Thought Nightmare’s Dawn had a lot of references? We’re just getting started. On to Voice of the Storms, which has the most references by far.
by u/SomethingAboutCards
Wind Hyren (Arderiel): Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
"Anyway, the wind blows..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ
Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a pretty iconic song, and for good reason. The song features an early line saying:
“Easy come, easy go
Little high, little low
Any way the wind blows
Doesn’t really matter to me
To me…”
And ends later with a faint “Any way the wind blows…”
So, y’know, pretty clear reference there.
Wind Hyren (d’Resh): “Dune”
"We have hyren sign, the likes of which no one has ever seen." -- Drajan, Elder
This is another one that slipped by me, so props to Zucriy for catching it. It’s another “Dune” reference, where the original quote referred to wormsigns, rather than hyrens. (I should probably read the actual book one of these days.)
Shrink: “Austin Powers”
"I will call him 'mini-you...'"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuWMcl0bhu4
In the second “Austin Powers” movie, Dr. Evil gets a pint-sized clone, who he names “Mini-Me.” It’s an oft-quoted scene and line, so this is another pretty obvious one.
Spirit of... Ombor, Cald, Arderial, Orothe, Naroom, The Teeth, and The Weave: “Captain Planet”
"Earth!" "Fire!" "Wind!' "Water!" "Heart!" "By your powers combined..." "I am Captain Moon!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiYjTb3opAA
Captain Planet, he’s a hero - gonna take pollution down to zero. Or at least that’s what the theme song told us every episode of the classic environmental animated show. And of course, summoning Captain Planet would take all the Planeteers calling out their respective element’s name and combining their powers. It’s nice when all these cards work together for a reference.
Rous: “The Princess Bride”
"What about the Rous?" "I don't believe they exist."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv9CkjkOyzo
In “The Princess Bride,” Westley and Buttercup had to flee into the Fire Swamp to escape to safety. There, they encountered three dangers, two of which we’ll get to later in this set. But the third threat was the R.O.U.S., or “rodent of unusual size.” Of course, no sooner did Westley say he doesn’t think they exist than one jumped out and attacked him. So not only is this card’s quote a reference to that scene, but the name is too.
Swamp Moga: “Evil Dead”
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the moga."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKzy_S2gRI8
I think this is another one where the scene speaks for itself.
Ninibom: “Transformers: The Movie,” and possibly The Frantics too
“A boot to the head is a greeting that everyone understands."
So first off, Ninibom completes the “Transformers” universal greeting reference started last set. But on top of that, the flavor text also mentions a boot to the head, which could potentially stand as another reference to The Frantics and their famous sketch. Calling it “a greeting that everyone understands” ties nicely into the universal greeting reference at that.
Lightning Sand (Bograth): “The Princess Bride
"And you brilliantly found the Lightning Sand"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Fsyld7YD0
Back to the Fire Swamp! Yes, the second of the three major dangers of the Fire Swamp in “The Princess Bride” is the lightning sand, so named for how lightning quick it’ll pull people down. And, in the movie, Buttercup “brilliantly” discovers it.
Lightning Sand (d'Resh): “The Princess Bride”
"Who are you?" "No one of consequence." "I must know." "Get used to disappointment."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDlZ_SXx5gA
Yes, the d’Resh version of Lightning Sand has its own flavor text, and it’s a reference to a completely different scene from the same movie (and what a brilliant scene it is). Westley and Inigo’s sword fight on the Cliffs of Insanity is perhaps one of the best fight scenes put to film, and the banter they share is even better. And among that banter is this little exchange, quoted above in card form.
Coal Ergar: “Back to the Future” or “The Boondock Saints” (maybe)
"Make like a tree and go away!"
This one's a bit more of a stretch, since the line in “Back to the Future” line is "Make like a tree and get out of here," so it's not necessarily direct. A similar joke is also used in “The Boondock Saints.“ Look, we’re not mind readers, sometimes we’re just going with what we assume the reference could be. (Of course, the actual line all of them are trying to say is “make like a tree and leaf.”)
