History ShoutOut / DragonAgeInquisition

* The codex entry for the Orlesian city of Serault refers to its glassworks "with beauty all but the sunless see" and of "a multicoloured echo bizarre or imagined", which attracts "those who fail better than most", "a gathering that creates a nexus of stories," and those who underestimate them "risk attending their last court". ''SunlessSea'' is a game made by Failbetter Games, who also made ''Videogame/FallenLondon'' (once called ''Echo Bazaar''), the Story Nexus collection of browser games, and ''Dragon Age: The Last Court'', which takes place in Serault. The entry also mentions "literary whimsy", which describes the style of Failbetter pretty well.

"[[VideoGame/HatePlus She knows they're going to kill her, can only save what's important.]] Precious space to remember her smile."\\

* The [[VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies Plants Vs. Corpses]] book in Crestwood, detailing the battle of [[Creator/PopCap Pauper's Cap]], wherein a "{{Bejeweled}} bookworm" apostate defended herself from a demon-led corpse army (armored with buckets and doors) by turning her crop of flowers into [[WhenTreesAttack sylvans]], as told by a Daveth the "maaaaaaaaaad."

* Fittingly, Vivienne's companion quest to kill a white wyvern is called "[[Literature/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs Bring Me the Heart of Snow White]]."

* A codex entry at the ritual tower in the Western Approach contains several references to the [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Transformers]] franchise, including the phrase "more than meets the eye," large living metal creatures that seek a glowing mineral, "deceptive icon" (Decepticon), a position that is "hardly optimal (primal energy burned)" (Optimus Prime / Optimus Primal), skies that quake (Skyquake) and [[TheStarscream stars that scream]], that the glowing mineral is the "energy on (Energon) which it survived," and mentions of a "gentle autocrat" (Autobot). The codex also mentions a "Mage Atronis," which is an anagram for "Is Megatron."

* The chess game that Solas and Iron Bull play in party banter (only if [[spoiler:the Chargers were spared in Iron Bull's personal mission]]) is the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortal_Game Immortal Game]] of 1851.

* One of Leliana's agents is named Fisher, another, Jester... [[VideoGame/SplinterCell makes sense that a gruff Michael Ironside-voiced spy would be on her payroll.]]

* Solas [[http://www.dumpeddrunkanddalish.com/2017/08/sing-song-of-solas-solas-dialogue-and.html frequently speaks in the meter of the song "Hallelujah"]], especially when telling stories of the Fade.

* One of Leliana's agents is named Fisher, another, Jester... [[Series/SplinterCell makes sense that a gruff Michael Ironside-voiced spy would be on her payroll.]]

** Another joint ShoutOut and ActorAllusion to ''Series/GameOfThrones'' comes from Dorian, who at one point snarks that he would be surprised if the Inquisitor "stripped [him/her]self naked and allowed the Chantry to flog [them] into repentance", an image many ''Series/GameOfThrones'' fans may find very familiar. Dorian's voice actor also played a part on ''Thrones''.
** Have Vivienne as a party member during "In Hushed Whispers" for the SO/AA trifecta, upon meeting her in the BadFuture she will assume it's a trick, a fake rescue meant to break her. The exact same thing is done in Creator/IndiraVarma's other famous work, and Redcliffe would even frighten Ramsay Bolton.

* During his banter with Sera about [[FastballSpecial throwing her]], Iron Bull raises the possibility of [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings throwing the resident dwarf instead]].
** In the Exalted Plains, there's a broken bridge that opens up a minor quest to repair it. If Varric is in your party at the time, he will give "a large and preemptive 'no'" to anyone who suggests tossing him over to the other side. [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Nobody tosses a dwarf]].

* A codex entry at the ritual tower in the Western Approach contains several references to the [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Transformers]] franchise, including the phrase "more than meets the eye," large living metal creatures that seek a glowing mineral, "deceptive icon" (Decepticon), a position that is "hardly optimal (primal energy burned)" (Optimus Prime / Optimus Primal), skies that quake and [[TheStarscream stars that scream]], that the glowing mineral is the "energy on (Energon) which it survived," and mentions of a "gentle autocrat" (Autobot). The codex also mentions a "Mage Atronis," which is an anagram for "Is Megatron."

* During his banter with Sera about [[FastballSpecial throwing her]], Iron Bull raises the possibility of [[Film/LordOfTheRings throwing the resident dwarf instead]].

-->'''Sera:''' Do all Grey Wardens have beards?
-->'''Blackwall:''' No, just me. I stole all the beards, and all the power held within. [[Franchise/{{Highlander}} There can be only one]].

