New Order of the Stick Strip Up

Cudos to what Callipygous and Tacticslion said up thread, who said it better than I.

NICE catch Fromper!

Wow! Double ninja'd by Drejk and Adamantine Dragon!

Saying ninja'd is still pc right?

:)

Considering that what weapon to draw in Durkula's hand is a very deliberate and time consuming activity, it is highly likely that the use of the staff is an important story element since it would have been easier for Rich to fall back into habits of drawing Durkon with a hammer.

OTOH, the important story element may just be establishing that he keeps the staff.

Did anyone else notice that vampire Durkon used the magic staff as a melee weapon against the sand elemental instead of his normal hammer? I don't know if the 3.5 rules are the same as Pathfinder, but it seems like a change in deity's favored weapon to me. Could mean he's following in Malack's footsteps in worshiping Nergal.

or it could just be that quarterstaves are simple weapons... plus it's probably mondo enchanted

also poor belcar I mean durkton is probably the strongest member of the party now, what with that fancy +2-3 template he's got now, and belcar can't get his revenge

So...is FIFY appropriate (though admittedly still kinda douche-tacular) when someone writes something like "the point is mute?" :P

Fromper wrote:

Did anyone else notice that vampire Durkon used the magic staff as a melee weapon against the sand elemental instead of his normal hammer? I don't know if the 3.5 rules are the same as Pathfinder, but it seems like a change in deity's favored weapon to me. Could mean he's following in Malack's footsteps in worshiping Nergal.

or it could just be that quarterstaves are simple weapons... plus it's probably mondo enchanted

also poor belcar I mean durkton is probably the strongest member of the party now, what with that fancy +2-3 template he's got now, and belcar can't get his revenge

I think vampire is a +7 LA, so belcar will catch up.

So...is FIFY appropriate (though admittedly still kinda douche-tacular) when someone writes something like "the point is mute?" :P

I'd personally recommend not using the term, and perhaps linking somewhere like Dictionary.com to provide proof of the correction... even better, if you do it via PM - less irritating that way than a public corrective post for an admittedly minor grammatical mistake.

My 2cp on that.

Personally I've only used FIFY to change a post's meaning, hopefully in a humorous way. Not for things I think were actual mistakes. That's how I've usually seen it used too.

Too use the example, if someone had written "The point is moot. They're in a Silence spell, so he couldn't warn him."
I might change "the point is moot" to "the point is mute" with a FIFY, not as a correction, but as a pun.

Personally I've only used FIFY to change a post's meaning, hopefully in a humorous way. Not for things I think were actual mistakes. That's how I've usually seen it used too.

Too use the example, if someone had written "The point is moot. They're in a Silence spell, so he couldn't warn him."
I might change "the point is moot" to "the point is mute" with a FIFY, not as a correction, but as a pun.

Ok, that is pretty good...

Tacticslion,

On the derail
** spoiler omitted **

Well played, sir. Well played.

I love that Belkar doesn't understand. If he was just evil, he'd be one dimensional. It's the fact that he truly doesn't understand other people's motivations half the time that makes him so interesting.

Actually, I think Belkar is fully aware of the situation and is playing it this way for kicks and/or to reinforce his "I don't understand your guys' motivation" scheme. He's a clever guy.

My rational:

At the beginning of the Silicon elemental fight, he hid because he didn't want to die. In the latest comic he charges first toward the evil, blood-sucking (and powerful) vampire. Either he has had an unlikely change of heart in the last couple of minutes or he knew that he wouldn't see any repurcussions due to his actions. Once the elemental fight was over, he saw Durkon, realized that he was 'back', and deduced that Durkon wouldn't fight back or, if he did, he'd heal any damage done to Belkar afterward. So he gets to stab Durkon and a vampire for free *and* make another joke about the confusing nature of the party's ethics/motivations. Afterall, it's to his benefit the more they underestimate him, so maintaining his reputation of ethical blindness is important.

That's a lot for his brain to process in a short time, I know, but I have faith in the little sadist. :o)

Either that, or Belkar got so caught up in the heat of battle that he forgot how wounded he was and just attacked every enemy on instinct. He is part barbarian now - maybe he was raging.

He was probably planning on them all striking together and taking Durkon out quickly.

Damn. Lots of vitamin evil in the party these days. I half wonder if we might see a last temptation of the OotS storyline. Or maybe we'll just have a segment of Elan reminding Roy that he had to come to terms with his father being evil, and Roy has to come to terms with Durkon being evil (after Durkon has convinced Roy to look the other way/cooperate with some evil acts, natch).

I can't imagine that evil vampire Durkon will be able to replace non-evil non-vampire Durkon smoothly, and that Roy may be all too willing to overlook the difficulties if it means Durkon is back in the party again.

Point of order: Roy’s dead Dad is nominally LG. If he wasn’t, he would have been punted from LG Heaven a long time ago.
Okay, he’s a ruthless, manipulative, self-serving jerk, but technically he’s still Lawful Good. :rolleyes:

I'm pretty sure Sebastian was referring to the fact that Elan's father was Evil...