Magam's Ring: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
"Tis but a flesh wound!" -- Magam, Flamesmith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s35rVw1zskA
Full disclosure: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is one of my favorite films, right up there with, well, “The Princess Bride.” So this set has a lot of quotes that make me happy. So when King Arthur fights the Black Knight, he removes the knight’s limbs one by one, and the Black Knight refuses to acknowledge it. First, he says “‘Tis but a scratch,” when his arm gets cut off. When he loses the second one, he shrugs “Just a flesh wound.” So while this quote merges the two lines, it’s still a pretty clear reference.
Bombard: “Star Wars: A New Hope”
"The scorch marks are too random, and the d'Reshi always walk in single file to hide their numbers. This was done by Cald Magi." -- Groll, Watchkeeper
https://youtu.be/MalYAZFlcGI?t=69
When Luke and Obi-Wan Kenobi find a Jawa sand crawler blasted apart and surrounded by dead Jawas, it’s meant to look like the Tusken Raiders got them. But Obi-Wan recognizes that the blast marks and the footprints indicate it was Imperial Stormtroopers instead. So, this quote is a reference to that scene and line.
Flame Spurt: “The Princess Bride”
"Do you hear a popping sound?" "Hey, it wasn't me!" -- Tryn and Barak
https://youtu.be/syKsWfqWUqk?t=54
And we get to our last of the Fire Swamp cards! The first danger presents itself when a spurt of fire nearly burns Buttercup up, but before that, there was a brief popping sound. Westley later used that sound to identify where and when the fire was about to blast. So while the line isn’t a direct quote, the reference is still clear.
Gumph: “Forrest Gump”
"Run through the forest, Gumph"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2-MCPa_3rU
Forrest Gump has the famous quote “Run, Forrest, run!” So with a card named “Gumph,” this is a pretty clear reference to both the line and the character’s name.
Fiend of Furoks: “Frankenstein”
"It's ALIIIVE... again!"
Fun fact: while the exclamation “It’s ALIIIVE!” is iconic to the “Frankenstein” movie (and Mel Brooks’ own “Young Frankenstein”), the line didn’t appear in the book. In fact, the actual creation of the monster is more or less brushed over. But the line is a major part of the movie, so of course that’s what this line is referencing.
Dark Portents: “Star Wars”
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S74rvpc6W60
In every “Star Wars” movie, someone has to say “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” It’s basically a requirement at this point. And with all the “Star Wars” references these cards have made so far, of course this one was going to pop up eventually.
Ababila: “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”
"Give me forty of these, and I could rule the Moonlands!" -- Korremar
As pointed out in Zucriy’s original thread, the name “Ababila” is an anagram for “Ali Baba.” And since Korremar mentions needing forty of them, it’s a nice little nod to the 40 thieves.
Olum Digger: “Dune”
"Walk without rhythm and you won't attract the olum." -- Mohani
The sandworms of Arrakis are massive creatures that tunnel through sand and will absolutely eat anyone they feel like. Rhythmic thumping tends to attract them, even if it’s just footsteps, so people are warned “walk without rhythm and you won’t attract the worms.” Well, in the case of d’Resh, they’ve got olum instead.
Aubra's Hourglass: “Rocky Horror Picture Show”
"Let's do the time warp agaaaain!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umj0gu5nEGs
Even if you haven’t seen “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” you’ve still probably heard the “Time Warp” song, punctuated by “Let’s do the time warp agaaaain!” (And if you haven’t seen “RHPS” before, do not admit that to anyone at a screening event, because they will put you on stage to do something embarrassing. Don’t ask how I know.)
Rock Arboll: The B-52s, “Rock Lobster”
“T'lok came over the block And there he saw a rock. But it wasn't a rock... It was a rock arboll!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4QSYx4wVQg
A pretty clear lyrical reference. I’ll keep this explanation brief so you can enjoy the song instead.
