Oblivion talk:Easter Eggs/Archive 4

This is an archive of past Oblivion talk:Easter Eggs discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page, except for maintenance such as updating links.

Dagon

This is related to the bible. In the bible, there is an idol god that is worshipped by the philistines named "dagon" People interpret his name two different ways, as a Fish god, and as a god of grain. I personally see him as a idol god of grain. SO back to the easter egg, when dagon is drawn, most pictures of him are strikingly similar to what he looks like in the game.(when he isnt in fishgod form).

Aluc Cardius

"In the third level of the Ayleid ruin Vilverin is a note written by the resident Necromancer, Jalbert, to a guard captain in Daggerfall by the name of 'Aluc Cardius'. This is likely a simple anagram (very nearly spelled backwards) of the name 'Dracula' and no doubt a reference to the infamous vampire, since it is hinted at that Cardius himself is a vampire."

While "Alucard" is indeed "Dracula" spelled backwards, it was also the name of the eponymous character in the Dracula sequel, Son of Dracula. Since the use of Alucard as Dracula's son in reference to the movie is so popular (ie, Castlevania) it's more likely a reference to Son of Dracula. 24.97.157.2 19:17, 5 August 2008 (EDT)

This was already talked about further up the page, look for the section "Addition to Easter Egg" Dr. Kilereren 19:09, 6 August 2008 (EDT)

Also, should the easter egg about the Pale Lady's name in the Thieves' Guild quest "Lost Histories of Tamriel" be noted here? One of the guards calls her Mina - an unusual name for a Dark Elf, but not an unusual name for a certain famous vampire's favorite victim, name of Harker.

In the Wake of Poseidon

The song "In the Wake of Poseidon" by King Crimson one of the lines has a reference to Sheogorath; "whilst in the Isles the Madman smiles, To him it matters least."

This is impossible. That song(and the album of the same name) was published in 1970. Also, the line is "Whilst in the aisle the mad man smiles" If anything, SI is a reference to the song. --Debatra 09:54, 15 August 2008 (EDT)

Yes, I'd already deleted that one from the Shivering Easter Eggs page - I hadn't spotted that it was on here too. Pity, because it's a great song (if you can overlook the appalling drumming). –Rpeh^{•T•C•E•} 10:06, 15 August 2008 (EDT)

A small possible joke

I was looking over the disease list, and noticed one disease that might be a rather innappropriate joke. The disease Ticklebritch, from the Mehrunes Razor quest, can be transferred from a hoe. I haven't done the quest, so I'm not sure how you get a disease from a hoe. However, what do you get in real life, from a ho? Perhaps a nasty disease that will certainly make parts in your britches... tickle.

That seems kind of iffy, I mean its not really a funny easter egg, if it is one, I am not sure though. Chibiace 05:56, 19 August 2008 (EDT)

Do Easter Eggs have to be funny? There are quite a few, that are not - some are interesting to you, some are only interesting to me, some ar more obscure than others, some are more far-fetched than others. If this Ticklebritch one is really an Easter Egg then you might argue about whether it's good or bad taste - but if it IS an Easter Egg then it doesn't matter if you or I think it's funny. -Meisterdieb 20:59, 27 December 2008 (EST)

No Easter Eggs don't have to be funny. It's true that the only place you can get the disease Ticklebritch is from a "Dirty Hoe" in KotN, which to my mind is an easter egg. It's certainly more relevant than most of the so called easter eggs on the main page... Dr Jones 04:05, 28 December 2008 (EST)

Goodness, no! We can't have an "inappropriate" joke alluding to STDs, especially while I am in the middle of murdering people and stealing their stuff... Seems like a joke, but not an easter egg. If the only way you can find out about it is in the construction set, then not even an easter egg. Is there some way in game you can discover it? I've not come across anything whilst playing the game that tells me what I can catch from which animal/person/object.

The Gray Fox vs. The Black Fox

As soon as I learned of The Gray Fox, it immediately made me think of The Black Fox from The Court Jester who serves pretty much the same exact role in the aforementioned movie, as the Gray Fox serves in the game. They both sport a similarly dorky style of mask.

