylor is the "name" of the author of the BBC's [[wikipedia:Red Dwarf|Red Dwarf]] series. In actuality, its the last names of the two writers combined as if it was one person.
  
*'''Pirates''': The Rogue Isles are mentioned as a nest of thieves and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracy pirates] at one time. Many of the pirates mentioned in missions and badges were, in fact, real:
+
* In one of [[Technician Naylor]]'s missions, Nemesis [[wikipedia:replicant|replicants]] are mentioned, and you have to interrogate [[wikipedia:Rick Deckard|Captain Rick Deckard]]. These are references to [[wikipedia:Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?|Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?]] and [[wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]].
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Read Mary Read]''' and '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bonny Anne Bonney]''' were both lieutenants of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calico_Jack "Calico" Jack Rackham].
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Kidd William Kidd]'''
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_l%27Ollonais Jean David Nau, "L'Ollonais"]
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbeard Blackbeard]''' is an special case, as he seems to have a more direct participation in the events of the Rogue Isles. Notice that: A) his ship, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne%27s_Revenge Queen Anne's Revenge] is mentioned in the official info as the ship which attacked Port Hades. and B) The flag that you can find during the heist on the Blackbeard's Tavern is (was) his real life flag.
+
  
*'''Protean''', the villain who killed Manticore's parents, takes his name from the god [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protean#.22Proteus.22_and_.22protean.22_in_English Proteus]
+
* '''The Artist Formerly Known as Claire''', a [[Carnival of Shadows]] boss refers to [[wikipedia:Prince (musician)|Prince's]] naming convention, The Artist formerly known as Prince.
  
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasputin Rasputin]''', the monk, is mentioned by the Paragon Times as the mentor of the infamous Baron Zoria, founder of the Circle of Thorns.
+
* [[The Pilgrim]] - This is possibly a reference Billy Pilgrim, the main character of [[wikipedia:Kurt Vonnegut|Kurt Vonnegut]]'s [[wikipedia:Slaughterhouse-Five|Slaughterhouse-Five]]. Billy Pilgrim becomes "unstuck in time", experiencing different time periods in his life.  
  
*'''Sam the Bartender''' gets his name from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Malone Sam Malone from the show Cheers]
+
* [[Tony Kord]] - Contact and owner of Kord Industries. This is an amalgam of [[wikipedia:Iron Man|Tony Stark]] (owner of Stark Industries) from the [[wikipedia:Marvel Comics|Marvel Comics]] series ''Iron Man'' and [[wikipedia:Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)|Ted Kord]] (owner of Kord Industries) from the [[wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]] series [[wikipedia:Blue Beetle|''Blue Beetle'']] and [[wikipedia:Justice League|''Justice League'']].
  
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheherazade Scheherazade]''' signs can be seen in several zones of Paragon City. There is no clue about the meaning of those signs as of today.
+
* '''Vizzini''', a boss in the [[Dr. Quaterfield Task Force]], is a reference to the character on [[wikipedia:The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]].
  
*'''Serafina''' is said to be a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djinn Djinn].
+
* '''[[Warzone Agent Goddard]]''' and '''[[Warzone Operative Braun]]''', the mission contacts in [[Warburg]], are references to rocket scientists [[wikipedia:Robert Goddard|Robert Goddard]] and [[wikipedia:Wernher von Braun|Wernher von Braun]].
  
*'''Technician Naylor''' (aka Portal Technician Grant Naylor), Grant Naylor is the "name" of the author of the BBC's Red Dwarf series. In actuality, its the last names of the two writers combined as if it was one person. - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_dwarf_tv Wikipedia entry on Red Dwarf]
+
* '''[[Romulus Augustus]]''', the villain of the [[Imperious Task Force]], combines [[wikipedia:Romulus|Romulus]], the legendary founder of the city of Rome; and [[wikipedia:Romulus Augustulus|Romulus Augustulus]], the last Emperor of the Western Empire. The Sybils encountered in the task force are soothsayers from Roman mythology. In the game, their deity is called "Phoebas"; this is [[wikipedia:Apollo|Phoebus Apollo]], the sun god of Greek mythology who presided over the [[wikipedia:Oracle of Delphi|Oracle of Delphi]].
  
 
=== Police Band Detectives ===
 
=== Police Band Detectives ===
  
* [[Detective Basinns]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Vice Miami Vice], Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs
+
* [[Detective Basinns]] - ''[[wikipedia:Miami Vice|Miami Vice]]'', Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs
* [[Detective Becktrees]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragnet_%281987_film%29 Dragnet], Pep Streebeck
+
* [[Detective Becktrees]] - ''[[wikipedia:Dragnet (1987 film)|Dragnet]]'', Pep Streebeck
* [[Detective Croquette]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Vice Miami Vice], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_%22Sonny%22_Crockett James "Sonny" Crockett]
+
* [[Detective Croquette]] - ''[[wikipedia:Miami Vice|Miami Vice]]'', [[wikipedia:James "Sonny" Crockett|James "Sonny" Crockett]]
* [[Detective Davids]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starsky_%26_Hutch Starsky & Hutch], David Starsky  
+
* [[Detective Davids]] - ''[[wikipedia:Starsky and Hutch|Starsky and Hutch]]'', David Starsky
* [[Detective Fish]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Miller Barney Miller], Det Phillip Fish
+
* [[Detective Fish]] - ''[[wikipedia:Barney Miller|Barney Miller]]'', Det. Phillip Fish
* [[Detective Frasenbacker]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_south Due South], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benton_Fraser Mountie Benton Fraser] and his wolf, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diefenbaker_%28wolf%29 Dieffenbaker]
+
* [[Detective Frasenbacker]] - ''[[wikipedia:Due South|Due South]]'', [[wikipedia:Benton Fraser|Benton Fraser]] and his wolf, [[wikipedia:Diefenbaker (wolf)|Diefenbaker]]
* [[Detective Freitag]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragnet_%281987_film%29 Dragnet], Freitag means Friday in German -> Joe Friday
+
* [[Detective Freitag]] - ''[[wikipedia:Dragnet (series)|Dragnet]]'', Joe Friday (''Freitag'' is German for Friday)
* [[Detective Hutchinson]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starsky_%26_Hutch Starsky & Hutch], Ken 'Hutch' Hutchinson
+
* [[Detective Hutchinson]] - ''[[wikipedia:Starsky and Hutch|Starsky and Hutch]]'', Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson
* [[Detective Junkers]] - possibly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner Blade Runner], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Deckard Rick Deckard]
+
* [[Detective Junkers]] - Junkers appears to be based upon both the video game [[Wikipedia:Snatcher|Snatcher]], from where the name [[Wikipedia:Junkers|Junkers]] comes from, and the movie ''[[Wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]'', from which his background comes from. Snatcher also draws much from ''Blade Runner''.
* [[Detective Kowaccio]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_south Due South], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Vecchio Ray Vecchio] & [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Kowalski_%28Due_South%29 Stanley Raymond Kowalski]
+
* [[Detective Kowaccio]] - ''[[wikipedia:Due South|Due South]]'', [[wikipedia:Raymond Vecchio|Raymond Vecchio]] and [[wikipedia:Stanley Kowalski (Due South)|Stanley Kowalski]]
* [[Detective Martins]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_weapon Lethal Weapon], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Riggs Martin Riggs]  
+
* [[Detective Martins]] - ''[[wikipedia:Lethal Weapon|Lethal Weapon]]'', [[wikipedia:Martin Riggs|Martin Riggs]]
* [[Detective McLord]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii_Five-O Hawaii Five-O], Steve McGarrett played by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Lord Jack Lord]
+
* [[Detective McLord]] - ''[[wikipedia:Hawaii Five-O|Hawaii Five-O]]'', Steve McGarrett, played by [[wikipedia:Jack Lord|Jack Lord]]
* [[Detective Miller]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Miller Barney Miller], Capt. Barney Miller
+
* [[Detective Miller]] - ''[[wikipedia:Barney Miller|Barney Miller]]'', Capt. Barney Miller
* [[Detective Murwell]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocop Robocop], Alex J. Murphy  
+
* [[Detective Murwell]] - ''[[wikipedia:RoboCop|RoboCop]]'', Alex J. Murphy, portrayed in the first film by actor [[wikipedia:Peter Weller|Peter Weller]].
* [[Detective Rogers]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_weapon Lethal Weapon], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Murtaugh Roger Murtaugh]
+
* [[Detective Rogers]] - ''[[wikipedia:Lethal Weapon|Lethal Weapon]]'', [[wikipedia:Roger Murtaugh|Roger Murtaugh]]
* [[Detective Selnum]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_pi Magnum, P.I.], Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV played by Tom Selleck
+
* [[Detective Selnum]] - ''[[wikipedia:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'', Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV, played by [[wikipedia:Tom Selleck|Tom Selleck]]
* [[Detective Sluggitt]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt Bullitt] Lt. Frank Bullitt played by Steve McQueen
+
* [[Detective Sluggitt]] - ''[[wikipedia:Bullitt|Bullitt]]'', Lt. Frank Bullitt, played by Steve McQueen
* [[Detective Westbrush]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Harry Dirty Harry], Eastwood -> Westbrush
+
* [[Detective Westbrush]] - ''[[wikipedia:Dirty Harry|Dirty Harry]]'', Clint Eastwood (''East wood'' -> ''West brush'')
  
 
=== New Faultline ===
 
=== New Faultline ===
  
* [[Penelope Yin]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelope_Pitstop] Penelope Pitstop of the ''Wacky Races ''
+
* [[Arbiter Sands]] - [[wikipedia:Sheldon Sands|Agent Sands]] of the film [[wikipedia:Once Upon a Time in Mexico|''Once Upon a Time in Mexico'']].
 +
* [[Captain Castillo]] - [[wikipedia:Don Karnage|Don Karnage]] from Disney's [[wikipedia:TaleSpin|"TaleSpin"]] cartoon.
 +
* [[Doc Delilah]] - [[wikipedia:Marvel Comics|Marvel Comics]] superhero and psychiatrist, [[wikipedia:Doc Samson|Doc Samson]].
 +
* [[Penelope Yin (Faultline)|Penelope Yin]] - [[wikipedia:Penelope Pitstop|Penelope Pitstop]] of the [[wikipedia:Wacky Races|Wacky Races]].
 +
*And a number of [[Lost]] bosses encountered on her story arc (all characters from [[wikipedia:Wacky Races|Wacky Races]]):
 +
**'''Muxley''' - Wacky Races #00 Dick Dastardly and Muttley in the Mean Machine
 +
**'''Slag of Skyway''' - Wacky Races #01, The Slag Brothers, Rock and Gravel, in the Bouldermobile
 +
**'''Gruesome of Galaxy''' - Wacky Races #02, The Gruesome Twosome, Big and Little, in the Creepy Coupe
 +
**'''Blast of Hollows''' - Wacky Races #06, Sergeant Blast and Private Meekly in the Army Surplus Special
 +
**'''Ant of Atlas''' - Wacky Races #07, The Ant Hill Mob in the Bulletproof Bomb
 +
**'''Blubber of Steel''' - Wacky Races #08, Luke and Blubber Bear in the Arkansas Chuggabug
 +
**'''Ruffcut of Perez''' - Wacky Races #10, Rufus Ruffcut and Sawtooth in the Buzz Wagon
  