... and that’s why you shouldn’t read (or post) as you’re on your way out the door, kids. :blush:

... and that’s why you shouldn’t read (or post) as you’re on your way out the door, kids. :blush:

Meh. I've done worse. :)

Point of order: Roy’s dead Dad is nominally LG. If he wasn’t, he would have been punted from LG Heaven a long time ago.

Okay, he’s a ruthless, manipulative, self-serving jerk, but technically he’s still Lawful Good. :rolleyes:

Although this does bring up an interesting point. I would assume actions after death still count towards alignment for the purposes of getting into LG heaven.

Roy's dad was clearly NOT acting lawful when he teamed up with Shojo to manipulate the Order of the Stick into helping protect the gates. The fake extradition, fake trial, hiding things from the paladins, etc. The scheme may have been for the greater good in the long run, but it clearly wasn't lawful. Shojo admitted to Roy and the gang that he's not lawful good, but Roy's father is supposed to be.

I could see Roy's dad getting booted from LG to NG heaven for that one, when he does eventually get past the "waiting room".

Paul Watson wrote:

Tacticslion,

On the derail
** spoiler omitted **

Well played, sir. Well played.

*Slow Clap*
:)

Oh, hey, I forgot! Here's your prize for winning!

I hope you enjoy! :D

Trace Coburn wrote:

Point of order: Roy’s dead Dad is nominally LG. If he wasn’t, he would have been punted from LG Heaven a long time ago.

Okay, he’s a ruthless, manipulative, self-serving jerk, but technically he’s still Lawful Good. :rolleyes:

Although this does bring up an interesting point. I would assume actions after death still count towards alignment for the purposes of getting into LG heaven.

Roy's dad was clearly NOT acting lawful when he teamed up with Shojo to manipulate the Order of the Stick into helping protect the gates. The fake extradition, fake trial, hiding things from the paladins, etc. The scheme may have been for the greater good in the long run, but it clearly wasn't lawful. Shojo admitted to Roy and the gang that he's not lawful good, but Roy's father is supposed to be.

I could see Roy's dad getting booted from LG to NG heaven for that one, when he does eventually get past the "waiting room".

Given an egregious enough breach, I could see him going directly to CG heaven.

I suspect that is one of the (other) reasons that Roy's dad was in the waiting room (you know, in addition to being a haunting spirit). He's probably "iffy" enough that he's hard to process.

Technically, this is all helping him fulfill his vow, too...

Trace Coburn wrote:

Point of order: Roy’s dead Dad is nominally LG. If he wasn’t, he would have been punted from LG Heaven a long time ago.

Okay, he’s a ruthless, manipulative, self-serving jerk, but technically he’s still Lawful Good. :rolleyes:

Although this does bring up an interesting point. I would assume actions after death still count towards alignment for the purposes of getting into LG heaven.

Roy's dad was clearly NOT acting lawful when he teamed up with Shojo to manipulate the Order of the Stick into helping protect the gates. The fake extradition, fake trial, hiding things from the paladins, etc. The scheme may have been for the greater good in the long run, but it clearly wasn't lawful. Shojo admitted to Roy and the gang that he's not lawful good, but Roy's father is supposed to be.

I could see Roy's dad getting booted from LG to NG heaven for that one, when he does eventually get past the "waiting room".

Honestly, I would have no problem with a LG character pulling any of the stuff that Roy's dad has. There is nothing saying that lawful characters can't lie or decieve, even to authorities.

Fromper wrote:

Trace Coburn wrote:

Point of order: Roy’s dead Dad is nominally LG. If he wasn’t, he would have been punted from LG Heaven a long time ago.

Okay, he’s a ruthless, manipulative, self-serving jerk, but technically he’s still Lawful Good. :rolleyes:

Although this does bring up an interesting point. I would assume actions after death still count towards alignment for the purposes of getting into LG heaven.

Roy's dad was clearly NOT acting lawful when he teamed up with Shojo to manipulate the Order of the Stick into helping protect the gates. The fake extradition, fake trial, hiding things from the paladins, etc. The scheme may have been for the greater good in the long run, but it clearly wasn't lawful. Shojo admitted to Roy and the gang that he's not lawful good, but Roy's father is supposed to be.

I could see Roy's dad getting booted from LG to NG heaven for that one, when he does eventually get past the "waiting room".

Honestly, I would have no problem with a LG character pulling any of the stuff that Roy's dad has. There is nothing saying that lawful characters can't lie or decieve, even to authorities.

I can accept the occasional minor deception from a lawful character, as with Roy keeping secrets and occasionally lying outright. But a major, long term deception that pretty much makes a mockery of an entire order of paladins and a major trial? I'd call that over the top. Still, it was done for a good cause, and to try and help with his vow, so that's why I'd call it NG, not CG. If he was doing it just for kicks, or did that type of thing very frequently, then we'd be into chaotic territory.

New OOTS up

I like Belkar's reasoning. And Roy's response. And the fact that Durkon's much more assertive now than he used to be. Fangs aren't the only thing he grew a pair of.

But the ending... what's up with that? What's Tarquin up to?

Oh snap.

