Top 10 Things You Missed in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
#10: Familiar Locations & Spells
While longtime players will shriek seeing various familiar backdrops brought to life, their significance might be lost on newcomers. The film takes place in the Forgotten Realms, a campaign setting that game designer Ed Greenwood created in the late 60s. However, Greenwood’s first “Forgotten Realms” book wouldn’t be published until 1987. “Honor Among Thieves” takes us to several Forgotten Realms locales, including Neverwinter, Revel’s End, and the Underdark. Newbies are also inclined to overlook certain spells like Bigby’s Hand, which Sofina casts in the climax. “Critical Role” fans, in particular, will enjoy this nod. Speak with Dead, Wild Shape, Magic Missile, and Mordenkainen’s Disjunction are just some of the other spells and class features from the game depicted here. The filmmakers obviously did their homework.
#9: Mimicking Classic Creatures
In addition to dragons, “Honor Among Thieves” is crawling with creatures that players have surely come across during campaigns. Throughout the film, we see Sophia Lillis’ Doric transform into an owlbear, a displacer beast unleashed in a maze, and intellect devourers rudely pass by our heroes. A standout creature is the crafty mimic, which can assume the shape of everyday items. It usually takes the form of a treasure chest, as seen in the film. Mimics have made their way into numerous fantasy franchises, from “Final Fantasy” to “Dark Souls.” However, this creature stemmed from “Dungeons and Dragons,” making its first appearance in the 1977 “Monster Manual.” For nearly 45 years, mimics have been leaving players simultaneously disappointed and panicked, as Michelle Rodriguez’s Holga exemplifies.
#8: Bradley Cooper’s Guardians-esque Cameo
Interview with Doug Bradley a.k.a Hellraiser's Pinhead
Aside from the original source material, “Honor Among Thieves” draws inspiration from “The Princess Bride,” “Monty Python,” and much more. You can sense a clear MCU influence as well, which makes sense since directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley were co-writers on “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” “Among Thieves” perhaps shares the most in common with “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Think about it. You’ve got a dashing outlaw played by a guy named Chris, a badass woman warrior as his second-in-command, an alley from a woodland background, and another alley who takes everything literally. You’re probably thinking, “All that’s missing is a little character played by Bradley Cooper.” Well, guess what? Cooper also makes an appearance as Marlamin, a halfling who was once romantically involved with Holga.
#7: The Directors’ “D&D” Roots
Top 10 Things You Missed in Turning Red
Goldstein and Daley weren’t merely directors for hire on this film. Both possess genuine affection for the source material. Long before landing the gig, they played “Dungeons & Dragons” as teenagers. Daley’s history with the game started at age fourteen when he was cast in a little show called “Freaks and Geeks.” His character, Sam Weir, is a nerdy “D&D” player, which motivated Daley to participate in a campaign with his fellow cast members. Daley immediately “fell in love with the world,” continuing to play into adulthood. We may never get a second season of “Freaks and Geeks,” but Daley would reunite with Martin Starr and Samm Levine for another game. Well, actually, it’s the same game the characters have been playing for 23 years.
#6: Sign Language in Spells
Which Hamilton Character Are You Based on Your Sign?
Sign language is becoming more prevalent in mainstream media, playing an integral role in films like “CODA” and “A Quiet Place.” “Honor Among Thieves” contains one of the subtlest and most unexpected examples, bringing ALS into RPGs. Justice Smith stars as Simon, the gang’s resident sorcerer. Smith collaborated with a choreographer to create the gestures for the spells that Simon casts. The actor wanted his gestures to carry a deeper meaning. Smith already knew some sign language, having studied it for about a year or two. So, he decided to work certain words into his gestures to reflect what the spell being performed does. Sign language can transcend borders and - in this case - entire realms.
#5: Beware the Gelatinous Cube
The climatic games throw many challenges at our heroes, including the dreaded gelatinous cube, or ooze cube. Those who’ve never participated in a campaign probably asked the same question watching this scene: Is that seriously from the game? It is, and as our heroes find, the cube is far more lethal than its silly appearance suggests. The gelatinous cube has slimed its way into everything from “Adventure Time,” to “Onward,” to “Wayne’s World.” The transparent enemy is rooted in “Dungeons & Dragons” lore, though, appearing in the very first boxed set from 1974. It’s the brainchild of Gary Gygax, the co-creator of “D&D.” How could it not play a role here? And yes, there’s a gelatinous cube collectible that you can buy!
#4: Eliminster, My Dear Wizard
A lightbulb will go off in any “D&D” fan’s head when they realize that Simon’s last name is Aumar. Simon is the descendant of Elminster Aumar, a Forgotten Realms wizard also known as the Sage of Shadowdale. While the film only touches upon Elminster, he’s one of the oldest characters in Ed Greenwood’s repertoire. The gray-bearded, hawk-nosed wizard can be a stern mentor and a goofy trickster. We see both sides of Eliminster in the film. We guess there also must be some blood between Simon and the rogue Narnra Shalace, Eliminster’s daughter. Of course, it’s hard to say how closely related Simon and Narnra would be, as Eliminster had many lovers. Here’s hoping we get to see his origins in a spinoff movie.
#3: Themberchaud
It wouldn’t be “Dungeons & Dragons” without dragons… or dungeons for that matter. “Among Thieves” delivers both when our heroes venture into the Underdark. While we all expected to see a fire-breathing beast, some might not have been anticipating one so… rotund. Fans will recognize this red dragon to be Themberchaud, aka the Wyrmsmith of Gracklstugh. In the “D&D” lore, Themberchaud’s waistline is as wide as his ego, nonchalantly burning those who don’t see eye to eye with him. As the film depicts, greed weighs down on Themberchaud to the point that he can’t fly. He can hardly even walk, although visitors should still run for their lives. When a dragon spends most of their time consuming humans, it’s easy to let oneself go.
#2: The 80s Cartoon Clan
Top 10 Things You Missed in Pixar's Luca
If it existed in the 80s, there was a Saturday morning cartoon to go with it. “Dungeons & Dragons” was no exception. A joint effort between TSR, Marvel, and Toei Animation, this series ran for three seasons consisting of 27 episodes, following a group of young friends sent to a magical realm… via roller coaster. Hey, it was the 80s! The ensemble included Hank the blonde hunter, Bobby the pipsqueak barbarian, Presto the geeky magician, Sheila the hooded thief, Eric the cowardly cavalier, and Diana the scantily-clad acrobat. The animated gang makes the leap to live-action during this movie’s climax as they compete alongside our heroes in the maze. Our only gripe with this awesome cameo? Where’s Uni the Unicorn? What, was Frank Welker not available?
#1: Fresh Cut Grass
“Honor Among Thieves” isn’t the first time that “Dungeons & Dragons” has been interpreted through a humorous lens. “Critical Role” has captured the epic scope of “D&D” and the light-hearted fun of playing with your friends. Given the parallels, it’s only fitting that “Among Thieves” would have at least one “Critical Role” reference. Fresh Cut Grass is among the spells that Simon casts in the film. The name pays homage to FCG, an aeormaton played by Sam Riegel. The “Critical Role” cast member primarily based FCG on his friend, Jack McBrayer. Riegel also drew inspiration from Ted Lasso, who possesses a similar eternal optimism. It might not be a crossover, but both of these crews clearly love the smell of fresh-cut grass in the morning.
