Coincidence?

[Nanobyte]

D'Soto: Past lord of Shurugeon Castle, possessor of the Secret Word, and Watcher of the Shroud of Elsera.

De Soto: Hernando de Soto. Spaniard during the 1500s, who travelled to the Americas for riches.

Isn't it nice knowing that history plays an active roll in games?

[Sazerac]

There's several interesting historical and mythological references in W&W. Hephaestus the gnome shares the same name as Hephaestus, the Greek god of the forge (who I think was supposed to be clubfooted; having a disability--Hephaestus in W&W is blind, another disability, and likes to make things). In the crypt there is the Tomb of Arthos (implications of King Arthur), as well as Erathsmedor's tale about Arthur as well...hm, could D.W. Bradley have been implying that the Gael Serran was actually Avalon?

Also, Kerah's alternate name in the Gael Serran seems to be Isis, who is also known as the mother goddess for the Egyptian pantheon. The game is rife with Egyptology references, and the Shrine of Anephas follows very closely the design of an actual Egyptian pyramid, far more so than Cet's pyramid does (the Shrine, from a design standpoint, is by far the best designed dungeon in the game, IMO.)

Also, Collosium...hints of the lost continent of Atlantis there, also there was a giant statue of Apollo in the Greek islands known as the Collossus of Rhodes which fell and sank during an earthquake in ancient times.

All very interesting!

-Sazerac