The Shadow Hearts series pools references and inspiration from many differing sources; myths, horror, anime, and books.
This article is an attempt to group these references in easy to see chunks.
Mythological
European Folklore
Werewolf, Hand of Glory, Cockatrice, Revenant, Peryton, Lemures, Roland and Durandal.
Greek Folklore
Python, Basilisk, Alcmene, Icarus, Charon, Echidna, Talos, Amphisbaena, Arachne, Castor & Pollux, Janus, Acteon, Ixion, Phobos, Chimera, Golden Ram (Aries Tile), Io (Taurus Tile), Karkinos the giant crab (Cancer Tile), Nemean lion (Leo Tile*), Astria (Virgo Tile and Libra Tile), Skorpios the giant scorpion and Orion (Scorpio Tile), Chiron the centaur (Sagittarius Tile), Sea-goat Pricus (Capricorn Tile), Ganymede (Aquarius Tile) Jupiter, Saturn/Kronos, Venus/Aphrodite, Poseidon, Hades, Nemesis, Atlas, Hercules, Artemis, Hermes, Athena, Fides, Apollo, Tyche, and Eros (Koudelka Idols, Lucia's Fans, and Pisces Tile).
Arabic
Ghoul, Ifrit (also as Efreet in Koudelka Scrolls), Marid, Dao, and Djinn (also from the scrolls).
Sumarian Folklore
Enkidu, Edimmu, Tammuz, Guanna.
Egyptian Folklore
Kheperer, Thoth. (Seal of Wisdom).
Norse Folklore
Garm, Ofnir, Hati, Dvergar, Wotan (Nibelung Manuscripts) Baldr and his death by mistletoe.
Slavic Folklore
Czernobog, Domovoi, Polisun, Mocos, Pripelaga, Svarozic, Erisvorch, Svarog, Veles.
British & Irish Folklore
Lham Dearg, Banshee, Red Cap, Barghest, Lambton Worm, Awd Goggie, Dunters, Morgan, Peg O'Nell, Nuckelavee, Sir Galahad (in his sword), the Mabinogion (a major thematic influence on Koudelka).
Indo-Asian Folklore
Yamaraja, Ātman, Asura (monster, and in Asura's Earrings), Rakshasa.
Chinese Folklore
Shuǐ hǔ, Hakujōshi, Chénghuángshén, Zhū-tún-shé, Xieshi, Baigu, Qinggu, Xiān lí, Fenghuang Chick, Lion Dog, Zhong Kui, Mudopkan, The Four Symbols (in various items and Yuri's weapons)
Japanese Folklore
Kamaitachi, Shiki, Hino-Enma, Inugami, Kabuso, Nekomata, Kappa, Isora, Onibi, Uwabami, Ayakashi, Ara-mitama, Yashahime, Blue Oni & Red Oni, Kijo (Ogress Mask), Amanojaku, Gaki, Enku, Tengu, Takaokami, Hinogakutsuchi, Yatanokami, Takemikazuchi, Kukunochi, Arahabaki, Tanuki, Otoroshi, Waira, Housougami, Futtachi, Itsumade, Tsunemotomushi, Raiden/Raijin, Fuujin, Tsukiyomi, Susano-O, Kusanagi Sword, Yasakani Gem, Yata Mirror, Shichifukujin, the Yamabushi, and the Straw Millionaire.
Malay Folklore
Native American Folklore
Tornaq (Inuit), Delgeth (Navajo), Mą’ii (Navajo), Tze-Zui, Xukrus, Tieholtsodi, Tatan'Ka (Lakota), Tirawa (Pawnee)
Mesoamerican Folklore
South American Folklore
Chon Chon, Wariche, Larilari, Anhangá, Kerufe
Caribbean Mythology
Polynesian Mythology
Modern Folklore
Gremlin, Sasquatch, Chupakabra, Sky Fish
Astrological
Graffias, Muscida, Sirius, Betelgeuse, Procyon, Arcturus (Star Key), and the Zodiac (Tiles in Manmariana Island, Stellar Magic and charts).