Also, being able to become the Gray Fox, simply by wearing the cowl, is reminiscent of the opening scene in The Court Jester, when the audience is lead to believe that the main character is the Black Fox, and other people dress up as him, when finally, at the end of the song, the real Black Fox arrives.

The only blatant reference I see though, is him being "Gray Fox" and sporting the same style of mask and role in the story.

I tried to read into it a bit more, but I haven't found any other major references.

Should add to the Society references:

Hieronymus Lex's surname could be a reference to the Latin word lex, meaning "law." Given Lex's role as Guard Captain and attitude twords thieves, this is appropriate. 66.63.86.156 15:09, 5 September 2008 (EDT)

And "Hieronymus" means "sacred name" from the Greek. I think since the Imperial culture is clearly based on the Romans, noting every Latin meaning would get pretty tedious. I assume an Easter Egg is supposed to go unnoticed to the average player, or reference something specific & quirky from the Elder Scrolls universe itself. Latin roots are such a major part of English, I'm guessing that things like "Lex" were meant to stand out to the player. It may get too crowded if we note every root word. Sed amo linguam Catulli. xoxo Coryl

Maro Rufus

I'm surprised I haven't seen this up here yet: Maro Rufus, who sells light armor at The Best Defense, has a name that calls to mind another "Mario the Red" from some video game I remember playing back in the day...

Three Dog Night

I wasn't paying attention to names at the time, but an Orc was talking to Else God-Hater at the West Weald Inn in Skingrad. He made a comment about about one of the locals and how he'd "help him drink his wine. And he always has some mighty fine wine" which is from "Joy to the World" Marstinson 00:20, 8 September 2008 (EDT)

I really had a laugh when I heard that. I was doing something else in that room and it really took me by surprise Siegfriedthenord 23:39, 27 March 2009 (EDT)

Palla

I`d venture to say, that following statement is quite a misnomer:

"Following the completion of the Fighters Guild quest Azani Blackheart, the rare in-game book Palla may be acquired from Azani's bookcase. The book's content was written in a similar style, and with the same basic subject, as Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita."

Although the style may be similar to Nabokov`s (a dubious claim in itself, since Nabokov wrote in russian), basic subject is wildly different, contrary to statement above. While Palla deals with the subject of misplaced love, Nabokov`s "Lolita" deals with issues of early maturity. If you pardon the comparison, neither fierce warrior nor fearsome monster sound like nubile girl discovering sexuality ahead of proprietary conduct.

N.B. - if the suggestion is about placing the young illusion apprentice into Lolita`s shoes, IMHO it`s quite a stretch of imagination to bridge them so brazenly.

Yeah, it's dubious - the subject is totally wrong. But my first thought when I read "Palla" was "EEE! A Nabokov pastiche!" The tone of obsession, of misunderstood love, of scholarly endeavors, of word-play, of mistaken identity...it really does read like Nabokov. Not just "Lolita," but "Pale Fire," "Bend Sinister," etc. It has his tone. Yet, until a developer affirms it... xoxo Coryl

Through a nightmare, darkly

When I first saw this quest I immediately thought of the short story "A Scanner, Darkly" by Phillip K. Dick. Could someone give the biblical quote to compare it with?

The link is right there on the page where this Easter Egg is described. As for "A Scanner, Darkly", obviously Philip K. Dick was quoting the same verse with this title, but the Bible is the original source for both. (Note that the bible also includes the word "Through", which the PKD story does not, so it would be incorrect to say that Oblivion was quoting PKD here.) --TheRealLurlock ^Talk 23:46, 27 September 2008 (EDT)

Actually, I'd be willing to bet the reference is by way of the PKD novel. The protagonist of the novel (Bob Arctor) is actually spying on himself, unaware of the situation because of the way Substance D / Death (a drug) has fragmented his identity. Given the sort of loss of self and testing/observation of himself that Henantier is caught up in (and magic abuse for the drug abuse), I'd say his story is more modeled on the novel than the general biblical quote about lack of self knowledge. Also Kud-Ei's role in the quest sort of takes after Donna in the novel. Here on the talk is probably enough of a breadcrumb trail for the curious, as it's likely only to matter if you're actually a Dick fan. I don't think the quest would turn you on to the book.-DoubleGrande 04:41, 12 March 2009 (EDT)

