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This article is a transcludable page for List of pop culture references in Warcraft, therefore it may only contain a few words, a tooltip, a price tag, a table, or a part of a page.
See what links here for the pages that use this page.

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

Games

  • Alone in the Dark
    • The achievement Alone in the Darkness (10/25) is a reference to the Alone in the Dark computer game series, which is mostly based on Lovecraft's works, just like Yogg-Saron.
  • Diablo series
    • The monster Kaganishu, found inside a cave system in northern Borean Tundra, has a name reminiscent of Rakanishu, a Fallen guarding the Cairn Stones in Diablo II. His followers say his name as they attack, much like all Fallen in Diablo II.
  • Final Fantasy VII
    • There is a flower merchant in Dalaran named Aerith Primrose. Aerith is a reference to Aerith Gainsborough, a major character of Final Fantasy VII, who wears a pink and red outfit similar in appearance to that of this NPC, and is also a flower seller.
  • The Legend of Zelda
    • The achievement Money achievement Friend or Foul? requires you to kill 15 Turkeys in under 3 minutes. Once you kill 15 of them, masses of Angry Turkeys will spawn and chase you down attacking you. This is a reference to The Legend of Zelda series as this same event occurs in many of the games; as you attack Cuccos over and over, masses of Cuccos will swarm in and attempt to kill Link.
  • Pokémon
    • The achievements I Choose You, Runemaster Molgeim (10/25), I Choose You, Steelbreaker (10/25) and I Choose You, Stormcaller Brundir (10/25), all for the same boss encounter, may be a reference to a phrase used in the Pokémon franchise, however in the Pokemon franchise the name usually comes before the "I choose you!" statement.
    • The Borean Tundra questgiver, Mootoo the Younger, is a reference to the Pokemon Mewtwo. This is further enforced by various psychic related quotes during the quest N [68] Escaping the Mist, as well as the npc's similarity in eye shape to the Pokemon's.
  • Portal
    • The Cooking Achievement Inv misc celebrationcake 01 [The Cake Is Not A Lie] is a direct reference to the game Portal. The phrase translates to a reward which is fictitious and was popularized by the game Portal found on Half-Life's Orange Box release. In the game, you are part of a study group controlled by a computer that attempts to motivate you to complete a series of tests involving a new device created by Aperture Science.
    • The book Thinking with Portals - A Memorandum on Proper Portal Usage can sometimes be found in Dalaran and is a reference to the motto of the game, "Now you're thinking with portals!", used by GLaDOS after completing certain objectives.
  • Sewer Shark
    • A sewer shark named "Segacedi" is located under the poison vendor in the sewers of Dalaran. This is a reference to the game Sewer Shark, released on the Sega CD add on for the Sega Genesis, also known as the Mega CD in European and Asian markets.
  • Starcraft
    • During the boss fight in Pit of Saron, Scourgelord Tyrannus shouts "Power... overwhelming!". This is a quote from the Protoss Archon unit in Starcraft, as well as the game's cheat command for invincibility.
  • Zero Wing
    • The achievement Set Up Us the Bomb (10/25) is a quote from the badly translated (Engrish) intro of the Mega Drive version of the game, including such lines as "Somebody set up us the bomb".