Sandstone Hyren (Kybar’s Teeth): “2001: A Space Odyssey”
"Daa, Daaa, DAAA - DaDAAAA! BOM-bom BOM-bom BOM-bom BOM-bom BOM!" -- Jagt, Prankster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szdziw4tI9o
The theme song for “2001: A Space Odyssey” is the iconic "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," which can only be described in… the exact flavor text of this card. Also, the Hyren's "Monolith" effect is a reference to the film as well, wherein a mysterious black monolith plays an important (albeit mysterious) role.
Thoughtful Baldar: The Thinker
So this one isn’t a flavor text reference, but we’re including it anyways, because the Baldar’s pose is a clear reference to The Thinker. But you’re a cultured individual, you already knew that.
Emec's Forge: “The Six Million Dollar Man”
"We can rebuild it. We have the technology. We can make it better than it was before. Better, stronger, faster." -- Emec, Ringsmith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpAqkW7SJ2Y
“Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world’s first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.”
That’s the opening to the classic TV show “The Six MIllion Dollar Man.” Even people who haven’t watched the show have heard that line referenced in some way, and that includes on this card.
Iceberg Hyren: The Titanic
"It likes to fight foes of huge size, and has taken down some that are truly titanic."
The flavor text isn’t an exact or paraphrased quote from anything, but it is a clear reference to how an iceberg sunk The Titanic, so we’re still counting it!
Saitorr: “Winnie the Pooh”
“They're bouncy flouncy trouncy pouncy fun fun fun fun fun!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJFyz73MRcg
Tigger from “Winnie the Pooh” has a little song about the most wonderful things about tiggers, mostly about how he bounces around on his tail. Well, this little bit of flavor text takes a line right out of the song, so I guess Saitorr are also made out of rubber and springs.
Tithragar: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
"A tithragar once bit my sister." -- Hrada
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” kicks off its jokes right from the start of the film. As the opening credits roll, subtitles appear underneath them, and quickly go off-topic to start talking about taking a holiday in Sweden and seeing the mooses. Among the joke subtitles is the phrase "A moose once bit my sister..." shortly before the film catches on and apologizes for the error in the subtitles.
Vrak: “The Princess Bride”
“He's right on top of us! Do you suppose he's using the same wind we are?”
In “The Princess Bride,” as Vizzini and his crew take the kidnapped Buttercup to the cliffs of insanity, they’re followed by a single, mysterious boat. As it nears them, Inigo points it out and comments, “Do you suppose he’s using the same wind we are?” So that’s another “Princess Bride” quote to make it to a Magi-Nation card.
Thast: “X-Men”
"You don't know the meaning of the word 'cold', bub."
So this one isn’t a direct quote, but the reference is obvious. It’s Wolverine. He's got the hair, he calls people "bub," I’m honestly surprised he doesn’t have ice claws or a Wasperine as a starting card.
Ust: “X-Men”
"Two can play that game."
We’ve got a Nar/X-Men twofer, with Ust appearing to be a reference to the character Gambit. His card art, which shows him throwing snowflake-shaped throwing stars, mimics Gambit’s card-throwing pose, and his effect “Gambit” makes it more than a subtle nod. (And I’m pretty sure if you check enough “X-Men” comics, you’ll find Gambit saying “Two can play at that game” at some point, since cards are kind of his thing.)
Velouria: The Pixies, “Velouria”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc0Mv4Iyxvc
This is yet another one that snuck by me, so once more, Zucriy gets credit for catching this one. But as Velouria’s title is “Ice Pixie,” she serves as a reference to the band The Pixies, and their song “Velouria.”
Icy Heart: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“It almost seems too small. Three sizes too small.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGSs33DQ1F0
The Grinch’s heart, at the start of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” was two sizes too small. Of course, by the end, it’s grown by three sizes. But yeah, pretty clear reference right there, you all know the story.