I agree. The bible may be the origin of the phrase, but this easter egg is most certainly a nod to Phillip K. Dick's novel. It's irrelevant where the phrase originated, it's mostly associated with "A Scanner Darkly". To say that this quest is referencing the Bible is incorrect.-SiegfriedtheNord 21:30 27:03:2009 (EST)

Well there's also the short story collection by Isaac Asimov called Through a Glass, Clearly. Since it's unclear exactly where the developers were pointing, we'll be keeping the original source of the quote as the reference - the bible. –Rpeh^{•T•C•E•} 04:07, 28 March 2009 (EDT)

The Goblin with the Golden Arm

There's an edition of the Black Horse Courier--I stumbled upon it in Anvil, at Lelles' Quality Merchandise--with the headline "Quill-Weave Plans New 'Doomstones' Cycle" and the subhead "'Doomstones not Magical' Says Noted Argonian Writer."

The first paragraph of the scroll makes reference to two of Quill-Weave's previous novels: "The Goblin with the Golden Arm" and "Red Crater." Later in the article, the Courier describes these as "popular tales of thieves, outlaws, murderers and low-lifes".

I believe that the two novels "Goblin..." and "Red Crater" are meant to be plays on "The Man with the Golden Arm" by 20th century American novelist Nelson Algren and "Red Harvest" by his approximate contemporary, Dashiell Hammett. Algren's novel chronicles the (low-)life and times of a poverty-stricken drug addict and card dealer named "Frankie Machine", Hammett's novel is a detective story in the Noir tradition and, accordingly, deals with "thieves, outlaws, murderers and low-lifes."

64.81.141.130 21:25, 5 October 2008 (EDT) Timothy O'Connell

You maybe have something with "The Goblin/Man with the Golden Arm", that's a pretty close match. However, I think "Red Crater" from "Red Harvest" is a bit too much of a stretch. There have been dozens or even hundreds of books, particularly in the mystery genre, entitled "Red _____", and thieves, outlaws, murderers and low-lifes have been popular themes in literature ever since people started writing down stories, so that's not really enough of a connection. (If the two books were by the same author, that might be closer to it, but "approximate conteporaries" really doesn't cut it.) --TheRealLurlock ^Talk 16:09, 13 October 2008 (EDT)

Giant Enemy Mudcrab?

Is it possible that the Greenmead Cave Giant Mudcrab is a reference to the "Giant Enemy Crab" which you're supposed to hit the weak spot of for "massive damage"? I realize the closest you can come to that with the mudcrab is sneak-attacking it for 2-6x damage, and the dates of release of Oblivion and that E3 interview may or may not make this impossible.

This has already been discussed and rejected. --^Darkle ~ _Talk 17:22, 16 October 2008 (EDT)

Liquor

The "Nirnroot Missive" mentions the renowned Imperial Herbalist Chivius Regellius, perhaps a reference to "Chivas Regal", a high quality Scotch Whiskey.Marstinson 00:02, 20 October 2008 (EDT)

Novaroma Incorrect

The explanation of Novaroma on the Easter Egg page is incorrect. Constantine did not found the city in 326BC. Construction/renovation of an existing city began in the mid 320's AD. The city was not named "Nova Roma", although it might have been informally called that by some, especially in an ecclesiatical sense. But in that same vein, Paris has claimed to be the New Rome, as has Moscow (Third Rome, actually), so ascribing this connection to a general store is a bit of a stretch, IMO. The city's original name was Byzantium and it had been there for almost 1000 years before Constantine ever ordered a brick. The city was called "Constantinopolis" or something similar (Contantine's City or the City of Constantine) since this was a Greek-speaking region.Marstinson 02:33, 20 October 2008 (EDT)

Indeed - and the wikipedia page even notes that there's no evidence that the city was ever known as Nova Roma. I'm not sure what to do with the easter egg though, as it's clearly meant to be read as "Nova Roma". –Rpeh^{•T•C•E•} 03:28, 20 October 2008 (EDT)

