WARNING: This post will contain possible spoilers for all chapters, do not continue unless you have them all.
Ascalon City
In Real Life:
Ashkelon City (Latin: Ascalon City) is a city in western Negev, near modern Ashkelon is a seaport of old Ashkelon, ruled by many. Old Ashkelon was destroyed by the Mamluks in the late 13th century.
In Game:
Ascalon City is a city on the kingdom of Ascalon, a part of the kingdom of Ascalon. Near modern Ascalon, is Old Ascalon, ruled by King Adelbern. Old Ascalon was destroyed by the Charr, by the Searing.
Connection:
Both modern cities are near their smaller, older, cities. Both were destroyed by a powerful force. It is important to note that Mamluks and Charr carry similar organization, beliefs, and such.
Balthazar:
In Real Life:
Balthazar (Balthasar, most seen) is most commonly known as one of the Three Wise Men, from the Gospel of Matthew, in the west, one of the three men who brought gifts to Jesus Christ on his birth.
In Game:
Balthazar is the god of war and fire, engaged in a battle with his half-brother Menzies.
Connection:
There isn't a readily apparent one. One could say that Balthazar and Menzies conflict could be represenative of the Three Wise Men's conflict with Herod, to prevent the killing of Jesus Christ, which would lead to the Massacre of the Innocents, but that is stretching it, since very little is truly known about Menzies. It is good to point out however, that war generally leads to knowledge. A lot of our greatest advances on Earth have taken place due to war, both medical and military and misc. Even in-game you are rewarded with knowledge (skills) for war (killing other players). A possible connection, or stretching it? You decide.
Abaddon:
In Game:
Ex-god of water, outcast by the Gods of Tyria and exiled. Abaddon gave out the power of magic too freely, and thus the Gods exiled him for this. Abaddon was once a good god, technically, that abused his power.
In Real Life:
Apollyon (Latin: Abaddon) appears in the Book of Revelations, 9:7-11. He leads the locust plague that will be released on God's enemies.
"And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. (KJV)
"And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. This is the great dragon of chapter 12, Satan or Azazel. He has a number of names, but in each case, he is the king of all the demons, Lucifer, who became Satan." (Revelation 9:11, KJV with Forerunner Commentary)"
The important thing to take away from this, was that Apollyon was an angel, who became a fallen angel. Some believe him to be the Antichrist or Satan, as well.
Connection:
Both were once good, but became fallen beings. It is important to note that Abaddon's worshipers were the Margonites, and Apollyon is said to of been worshipped by the Muslims. Take from that, what you will.
I'm probably missing a ton, and that is where you come in! There is probably a ton of references and connections here. I've noticed a lot of the content connects with Hebrew text, and Islam, mostly. It's interesting, to say the least.
D