And a number of [[Lost]] bosses encountered on her story arc (all characters from ''Wacky Races''):
+
=== Random Dialog ===
* [[Slag of Skyway]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Slag_Brothers Wacky Races] #1, The Boulder Mobile with the Slag Brothers, Rock and Gravel
+
* [[Gruesome of Galaxy]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gruesome_Twosome Wacky Races] #2, The Creepy Coupe with the Gruesome Twosome, Big and Little
+
* [[Ruffcut of Perez]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Ruffcut_and_Sawtooth Wacky Races] #10, The Buzzwagon with Rufus Ruffcut and Sawtooth
+
* [[Blast of Hollows]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacky_Races Wacky Races] #6, The Army Surplus Special with Sgt. Blast and Pvt. Meekly
+
* [[Ant of Atlas]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacky_Races Wacky Races] #7, The Bulletproof Bomb with the Anthill Gang
+
* [[Blubber of Steel]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_and_Blubber_Bear Wacky Races] #8, The Arkansas Chugalug with Luke and Blubber Bear
+
* [[Muxley]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muttley Wacky Races] #00 Dick Dastardly and Muttley <snicker, snicker, snicker>
+
  
 +
* Arachnos Bane Spider Executioner: "This calls for a subtle blend of psychology and extreme violence." Spoken when alerted to the presence of an intruder in "the web" (North of the main island in Grandville), a likely reference to Vivian from the anarchic 1980's British comedy show [[wikipedia: The Young Ones (TV series)|''The Young Ones'']].
  
 +
* Arachnos Crab Spider Slicer: "I see all these villains running around, and all I want to say is 'et tu, Brute?'" Witnessed when a villain passed near an Arachnos patrol in the [[Rikti War Zone]]. A reference to the [[wikipedia:William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] play ''[[wikipedia:Julius Caesar (play)|The Tragedy of Julius Caesar]]''.
  
* [[Doc Delilah]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Samson Doc Samson]
+
* Longbow Flamethrower: "What's your plans for tonight? I think I may head over to Bianco's later. I'm in the mood for pasta." Overheard in a conversation between two Longbow in Faultline. More likely than not, the name comes from [[War Witch (Developer)|Melissa Bianco]].
  
In [[Doc Delilah]]'s storyline you fight:
+
* [[Mender Tesseract]]: "Have fun storming the presidential building!" This is a reference to [[wikipedia:The Princess Bride (film)|''The Princess Bride'']] when the character Miracle Max ([[wikipedia:Billy Crystal|Billy Crystal]]) tells Westley ([[wikipedia:Cary Elwes|Cary Elwes]]) and his crew, "Have fun storming the castle!"
* [[Dr. Vezzini]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_Bride_%28film%29 The Princess Bride] Vizzini, the Sicilian
+
 
* [[Dr. Humperdink]] - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Humperdinck The Princess Bride] Prince Humperdink
+
* Random citizens sometimes say, "Life is pain. Anybody who says differently is trying to sell you something." A reference to [[wikipedia:The Princess Bride (film)|''The Princess Bride'']].
Both from ''The Princess Bride''. Someone will need to watch the arc closely to see if either Fezzik or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inigo_Montoya Inigo Montoya] also pop up in the arc. :)
+
 
 +
* Random citizens of the Rogue Isles sometimes say, "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than the Rogue Isles." This is a reference to [[wikipedia:Obi-Wan Kenobi|Obi-Wan Kenobi's]] description of [[wikipedia:Mos Eisley|Mos Eisley]] in [[wikipedia:Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope|''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'']]
 +
 
 +
* Outcast Initiate Slammer: "I don't know how I feel about this Hollows business. Not enough citizens to harass. Slim pickins." This is possibly a reference to film and television actor [[wikipedia:Slim Pickins|''Slim Pickens'']] (1919–1983).
 +
 
 +
* The Riders in the [[Lady_Grey_Task_Force|Lady Grey Task Force]] quote the arcade game Sinistar:
 +
**War: Rider: I: Live!
 +
**Famine: Rider: I: Hunger
 +
**Pestilence: Rider: Run: Cowards!
 +
**Death: Rider: Ha: Ha: Ha: Ha!
  
 
== Enemy Groups ==
 
== Enemy Groups ==
Line 196: Line 527:
 
**'''Tarantulas''': [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula Tarantula Spider].
 
**'''Tarantulas''': [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula Tarantula Spider].
 
**'''Mu Mystics''' are, of course, related to the mythical nation of [[Mu]], which seems to be based on the real life legend of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu_%28lost_continent%29 Mu].
 
**'''Mu Mystics''' are, of course, related to the mythical nation of [[Mu]], which seems to be based on the real life legend of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu_%28lost_continent%29 Mu].
 +
***'''Hequat''' would seem to be an alternate spelling of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hecate Hecate], Greek goddess of witchcraft.
 
**'''Lord Recluse''' himself is related to the deadly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_recluse Brown Recluse Spider].
 
**'''Lord Recluse''' himself is related to the deadly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_recluse Brown Recluse Spider].
 
**'''Ghost Widow''' may be referred to the Black Widow Spider as well.
 
**'''Ghost Widow''' may be referred to the Black Widow Spider as well.
Line 206: Line 538:
 
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaman Shaman]
 
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaman Shaman]
 
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem Totem]'''
 
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem Totem]'''
**'''Adamastor''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adamastor Adamastor]
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adamastor Adamastor]'''
  
  
Line 212: Line 544:
 
**'''Babbage''' is named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbage Charles Babbage].
 
**'''Babbage''' is named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbage Charles Babbage].
 
**'''Tesla''' soldiers are named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Tesla Nikola Tesla].
 
**'''Tesla''' soldiers are named after [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Tesla Nikola Tesla].
**Besides, some of the bosses you can find during the Synapse Task Force are named after famous cannons:
+
**Also, some of the bosses you can find during the Synapse Task Force are named after famous cannons:
 
***'''Bertha''', from the WWI German [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bertha_%28Howitzer%29 cannon] of the same name.
 
***'''Bertha''', from the WWI German [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bertha_%28Howitzer%29 cannon] of the same name.
 
***'''Long Tom''', after the [http://tanxheaven.com/m59mod/m59modpic.htm M59 Long Tom gun].
 
***'''Long Tom''', after the [http://tanxheaven.com/m59mod/m59modpic.htm M59 Long Tom gun].
Line 223: Line 555:
 
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caleb_%28disambiguation%29 Caleb]'''
 
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caleb_%28disambiguation%29 Caleb]'''
 
**'''Lilitu''' comes from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilith Mesopotamian legends]. Notice the legend about her having to kill her children.  
 
**'''Lilitu''' comes from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilith Mesopotamian legends]. Notice the legend about her having to kill her children.  
 +
**'''Ermeeth''' would seem to be an alternate spelling for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/hermes Hermes], Greek god of (among other things) invention, boundaries, and travellers.
  
  
 
*'''Coralax''': During the story arc "Calystix the Shaper", a history of the cult is mentioned. One of the chapters matches perfectly with the events related in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadow_Over_Innsmouth The Shadow over Innsmouth], from Howards Phillips Lovecraft. Perhaps the whole group is based on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_One Deep Ones].
 
*'''Coralax''': During the story arc "Calystix the Shaper", a history of the cult is mentioned. One of the chapters matches perfectly with the events related in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadow_Over_Innsmouth The Shadow over Innsmouth], from Howards Phillips Lovecraft. Perhaps the whole group is based on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_One Deep Ones].
 +
 +
 +
*'''Council''':
 +
**[[Maestro]]'s look is based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_the_merciless Ming the Merciless] from the old Flash Gordon comics and movies.
 +
 +
 +
*'''Freakshow'''
 +
**The '''[[Blahpunk]]''' Tanks with sonic appendages on [[Sister Psyche Task Force]] are a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaupunkt Blaupunkt] the audio equipment manufacturer.
 +
**'''Taze Bro''' from the [[Mercedes Sheldon#Investigate the Troll Rave in Skyway City.|"Investigate the Troll Rave"]] mission may refer to the incident in which [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20835952/ a student was Tasered] at a University of Florida forum.
  
  
Line 241: Line 583:
 
*'''Gold Brickers'''
 
*'''Gold Brickers'''
 
**'''King Midas''', the leader of the Gold Brickers, takes his name from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midas King Midas] in Greek Mythology who turned everything that he touched into gold.
 
**'''King Midas''', the leader of the Gold Brickers, takes his name from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midas King Midas] in Greek Mythology who turned everything that he touched into gold.
 +
  
 
*'''Longbow''': the heroic militia whose name comes from the reach of its influence, seems to be named after the bow of the same name, also renowned for its reach: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_longbow The English Longbow]
 
*'''Longbow''': the heroic militia whose name comes from the reach of its influence, seems to be named after the bow of the same name, also renowned for its reach: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_longbow The English Longbow]
Line 268: Line 611:
  
  
*'''Red Caps''' are a malevolent kind of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cap goblin] in the British myths.
+
*[[Red Caps]] are a malevolent kind of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cap goblin] in the British myths.
 