How about just mentioning that "Nova Roma" is Latin for "New Rome" for now, then we sort out the details later? --Debatra 23:00, 22 October 2008 (EDT)

Eilonwy - reference to Lloyd Alexander series

Eilonwy (Altmer alchemist in Cheydinhal Mage's Guild) is one of the continuing characters in "The Chronicles of Prydain" series. She is a princess with magical skills and a bit of an attitude, although lovable in her own way. Thus, an Altmer as Eilonwy is a good match. Wombats 10:21, 25 November 2008 (EST)

Given that Eilonwy appears not to be a real Welsh name, that seems to be a legit reference. (Not sure about the "bit of an attitude, lovable" bits though.) Petrushka 04:28, 29 November 2008 (EST)

Mustafar??

In the kavatch oblivion world, I found a burnt corps climbing from the lava. This is a refrence to the Star Wars film Revenge of the Sith, at the end of which Anakin is nearly killed by Obi-Wan on Mustafar and is left to do at the edge of the lava.24.131.79.32 09:39, 6 December 2008 (EST)

Umm, I doubt it. Unless it was also missing a few limbs and there's a light sabre (or something representing one) nearby. I'll concede that the skeleton hanging by its feet from the ceiling of a frozen cave with a sword just out of reach in Bloodmoon was a Star Wars reference, but this is a bit of a stretch, I think. I'd say this is just a burnt corpse climbing from the lava. --TheRealLurlock ^Talk 10:30, 6 December 2008 (EST)

If he's talking about the one right next to the bridge, then it's missing all but one limb, the arm(by the way, annie lost his right arm and only the right arm is on the burnt corpse) and Anakin's sabre was taken by kenobi. Unfortunatly, one unlucky pot shot of flak is the fact that, as far as I know, this figure is rather common so he could very well just be one more game for the dremora to play and daedra to eat.Drake3555 23:38, 12 December 2008 (EST)

That particular corpse occurs 26 times in the game. There's one in Weatherleah, for instance, and another in Exhausted Mine Bottom Section. It's definitely not an easter egg. –Rpeh^{•T•C•E•} 03:31, 13 December 2008 (EST)

I have seen this corpse climbing from lava on multiple chars, in some occasions a silver battle axe lies next to the one hand he has left, I used to go there and pick it up with low level characters to instantly gain a bit of advantage to the weapon I have. In some other occasions it just wasn't there. Maybe it had slipped into the lava. I haven't seen that particular starwars film, but I definitely do recognise the image sketched by TheRealLurlock in this corpse, so i think it might very well be a reference to starwars.

The Bard's Tale

When you talk to Fighters Guild members, sometimes they'll say "I have a warm place to sleep and three squares a day. It ain't 'The Bard's Tale', but it's good enough for me." which is a reference to an old video game. --Magistera 23:15, 8 December 2008 (EST)

Reference to Voltaire's "Candide"

It should be added that Martin Septim's character is a clear reference to the philospher in Voltaire's "Candide" (also named Martin), who questions throughout the story his belief that all is for the best. — Unsigned comment by 62 Misfit (talk • contribs) on 19 December 2008

You deserve congratulations in that, on a site that has hosted some of the most ridiculous and obscure "easter eggs" of all time, yours stands head and shoulders above the pack in terms of being absurd. –Rpeh^{•T•C•E•} 18:51, 19 December 2008 (EST)

Actually, I've heard of that, and I have to agree with 62 Misfit. No matter how absurd it may seem to you, Rpeh, it's abit of an easter egg in it's own right. Daedryon^{•T•C•E•} 21:00, 19 December 2008 (EST)

Reference to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series

The imperial city is very similar to Tar Valon a city in this series, this city holds a giant white tower where Magic users(Aes sedai) live and are trained(relating to the arcane university). th city itself is on an island surrounded by water as is Tar Valon.

Reference to Gollum/Smeagol from the lord of the rings film

In the deadric shrine quest "Namira" you are to extinguish the torches of some priests trying to purge the darkness from Namira worshippers, some of the worshippers say: "It hurts us", "It burns", in a smeagol-like voice, when the light comes close to them. It sounds exactly like what Gollum said when the elven rope was used to capture him.