Movies

  • 300
    • An early death knight quest called N [55] Tonight We Dine In Havenshire is a reference to the movie 300 when Leonidas says "Tonight, we dine in Hell."
    • The Scourge archers seen early on in the Death Knight quest chain are called Sky Darkeners, referring to this exchange from 300: "Our arrows will blot out the sun!" "Then we will fight in the shade."
    • Also, the quest N [55] The Light of Dawn is considered to be a reference to the Battle of Thermopylae, since there being 300 defenders of the Light and 10,000 attackers from the Scourge.
  • Airplane!
    • On occasion, the Scarlet Peasants in the death knight starting area will say "I picked the wrong week to quit drinking" which is a memorable quote from Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges). He also substitutes "drinking" for smoking, sniffing glue, and amphetamines.
  • Aladdin
    • The comment on the buff icon when riding the [Magnificent Flying Carpet] says "Don't you dare close your eyes!" which is a quote from the song "A whole new world" sung in Disney's Aladdin, while Aladdin and Jasmine are riding the flying carpet.
    • The same reference goes for the buff icon when riding the [Frosty Flying Carpet] that says "A new fantastic point of view!", which is also a quote from the song "A whole new world" sung in Aladdin
  • Aliens
    • The achievement They're Coming Out of the Walls (10/25) is a line used by Pvt. Hudson in the movie Aliens.
    • Just after starting the encounter in Violet Hold, Lieutenant Sinclari says, "Prison guards, we are leaving!". This references the line by Cpl. Hicks, "Marines, we are leaving!"
  • Apocalypse Now
    • The achievement I Love the Smell of Saronite in the Morning (10/25) is a play on the famous quote "I love the smell of napalm in the morning. It smell like...victory."
  • Bambi
    • In Grizzly Hills, there are four NPCs located near each other with interesting names. These NPCs in question are one adult female deer named Mother of Bambina, a younger female deer named Bambina, a skunk named Flora and a small rabbit named Thudder. These four are clearly a reference to Bambi.
    • A hunter will come out and shoot Mother of Bambina, exactly what happens in the Disney film Bambi.
    • Whenever "Mother of Bambina", "Flora", and "Thudder" are killed, "Bambina" turns into "Vengeful Bambina" which makes her hostile to anyone and gives her a buff called "Bambina's Vengeance", increasing all her damage dealt by 2000% and attack speed by 150%.
  • The Big Lebowski
    • A questgiver named Donny in Howling Fjord gives the quest N [70] Out of My Element?. This is a direct reference to the character named Donny (played by Steve Buscemi) in The Big Lebowski. Several times in one of the major scenes, Walter Sobchak (played by John Goodman) tells Donny "You're out of your element!"
    • There is an NPC named Walt at the Explorers' League Outpost who gives the quest A [71] Iron Rune Constructs and You: The Bluff in which he says: "Walt at the Explorers' League Outpost in the Howling Fjord wants you to use the Iron Rune Construct's Bluff ability on Lebronski after you've walked on his rug". This is a clear reference to The Big Lebowski. In the movie, Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Lebronski) is visited by 3 thugs. One of them relieves himself on "The Dude's" rug, and several references are made about the rug through-out the movie. Also, after you've completed all the quests Walt has to give, when you open his chat window he says "The Dude over yonder is pretty upset about his rug". Phone's Ringin' Dude!
  • A Christmas Story
    • The Inv weapon rifle 01 [Red Rider Air Rifle] is an item obtained during the Winter Veil 2009 event. It is a reference to the Red Rider BB gun that the main character, Ralphie, wants for Christmas. The rifle will sometimes "backfire" causing the player to become stunned for a short period of time. The debuff is called Ability cheapshot [Right in the eye!] which is an obvious reference to the movie.
  • Full Metal Jacket
    • During the Death Knight starting quests in Acherus, at the early stage of creating your first rune blade, a book can be read near the runeforges with the text "This is my runeblade, there are many like it but this one is mine." This is an obvious reference to the mantra the Marine recruits are ordered to recite in Full Metal Jacket: "This is my rifle, there are many like it but this one is mine". (Although this could be a movie reference, it could just as well be to The Rifleman's Creed of the U.S. Marine Corps.)
  • Galaxy Quest
    • Grubthor, a rare spawn in Silithus may be a reference to Alan Rickman's repeated line, "By Grabthor's Hammer, you shall be avenged!"
  • Glengarry Glen Ross
    • At the forge in Warsong Hold, the Grand Master Engineering trainer is named Chief Engineer Leveny, after Shelly Levene, one of the salesman in the real estate office, played in the movie by Jack Lemmon. The Goblin Siege Engineer's complaints about tools is similar to the complaints of the real estate salesman in the film complaining about their leads: "These tools are junk!" and "How do they expect us to craft with these things?" They also ask about a meeting they are being made to attend, which turns out to be with Blakelow, who abuses the engineers ("You call yourself a crafter, you son-of-a-gnome?") and challenges them to a crafting contest ("As you all know, first prize is a Ability mount gyrocoptorelite [Turbo-Charged Flying Machine]. Anyone want to see second prize? Second prize is some Inv misc gear 03 [fused wiring]. Third prize is YOU'RE FIRED!"), ending in an exortation to "Always be crafting!" similar to a speech in the film by Alec Baldwin.
  • Jurassic Park
    • During the Horde version of H [74] The Battle For The Undercity, when you clear to the outer ring of the Undercity, Varimathras yells "Clever girl..." at Sylvanas. This is a direct quote from the film version of Jurassic Park. Just before Robert Muldoon is killed by velociraptors, those are his last words.