**'''Jack in Irons''' comes from the British [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_In_Irons myths].
 
**'''Jack in Irons''' comes from the British [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_In_Irons myths].
 +
 +
 +
*[[Rikti]]: This group name was derived from [[wikipedia:Rikki-Tikki-Tavi|Rikki-Tikki-Tavi]]. [http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=5138904&bodyprev=#Post5138904]:
 +
**[[Lord of War: Hro'Dtohz]]: Hro'Dtohz is derived from [[wikipedia:Herodotus|Herodotus]] who is regarded as the "Father of History".
 +
**[[U'Kon Gr'ai]]: His name is a parody of the [[Con System]]; being read as "you con grey."
 +
**[[Death: Rider]]: Death: Rider is a reference to [[wikipedia:Death (personification)|Death]], one of the [[wikipedia:Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse|Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse]].
 +
**[[Famine: Rider]]: Famine: Rider is a reference to Famine, one of the [[wikipedia:Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse|Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse]].
 +
**[[Pestilence: Rider]]: Pestilence: Rider is a reference to Pestilence, one of the [[wikipedia:Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse|Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse]].
 +
**[[War: Rider]]: War: Rider is a reference to War, one of the [[wikipedia:Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse|Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse]].
 +
**[[The Honoree]]: Honoree is an anagram of Hero One. ([[Hero 1]])
 +
**'''General Bu'Dekka''', from the mission [[The Dark Watcher (Primal Earth)#Retrieve the General.27s intel and assist in her defection|Retrieve the General's intel and assist in her defection]], is a reference to [[wikipedia:Boudica|Boudica]], a Celtic warrior queen.
 +
**[[Traditionalist Psi-Scout Lk'Onik]]: "Laconic Scout" was a character template in the original [[wikipedia:Star Wars Roleplaying Game (West End Games)|"Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game"]] published by [[wikipedia:West End Games|West End Games]] in 1987.
 +
**Ci'Dion may be a reference to singer [[wikipedia:Celine Dion|Celine Dion]]
 +
**Meklar may be a reference to the race in [[wikipedia:Master of Orion|Master of Orion]]
 +
**Argot'BurWot may be a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Angkor Wat|Angkor Wat]]
  
  
 
*'''Snakes''':
 
*'''Snakes''':
 
**'''Stheno''' was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stheno one of the immortal Gorgons] and sister of the well known Medusa in Greek mythology.
 
**'''Stheno''' was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stheno one of the immortal Gorgons] and sister of the well known Medusa in Greek mythology.
 +
**'''Sthaco''' is a reference to Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, from 2nd Edition, which had a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armor_class THAC0] calculation for each character, which translated to "To Hit Armor Class 0."
  
  
*'''Spetsnaz''', found in City of Villains, are a real life [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPETSNAZ Russian military unit].
+
*'''Spetsnaz''', found in City of Villains, are a real life [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPETSNAZ Russian military unit].
  
  
Line 294: Line 653:
 
*'''Trolls:'''
 
*'''Trolls:'''
 
**'''Caliban''' - The name of Julius Caesar's sword, also a character in William Shakespeare's "The Tempest". [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliban_%28character%29 Wikipedia's page on Caliban].
 
**'''Caliban''' - The name of Julius Caesar's sword, also a character in William Shakespeare's "The Tempest". [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliban_%28character%29 Wikipedia's page on Caliban].
**'''Grendel''', the former leader of the Trolls, is related to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grendel being of the same] name in the poem Beowulf.  
+
**'''Grendel''', the former leader of the Trolls, is related to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grendel being of the same] name in the poem Beowulf.
 +
**'''Gardvord''', a Troll lieutenant, from the Swedish word Gårdvard; "Farm warden". Many of the Trolls' names seem to relate to Nordic mythology.
 +
**'''Gragnor''', a named Troll boss, is likely named after '''Grignr''', hero of the infamously bad fantasy story, [[wikipedia:The Eye of Argon|''The Eye of Argon'']] by Jim Theis.
  
  
Line 300: Line 661:
  
  
*'''Unseelie Court''' are part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unseelie_Court fairy myths] from the British Isles. The Unseelie Court means "Unholy Court". [http://www.pantheon.org/articles/u/unseelie_court.html]
+
*'''Unseelie Court''' are part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unseelie_Court fairy myths] from the British Isles. The Unseelie Court means "Unholy Court". [http://www.pantheon.org/articles/u/unseelie_court.html]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*[[Vahzilok]]: This group name is a reference to [[wikipedia:George Vasilakos|George Vasilakos]], the owner of [[wikipedia:Eden Studios, Inc.|Eden Studios, Inc.]] [http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=5138904&bodyprev=#Post5138904]
  
  
 
*'''Warriors''' seem to be based on the street gang of the same name of the film [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors The Warriors].
 
*'''Warriors''' seem to be based on the street gang of the same name of the film [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors The Warriors].
 +
**Many of the names of Warrior bosses refer to Greco-Roman history and mythology [[wikipedia:Alexander the Great|Alexander]], [[wikipedia:Julius Caesar|Blade King Caesar]], [[wikipedia:Heracles|Heracles]], [[wikipedia:Ajax|Ajax]], [[wikipedia:Pythagoras|Pythagoras]].
  
  
Line 309: Line 674:
  
 
== Weapons and Equipment ==
 
== Weapons and Equipment ==
 +
*'''Redding''': the name of a high-powered rifle used by [[Vanguard]] and available to players as an unlockable. The name may be a nod to gun accessories manufacturer [[wikipedia:Redding Reloading Equipment|Redding]]. [http://www.redding-reloading.com/] The full name, 'Redding Rail Rifle', may also be a reference to the [[wikipedia:Reading_Railroad|Reading Railroad]], a property in the game Monopoly.
  
Many of the weapons found in the hands of the City of Heroes/City of Villains groups and characters are real:
 
  
 +
== Other items and Artifacts ==
 +
*'''The [[Pillar of Ice and Flame]]''' is a reference to an object in [[wikipedia:Radical Dreamers: Nusumenai Hōseki|Radical Dreamers]] and [[wikipedia:Chrono Cross|Chrono Cross]] called the Frozen Flame. This object would allow its user to time travel, as well as manipulate dimensions and events in previous times. In the end, the object was actually a fragment of a greater alien entity called the Lavos.
  
* '''Melee Weapons'''
+
*The Bands of '''[[wikipedia:Shu (Egyptian deity)|Shu]]''' seem to be currently in the hands of the Malta Group.
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handclaws Handclaws]''' are used by groups such as the Tsoo Bronze Leopard school, the street gang of the Praetorian Bobcat and even the Arachnos Blood Widows.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagger Daggers]''' are used mostly by mystical groups.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_%28weapon%29 Sai]''' is a rare weapon which can be found in both Tsoo and Praetorian ninjas groups.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_%28weapon%29 Kama]''' is another of the weapons also almost exclusively used by the Tsoo.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machete Machete]''' is the standard hand to hand weapon of the mercenaries Sky Raiders, also used by some Luddites.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomahawk_%28axe%29 Tomahawks]''' are found in the hands of the undead soldiers of the Banished Pantheon.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadsword Broadswords]''' are found in the hands of the Warriors, Heroes, Luddites...
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scimitar Scimitar]''' sword is used by the Circle of Thorns and the Snakes.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana Katanas]''' are a common sight among the Tsoo. Out of them, only groups like the Knives of Artemis or Chimera's ninjas use them.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayonet Bayonet]''' is still in use as the standard hand to hand combat weapon for the troop of the Nemesis Army.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shillelagh Shillelagh]''' are used by some Luddites.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taser Taser]''' is available to both players and the Malta Group.
+
  
 +
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_of_Omega Hand of Omega]''' is an item from the longest running Sci Fi show in the world, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/ Dr. Who], and shows up in the police scanner missions.
  
* '''Ranged weapons'''
+
*The Jewel of '''[[wikipedia:Enki|Enki]]''' can be found in the hands of Hellions.
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molotov_cocktail Molotov cocktails]''' are used during riots caused by groups such as the Scrapyarders of Sharkhead Isle. They are favored by the arsonist Hellions as well.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltrop Caltrops]''' are not a "true" ranged weapon but can be thrown a short distance. Used by Knives of Artemis and Praetorian ninjas.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuriken Shuriken]''' is an oriental weapon which can be uncommonly found in game. Only stealthy groups such as the Knives of Artemis or those with an oriental background like the Tsoo use this weapon.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dart_%28missile%29 Darts]''' are used often by the same groups which use shurikens. Rather than hurt the darts, instead, tend to poison or sleep the target.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_bow Long bow]''' is the only kind of bow currently in game. Found in the hands of foes with a stealthy nature or medieval/mythic background, or even in the hands of street gangs with old ages tastes such as The Warriors. Also, bows are the signature weapon of the group Wyvern, but I'm not sure about the kind of bows this group use.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossbow Crosssbow]''' can be found often in the hands of the same groups which use long bows, and for the same reasons.
+
  
 +
*'''Form 27B/6''' - The Supergroup Registration form is Form 27B/6. Form 27B/6 is the Ministry of Public Works' "Authorization for Repairs of Domestic Living Quarters by Licensed Repair Technicians" form in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_%28film%29 Brazil].
  
* '''Firearms'''
+
*'''Li Tieh Kuai''' is often mentioned in the Natural/Magic dual origin enhancements. Li Tieh Kuai is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Tieh_Kuai Iron-Crutch Li], one of the eight immortals of Taoism. He was apparently fond of out of body experiences, and one of his students found him apparently dead, and cremated his body. When he returned, he had to take over the body of a crippled beggar, while of course keeping his magical kung-fu powers; thus the Iron Crutch.
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolver Revolvers]''' can be found extensively very early in game in the hands of many criminal groups. This is the most basic firearm. The game uses a simple model for this weapon, so it's impossible to determine the model the devs used, or even if they used one. In the high level game only the Malta Group Gunslingers seem to use a version of this weapon.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Eagle Desert Eagle]''' is a fearsome high caliber pistol often found in game as Heavy Pistol. Used by street gangs, security forces public and private, and even by Longbow.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun Shotguns]''' can be found commonly in the hands of high rank members of street gangs or low level paramilitary. This is a potent, destructive weapon designed for close combat range, do not confuse it with a rifle.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzi_submachine_gun Uzi Submachinegun]''' is often found in the hands of many street gangs in Paragon City filling the role of Submachinegun. Paragon Police Detectives and private Security forces make use of it as well.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompson_submachine_gun Thompson submachinegun]''' this 30s' classical is found in the hands of the Family thugs exclusively. Often shown with the bulky and unpractical [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_magazine drum magazine].
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musket Muskets]''' are another of those old-fashioned weapons the corpses of the Banished Pantheon use exclusively. Anyways the weapon more than a musket looks like a pistol.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP5 MP5 Submachinegun]''' often fills the role of Advanced Submachinegun in game. Used by paramilitary forces, mercenaries and well-funded security forces.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee-Enfield_rifle Lee-Enfield Rifles]''' are used by the poor souls the Banished Pantheon uses as reanimated corpses. Despite the name, the model looks much more like an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1917_Enfield_rifle Enfield rifle].
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M16_rifle M16 Assault Rifle]''' is the rifle found in game fulling the role of Assault Rifle. It is always presented with what appears to be an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M203_grenade_launcher grenade launcher] below the barrel. Despite of this, many enemies don't use any kind of grenades and fire the rifle only. Found in the hands of high level members of street gangs, private security forces and the Paragon SWAT among others.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_SCAR SCAR assault rifle]''' is a last generation assault rifle which can be found exclusively in the hands of the Paragon Police Ghosts.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatling_gun Gatling Gun]''' A miniaturized version of this weapon is used by the Nemesis Support Troops, in a strange weapon which combines both a flamethrower and a Gatling gun.
+
  
 +
*'''Nectanebo''', often mentioned in the Magic origin enhancements. There were two pharaohs of Egypt: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nectanebo_I Nectanebo I] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nectanebo_II Nectanebo II].
  