Caught in the Hunt

The Quest "Caught in the Hunt" is a reference to the short story The Most Dangerous Game.

Umaril

Isn't Umaril the sorceror-king of the Ayleids a reference to Oberon the sorceror-king of the elves by shakespeares? (EgyptRaider 06:24, 25 February 2009 (EST))

Tooth Fairy

Early on in the game, if you decided to take the road for whatever reason to get to Weynon, you eventually come to Roxley Inn and the innkeeper asks you to kill off the necromancer Raelynn within Moss Rock Caverns ( The Gravefinder's Repose quest ). In the one room where there's the lit statue and the cadavers being worked on that holds the key to the main room, you'll find the bed with the little nightstand and such near it. Numerous times, I've noticed what look to be like ogre teeth near the pillow. Has anyone else seen anything like this? Scratillion2 06:07, 2 March 2009 (EST)

I don't think it's an Easter Egg; see this discussion. --SerCenKing 03:45, 17 March 2009 (EDT)

Regarding Casta Scribonia...

I think there's a second joke in the name of the woman in question, since 'Casta' does mean 'chaste' in Italian, while 'Scribonia' sounds a lot like 'scrivener'... The 'chaste writer' is what her name could mean, loosely translated. And yet she writes something titled 'Women Gone Wild'... GenocideHeart 18:12, 4 March 2009 (EST)

Shrouded Armor

Is it just me, or does Shrouded Armor look alot like Edward Scissorhands cloths? I think they look almost alike, and I remember how the steel claymore in Morrowind was alot like a scottish claymore....

Quest For Glory Reference

Has anybody noticed the female Altmer Mage, Earana who is currently living at The Grey Mare in Chorrol.

I believe she`s a (quite obvious, in fact) reference to the mage Erana classic Quest for Glory series from Sierra`s glory days. Her name appears through all the first 4 games, and Erana herself appears in the fifth and final game. In fact I believe Oblivion has used the same skill training system (with a different engine, of course) as Quest for Glory. — Unsigned comment by Lunda2222 (talk • contribs) on 16 March 2009

It's not a reference, it's a slight similarity. Neither is "Tove the Unrestful" a reference to the 70s porn star "Tiny Tove". "Maglir" isn't a reference to "Maggie Thatcher". I've pointed people to this before but it's time for another link: please read the definition of "easter egg" here. –Rpeh^{•T•C•E•} 02:02, 17 March 2009 (EDT)

This is where you fall down

While engaged with a variety of enemies throughout the game they will say the line " This is where you fall down". These seems to be a reference to a line from the Johnny Cage character in the movie version of Mortal Kombat. The line is used twice in the movie, once during his first scene while making a film. He says it again later while fighting Goro. 67.177.87.108 13:55, 6 April 2009 (EDT)

"This is the part where you fall down, and bleed to death!"? This type of line is pretty common, and I've heard it multiple times before this game. However, I haven't seen the Mortal Kombat movie, so I can't really say too much about it. AciD_013 13:44, 25 April 2009

the one ring

in the literature section it says a ring looks like the one ring and because of that i thought if only the ring was unenchanted so i would like to know if it would be possible to use the cs to make it unenchanted and if so how?

Astia's Necklace

On the quest The Siren's Deception you must defeat three women in a farmhouse. After defeating them you can take a key and head into the basement where you find their stash of stolen goods. One of them is a necklace called "Astia's Necklace" which immediatley reminded me of the novel 'Crispin: The Cross of Lead' in which Crispin is given a necklace by his mother Asta. I wonder if it might be a reference because the novel takes place during medeival times like Oblivion does.

Boethia"s Quest

Just thought I'd add one more. Boethia's sayings after every fight may be all paraphrasings of famous lines. The bit he says after killing the Redguard Chosen--"weighed in the balances...found wanting"--is a passage from the bible. Isaiah, I believe, though I could be wrong. It's one of the first scriptures at the beginning of one of the books. Yay! I found an easter egg! — Unsigned comment by 76.123.139.108 (talk) on 25 April 2009

Daniel 5:27 for what it's worth: [1] –Rpeh^{•T•C•E•} 06:06, 30 April 2009 (EDT)

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