Fird: The Trashmen, “Surfin’ Bird”
"F-F-F-Fird, fird, fird, fird is the word." -- Poad, Innkeeper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gc4QTqslN4
Yes, everybody’s heard about the bird, and it is indeed the word. Even if many of you, like me, were first introduced to that song in an episode of “Family Guy,” we all know that the bird is the word. Or in this case, the fird.
Leaf Chogo: Rolling Stones, “Get Off of My Cloud”
"Hey you, get offa my moon!" -- Yaki, to Warrada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYgJZ79FmBo
Got another musical reference here, only swapping out “cloud” with “moon.” Actually, it’s a little surprising they didn’t use the direct quote for an Arderial card, but considering Yaki’s grudge against the dark twins at this point, yeah, it works.
Wasperine Stalker (Naroom): “The Princess Bride”
"Surrender!" "You wish to surrender to me? Very well, I accept." -- Togoth and Yaki
https://youtu.be/nOKuYsFIwXM?t=23
In “The Princess Bride,” when Westley and Buttercup finally get through the fire swamp, they’re met by Prince Humperdink, who demands “surrender!” Westley, always the witty one, graciously accepts Humperdink’s surrender. So, we’ve got another nice little reference to that classic film here.
Wence the Wanderer (Naroom): “Indiana Jones”
Minani. Why'd it have to be Minani?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClwIj3x24Q4
Indiana Jones hates snakes. Minani are snake-like dream creatures. I suppose this makes Wence the Indy of the Moonlands.
Poad's Secret Sauce: Miller Lite
Tastes great! More filling!
Yeah, this one is a clear reference to the Miller Lite slogan of "Tastes great, less filling." Don’t need to explain that any further.
Pok: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
"He can calculate the air-speed velocity of an unladen fird, but he can't quite remember which side of the war he's on."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uio1J2PKzLI
Near the start of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” King Arthur and some castle guards get into a discussion about whether or not a swallow can carry a coconut. This becomes a running gag, until the end of the film, where Arthur is asked: “What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?” (The correct answer is: “What do you mean? An African or European swallow?”)
Myka: “Mystery Men”
"You shovel real good, Gogor. But that doesn't make you a superhero."
Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought us the Avengers in live-action, there was “Mystery Men.” Among their numbers was the Shoveler, with the power to shovel really, really well. But early on, there were doubts about whether or not that made him a superhero, leading to this quote.
Trygar's Will: The Frantics, “Last Will and Temperament”
"And I leave all of my animite to the people of Vash Naroom, so they can afford to move somewhere decent!"
Yep, we’ve got another reference to the “boot to the head” sketch. As the lawyer screams about the rabid Tasmanian devil in his trousers, he reads the last line of the will: "...and I leave my entire estate of $10 million to the people of Calgary so they can afford to move somewhere decent!" So I guess everyone else Trygar knew got a boot to the head.
Wence's Travelog (Weave): “Clerks”
"I'm not even supposed to be here today!" -- Wence, Adventurer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2CF9Q-L7vA
“Clerks,” the first film by Kevin Smith, features the frustrated convenience store clerks Dante and Randal. Well, Dante was expecting it to be his day off, so every time something goes wrong, he complains “I’m not even supposed to be here today.” And, as anyone who’s worked any kind of retail job can confirm, it does suck to be in that situation.
Weave Seed: Alka Seltzer
"That's-a one-a spicy weave-a seed!" -- Poad, Innkeeper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NzIaAen6Gg
Even if you’ve never seen the Alka Seltzer ad, you’ve probably heard the phrase “that’s-a one-a spicy meatball!” Well, clearly Poad has too.
And with that, we’ve wrapped up Voice of the Storms. Phew, that was a long one! Join us next time as we wrap it all up with the unreleased set: Traitor’s Reach.
This article was written by user SomethingAboutCards, you can find them on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/EliteslayerX. Also written with support from user ZucriyAmsuna.
Want to find more pop culture references from Base Set and Awakening? Check out the
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