*'''Equipment'''
+
*'''Oscillator Overthruster''' - The Science/Tech Dual-Origin enhancement for Intangibility Duration is the Oscillator Overthruster. This refers to the oscillation overthruster, a device was used to allow for passage through solid objects, by accessing the "8th Dimension", made up of all the empty space in matter. This device is from the film, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Buckaroo_Banzai_Across_the_8th_Dimension The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension].
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision_goggles Night vision googles]''' are used by hi-tech groups such as the Malta Group and the Knives of Artemis.
+
**'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickelhaube Pickelhaube]''' is the name of the famous German spiked helmet still in use by the Nemesis Army.
+
**The '''helicopters''' used by Longbow to go and come from disputed (PvP) zones seem to be russian [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-8 Mil-Mi 8]. Besides, during one of the missions from Peter Themari in City of Villains your character will be sent to Skyway City to save Olivia Darque. There you can see the Blood Bay helicopter: For some reason, the model is not a Mil-Mi 8, but a fearsome [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-24 Mil-Mi 24].
+
  
==Other items and Artifacts ==
+
*'''The Platonic Solids''' - A mission against the Warriors will make you encounter '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonic_solids The Platonic Solids]''', which exist in real life.
  
*Some members of the Skulls will drop '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_skull Crystal Skulls]''' as Salvage. [http://www.answers.com/topic/crystal-skull More about Crystal Skulls].
+
*'''P.L.O.T. Device''' - A mission objective. A thinly veiled reference to the narrative element, the [[wikipedia:Plot_device|Plot Device]].
  
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orichalcum Orichalcum]''' can be found as Salvage in the hands of the Circle of Thorns.
+
*'''Ring of Naruas''' seen in the [[Captain Petrovich#Destroy Magic Ring|Destroy Magic Ring]] mission from [[Captain Petrovich]] is a reference to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Ring One Ring] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings The Lord of the Rings]. How convenient that you throw the cursed ring in a barrel of boiling acid, as well.. (Naruas spelled backwards is sauran, which is similar to Sauron, the creator of the One Ring.)
  
 
*The '''Sforza Horse''', which you can find in a mission against the Family, could be seen in the film [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Hawk Hudson Hawk].
 
*The '''Sforza Horse''', which you can find in a mission against the Family, could be seen in the film [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Hawk Hudson Hawk].
 +
 +
*'''Tome of Tormvodel''' - In [[Ghost Widow|Ghost Widow's]] patron arc, she asks villains to retrieve the '''Tome of Tormvodel''', a book she plans on using to restore her to her human form. ''Tormvodel'' is an anagrammed reference to [[wikipedia:Lord Voldemort|Lord Voldemort]] of the Harry Potter books, a dark wizard bent on securing unmatched power and achieving immortality through the practice of the Dark Arts - interestingly enough, his name is an anagram in itself.
 +
 +
*'''TPS Reports''' - [[Nemesis Automatons]] mention [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TPS_report_%28Office_Space%29 TPS Reports] on various missions. This is a reference to the film, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Space Office Space].
  
 
*An '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushabti Ushabti]''' can be found in the hands of the Hellions during a low level mission.
 
*An '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushabti Ushabti]''' can be found in the hands of the Hellions during a low level mission.
  
*The Jewel of '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enki Enki]''' can be found in the hands of Hellions.
+
*The '''[[Rock]] Temporary Power''' from the [[Halloween Event 2004]] and [[Halloween Event 2006]] as well as the '''[[Heavy Rock]] Temporary Power''' from Weapon Deals in [[Safeguard Mission]]s and [[Mayhem Mission]]s is a reference to the animated Halloween special, ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_the_Great_Pumpkin,_Charlie_Brown It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown]''.
  
*The Bands of '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_%28Egyptian_deity%29 Shu]''' seem to be currently in the hands of the Malta Group.
+
*The '''Blue Oyster''', a relic from a long-lost cult that a Villain can swipe from another group via a [[Rogue Isle Protector]] mission, is a reference to the rock band ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Oyster_Cult Blue Oyster Cult]''.
  
*A mission against the Warriors will make you encounter '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonic_solids The Platonic Solids]''', which exist in real life.
+
*The '''[[Ace of Spades]] Temporary Power''' is likely a reference to [[wikipedia:Ace of Spades|popular myth and folklore]] attributing the aspect of death to the card.
 +
 
 +
== Police Band Items ==
 +
 
 +
* '''The Book of K'Gar''' - The text describes this as an alien holy book that cannot be interpreted until the year 2260. This is a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_5 Babylon 5], a story which takes place between 2258 and 2262 AD (which includes the year 2260), and one of the main characters is named G'Kar. More specifically, it refers to an actual book written by said character G'Kar, which was, incidentally, written in 2260, and was referred to by the same name.
 +
 
 +
* '''A Dragoon Ball''' - The text states that this object is one of seven, which, when brought together, will summon a calvaryman who will grant a wish. This is a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonball Dragon Ball], a Japanese franchise that involves seven Dragon Balls which will summon a wish-granting dragon when they're brought together. Dragoon refers to a type of light cavalry employed during the 17th and 18th centuries.
 +
 
 +
* '''Long John's Silver''' - The text states that you must recover "Long John's Silver". This is a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Island ''Treasure Island''].
 +
 
 +
* '''The Oxygen Destroyer''' - The text states that you must recover the Oxygen Destroyer. This is a reference to the original [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla_%281954_film%29 1954 Godzilla movie] where the device was used to defeat Godzilla.
 +
 
 +
* '''File: X''' - Rearranged X Files, science fiction movies.
 +
 
 +
*'''The Scroll of Bokol''' is mentioned on one of the hero police scanner missions. It's clue description reads, "This scroll was penned by those who believe that life here began 'out there', in the depths of space. It talks about the lost colonies of humanity that are supposed to live among the stars." This is a reference to ''[[wikipedia:Battlestar Galactica|Battlestar Galactica]]'' and the [[wikipedia:Kobol|planet]], [[wikipedia:Lords of Kobol|lords]], and [[wikipedia:Twelve Colonies|colonies]] of Kobol.
 +
 
 +
== Salvage ==
 +
 
 +
*'''Crystal Skulls''' - Some members of the Skulls will drop '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_skull Crystal Skulls]''' as Salvage.
 +
 
 +
* '''Inanimate Carbon Rod''' - "In Rod We Trust" - This is a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Space_Homer Deep Space Homer], an episode of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons Simpsons] where Homer loses employee of the month to "an inanimate carbon rod". The caption on the medal that the rod receives is "In Rod We Trust".
 +
 
 +
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orichalcum Orichalcum]''' can be found as Salvage in the hands of the Circle of Thorns.
  
 
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protonium Protonium]''' will drop off several villain groups as Salvage.
 
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protonium Protonium]''' will drop off several villain groups as Salvage.
  
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_of_Omega Hand of Omega]''' is an item from the longest running Sci Fi show in the world, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/ Dr. Who], and shows up in the police scanner missions.
+
*'''[[Black Blood of the Earth Salvage|Black Blood of the Earth]]''' is a reference to the movie [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Trouble_in_Little_China ''Big Trouble in Little China''].
 +
 
 +
*'''[[Conspiratorial Evidence Salvage|Conspiratorial Evidence]]''' - The description is a reference to a line spoken by The Question in the animated series Justice League Unlimited.
 +
 
 +
*'''[[Lament Box Salvage|Lament Box]]''' is a reference to the sinister [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemarchand%27s_box puzzle box] from the Hellraiser series. Some of these can be seen in cabinets in the Midnighter Club
 +
== Enhancements ==
 +
* '''Benedict Tech Holey Field Generator''' - Technology Disorient Duration SO enhancement. "Holey Field" is a play on multiple-time Cruiserweight and Heavyweight boxing champion [[wikipedia:Evander Holyfield|Evander Holyfield's]] last name.
  
*'''The Scroll of Bokol''' is mentioned on one of the hero police scanner missions. It's clue description reads, "This scroll was penned by those who believe that life here began 'out there', in the depths of space.  It talks about the lost colonies of humanity that are supposed to live among the stars." This is a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlestar_Galactica Battlestar Galactica] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lords_of_Kobol Lords of Kobol].
+
*'''Poracio Ind.''': the name of one third of the Tech-based single-origin enhancements come from "Poracio Industries", which is almost assuredly a reference to [[wikipedia:Whilce Portacio|Whilce Portacio]], comic book artist. He was also artist on the series "[[wikipedia:Wetworks|WetWorks]]", which compromise another third of the Tech-based single-origin enhancements.
  
 +
== Historical ==
 +
{{historical|type=section}}
 +
* The '''Vanguard''' monomolecular blades and shield used by the [[Vanguard]] were formerly called '''Talsorian''' items. This name was a nod to [[wikipedia:R. Talsorian Games|R. Talsorian Games]], who publish numerous role-playing game books and accessories. This was changed on [[Patch Notes/2009-11-12|November 12, 2009]].
  
 
[[Category:In-jokes]]
 
[[Category:In-jokes]]

Latest revision as of 20:33, 8 August 2015

Overview

Much like Easter Eggs, the "City of" franchise is filled with slang and references to outside material. Some times these take the name of a zone, or an issue update. Other times a contact will be a wink toward one of the Developers' favorite shows or games. While these may seem similar to Easter Eggs, they're usually not hidden, just requiring knowledge of the outside material.