* Cullen and Femquisitor's first kiss is a lot like [[Literature/LordOfTheRings Faramir and Éowyn's]] on the battlements of Skyhold[=/=]Minas Tirith respectively, right down to the guards watching from the distance. Bonus points because both Femquisitor and Éowyn denied the BigBad a crucial victory[[note]] Temple of Sacred Ashes or Haven for the Inquisitor, Pelennor Fields for Éowyn [[/note]] [[BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu and almost died in the process]].

* A codex entry at the ritual tower in the Western Approach contains several references to the [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Transformers]] franchise, including the phrase "more than meets the eye," large living metal creatures that seek a glowing mineral, "deceptive icon" (Decepticon), a position that is "hardly optimal (primal energy burned)" (Optimus Prime / Optimus Primal), skies that quake and [[TheStarscream stars that scream]], that the glowing mineral is the "energy on (Energon) which it survived," and mentions of an "autocrat" (Autobot). The codex also mentions a "Mage Atronis," which is an anagram for "Is Megatron."

* A codex entry at the ritual tower in the Western Approach contains several references to the [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Transformers]] franchise, including the phrase "more than meets the eye," large living metal creatures that seek a glowing mineral, which is d a "deceptive icon" (Decepticon), a position that is "hardly optimal (primal energy burned)" (Optimus Prime / Optimus Primal), skies that quake and [[TheStarscream stars that scream]], that the glowing mineral is the "'energy on' (Energon) which it survived," and mentions of an "autocrat" (Autobot). The codex also mentions a "Mage Atronis," which is an anagram for "Is Megatron."

* A codex entry at the ritual tower in the Western Approach contains several references to the [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Transformers]] franchise, including the phrase "more than meets the eye," large living metal creatures that seek a glowing mineral, a "deceptive icon" (Decepticon), a position that is "hardly optimal (primal energy burned)" (Optimus Prime / Optimus Primal), skies that quake and [[TheStarscream stars that scream]]. The codex also mentions a "Mage Atronis," which is an anagram for "Is Megatron."

* The Frostback Basin in ''Jaws of Hakkon'' contains several pieces of ConspiracyTheorist writings that have a wide range of references to ConspiracyTheory lore.

** Another joint ShoutOut and ActorAllusion to ''Series/GameOfThrones'' comes from Dorian, who at one points snarks that he would be surprised if the Inquisitor "stripped [him/her]self naked and allowed the Chantry to flog [them] into repentance", an image many ''Series/GameOfThrones'' fans may find very familiar. Dorian's voice actor also played a part on ''Thrones''.

* The codex entries for some creatures such as the quillback and bogfisher very obviously and [[PlayedForLaughs hilariously]] parody the style of a CosmicHorrorStory. They're written by Baron '''H'''avard-'''P'''ierre D'Amortisan (translating to "love of craft", [[CanisLatinicus sort of]]), and they always have a footnote from his less-florid scribe, who just happens to be named [[Literature/TheDunwichHorror Dunwich]]. (Of the quillback, he says "Master means that it's pointy.")

* Averted in regards to ''Monty Python'': According to WordOfGod in the process of development, they've made so many [[Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition"]] jokes that they're entirely tired of the reference and won't be making one in the game proper. But a different ''Monty Python'' shout-out shows up at Griffon Wing Keep in the Western Approach, where a DrillSergeantNasty asks recruits what the main weapon of the Inquisition is.

** When staring across a broken bridge in the Exalted Plains, Varric preemptively shoots down any suggestion of throwing him across it.

** Have Vivienne as a party member during In Hushed Whispers for the SO/AA trifecta, upon meeting her in the BadFuture she will assume it's a trick, a fake rescue meant to break her. The exact same thing is done in Creator/IndiraVarma's other famous work and Redcliffe would even frighten Ramsay Bolton.

* In the Exalted Plains, there's a broken bridge that opens up a minor quest to repair it. If Varric is in your party at the time, he will give "a large and preemptive 'no'" to anyone who suggests tossing him over to the other side. [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings Nobody tosses a dwarf]].

* In Sera's ''Verchiel March'' quest, right as she [[spoiler:starts beating Lord Harmond to a pulp]] she says "Mother puss bucket", a euphemism heard in ''Film/{{Ghostbusters 1984}}''.

* One of Leliana's agents is named Fisher, another, Jester...[[Series/SplinterCell makes sense a gruff Michael Ironside voiced spy would be on her payroll.]]

** Another joint ShoutOut and ActorAllusion to ''Series/GameOfThrones'' comes from Dorian, who at one points snarks that he would be surprised if the Inquisitor "stripped [him/her]self naked and allowed the Chantry to flog [them] into repentance", and image many ''Series/GameOfThrones'' fans may find very familiar. Dorian's voice actor also played a part on ''Thrones''.