  • John Carpenter's Vampires
    • In the quest A [71] Absholutely... Thish Will Work!, which you get in Howling Fjord, you're asked to give a Vrykul prisoner a plague cure. Eventually, he explodes and one of the guards says "I didn't know they could do that." In the movie after one of the vampires explodes one of the characters says "You didn't tell me they could do that. I didn't know they could do that."
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
    • Arthas, as the Lich King, bears a near perfect resemblance to the Witch-king of Angmar as depicted in The Return of the King.
    • In the quest H [80] It's All Fun and Games, you're asked to destroy the The Ocular, which floats above Shadow Vault's spires. The Ocular bears a strong resemblance to the eye of Sauron atop the tower of Barad-dûr from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King film.
    • The Lich King's helmet has spikes on the top like those on Sauron's. The Lich King and his undead minions want to kill all living things not under his power, just as Sauron wants his army to take down all living things not under his power.
    • Angrathar the Wrathgate appears to be based on the Black Gate of Mordor the only major way of getting into Mordor, and in World of Warcraft Angrathar is the only real entrance into Icecrown. They are also both of the same design, made of a black metal with spikes coming out, and feature a large battle outside them.
  • The Matrix
    • The flavor text of [Crude Eating Utensils], found in Rusted Prisoner's Footlocker, says "There is no spoon." This is also a cheat in Warcraft III that allows you to never run out of mana.
    • During the quest A [72]  Projections and Plans, if you stand in the enter of the floating platform on the Glittering Strand area of Dragonblight, you'll see the falling symbols in the same effect as the opening title sequence in the Matrix: Reloaded. Before or after this quest, your character stands on a shield that prevents you from standing on the platform.
  • A Mighty Wind
    • The zeppelin that transports you between Orgrimmar and Warsong Hold, The Mighty Wind, is a reference to the Christopher Guest film "A Mighty Wind".
  • Pulp Fiction
    • The quest A [70] Zedd's Probably Dead is a reference to the movie Pulp Fiction. It is the name of one of the pieces of music from the movie, and also a character named Zed who gets killed, after which Bruce Willis's character exclaims 'Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead.'"
  • Scarface
    • When you fight Gal'darah he will sometimes summon rhinos. While doing that he says "Say hello to my BIG friend!" which is a reference to Scarface's "Say Hello To my LITTLE friend!".
    • The quest H [71] Bury Those Cockroaches! in the Borean Tundra is a reference to Tony Montana's line: "I bury those cockroaches!".
    • While fighting Salranax the Flesh Render in the quest N [79] The Air Stands Still, the orc death knight Munch also uses the line "Say hello to my little friend!" before summoning his ghoul.
  • Star Wars
    • Scourgelord Tyrannus shares the Sith name of Count Dooku from the Star Wars franchise. Also, both serve a dark master (Lich King and Emperor Palpatine respectively)
  • Superman II
    • The item Inv weapon bow 55 [Zod's Repeating Longbow] has "Kneel before him" in the flavor text. This is a reference to the movie's main villain, General Zod, who makes the President of the United States (and later tries to make Superman) bow before him with the phrase, "Kneel before Zod."
  • Sweeney Todd
    • Jelinek Sharpshear, the goblin proprietor of the Stormwind Barber Shop, was named "Sween Neetod" in the Wrath of the Lich King beta. The skeletons of his victims are still hidden beneath a floorboard on the second story of the shop, next to his trusty razor.
  • The Shadow
    • In the quest H [74] The Battle For The Undercity, King Wrynn says "I know what evil lurks in the heart of orcs", a take off from the comic book, movie, and radio program called The Shadow. His catch line, which still has its place in the American Lexicon, is "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men".
  • This Is Spinal Tap
    • In Howling Fjord, you receive a quest called A [71] It Goes to 11... which is a reference to the movie This Is Spinal Tap, in which the guitarist is asked why he doesn't just make 10 louder on his amp, he replies "But it goes to 11...".
    • Going along with this reference, the achievement in Pit of Saron named Money achievement Doesn't Go to Eleven refers to the same quote about the amp, this time joking that it doesn't go to eleven.
  • The Terminator
    • In Wintergarde Keep, during the quest A [72] Flight of the Wintergarde Defender, your character says "Come with me if you want to live". This is a running line from The Terminator series. Kyle Reese (played by Michael Biehn[1] tells this to Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton[2] in the first movie. In the second movie, a terminator (played by Arnold Schwarzennegger[3] repeats this line to Sarah Connor, while in the television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles[4] the line is reprised by Summer Glau[5] in her role as Cameron Philips, a terminator modeled after captured freedom fighter Allison Young who was sent back (of course) to protect John Connor.
    • The description for the warrior talent Ability warrior bladestorm [Bladestorm] is inspired by a quote from Kyle Reese when he tries to explain the threat posed by the Terminator.
  • They Live
    • When Macalroy in Valgarde offers the "Hell has Frozen Over" quest, he says "Report to Vice Admiral Keller just northwest of here and let him know that you're all out of bubble gum" which is a reference to the 1988 movie They Live[6] in which the character Nada, played by "Rowdy" Roddy Piper[7] announces "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum"[8]