So two things (besides the obvious "What's Tarquin up to?", which I expect to be answered next strip) that need to be dealt with soon: When the hell is V going to get back (pun intended)? And now that Girard's gate is gone, where's the breach and what will happen around it (which may tie in to Tarquin's plans)?

When they showed Tarquin saying "We have a lot to talk about" and pulling back to show a massive dinosaur army behind him: I am thinking cue The Imperial Death March.

Followed shortly by Nale going all Darth Maul: "At last we will have revenge!"

"Oooo wands!"

"Oooo wands!"

Yeah, I don't think the drow is coming back this time. He's been looted.

I do think the strip has the feel of a looming actual climactic finale.

"Oooo wands!"

I missed that the first time. Awesome.

I hope Haley has invested in her Use Magic Device skill.

Wow. That's a big army.

I do think the strip has the feel of a looming actual climactic finale.

Maybe we are nearing the end of the next print book?

According to the Art of War (as Written by Hollywood), the appropriate counter for an army is a hulk.

Too bad the Umber Hulk isn't open content, or this fight could be over very quickly.*

*Yes, yes, parody, blah, blah, Rich previously included a Displacer Beast, blah, blah - just stop ruining the f$%*ing joke already. It was't even that good to begin with.

The true counter to the dinosaur army is a herd of blink woolly mammoths.

The true counter to the dinosaur army is a herd of blink woolly mammoths.

Nope ... it's repeated use of ice storm. ;)

mousestalker wrote:

The true counter to the dinosaur army is a herd of blink woolly mammoths.

Nope ... it's repeated use of ice storm. ;)

There is a precedent for using empowered maximized mythic meteor swarm in such circumstances.

If I recall correctly, all Homer Simpson had to do was sneeze...

..but nobody in this universe has a nose. I'm not sure they can sneeze.

When they showed Tarquin saying "We have a lot to talk about" and pulling back to show a massive dinosaur army behind him: I am thinking cue The Imperial Death March.

Followed shortly by Nale going all Darth Maul: "At last we will have revenge!"

Nale is likely to have some 'splaining to do. I don't know how severe his punishment will be for his abject failure here, but Tarquin does not appear to be one who spares the rod.

I have a feeling that Tarquin didn't expect Nale to succeed.

I would not be surprised if it would be revealed that Tarquin set up Nale for failure...

I would not be surprised if it would be revealed that Tarquin left Malack to be killed by Nale...

Drejk, that is all probably likely to be true, and even so I would expect Tarquin to express his disappointment that Nale did not prove him wrong on any of those points, with the possible exception of killing Malack.

We'll see. I suspect Nale won't much like the talk he's about to have.

Drejk, that is all probably likely to be true, and even so I would expect Tarquin to express his disappointment that Nale did not prove him wrong on any of those points, with the possible exception of killing Malack.

Yeah.

Well, if it will be revealed that Tarquin expected Malack's death I suspect that he actually would be equally happy with Malack still alive (with alternate plan to make more use of him and getting rid of him later).

We'll see. I suspect Nale won't much like the talk he's about to have.

Very probable.

Either Nale will be scorned for his failures or will discover that Tarquin was already three steps ahead expecting Nale to be failure and made it part of own plans. Yeah, his own father. No wonder that Nale is so screwed.

Tarquin didn't seem the list bit upset. I don't know if he necessarily saw Malack's death coming, but he clearly had his own plans and was just humoring Nale by letting the kid try to succeed first.

Tarquin didn't seem the list bit upset. I don't know if he necessarily saw Malack's death coming, but he clearly had his own plans and was just humoring Nale by letting the kid try to succeed first.

Nowhere did I suggest that Tarquin was either surprised or upset by Nale's failure. I fail to see how that changes the likelihood of Tarquin coming down hard on his son.

Or, for a twist... Tarquin may not know about Malack's death, yet!

Anyone else looking to order a Xycon riding a dragon mini?

Not at that cost >_<

Or, for a twist... Tarquin may not know about Malack's death, yet!

** spoiler omitted **

Sure, I suppose it's remotely possible that Tarquin doesn't assume Malack is dead, but consider:

1. He teleported directly to Nale's location.
2. He expressed no surprise at Nale's fleeing or serious injuries.
3. He expressed no surprise at Nale being alone.

It's really pretty hard to fathom how Tarquin's reaction does anything but demonstrate that he knows exactly what happened, and was pretty much expecting it.

Does he know Nale himself killed Malack? Probably, but if not, he doesn't seem to care who did it.

Not at that cost >_<

Not at 1/3 that cost.

I'd pay about $20 for one I suppose.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Sure, I suppose it's remotely possible that Tarquin doesn't assume Malack is dead, but consider:

1. He teleported directly to Nale's location.
2. He expressed no surprise at Nale's fleeing or serious injuries.
3. He expressed no surprise at Nale being alone.

It's really pretty hard to fathom how Tarquin's reaction does anything but demonstrate that he knows exactly what happened, and was pretty much expecting it.

Does he know Nale himself killed Malack? Probably, but if not, he doesn't seem to care who did it.

It's also possible that he deduced it all by looking at the evidence and refuses to let Nale see him as not having guessed it ahead of time. Never show weakness and all that.

Well, it happens. A good swoop is hard to time.