** Every piece of banter in which Cole and Solas discuss things seemingly without context are actually references to films and tv shows that involve angels interacting with humans: the list of references includes ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'', ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', ''Film/MeetJoeBlack'' and ''Film/{{Dogma}}'' to name a few.

* Fittingly Vivienne's companion quest to kill a white wyvern is called [[Literature/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs Bring Me the Heart of Snow White]].

* One of the names the herald introduces in Wicked Eyes, Wicked Hearts is one "Ezio" from Antiva, Third Talon of the Crows. [[Franchise/AssassinsCreed Quite the talented assassin, it seems]].

* During one conversation with Solas (who is able to manipulate dreams and access [[SpiritWorld the Fade]] through them), you inexplicably are transported to Haven (which at this point in the story [[spoiler:has been destroyed by Corypheus]]). The Inquisitor (and quite possibly the player) may not notice this discrepancy, until Solas calmly asks you how you got there, at which point you realizing you're dreaming and you wake up. [[Film/{{Inception}} Hmm...]]

* One of the reasons Svara Sun-Hair opposes the Jaws of Hakkon is because she finds [[spoiler:summoning a god to destroy the lowlands]] while the Fade rifts are around to be incredibly foolish. Her precise words are "Only a fool fights in a burning boat," a reference to Kang's famous line in the [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries classic Star Trek]] episode, "Day of the Dove".

* If Dorian is brought along for the beginning of ''Descent'', he complains about [[VideoGame/MassEffect1 how slow the elevator is moving, and suggests adding music]]. "The Dawn Will Come" also has a sly reference to Shepard.

* Speaking of The Inquisition's spymaster some playthroughs may reveal through a messenger speaking to Dorian that, for reasons known only to Leliana, that all members are investigated through, among other things, their undergarments. She and [[Franchise/MassEffect Kasumi Goto]] ''must'' know each other.

* Averted in regards to ''Monty Python'': According to WordOfGod in the process of development, they've made so many [[MontyPythonsFlyingCircus "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition"]] jokes that they're entirely tired of the reference and won't be making one in the game proper. But a different ''Monty Python'' shout-out shows up at Griffon Wing Keep in the Western Approach, where a DrillSergeantNasty asks recruits what the main weapon of the Inquisition is.

* A codex entry at the ritual tower in the Western Approach contains several references to the [[Franchise/{{Transformers}} Transformers]] franchise, including the phrase "more than meets the eye," large living metal creatures that seek a glowing mineral, a "deceptive icon" (Decepticon), a position that is "hardly optimal (primal energy burned)" (Optimus Prime), skies that quake and stars that scream. The codex also mentions a "Mage Atronis," which is an anagram for "Is Megatron."

* The Inquisitor can ask [[LovableRogue Varric]], an artificer who's probably [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob the richest member]] of the Inquisition, a fast-talker who either irritates or charms everyone he meets, and is voiced by...[[AvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes Captain America]], what he thinks about Leliana, the Inquisition's [[TheSpymaster spymaster]]:

* If Dorian is brought along for the beginning of ''Descent'', he complains about [[VideoGame/MassEffect1 how slow the elevator is moving, and suggests adding music]].

* One of Leliana's agents is named Fisher...[[Series/SplinterCell makes sense a gruff Michael Ironside voiced spy would be on her payroll.]]

* There's a slightly darker one in the credits for ''Trespasser''. One line from Varric's new book about the Inquisition is a cheesy one-liner spoken by Solas: "[[Music/NeilYoung better to fade]] [[KurtCobain out than burn away]]".

* There's a slightly darker one in the credits for ''Trespasser''. One line from Varric's new book about the Inquisition is a cheesy one-liner spoken by Solas: "[[NeilYoung better to fade]] [[KurtCobain out than burn away]]".

* The Inquisitor can ask [[LovableRogue Varric]], who's probably [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob the richest member]] of the Inquisition, what he thinks about Leliana, the Inquisition's [[TheSpymaster spymaster]]:
-->You might want to keep an eye on Leliana. At this point, I think [[Film/TheAvengers2012 her secrets have secrets]].

* In Sera's ''Verchiel March'' quest, right as she [[spoiler:starts beating Lord Harmond to a pulp]] she says "Mother puss bucket", a euphemism heard in ''Film/{{Ghostbusters}}''.

-->Callista: The dawn is late.
-->Camallia: It will not come again.
-->Callista: It must hide 'neath the clouds.
-->Camallia: It will not come again.
-->Callista: The queen thinks you dead.