Television

  • The 6 Million Dollar Man
    • In Howling Fjord at the Explorer's League quest hub, an NPC named Walt gives you two quests. One is called "We Can Rebuild It" and the other is called "We Have the Technology". In the old TV show The 6 Million Dollar Man, there's a character named Dr. Walter Ellis. Also, the memorable quote from the show was "We can rebuild you, we have the technology."
    • At the Scalding Pools, nearby Fizzcrank Airstrip, the Fizzcrank Mechanognomes can be seen saying: "The flesh is weak. We will make you better, stronger...faster.". This is another quote from the show's introduction.
  • Bewitched
    • One of the clerks in the shop Sisters Sorcerous in Dalaran is named Endora Moorehead. On the 1960s TV show Bewitched, the mother of Samantha Stevens was named Endora, and was played by Agnes Moorehead. Another sister, Hagatha Moorehead, probably refers to Samantha's (seldom-seen)aunt Hagatha. No word on where her other aunt, Enchantra, has got to.
  • Deadliest Catch
    • The fishing achievement, Deadliest Catch, is probably a reference to the popular Discovery Channel television program of the same name.
  • Dirty Jobs
    • An NPC named "Dirty" Michael Crowe appears in Dustwallow Marsh and sells fish.
  • Doctor Who
    • In Borean Tundra, there is a Quest Item named Inv misc screwdriver 02 [The Ultrasonic Screwdriver]. This is a reference to the Sonic Screwdriver.
    • The entirety of the Mechagnomes is a reference to the Cybermen. The way they're made by "Decursing" gnomes (similar to the way the Cybermen "Upgrade" people), the way Gearmaster Mechazod considers what he's doing to be a gift of immortality, to a few of the Mechagnomes quotes are all indications to this.
    • Chromie talks to you in the same manner as the Doctor, she'll tell you she met you many times before when you first meet Chromie in Andorhal, but when you skip the Intro in Culling of Stratholme once you've beaten it before, She'll make a statement similar to the Doctor's due to her constant time traveling of claiming she's never met you before.
    • In N [75] Mystery of the Infinite In the same fashion as "the Doctor" who likes to give out a quirky bit of advice to someone who'll be important in the future that makes no sense to anyone but the Doctor, Future You will say to you the following...

Future You whispers: Listen. I'm not supposed to tell you this, but there's going to be this party that you're invited to. Whatever you do, DO NOT DRINK THE PUNCH!