Demonological
Bifrons, Stolas, Amon, Luvart, Baphomet, Asmodeus, Astaroth, Baal, Gaap, Orobas, Arioch, Carreau, Gressil, Ronove.
And the other demons of the Lemegeton:
Vepar, Crocell, Forneus, Focalor, Uvall, Furfur, Gremory, Andras, Zepar, Sitri, Sallos, Vassago, Paimon, Marchosias, Camio, Phenex, Purson, Raum, Barbatos, Agares, Amy, Beleth, Bathin, Haures, Aim, Glasyalabolas, Bune, Samigina, Murmur, Furcas, Dantalion, Leraje, Halphas, Berith, Ipos, Eligos, Balam, Ose, Alloces, Sabnock, Andromalius, Valefor, Belial, Zagan, Shax, Malphas, Haagenti, Decarabia, Seere, Cimeias, Vapula, Botis, Naberius, Foras, Gusion, Buer, Orias, Marbas, Valak, Andrealphus, Vine, Marax, and Amdusias.
Literary
Lovecraft
(Also including the other authors of the Cthulu Mythos.)
Dark Young, Gug/ Gagu, Tindalos/Tindaros, Othuum, Blupe, Bokrug, Byakhee, Deep One, Daoloth , Ghatanothoa, Y'golonac, Shub-Niggurath, Wamp, Shantak, The Necronomicon (also quoting its Arabic name,al-Azif, and author, Abdul Alhazred), Unaussprechlichen Kulten, and the city of R'lyeh. A major influence on the collective series.
Biblical
Mammon, Cherubim, Seraphim, Scapegoat, Sandalphon, Bethlehem, King Solomon, King David (referenced).
Nursery Rhyme
Franz Kafka
J.R.R Tolkien
Lewis Carol
Alice (referenced), Tweedledee, Tweedledum
Dungeons and Dragons
Grimlock, Efreet, Marid, Dao, and Djinn.
Ernest Thompson Seton
Media
Opera
Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen; Siegfried, Segmund, Sieglinde, Hunding, Brünnhilde the Valkyries, Mime, the sword Nothung, the dragon Fafnir, and Hagen.
Video Games
Kelly (Terry from Street Fighter).
Anime
Maya, Mash, & Martega (The "Black Tri-Stars" from Gundam).
Film
The Meowmenator (The Terminator).
Historical People
(Not including actual historical figures featured as characters in the games.)
Saint Zosima, Sammo Hung, Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, Ryoko "Yawara-chan" Tani, Bruce Lee, and Bae Yong-Joon
Fauna
Argentavis, Bivalvia, Eryops, Xidazoon, Hallucigenia, Seymouria, Sordes, Morpho butterfly (Morpho Scales).
Characters |
---|
Playable Characters |
Koudelka Iasant - Edward Plunkett - Father James O' Flaherty |
Non-playable characters |
Patrick Heyworth - Elaine Heyworth - Ogden Hartman - Bessy Hartman - Charlotte D'Lota Roger Bacon - Alias - The Creature |
Locations |
Nemeton Monastery Grounds |
Caretaker's Quarters - Dungeon - Prison - Underground Shrine - Storage Room - Library - Archives - Church Nave Inner Grounds - Underground Passage - Nemeton Graveyard - Charlotte's Cell - Patrick's Quarters - Vestry - Church Bell Tower Spire |
Terms |
Émigré Manuscript - Saint Daniel - The Formors - SS Princess Alice - Guard's Diary - Old Letter - Sophia's Letters Patrick's Memo - Research Notes |
Music |
Requiem - Ubi Caritas Et Amor - Koudelka OST - The Music of Koudelka |
Archives |
Valuables - Items - Magic - Bosses - Enemies - Weapons - Accessories - Armour - Elements Drama CD (Transcript) - Novel - Translation - Game Script - Wallpaper |