Issues

It has long been believed that City of Heroes Issues are traditionally named after chapters in various books. However, Matt "Positron" Miller corrected this misconception in a City Scoop interview on September 21, 2007. He said, "The names of Issues are NOT chapters of novels. Never have been, never will be. The fact that the users have found novel chapter titles that match, or are similar to, our Issue names is a testament to the tenacity of our users. I won't say we haven't been amused by this, because we have, but we don't go out of our way to find a chapter title that matches our issue in theme and content. We name the issue something cool, that's it."

The belief that issue names were taken from book chapter titles was based on such coincidences as:

Other issue titles have real-world or popular culture references as well:

  • Issue 6: Along Came A Spider is named for a line in the "Little Miss Muffet" nursery rhyme.
  • Issue 8: To Protect And Serve is named for the Los Angeles Police Department's motto.
  • Issue 11: A Stitch In Time refers to the proverb "a stitch in time saves nine," though its interpretation is quite different.
  • Issue 13: Power And Responsibility is named for the dying words of Spiderman's Uncle Ben: "With great power comes great responsibility."

Badges

  • The exploration badge, Around the Bendis, is likely named after Brian Michael Bendis, a comic book writer best known for the cop/superhero series, Powers, and work on various Marvel titles.
  • The exploration badge, Doc Whedon, is likely a reference to Joss Whedon, a writer best known for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. Whedon has also been a comic book writer, working most recently on Astonishing X-Men for Marvel comics. The "Doc" portion is reference to Doc, a another character in Whedon's Buffy series.
  • The achievement badge, Malleus, seems to refer to the Malleus Maleficarum.
  • The exploration badge, Ace, mentions that the hero is named Mustang. The text has been changed at some point from the hero being named Corsair, possibly due to a naming conflict with the Marvel Comics character Corsair. Both names come from American fighters which saw considerable action during WWII in the Pacific theater, the P-51 Mustang and the Vought Corsair.
  • The exploration badge, Newsman, text reads "The Theodore Knight building was home to many Super Groups in the years before the Rikti War." Theodore "Ted" Knight was the actor who played anchorman Ted Baxter on the "Mary Tyler Moore" show, as well as the narrator for the "Superfriends" TV show. The Baxter Building was the original home of the Fantastic Four. Ted Knight is also the name of DC Comics superhero Starman.
  • The PvP badge, Back from the Future, is a reference to the movie Back to the Future.
  • The event badge, Evil's Resident, is a reference to the popular zombie genre video game/movie franchise, Resident Evil.
  • The accolade badge, Atlas Shrugged, is a reference to the famous philosophical novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
  • The accolade badge, Time Lord, is likely a reference to the Time Lords (the species to which The Doctor belongs) of the British science fiction television series, Doctor Who.
  • The achievement badge Dam Hero may be a reference to an episode of the TV series Firefly, where Mal describes himself and his crew as "Big Damn Heroes."

Story Arcs and Missions

Acquire Blood of Mu

In the Forging the Blackwand story arc, Archmage Tarixus states "The blood, you see, is compulsory." in the briefing of the Acquire Blood of Mu. This is a reference to a quote by The Player in the play/film Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead.

Assist Subverted Spiderlings

In the Assist subverted Spiderlings mission from Regent Korol, one of the Spiderlings you are sent to assist says "What is your major malfunction?" This is a reference to a quote from Full Metal Jacket.

Break Out

In the City of Villains Tutorial, you must rescue the Arachnos Operative Jenkins. This is often believed to be a reference to the infamous World of Warcraft character Leeroy Jenkins. This might also be a reference to Jeff Jenkins, one of the Developers who has had his named used similarly in-game for other NPCs.

Checkout the Cargo Ship

During the Checkout the Cargo Ship mission from The Magic Man story arc from Mercedes Sheldon, one of the Tsoo comments "You move like a pregnant yak!". This is a quote from Chiun, a character from Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins.

The Clockwork Captive

In The Clockwork Captive story arc, during the Rescue the kidnapping victim before the Clockwork can move him mission, a note can be found with 'CVX-1701 junction RVB-0070' written on it. The registry number for the starship Enterprise from the Star Trek TV and movies series is NCC-1701.

Gather [Color] Kora Fruit and Defeat the Guardians in a [Size] Cave

Kora fruit are a reference to Soma, the recreational drug from author Aldous Huxley's fictional masterpiece, Brave New World.

NPC Dr. Ada Huxley states, "Kora fruit [..] They act just like the most powerful kinds of inspirations", emphasising their drug-like effects.

Soma is also a leafless East Indian vine; its sour milky juice used to make an intoxicating and sacred drink which is used in rituals. This might explain the reason why the Soldiers of Rularuu guard Kora fruit as they do, yet do not consume it - perhaps it is sacred to them.

Join Ouroboros

In the mission to retrieve the computer information from the 5th column base, one of the 5th Column soldiers can be overheard saying, "But, the robots are completely cloaked in a hard light hologram." The hard light hologram is a reference to Arnold Rimmer, a character in the television series Red Dwarf.

  • More importantly, this is an in-joke about how rescuable NPCs would sometimes be replaced by 5th Column Mekmen. Sadly, this line was put in the same issue that broke that bug. Now NPCs are replaced by Col. Burkholder.

Locate Crate 878-932

Prior to Issue 3, the crate in this mission was known as Crate 9906753. The same identification was used for the crate holding the Ark of the Covenant at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Mass Duplicity (Anton Sampson)

In the Mass Duplicity arc from Anton Sampson, there are two businesses named Lovewest and Gordonless that you visit during the mission. This is a reference to the Wild Wild West's Jim West, Artemis Gordon and the mad genius villain Doctor Loveless. In the 1990s movie version of Wild Wild West, Dr. Loveless made extensive use of "steampunk" technology similar to that used by Nemesis.

Operation Skyhook Story Arc

The story arc from Lt. Chalmers is a reference to the code name for the Rebel Alliance's operations regarding the Death Star from the Star Wars movies. The operation shares the name Operation Skyhook.

Project: World Wide Red

In the Project: World Wide Red story arc, you encounter a Dr. Hedia Lamarr, who could be a reference to Hedy Lamarr, famed actress and inventor, or "Hedley Lamarr" from the movie Blazing Saddles.

Rescue Daniel Hawthorn

In this Hardcase mission, Daniel Hawthorn is a reference to The Devil and Daniel Webster. Like in the story, the in-game character "made a deal with the devil" and wanted to get out of it.

Rescue Doctors

  • A 35-40 hero mission has you rescuing doctors the Rikti kidnapped, as they are dying from chicken pox. This whole fragment is a reference to The War of the Worlds where the undefeated aliens succumb en masse to common cold.

Retake your Cloning Facility! (Leonard)

The 5th Column will say "Fire! Fire everything!" This might be a reference to the movie "Star Trek" which was released not too long before the mission came out. In the movie, Nero says a similar line.

Save firm from Devouring Earth

In Jenny Firkins' arc, you have to save lawyers from the law office called Wolffe, Wolffe & Wolffe. In Angel[1]the law office is named Wolfram & Hart and is often mentioned as "The Wolf, the Ram and the Hart". Alternately, it may be a reference to the comic book "Wolff and Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre"[2].

The Sky Is Falling

In the Admiral Sutter Task Force, the admiral's recon fleet in the first mission consists of four Arleigh Burke class missile destroyers. This a real class of US Navy warship; in fact, the four vessels in the mission are all real ships of this class:

Steal a Goldbrickers Rocket pack

In Steal a Goldbrickers Rocket pack story arc, the leader of the Goldbrickers is "The Torch". Furthermore, you deliver the rocket pack to "Dr. Flammond". Both of these are references to the movie Top Secret!.

Stop attackers in Arachnos lab

  • The mission's boss, a Zeus Titan named Enforcer-39 makes a reference to the Robocop movie. ("Surrender, Character! You have five seconds to comply! Three! Two! One! I am now authorized to use lethal force!")

Television

The entire contact is one great reference to many different things, amongst them:

  • "The Simpsons" (First mission of The TV Report)
  • "Mission Impossible" (Second mission of The TV Report)
  • "Deep Space Nine"/"Babylon 5" (Last mission of The TV Report)
  • The song "Video killed the Radio Star" (Video Killed the Radio arc)
  • "The Outer Limits" ("A strange test pattern flashes across the screen, establishing control over the horizontal and the vertical, then the screen returns to normal")
  • "The Prisoner" (The "Help Televison" Mission)
  • "Pokemon" (The mission that gives the "Couch Potato" badge)
  • "The X-Files" (The "Recover Report on Malta" Mission)


Time After Time (Captain Mako)

The first mission of this story arc has elements of Planet of the Apes, (humans being treated as inferior by creatures that they treated as inferior) and even shares some of the more memorable lines.

Welcome to Praetoria

During the introductory mission from Officer Flint (Praetorian) in Precinct Five he introduces you to Reese. Reese says, "I am a Top Dog in Praetor White's Powers Division. That means I'm famous, well known, and respected." Famous, Well Known and Respected are adjective status traits used in White Wolf's Vampire: the Masquerade World of Darkness live-action role-playing game (Mind's Eye Theatre, Laws of the Night 3rd. edition) and are automatically conferred by holding the position of Prince in the Camarilla.