  • The Facts of Life
    • A guard in the Underbelly of Dalaran is called Natalie Tootiblare, a reference to three of the main characters in the series: Natalie Green, Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey, and Blair Warner.
  • Firefly
    • In Amber Ledge of Borean Tundra, Initiate Mehrtens sells an item which you can use to torture a previously captured mage. One of the lines he says is "Are you trying to meet the real me?", a reference to a line Mal says while being tortured in the episode War Stories, and this line, as the whole torture, is in turn a reference to the works of Xiang Yu.
    • In Amberpine Lodge of Grizzly Hills, Saffron Reynolds can be found on the upper floor; she is a reference to Saffron, a con artist who was briefly married to Mal Reynolds. She is a poison vendor, a hint to how she drugged up Mal with a poison on her lips. Next to her is Yolanda Haymer, another name later used by this woman.
  • Grizzly Adams
    • In the harbor town of Venture Bay located in Grizzly Hills, you can find a male human NPC named "Grizzly" D. Adams with a bear cub by his side. This is a obvious reference to the original movie The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams which later became a TV series.
  • Top Chef
    • The Alliance Cooking Grandmaster Trainer in Dalaran is named Katherine Lee, a reference to Katie Lee Joel, the host of Season One of Bravo TV's hit series Top Chef and a cookbook author. Some people mistakenly believe this is a reference to Kathie Lee Gifford, who actually has nothing to do with cooking.
    • The Horde Cooking trainer in Vengance Landing is named Thomas Kolichio. A clear reference to Top Chef Master Judge Tom Colicchio.
  • MacGyver
    • In Howling Fjord (60,61) is McGoyver who is building an airplane, clearly a reference to MacGyver.
  • Saturday Night Live
    • A book in Acherus: The Ebon Hold (the Lich King's floating necropolis and starting area for Death Knight characters) lists various Death Knight trainees and their fates. The player's character is named on the last significant page with a note saying "Need more cowbell", a reference to a Christopher Walken sketch that the development team must have really, really liked.
  • Sesame Street
    • Some of the hungering dead near Wintergarde Keep in Dragonblight say "NOM! NOM! NOM!", a term used to describe eating, coined by the Cookie Monster.
  • The Simpsons
    • In the Death Knight starting area, the quest "N [55] Nowhere To Run And Nowhere To Hide" sends you to kill Mayor Quimby, an obvious reference to Joseph Fitzgerald O'Mally Fitzpatrick O'Donnell "Joe" Quimby, better known as "Diamond" Joe Quimby, the mayor of Springfield. The title of the quest is also a possible reference to the KISS song "Nowhere to Run," though it could also be a reference to the song "Slaughter your World," which is part of the LookingforGroup comic by Ryan Sohmer and Lar Desouza.
    • In the Borean Tundra while questing for D.E.T.A you ride one of the neutral mammoths in the area, once mounted the Mammoth's name appears as "Stampy" a reference to Bart Simpson's pet elephant of the same name.
    • The achievement Crazy Cat Lady (10/25) is most likely a nod to the series' infamous Crazy Cat Lady, which is in turn a reference to the stereotype of old women who own or shelter a lot of cats. There is also a woman in Elwynn Forest called Donni Anthania who has the title <Crazy Cat Lady> - another reference to this character and the stereotype.
    • [Unblinking Eye] might be a reference to one of the Stonecutters' initiation rituals in Homer the Great (which all, except the last one, consist of the blindfolded initiate being paddled on the ass by a line of people)
  • South Park
    • In Howling Fjord, the Valgarde defenders are armed with rifles. Before killing approaching NPCs they yell "It's coming right for us." A reference to an early South Park episode dealing with the Second Amendment. It was explained that with the new changes in government you could only fire your weapons in self defense, therefore, hunters could legally shoot anything by claiming self defense, but only after yelling "It's coming right for us."
    • While not quite making it into The Burning Crusade (as it was renamed [Gladiator's Slicer]), the [The Sword of a Thousand Truths] was introduced as a drop in the new Naxxramas, and renamed [Slayer of the Lifeless], complete with the flavor text, "Foretold by Salzman," both obvious nods to the "Make Love, Not Warcraft" episode.
    • The PvP achievement Money achievement Make Love, Not Warcraft is a reference to the South Park episode of the same name, where the South Park gang play World of Warcraft. The achievement requires you to the same thing that Stan did to his dad before he died.
    • Xevozz in Violet Hold sometimes says "Profit!" when killing a player. This 'slay' line is the third of three in the game files. This is a reference to the Unterpants Gnomes and their business plan.
  • Star Trek
    • Sailor Picardo and Sailor Philips, deckhands of the Kraken (the boat that ferries Alliance players from Stormwind to Valiance Keep) are likely to be references to actors Robert Picardo and Ethan Philips, who played the characters of The Doctor and Neelix on Star Trek: Voyager.
    • In Borean Tundra, there are gnomes called Fizzcrank Mechagnome. While they are fighting you they say "We are Mechagnome...resistance is futile" and "You will be assimilated or eliminated." This is of course a play on the Borg.
    • Datalore Smallsphere, a Gnome trades good seller who resides at Harkor's camp in Grizzly Hills, is a reference to the 'twin brother' androids, Data and Lore, created by Dr. Soong.
  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
    • The achievement I Could Say That This Cache Was Rare (10/25) is a reference to the series' theme song.
  • Voltron
    • One of the phases of Mimiron is named "V-07-TR-0N", a reference to the anime robot Voltron. Additionally, the achievement title Money achievement And I'll Form the Head! gained when looting Mimiron's Head is a quote from the show.

