GameBanshee Forums

Ok I was just talking to that spider queen-thing in the second Cloakwood area, and she claims she was turned into El' Fato by Jon Irenicus for indignities to him and his wife!!

I love it when little details are dropped in like that!!

I'm not sure whether it really is foreshadowing or whether the developers simply liked certain names and recycled them. For one thing, the arch mage's name is Jon Icarus, not Jon Irenicus. His wife's name was Tanova--a name which also appears in BG2. But it doesn't really make sense to think that Jon Irenicus was married to Tanova; he was in love with Queen Ellesime.

In case you're wondering about the name Tanova, here's an extract from the dialogue file. It looks like you'd get this dialogue if you charmed Centeol and could get her to talk to you:

"I can tell you of my curse, for that is all I remember anymore. I used to be beautiful and powerful. An exotic sorceress, with many powers at my command, and suitors at my door. But I only had eyes for one man, Jon Icarus. He was a great and powerful wizard, the only man worthy of my affections, or so I thought. Though I lusted for Jon, he cared little for me, for he had another to whom he was married, lady Tanova. So I plotted and schemed, and finally came up with a plan to rid the world of Tanova. When the deed was done, and Tanova lay dead I was exultant, but not for long. Jon went mad with fury, and using his powerful magics, divined the identity of his wife's murderer. He arrived at my tower, and I allowed him entry, desirous to finally consummate our love. Jon disabled me with his spells, then he cursed me to this body, and set spiders to feed me and keep me alive. So you see, if you were my friend, you would kill me."

And remember that guy that talked about Neverwinter

He was in a wilderness map in the bottom left corner, it was just before you got to Beregost or Nashkel. I forgot which.

I think he was in the map with the sunken house, I think. Didn't he refer to a previous Neverwinter <game>, and make a comment about its popularity "in those nights," and maybe it will be popular again?

IIRC, Icarus is a name from Greek mythology. I belive he was the guy whose feather-and-wax wings melted because he flew too close to the sun.
Obviously that has nothing to do with Centol's tale, so either I'm completely wrong, or I guess they just liked the name.

@ThaG,

I think the guy's name is Lord Foreshadow. I seem to recall that he also talks about a party held by Ribald in SoA, and there is a reference about future times in the south...

Yup yup, it's all coming back to me now...

Here's the dialogue tree you mentioned (you only see one part of the dialogue in the game):

Lord Foreshadow: Well, don't you just add to the local color! Quite the smashing bit of dress you wear there. I'll have to look into such sundries when I next attend one of Lord Ribald's full dress costume affairs. I'd be the talk of Neverwinter, I would.

Player: Am I to understand that you are from that far away city?

Lord Foreshadow: Oh, I actually hail from Waterdeep. The great city of splendors has much more in the manner of social luxuries suited towards my particular tastes. I do, however, make a point of keeping in touch with Neverwinter, though I have only visited once previously. It was quite popular in those nights, if I recall correctly. I'm going to make a second trip in the coming year, and I'll wager it will be as popular again.

Player: Bah! I have heard of such a city but I have my doubts as to whether it even exists!

Lord Foreshadow: Perhaps not yet, but soon.

Player: I am unconcerned with such things. Do you have any information about the area south of here?

Lord Foreshadow: I suppose you are asking of the immediate south, such as Nashkel and its mines? Unfortunately no, I have spent no time there. I have busied myself with destinations more distant, and have traveled to the great city of Athkatla on one occasion or another. You should really consider visiting there sometime. 'Tis likely to be very popular in the future. None of this helps you now, of course. Cheerio.

Hmmmm...NPC adverts!