The Red and the Black

Every named character unique to the story arc (i.e. discounting previously-established NPCs) is named after a character from Oban: Star Racers (a sci-fi fantasy animated show revolving around a variant of pod racing), either directly or as a play on words. In order of appearance, these are:

  • Rikti Negotiator Sah'Teece, whom Gaussian describes as a "Rikti sports hero." This refers to Oban's Satis, the former racer known as "Super Racer" and secretly the previous tournament's champion.
  • Captain Flint, a mission boss. This is a reference to Flint, the "local hero" and star racer of the host planet of Alwas. Captain Flint's yell of "No one can stop the power of Flint!" is an almost word-for-word quote from Flint's catch phrase in Oban, as his character is shown as a flamboyant boaster in the show.
  • Lt. Ceres, Lt. Sefu Tendaji's captor. This is a reference to Oban's Ceres, a wood-like magical alien racer. Lt. Ceres' speech of "You've made a poor choice, Character!" is a reference to Oban's Ceres, who is shown as a calm and methodical racer.
  • Captain Grool, a mission boss. This is a reference to Oban's Groor (with a letter switch), who is a large robotic racer with a foul temper and aggressive style. Grool's "Character and Tendaji have joined forces? Bah! The fools!" dialogue, specifically the ending, is an almost exact quote from a scene with Groor in the show.
  • Bill J. Wylde, a name-drop for the deceased diplomat the Rogue Vanguard have killed, is a reference to the father of Oban's Jordan C. Wilde's father. He is described as "a former astronaut" which is a direct reference to the father's role in Oban, which was first contact with an alien race as an astronaut.
  • Martha, a name-drop found on an unfinished letter. This is likely a reference to Maya Wai, the deceased wife of Oban's Don Wei, whose death is the driving force behind the man's self-destructive behaviour and crushing guilt.
  • Lt. Donai, Lady Grey's captor. This is a reference to Oban's Ondai, a sentient robot whose racing strategy is statistical analysis of all possible opponent moves. Lt. Donai's comment of "But the odds against this are impossible!" is a direct reference to Ondai's machine calculating nature.
  • Lt. Furter, one of Lady Grey's attackers. This is a reference to Oban's Lord Further, an arrogant pirate-themed alien who wins races by killing his opponents in their downtime using his numerous crew. His line "Come on, Men! Get Character!" is a direct quote of his hatchphrase, as well as his propensity to regard his crew as "men."
  • Captain Nin and Captain Skung, showing as an attacker and an ambush for the attacker, respectively. These are a reference to Oban's Ning and Skun, a duo of vampire-themed aliens who race "hoverbikes" which can merge together and use team tactics to overpower competitors. The entire setup of Captain Nin summoning Captain Skung when hurt is a direct reference to their Oban counterparts' racing style.
  • Colonel Toros, one of Lady Grey's attackers. This is a reference to... Well, Colonel Toros from Oban, a militaristic alien commander and xenophobic bigot. His "No one gets out alive!" line is a reference to the characters' ruthless racing tactics and propensity to try and murder his competitors.
  • Captain Racer, a dead Rogue Vanguard commander. This is a reference to Super Racer, the secret identity of Satis mentioned earlier, and the persona with which he won the previous tournament.
  • Lt. Rush, the commanding officer of the Longbow base raided for information. This is a reference to Oban's Rush, a large bearded alien known for his imposing strength and physique, as well as jolly disposition. Lt. Rush's line "BWAH-HA-HA! Let's fight, then!" is an almost direct quote of his from the show.
  • Agent Ikah, a name-drop for the creator of a tactical projection. This is a reference to Oban's Prince Aikka
  • Renegade Leader Gen. K. Alito, a mission boss. This is a reference to Canaletto, Oban's antagonist and tremendously powerful sorcerer. His line "Fool! You will not interfere with my plans!" is not an exact quote, but very accurate to the way in which Canaletto speaks in the show. His position as leader of the "bad guys" and his powers - he is a Vanguard Sorcerer - also fit well.
  • Technicians Kan and Stoji, appearing as mission "bosses." These are a reference to Stan and Koji, the Earth Team engineers from Oban. Stan is depicted as a roughneck mechanic while Koji as an otaku programmer. Their dialogue - "What am I even doing here?" and "I never even wanted be here." reflects their personalities accordingly, though they may be swapped around.
  • Su'Uul, a Rikti Magus and non-essential boss encounter. This is a reference to Oban's Suul, a great magical alien who is depicted as quiet, contemplative and displaying no real emotions. Su'Uul's dialogue of "Pondering: Hmmmm" is a direct reference to this.

Police Band Missions

  • Rescue Ayn Race - The text states that you must rescue novelist Ayn Race. This may be a reference to the author Anne Rice who wrote Interview with the Vampire. Reference is made in the mission text that the supernatural elements of her novel are "too real" to be made up.
    • The name also may refer to Ayn Rand, or perhaps a mixture of the two.
  • Rescue Betty Jo Bialaski - Betty Jo is a character in Firesign Theatre's "Nick Danger" skit. When rescued, she says, "Just call me Nancy, everyone does."
    • This mission also appears as "Rescue Audrey Farber", an alias for Betty Jo Bialaski.
    • Based on the skit, an additional mission might appear as "Rescue Melanie Haber", but this has not yet been attested.
  • Rescue Dr. Frank N. Scott - When you reach the hostage, the following dialog happens:
Wing Raider: We already know that the ritual begins with a jump to the left.
Dr. Frank N. Scott: I won't tell you a thing.
Assault Jump Bot: Yes, and then a step to the right.

When aggroed, they yell:

Wing Raider: Dr. Scott! Hero Name!
Dr. Frank N. Scott: Hero Name!
Assault Jump Bot: Hero Name! Dr. Scott!

And when rescued, the hostage says:

Dr. Frank N. Scott: If they'd pried that ritual from me, it could have opened a time warp, or worse!

The entire exchange is a reference to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which includes a Dr. Frank N. Furter, a Dr. Everett Scott, and a song called Time Warp with the lyrics "It's just a jump to the left / And then a step to the right", as well as a scene with characters calling each other's names.

  • Rescue Dr. Nivenah Sing - Dr. Sing, of Datalore Labs, is likely named after Dr. Noonien Soong, creator of androids Data and Lore, from Star Trek.
  • Rescue Dr. Philo - The text states that the Engineer for UHF station 62 was kidnapped. The manager George reported him missing. This is a reference to the "Weird Al" Yankovic movie UHF Incidentally, when the doctor is led to the exit, he comments, "My work here is done", which is the same line the doctor uttered in his last scene in UHF.
  • Rescue Dr. Stephen Fayte - The mission description says, "Due to random circumstances of birth, he's often mistaken for one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world. However, he's really just a gifted surgeon, and nothing more. When his attackers are engaged: the following conversation takes place:
Attacker 1: We were wrong! He's just a gifted surgeon, and nothing more!
Dr. Stephen Fayte: Truly, I am merely a gifted surgeon, and nothing more.
Attacker 2: You fool! He's merely a gifted surgeon, and nothing more!
Attacker 1: We must attack the hero and completely ignore Dr. Stephen Fayte!
Dr. Stephen Fayte: Ah. Well, I'll just let you handle this.
Attacker 2: Yes, as he is merely a surgeon and nothing more, he is no threat to us.
When the attackers are defeated, Dr. Fayte says the following:
Dr. Stephen Fayte: That was a timely extraction from imminent peril, as I am merely a surgeon and nothing more.
When Dr. Fayte is rescued, he repeats one more time:
Dr. Stephen Fayte: Thank you. You really saved me, as I am only a gifted surgeon, and nothing more.
The name "Stephen Fayte" is amalgam to two popular comic book characters, Doctor Strange and Doctor Fate. Both are powerful sorcerers with the ability to control others. Dr. Stephen Strange in particular has the power to hypnotize others to his will, and is a gifted neurosurgeon.
  • Rescue Dr. Zhondervan - This appears to be a reference to Zondervan, a Christian publishing company most famous publishing the New International Version of the Bible.
    • In fact, neither of co-founder Pat Zondervan's sons have continued the family business and one of them is a doctor, though a psychiatrist.
  • Rescue Jake Emmet - Jake Emmet is a computer game designer who, it is feared, may have made some super-powered beings mad with his latest computer game. This is an obvious reference to City of Heroes'/Villains' former lead designer Jack Emmert (Statesman).
  • Rescue Jon "Booster" Rhodes - The description of this mission states that Jon Rhodes is the VP for Kord Industries. This is a Reference to James Rhodes, who works for Stark Industries in the Marvel Comics Iron Man series.
    • Also, upon saving him from his captors he says: "Nice work. You took those guys down like some kinda war machine." which is another reference to James Rhodes and his alter ego, War Machine.
    • At the mission exit he says: "Thanks for the help. I actually was expecting someone else, but you did a great job." implying that he was expecting his employer and friend (who is most likely Tony Kord (another NPC referencing both Iron Man and the Blue Beetle, see the entry lower on this list)) to save him.
    • The name (or rather, the nickname) also appears to refer to Booster Gold - reinforced by the fact that Ted Kord is Blue Beetle, a DC hero commonly associated with Booster.
  • Rescue L33t Sk1zzl3s - When you have finished rescuing him, he says "Wait till I tell everyone on Dotslash about this.". This is a reference to the news site Slashdot.
  • Rescue Lois Watson - Lois Watson is expecting to be rescued by Unbelievable-Man, but "you'll do." The name Lois Watson is an amalgam of Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson.
  • Rescue Mr. L. Jenkins - The text states that you must rescue an office worker "Mr. L. Jenkins". This is another reference to "World of Warcraft"'s Leeroy Jenkins.
  • Rescue Peter Kent - You find this hostage threatening his captors and making them very nervous. The name Peter Kent is an amalgam of Peter Parker and Clark Kent.
  • Rescue Stephen Duke - The text states that you must rescue novelist Stephen Duke. This is a reference to the author Stephen King. Reference is made in the mission text that he was in a car accident; the real King was in a severe auto accident.
  • In one of the police band missions the phrase "All Units: The Use of excessive force in the apprehension of Character has been approved" might be a reference to the movie The Blues Brothers.

Newspaper Missions

  • Dr. Theopolis to Speak on Time Travel - Dr. Theopolis was a recurring character on the television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

Zones and Places

Brickstown

Some of the names seem to be related to the legend of Gilgamesh.

  • The Crescent is likely a reference to the Fertile Crescent, the crescent-shaped region in the Middle East believed by some to be the cradle of civilization.
  • Dark Waters seem to be referred to one of the parts of Gilgamesh' travel. Water is very important in the Gilgamesh myth, and the tunnels under Brickstown are full with water here as well.
  • Mashu Bridge is related to the Mashu tunnel.
  • The Ziggurat is an old Babylonian construct.

Croatoa

This zone harkens back to many myths and legends, especially those of Ireland.

  • The name of the zone itself is a reference to the lost colony of Roanoke. In 1590 the colony had disappeared, with the only clue being the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree.
  • The town's name, Salamanca, refers to a Spanish city. During the Middle Ages it inhabited a no man's land between the Christian north and the Muslim south. It also had a famous university.
  • The Fir Bolg and Tuatha de Dannan are the fourth and fifth invaders of Ireland listed in the Irish Book of Invasions. The Tuatha De in particular were supposed to be adept at magic and semi-divine, but eventually disappeared into the spirit world and became faeries and goblins.
  • New Connaught is a reference to Connacht, the western province of Ireland. According to legend, the Tuatha de Dannan allowed the Fir Bolg to have Connacht after their defeat, as they were impressed with the heroism of Sreng.
  • Eochai appears to refer to Eochaid mac Eirc, the legendary last king of the Fir Bolg. Bres appears to refer to the first king of the Tuatha De Dannan in Ireland. Streng appears to be a misspelling of Sreng, who was a champion of the Fir Bolg during their war.
  • Red Caps are malevolent faeries or goblins in British folklore, whose eponymous red hats were stained with the blood of their victims. They were supposedly impossible to outrun, and one could only escape by reciting a verse from the Bible.
  • Jack In Irons was a giant in Yorkshire lore, covered in chains and wearing the heads of his victims.