Music

  • Audioslave
    • Farmer Torp at Warsong Farms Outpost gives you a quest called "Bring 'Em Back Alive", which is also the title of a song on Audioslave's self-titled debut album. (It is at least as likely, though, to be a reference to the 1930 Frank Buck book, or the 1932 movie, or the 1982 Bruce Boxleitner TV series, all of which have the same title.)
  • Avenged Sevenfold
    • Avatar of Freya gives you a quest called "Returned Sevenfold". Also, one of the rewards from this quest is called "Signet of the Avenging Heart". Taking parts from the title and the reward, you end up with the name of the band. However, it's also very likely that it's a reference to the Book of Genesis, in which God states that Cain (after he is banished from Eden) will be avenged sevenfold if he is harmed.
  • Depeche Mode
    • In the Death Knight class starting area, when Death Knight NPC's are spoken to they may utter the phrase "suffer well", which could be a reference to the Depeche Mode song "Suffer Well' from the album "Playing the Angel".
  • Dommin
    • A quest in Grizzly hills called "my heart is in your hands" (part of a chain offered by the captured troll Drakuruu) could be a reference to the song: My heart, your hands. My heart your hands (song)
  • Emilie Autumn
    • There is a male undead Grand Master Enchanting Trainer called Emil Autumn (who can be found in Howling Fjord), a possible reference to the musician.
  • Iron Maiden
    • The achievement Achievement halloween witch 01 [Hallowed Be Thy Name] for the Hallow's End world event is probably named after the Iron Maiden song, which in turn refers to the second line of the Lord's Prayer, as published in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
    • N [80] Aces High!, a quest obtained from the Wyrmrest Accord, is the name of one of the songs from the popular 1984 album Powerslave.
  • James Brown
    • Bronjahm <Godfather of Souls> is the first boss of the Forge of Souls dungeon. Besides 'Bronjahm' being a corruption of the name, James Brown was known as the 'Godfather of Soul'. In addition, the game music changes to a more upbeat melody when the boss is engaged, and his loot and an achievement for his heroic mode are references or direct quotes of song titles.
  • Muse
    • The achievement Supermassive (10/25) is a possible reference to the bands' hit "Supermassive Black Hole".
  • Nelly
    • The achievement Getting Cold in Here (10/25) is a reference to the song Hot in Herre, whose lyrics go "It's gettin' hot in here / So take off all your clothes"
  • Spice Girls
    • In any Cooking Daily Quests you will receive a "Small Spice Bag" for your trouble. In these bags you have a chance to get an item called "Baby Spice" which "Reduces the target's size by 50% turning them into a baby". This is a reference to Emma Bunton, one of the girls in Spice Girls, better known by the name Baby Spice.

