Shout Out / The Arts of Dark and Light

• The "Ar" element of the Witchkings' royal names (as in Ar Mauragh) is very similar to the "Ar-" of the later, degenerate kings of Númenor in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien (e.g., Ar-Zimrathôn, Ar-Pharazôn). In Tolkien's Adûnaic (=Númenorean) language, this word signifies royalty, and it is likewise used only for royal persons in The Arts of Dark and Light. The Witchkings more generally bear a certain similarity to the latter-day Númenorean empire, which also became increasingly cruel, tyrannical, and obsessed with transcending humanity.
• Magnus' letter to Corvus opens with the same phrase as a famous real-life letter by the Roman statesman Cicero.
• As the second Watcher reveals himself, he speaks this line, very similar to what the Leader says in "Faith of Our Fathers" (Philip K. Dick) when confronted by its protagonist:
  There are those who are far more fearsome than I who shall soon, very soon, stride openly across the earth.
• Count Saint-Aglie's name is most likely a reference to the occultist Agliè in Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. Notably, Vox Day is an Eco fan, who has translated many of Eco's minor writings from the Italian on his blog.
• When the Amorran conservatives debate how to deal with Patronus, the arguments are reminiscent of a certain film. Corvus wants to put him on trial for treason, but Torquatus notes that if they do, he'll walk, due to his influence in the Senate and the courts. He's too dangerous to be left alive.
• The title Summa Elvetica refers to the Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas, and the sample of Marcus' theological writings we see in it is presented in the style of one of Thomas' arguments in the Summa.
• The Divided Man is probably inspired by the Head in the final volume of C. S. Lewis's science fiction trilogy, That Hideous Strength. As with Umberto Eco, Vox Day is on the record as a Lewis fan.
• For a further Lewis reference, it's probably not a complete coincidence that the King of Savondir, nominal ruler of a kingdom dominated from behind the scenes by evil mages, has the Silver Throne as his seat.

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