Dark Astoria

Some neighborhoods seem to be named after directors of horror films.

  • Raimi Arcade is named after Sam Raimi
  • Romero Heights is named after George A. Romero
  • Toffet Terrace - may be an alternate spelling of Tophet, which is an unpleasant place, or another name for hell.
  • Dido's View. It should be noted that the neighborhood names were probably in place when Dark Astoria was simply Astoria - before Mot rose, and before the earlier shrouding fog. In Dark Astoria, Dido's View is adjacent to Moth Cemetary. In a sense, it overlooks the cemetary. The Dido in this name possibly refers to Dido, Queen of Carthage, about whom many myths, legends and stories arose. The most well-known stories are the Aenid and the Lament of Dido, which is from the opera, Dido and Aeneas.
It's probable the in-game place bears some relationship to the stories and place surrounding Dido's View in Carthage. Dido's View is described in the Aenid Book 4.401: "What were your feelings Dido, then? What were the sighs you uttered at that sight, when far and wide from your high citadel, you saw the beaches boil and turmoil take the waters, with such a vast uproar before your eyes?" This description resonates strongly with a viewer looking across Moth Cemetary; also noting that, like Carthage, Astoria could be said to have been sacked (not once, but twice).

Founders' Falls

The neighborhoods here are related to either Rhode Island (the state Paragon City is set in) or the American Revolution:

Kings Row

This area is named after a street near Cryptic's Headquarters. It may also be a reference to the Ronald Reagan film of the same name.

  • The Gish is likely a reference to silent film star Lillian Gish.

Mercy Island

  • Darwin's Landing is named after Charles Darwin, whose theory of natural selection is often summarized as "survival of the fittest" - very fitting given the way Lord Recluse treats Mercy Island as a test to remove those too weak to live up to their destiny.

Nerva Archipelago

The zone is named after the Roman Emperor Nerva. According to an NPC in City of Villains, "Nerva was a Roman Emperor who selected his heir rather than choosing a blood relative".

  • Agincourt, the Longbow massive base, likely named after the battle of the same name. Notice the role of the English longbow during the battle.

Perez Park

The zone, its various neighborhoods and badges, are named after various famous comic book creators. The zone itself is a reference to George Pérez, a comic book illustrator and writer.

Peregrine Island

Some of the neighborhoods seem to be related to the DC hero Aquaman:

  • Curry Cove references Arthur Curry, the civilian identity of the hero.
  • Mera Heights is named after Aquaman's ex-wife, Mera.
  • Tempest Quay references the current heroic identity of Aquaman's former sidekick Aqualad, now known as Tempest.
  • Nelson Borough may be related to the DC hero Dr. Fate, but is just as likely to be named after the renowned British Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson.

Rikti Crash Site/Rikti War Zone

The neighborhoods in the old Rikti Crash Site are named after battles where the American Army has been present:

The Rikti War Zone adds additional battles:

Skyway City

  • The Gruff neighborhood is most likely named after "Three Billy Goats Gruff", a fairy tale where a troll tries to prevent three goats from crossing a bridge. This area is a hangout for Trolls.
  • Hide Park. Several large cities feature a Hyde Park (London, Sydney, New York). Hide Park in Skyway City features Trolls consuming Superadine and transforming their bodies. This may be an homage to Mr. Hyde of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
  • The Land of the Lost neighborhood is likely named after the television series Land of the Lost. and is a pun referencing The Lost enemy group found in this area.

Striga Isle

The zone's name refer to the striga, a parasitic plant that is found in parts of Africa and Asia. This parasitic nature can be found in Council Vampyrs that have the ability to drain life from their targets, while strengthening themselves. It's also a potential spelling of Strix a variety of vampire from Roman legend which appeared as a monster in D&D.

Talos Island

The names come from Greek mythology, particularly from Homer's Odyssey: Talos is named after the golem of the same name.

Terra Volta

The name of the zone comes from Alessandro Volta, the creator of the electric battery and whose name the measurement volt comes from. The neighborhoods here refer to 1930's pulp comic characters:

Businesses and Billboards

  • Benedict Tech, a technology corporation in game that specializes in prosthetics. The name Benedict references a character from Roger Zelazny's The Chronicles of Amber novels, who lost an arm and had it replaced with an artificial one.
  • City of Gyros is, of course, a play on "City of Heroes".
  • Cooke's Electronics a technology store is a reference to Fry's Electronics, an electronic retail store.
  • In Front Steakhouse billboards can be seen in the city. This is a reference to Outback Steakhouse.
  • Junk Depot is a reference to Radio Shack. The store logo is a red J in a circle, very similar to Radio Shack's logo.
  • Red Beast drink billboards can be found in Paragon City. This is a reference to Red Bull energy drink.
  • Scheherazade signs can be seen in several zones of Paragon City. The fictional storyteller and style of the sign are references to Borders.
  • Up-N-Away Burger is a play on In-N-Out Burger, a fast food restaurant in the western part of the US.
  • Super Bowl bowling alley is a pun on the super heroes fighting crime, and also on the annual professional football event in the US.
  • Wentworth's Fine Consignments may be a reference to any or all of the following:
    • Richard Wentworth, the civilian alias for the pulp hero known as The Spider.
    • Another possibility is J.G. Wentworth, a real-life financial services firm known for its "It's my money, and I need it NOW!" commercials.
    • Yet another possibility is Woolworth's, the United States' original "five and dime" store, more recently known as Foot Locker.

NPCs

  • Agent Oakley, a Crey sharpshooter encountered in one of Daedalus's missions, is a reference to Annie Oakley, a historical sharpshooter.
  • Ambassador Kuhr'Rekt: After completing his first mission, he says "Invitation extended: Consume mass quantities", an obvious reference to the Coneheads of SNL fame.
  • Axel F a Freakshow boss on Sister Psyche's Task Force is a reference to the song of the same name by Harold Faltermeyer, which is the theme tune of the film, "Beverly Hills Cop", and is named after the protagonist: Axel Foley.
  • Clive Loveking is a parody of H. P. Lovecraft, and refers to several of his works when you meet him in a police band mission. His name may also reference modern horror authors Stephen King and Clive Barker.
  • Douglas, a Captain of the Sky Raiders, is a reference to the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider, a single-seat propellor-driven ground-attack aircraft in use from the 1950s through the 1970s.
  • Dr. Aeon: The Latin word Aeon, also spelled eon or æon, means "age," "forever," or "for eternity".
  • Gordon Stacy is a police captain you can find in Brickstown as a contact. His named seems to be composed of two famous police characters in comics: the first would be Commissioner Gordon, from Batman, and the second would be Captain Stacy, father of Gwen Stacy, first girlfriend of Spiderman.
  • Hard Luck, the Golden Giza enforcer, seems to have a well-hidden reference here: during one of his missions you will be asked to save his brother, whose surname is "Luciano". Hard Luck himself is known for his bad luck, making him an Unlucky man. And he's involved with the Family deals. This makes him a gangster who could be called "Unlucky" Luciano. "Unlucky" Luciano --> "Lucky" Luciano
  • Isaac the Bartender gets his name from bartender Isaac Washington on the show The Love Boat.
  • Joey, of the band in the Tiki Lounge along with Johnny are members of the Ramones.
  • Johnny 23, a Prisoners boss is named after a prisoner character on the film Con Air.
  • Johnny, of the band in the Tiki Lounge along with Joey are members of the Ramones.
  • J.P. Mason, a Prisoners boss is named after Sean Connery's character, John Patrick Mason on the film The Rock.
  • Kyle Peck - a contact who is an EPA agent, taking his name from the EPA inspector Walter Peck in Ghostbusters.
  • Levantera, the Rikti War Zone contact is named after a dry wind in the Mediterranean. Her sister, Borea, is named after Boreas, the personification of the cold north wind in Greek mythology. Both, of course, are members of the Order of the Four Winds, and the origins of the villains Scirocco and Ice Mistral seem to be related.
  • Mender Lazarus is an homage to Lazarus Long, a fictional character featured in a number of science fiction novels by Robert A. Heinlein. Lazarus Long is an unusually long-lived kilt-wearing time traveler.
    • Lazarus of Bethany is a biblical character, mentioned in John 11:41-44, whom Jesus raised from the dead.
    • It's also possible that Mender Lazarus may also be a reference to the Doctor Who villain, Richard Lazarus
  • Mender Tesseract is an homage to A Wrinkle in Time where the main protagonist of the story is named Meg, Mender Tesseract's first name. Also, the means by which they travel in the book is by using a Tesseract.
  • Pirates: The Rogue Isles are mentioned as a nest of thieves and pirates at one time. Many of the pirates mentioned in missions and badges were, in fact, real:
  • Protean, the villain who killed Manticore's parents, takes his name from the god Proteus.
  • Rasputin, the monk, is mentioned by the Paragon Times as the mentor of the infamous Baron Zoria, founder of the Circle of Thorns.
  • Serafina is said to be a Djinn.
  • Technician Naylor (aka Portal Technician Grant Naylor), Grant Naylor is the "name" of the author of the BBC's Red Dwarf series. In actuality, its the last names of the two writers combined as if it was one person.
  • The Artist Formerly Known as Claire, a Carnival of Shadows boss refers to Prince's naming convention, The Artist formerly known as Prince.

