[Balanor]

This thread got me thinking about some of the easter eggs and sources of inspiration that have helped form the Thay PW. As mentioned, some of ideas have their beginnings in popular (or not) movies, books, other games, etc. Examples from that thread include:
1. Bvlgari, the pompous jerk in Eltabbar’s Canalaside who got his name from the real-life Italian fashion designer
2. Gregane the Mountain and Priest Staark in Pyarados came from Game of Thrones/ASOIAF
3. Wei Dong’s Last Resort which was inspired by the American restaurant chain ‘Dick’s Last Resort’
4. Captain Sparrow in Murbant and the Black Pearl ship running from the Alaor came from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Recent Additions -
5. Whitfield - Identified by Pleiade
6. Sworingin - Identified by WillowWhite
7. Statue of Ser William Wallace - Identified by WillowWhite

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So I thought as a bit of fun I’d start a little game here in which I give a few clues about the source of inspiration, and people can guess who/what it is in-game. Play along if you like. :)

Here goes with the first hint:
I played a warrior in a brutal time. I’m damn good looking, and not afraid to show off my assets. Sadly, despite being in fantastic shape, I was taken far too young by something I could not fight with my swords. So I’m here in Thay as a tribute to the real-life man. Who am I? Where can you find me?

[Purulent Carcass]

Did you put me in game?! :D

[Balanor]

Hahaha - close, but no cigar! Even though you're a purulent carcass, you're still 'alive'...or at least undead, right? ;) This guy is truly dead, sadly.

[Pluto]

Andy Whitfield of Spartacus fame.

He is now the editor of games in Amruthar, I think. Goes by the name of Whifield there?

Missed him sorely in season 2 of Spartacus, finally warmed up to his replacement in season 3.

[Bertram Anders]

Yes, that has to be it. The editor in Amruthar never in came to mind!

[DarkRanger]

Sounds right, I had no clue. My first guesses were Conan/Hercules, but Schwarzenegger and Ferigno are still alive. Then I thought Bruce Lee but he rarely if ever used a sword.

[Bertram Anders]

My first thought was the Doctore in Eltabbar, but he died by the blade.

[Pluto]

The entire gladiator classes is a great homage to the Spartacus series. You'll find all sorts of nuggets there.

I reveal this not because of inside information, but actually having played a gladiator for awhile. ;)

[Balanor]

Yes indeed. Pleiade got it! Aalthough he may have remember me bringing this up in the staff forums too. ;)

Whitfield, the editor of the games in Amruthar, was inspired by the real-life Andy Whitfield of Spartacus. Check out his description some time if you get the chance, too. And yeah, alot of in-game stuff gladiator-related is inspired from the recent TV series of Spartacus, but also from real-life names and events in Roman history. The Doctore is modeled after *the* Doctore in the TV show, then there is Batiatus (a real-life figure), and even Ashur (from the TV series) as well.

I'll have to think of something appropriately clever for the next one. Stay tuned...

[Balanor]

So the next guy has this to say:

I was also a real-life person who lived back in the old fucking American West. Dramatization of me about 10 fucking years made me out to be a master manipulator and one bad-ass motherfucking dude who became very successful by exploiting the work of other poor fucks. Now I’m in fucking Thay in a place very much like the one that I truly had back in the old days. What is my name in Thay, what was my real name, and where the fuck am I? And for bonus points; why the fuck do I use fuck so much?