Literature

  • Bhagavad Gita
    • Deathbringer Saurfang's enraged quote, I have become...DEATH!, is a reference to this Hindu scripture. This particular quote was made well-known from its usage by J. Robert Oppenheimer upon observing the detonation of the first atomic bomb, where he said "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds".
  • Cthulhu Mythos
    • The crazed dwarves in the Howling Fjord's Whispering Gulch speak of "that which must not be named". While it could be a reference to Harry Potter (see above), it might also refer to The King in Yellow from the Lovecraftian worlds together with the various tomes of "Things Men was Not Meant to Know" found therein.
    • The Faceless Ones (such as Herald Volazj) are quite similar to descriptions of Cthulhu, and are at least influenced by the mythos. Sometimes they also say "Shur'nab... shur'nab... Yogg-Saron!", which is a reference to Shub-Niggurat, another God from Lovecrafts Pantheon.
    • The achievement In His House He Waits Dreaming (10/25) is a reference to a ritualistic chant of the Ctulhu cult: "In his house at R'lyeh dead C'thulhu waits dreaming."
    • Pretty much all lore associated with the Old Gods is an obvious homage to Lovecraft.
    • In the quest N [70] Have They No Shame? in Coldarra players are asked to retrieve a book called [Berinand's Research] from The Nexus. A yellow note on the book reads "Notes on the Arcanomicron" which is most likely a reference to the fictional book Necronomicon in Lovecraft's works.
  • Harry Potter
    • The crazed dwarves in the Howling Fjord's Whispering Gulch speak of "that which must not be named". This is a reference to the main antagonist of the Harry Potter novels, Voldemort, who was referred to as "He Who Must Not Be Named".
  • Norse Myth
    • References to the Norse Mythologies are numerous throughout Northrend: The Vrykul are reminiscent of Norsemen (AKA: Vikings), their beliefs in fighting for the Lich King and being chosen is similar to dying in battle and going to Valhalla, where the Val'kyr serve the same role as the Valkyries, albeit in an evil fashion. The two Titan Pantheons, Aesir and Vanir, are references to the pantheons of Gods in Norse myth, the Æsir and the Vanir. The Titan watches of Azeroth, Loken, Thorim, Freya, Hodir and Mimiron, are base off of Loki, Thor, Freyja, Hod, and Mimir respectively, and their stories and backgrounds are all fairly similar.
  • Shakespeare
    • For the quest H [71] Parts for the Job, you have to purchase a Inv misc food 14 [Fresh Pound of Flesh] from the travelling salesman Anton. In The Merchant of Venice, the merchant Antonio guarantees for a loan of his friend Bassanio from the Jewish moneylender Shylock, who hates Antonio and demands "a pound of flesh" cut from the merchant's body should he be unable to repay the loan in time. When Antonio's ships are lost at sea, he goes bankrupt, but the removal of the pound can be prevented. The Forsaken Anton, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have any problems giving away "fresh" flesh.

Comics

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    • In the sewers of Dalaran, beneath some pipes and near some glowing green ooze, there is a rat surrounded by four baby turtles, an obvious reference to Splinter, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
  • X-Men
    • In Dragonblight, during the quest Slay Loguhn, you are tasked with killing a Wolvar named Loguhn. This mob's name is a sound-alike to Logan, the civilian identity of Marvel X-Men's Wolverine character. The presence of blade-talon fist weapons (bone claws) on Loguhn's hands further enhances their similarity.
  • Hägar the Horrible
    • Elder Muahit wants you to kill Heigarr the Horrible in the quest The Tides Turn. This is a reference to the Dik Browne comic strip character Hägar the Horrible.

Sports

  • The Horde flight master in Light's Breach is named Danica Saint, a reference to American auto racer Danica Patrick via Saint Patrick. Danica Saint's appearance also resembles Danica Patrick.

Other

  • Inv gizmo fuelcell [Element 115], a quest item in A [74] Riding the Red Rocket, has been given the temporary name Ununpentium, and is considered to be in the center of an "island of stability" in the midst of volatile elements. To date (29 Jan 2009) the most stable isotope, Uup-299, has not been synthesized.
  • Iron Eyes, a taunka NPC in Taunka'le, is named for Iron Eyes Cody. Cody is best remembered as the 'crying Indian' in the 1970s series of antipollution commercials sponsored by Keep America Beautiful. Iron Eyes gives the H [71] Cleaning Up the Pools, asking the player to help remove discarded machinery from the nearby geyser pools.
  • Algalon the Observer is likely named after the star Algol, also known as the "Demon Star" and traditionally considered an ill omen due to its unusual trait of inconsistent brightness.
  • The quest A [74] Riding the Red Rocket could be a reference to the Toronto, Ontario transit slogan "Ride the Rocket".

References

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