Police Band Detectives

New Faultline

  • Arbiter Sands - Agent Sands of the film Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
  • Captain Castillo - Don Karnage from Disney's "TaleSpin" cartoon.
  • Doc Delilah - Marvel Comics superhero and psychiatrist, Doc Samson.
  • Penelope Yin - Penelope Pitstop of the Wacky Races.
  • And a number of Lost bosses encountered on her story arc (all characters from Wacky Races):
    • Muxley - Wacky Races #00 Dick Dastardly and Muttley in the Mean Machine
    • Slag of Skyway - Wacky Races #01, The Slag Brothers, Rock and Gravel, in the Bouldermobile
    • Gruesome of Galaxy - Wacky Races #02, The Gruesome Twosome, Big and Little, in the Creepy Coupe
    • Blast of Hollows - Wacky Races #06, Sergeant Blast and Private Meekly in the Army Surplus Special
    • Ant of Atlas - Wacky Races #07, The Ant Hill Mob in the Bulletproof Bomb
    • Blubber of Steel - Wacky Races #08, Luke and Blubber Bear in the Arkansas Chuggabug
    • Ruffcut of Perez - Wacky Races #10, Rufus Ruffcut and Sawtooth in the Buzz Wagon

Random Dialog

  • Arachnos Bane Spider Executioner: "This calls for a subtle blend of psychology and extreme violence." Spoken when alerted to the presence of an intruder in "the web" (North of the main island in Grandville), a likely reference to Vivian from the anarchic 1980's British comedy show The Young Ones.
  • Longbow Flamethrower: "What's your plans for tonight? I think I may head over to Bianco's later. I'm in the mood for pasta." Overheard in a conversation between two Longbow in Faultline. More likely than not, the name comes from Melissa Bianco.
  • Random citizens sometimes say, "Life is pain. Anybody who says differently is trying to sell you something." A reference to The Princess Bride.
  • Outcast Initiate Slammer: "I don't know how I feel about this Hollows business. Not enough citizens to harass. Slim pickins." This is possibly a reference to film and television actor Slim Pickens (1919–1983).
  • The Riders in the Lady Grey Task Force quote the arcade game Sinistar:
    • War: Rider: I: Live!
    • Famine: Rider: I: Hunger
    • Pestilence: Rider: Run: Cowards!
    • Death: Rider: Ha: Ha: Ha: Ha!

Enemy Groups

  • Arachnoids:
    • Widdershins: Widdershins means anticlockwise which was considered unlucky to travel in that direction.


  • Arachnos: It is no surprise that many of Arachnos' troops take their names from different kinds of spiders:
    • Wolf Spiders: Wolf Spider.
    • Crab Spiders: Crab Spider.
    • Blood and Night Widows: Black Widow Spider.
    • Tarantulas: Tarantula Spider.
    • Mu Mystics are, of course, related to the mythical nation of Mu, which seems to be based on the real life legend of Mu.
      • Hequat would seem to be an alternate spelling of Hecate, Greek goddess of witchcraft.
    • Lord Recluse himself is related to the deadly Brown Recluse Spider.
    • Ghost Widow may be referred to the Black Widow Spider as well.
    • Scirocco and Ice Mistral take their names from different kinds of wind instead: Sirocco and Mistral.
    • Captain Mako and Barracuda take their names from deadly sea predators: Mako and Barracuda.


  • Banished Pantheon: several kinds of enemies from this villain group have their own real life histories:


  • Clockwork: some of the soldiers of this group are named after XIX century computer engineers:
    • Babbage is named after Charles Babbage.
    • Tesla soldiers are named after Nikola Tesla.
    • Also, some of the bosses you can find during the Synapse Task Force are named after famous cannons:


  • Circle of Thorns:
    • Behemoth can be referred to a Biblical demon.
    • Succubus are female demons from the medieval legends.
    • Baphomet is a demon of uncertain origins, and apparently connected to the Knights Templar.
    • Caleb
    • Lilitu comes from the Mesopotamian legends. Notice the legend about her having to kill her children.
    • Ermeeth would seem to be an alternate spelling for Hermes, Greek god of (among other things) invention, boundaries, and travellers.


  • Coralax: During the story arc "Calystix the Shaper", a history of the cult is mentioned. One of the chapters matches perfectly with the events related in The Shadow over Innsmouth, from Howards Phillips Lovecraft. Perhaps the whole group is based on the Deep Ones.






  • Gold Brickers
    • King Midas, the leader of the Gold Brickers, takes his name from King Midas in Greek Mythology who turned everything that he touched into gold.


  • Longbow: the heroic militia whose name comes from the reach of its influence, seems to be named after the bow of the same name, also renowned for its reach: The English Longbow
    • Ballistas, the Longbow heaviest hitters, are named after a siege machine which is, basically, a powerful crossbow.


  • Luddites: This group actually existed during the XIX century:



  • Praetorians seem to take their name from the Roman guard corps of the same name which was tasked with the protection of the Emperor. It's a fitting name for this group: notice the table of relations between the Emperor and his guards here.


  • Red Caps are a malevolent kind of goblin in the British myths.
    • Jack in Irons comes from the British myths.



  • Snakes:
    • Stheno was one of the immortal Gorgons and sister of the well known Medusa in Greek mythology.
    • Sthaco is a reference to Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, from 2nd Edition, which had a THAC0 calculation for each character, which translated to "To Hit Armor Class 0."



  • The Cabal:



  • Trolls:
    • Caliban - The name of Julius Caesar's sword, also a character in William Shakespeare's "The Tempest". Wikipedia's page on Caliban.
    • Grendel, the former leader of the Trolls, is related to the being of the same name in the poem Beowulf.
    • Gardvord, a Troll lieutenant, from the Swedish word Gårdvard; "Farm warden". Many of the Trolls' names seem to relate to Nordic mythology.
    • Gragnor, a named Troll boss, is likely named after Grignr, hero of the infamously bad fantasy story, The Eye of Argon by Jim Theis.



  • Unseelie Court are part of the fairy myths from the British Isles. The Unseelie Court means "Unholy Court". [4]




  • Wyvern takes its name from the mythological being of the same name. Talons, fangs and stings are parts of that being.

Weapons and Equipment

  • Redding: the name of a high-powered rifle used by Vanguard and available to players as an unlockable. The name may be a nod to gun accessories manufacturer Redding. [6] The full name, 'Redding Rail Rifle', may also be a reference to the Reading Railroad, a property in the game Monopoly.


Other items and Artifacts

  • The Pillar of Ice and Flame is a reference to an object in Radical Dreamers and Chrono Cross called the Frozen Flame. This object would allow its user to time travel, as well as manipulate dimensions and events in previous times. In the end, the object was actually a fragment of a greater alien entity called the Lavos.
  • The Bands of Shu seem to be currently in the hands of the Malta Group.
  • Hand of Omega is an item from the longest running Sci Fi show in the world, Dr. Who, and shows up in the police scanner missions.
  • The Jewel of Enki can be found in the hands of Hellions.
  • Form 27B/6 - The Supergroup Registration form is Form 27B/6. Form 27B/6 is the Ministry of Public Works' "Authorization for Repairs of Domestic Living Quarters by Licensed Repair Technicians" form in Brazil.
  • Li Tieh Kuai is often mentioned in the Natural/Magic dual origin enhancements. Li Tieh Kuai is Iron-Crutch Li, one of the eight immortals of Taoism. He was apparently fond of out of body experiences, and one of his students found him apparently dead, and cremated his body. When he returned, he had to take over the body of a crippled beggar, while of course keeping his magical kung-fu powers; thus the Iron Crutch.
  • Nectanebo, often mentioned in the Magic origin enhancements. There were two pharaohs of Egypt: Nectanebo I and Nectanebo II.
  • Oscillator Overthruster - The Science/Tech Dual-Origin enhancement for Intangibility Duration is the Oscillator Overthruster. This refers to the oscillation overthruster, a device was used to allow for passage through solid objects, by accessing the "8th Dimension", made up of all the empty space in matter. This device is from the film, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.
  • The Platonic Solids - A mission against the Warriors will make you encounter The Platonic Solids, which exist in real life.
  • P.L.O.T. Device - A mission objective. A thinly veiled reference to the narrative element, the Plot Device.
  • The Sforza Horse, which you can find in a mission against the Family, could be seen in the film Hudson Hawk.
  • Tome of Tormvodel - In Ghost Widow's patron arc, she asks villains to retrieve the Tome of Tormvodel, a book she plans on using to restore her to her human form. Tormvodel is an anagrammed reference to Lord Voldemort of the Harry Potter books, a dark wizard bent on securing unmatched power and achieving immortality through the practice of the Dark Arts - interestingly enough, his name is an anagram in itself.
  • An Ushabti can be found in the hands of the Hellions during a low level mission.

Police Band Items

  • The Book of K'Gar - The text describes this as an alien holy book that cannot be interpreted until the year 2260. This is a reference to Babylon 5, a story which takes place between 2258 and 2262 AD (which includes the year 2260), and one of the main characters is named G'Kar. More specifically, it refers to an actual book written by said character G'Kar, which was, incidentally, written in 2260, and was referred to by the same name.
  • A Dragoon Ball - The text states that this object is one of seven, which, when brought together, will summon a calvaryman who will grant a wish. This is a reference to Dragon Ball, a Japanese franchise that involves seven Dragon Balls which will summon a wish-granting dragon when they're brought together. Dragoon refers to a type of light cavalry employed during the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • Long John's Silver - The text states that you must recover "Long John's Silver". This is a reference to Treasure Island.
  • The Oxygen Destroyer - The text states that you must recover the Oxygen Destroyer. This is a reference to the original 1954 Godzilla movie where the device was used to defeat Godzilla.
  • File: X - Rearranged X Files, science fiction movies.
  • The Scroll of Bokol is mentioned on one of the hero police scanner missions. It's clue description reads, "This scroll was penned by those who believe that life here began 'out there', in the depths of space. It talks about the lost colonies of humanity that are supposed to live among the stars." This is a reference to Battlestar Galactica and the planet, lords, and colonies of Kobol.

Salvage

  • Crystal Skulls - Some members of the Skulls will drop Crystal Skulls as Salvage.
  • Inanimate Carbon Rod - "In Rod We Trust" - This is a reference to Deep Space Homer, an episode of the Simpsons where Homer loses employee of the month to "an inanimate carbon rod". The caption on the medal that the rod receives is "In Rod We Trust".
  • Orichalcum can be found as Salvage in the hands of the Circle of Thorns.
  • Protonium will drop off several villain groups as Salvage.
  • Conspiratorial Evidence - The description is a reference to a line spoken by The Question in the animated series Justice League Unlimited.
  • Lament Box is a reference to the sinister puzzle box from the Hellraiser series. Some of these can be seen in cabinets in the Midnighter Club

Enhancements

  • Benedict Tech Holey Field Generator - Technology Disorient Duration SO enhancement. "Holey Field" is a play on multiple-time Cruiserweight and Heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield's last name.
  • Poracio Ind.: the name of one third of the Tech-based single-origin enhancements come from "Poracio Industries", which is almost assuredly a reference to Whilce Portacio, comic book artist. He was also artist on the series "WetWorks", which compromise another third of the Tech-based single-origin enhancements.

Historical

Badge time.png This section contains information that no longer applies to the current version of City of Heroes Freedom. It is provided for historical purposes.
  • The Vanguard monomolecular blades and shield used by the Vanguard were formerly called Talsorian items. This name was a nod to R. Talsorian Games, who publish numerous role-playing game books and accessories. This was changed on November 12, 2009.