Enjoying Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a blast because it’s an engaging fantasy movie that can be appreciated regardless of how much you know about D&D lore. However, for those who are familiar with the game, there are plenty of amusing inside jokes and references sprinkled throughout that will resonate with their own adventures through different worlds. Despite not using a single die in the film, it still gives off the same enjoyable vibe as gathering with friends around a table to play.
In celebration of the long-awaited Netflix premiere of the movie, I’m gathering some delightful nods to the game Dungeons & Dragons. Just a heads up – there may be minor spoilers for certain scenes in the film, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched it yet.
Jarnathan
The movie establishes its humorous atmosphere right from the start at Edgin and Holga’s hearing for early parole from prison. Despite his attempts to postpone the decision, Edgin waits anxiously for a particular character to appear, believing Jarnathan holds the key to their freedom. At first, viewers might assume it’s due to sympathy, but when Jarnathan arrives, it becomes evident that there is another reason at play. As it turns out, Jarnathan belongs to an unusual race called Aarakocra, half-bird, half-human beings. The pair utilizes his ability to fly to jump through a window and escape. The incorporation of this less common Dungeons & Dragons race is clever, but the scene also adds a touch of classic adventuring silliness to the story.
What is it You Do Here, Bard?
One popular joke among D&D gaming circles is that bards are essentially elevated cheerleaders. Though I’ve played a couple of helpful bards myself, the film’s portrayal of this often criticized class remains accurate. During their discussion about stealing the Tablet of Resurrection from Forge, Doric once looks at Edgin and asks him for his contribution. This exchange serves as a charming wink to how some D&D enthusiasts perceive bards in comparison to spellcasters, shape-shifters, and combat-focused fighters.
The Owlbear
In the movie “Honor Among Thieves,” the character Doric’s ability to transform into an Owlbear has sparked debate among strict fans who argue it goes against the rules. However, the Owlbear is a well-known creature in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), and its appearance in the film adds an exciting D&D element that fans appreciate. Whether you agree with the rules or not, seeing an Owlbear in the movie enhances its overall D&D feel.
The Speak with Dead Sequence
In a scene reminiscent of the back-and-forth between players and game master, Simon’s casting of Speak with Dead brings forth both laughter and frustration. In this amusing series of events, the characters grapple to extract useful information from a resurrected corpse, but due to a technical rule, they can only ask three questions before the dead person reverts back to being deceased and cannot be revived again. Edgin incessantly queries Simon for clarification, which the reanimated entity answers, thus prematurely ending the spell. After multiple failed attempts, they finally manage to uncover the necessary information. If that’s not a classic example of Dungeons & Dragons, I’m unsure what is.
Simon’s Natural 1 Moment at the Bridge
Many Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) enthusiasts have experienced the frustration of a poorly rolled die spoiling an exciting scene. In this scenario, our Non-Player Character (NPC), who happens to be a Paladin, is in the midst of elucidating a challenging puzzle essential for crossing a bridge. Meanwhile, Simon casually leans against a wall, oblivious to the consequences. As he steps onto the bridge, unintentionally, it triggers a hidden trap, causing the bridge to collapse. This incident provides amusement for two reasons: one, it recreates the familiar sensation of a critical fail when luck is not on a player’s side. Two, it demolishes the intricate setup of the Dungeon Master (DM) who had labored over creating that puzzle, compelling both the party and DM to devise an alternative route.
… And How the Story Fixes It
Simon’s mistake of destroying the bridge unexpectedly takes us on another exciting journey reminiscent of classic Dungeons & Dragons games – impromptu Dungeon Master (DM) creativity. As the group discovers that the bridge is no longer accessible, a convenient magical artifact miraculously appears. When players veer off the planned course, DMs must adapt on the fly, occasionally leading to unforeseen outcomes. This mysterious staff might turn out to be crucial for the party’s future strategy, leaving the DM in a bit of a sweaty predicament.
Powerful NPC Refuses to Stick With the Party
Regé-Jean Page’s character, Xenk, briefly joins the group on their mission to acquire a powerful magical helm. He is wise and strong, making him valuable to the team. As expected, once they obtain the magic artifact, he declines further assistance from them. Xenk is an amusing representation of a paladin character, and this action shows a Dungeon Master who has no intention of playing the same NPC throughout the entire campaign. He marches off in a straight line, heading towards a future that remains a mystery.
Gelatinous Cube
For those familiar with classic Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) adventures, understanding the Gelatinous Cube isn’t much of a challenge. This massive, jiggling cube, although seemingly harmless, has the power to dissolve anyone unlucky enough to be trapped within it. Appearing in various early video games, such as my personal favorite, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, the Gelatinous Cube is an iconic and slightly absurd D&D monster that brings joy to fans of the game. The way the party turns this cube’s unique abilities into a resource is brilliantly executed.
The Big Bad’s Speech Gets Interrupted
In a scene designed for audience amusement, the film’s main antagonist begins her grand, speech intended to end her campaign, but is abruptly interrupted by an unexpected attack. This scene cleverly mirrors the Dungeon Master who meticulously crafts a powerful monologue over hours of preparation, only for the players to foil their plans and prevent its delivery.
That Holga Moment
In the fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons, death isn’t as final as in real life. If Holga perishes during the climactic battle, the party miraculously possesses an artifact to resurrect her. This scene is emotionally impactful and crucial to the storyline, while also serving as a subtle nod to D&D’s magical elements that can reverse death, albeit with definite boundaries. Despite being somewhat predictable, it effectively showcases the lengths parties will go to revive their comrades, embodying the spirit of camaraderie in this role-playing game.
Simon’s Bag of Holding
Last, but certainly not least, there’s a minor detail in the movie that might go unnoticed. Throughout the film, whenever the group obtains a crucial item, Edgin always gives it to Simon. This funny character trait is also a nod to Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). In some scenes, you can clearly see Simon carrying a Bag of Holding. This classic item allows the party to carry an enormous amount of gear in a single, enchanted bag, and one player is usually responsible for managing its expanding inventory. Quietly making Simon the one to manage this task is a clever, subtle reference that will delight any D&D enthusiast who catches it.
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2025-02-28 20:13