Run for the shade Durkon!
I notice he's looking at the blimp's shadow instead of at the blimp itself.
Did not see that coming.....
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Screw hints, I'm just glad we got to see Julio again.
So. Awesome.
I am always happy when I randomly check for a new strip and find one.
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Sending spell perhaps?Apparently Elan mentioned a 'super secret' plan 93 strips ago. Which needed Durkon, for some reason.
This would seem to count as 'a ton of hints'.
I... completely forgot about that. Here it is again, for everyone else who needs their memory refreshed. Be sure to keep reading into the beginning of the next strip.
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Sending spell perhaps?Apparently Elan mentioned a 'super secret' plan 93 strips ago. Which needed Durkon, for some reason.
This would seem to count as 'a ton of hints'.
I... completely forgot about that. Here it is again, for everyone else who needs their memory refreshed. Be sure to keep reading into the beginning of the next strip.
Defeating Tarquin through a superior understanding of dramatic tropes? Poetic.
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Well played, Burlew. Well played...
Nice turn of plot I'll grant. Still feels like more buildup than this particular reveal was worth?
Personally, I would’ve been happy to see Elan do a Lurtz ‘grab the sword I’m impaled on’ routine, whip out his rapier, skewer Tarquin right through the heart, then lament as his father died: “You just didn’t get it, did you, Dad? You were the side-quest.” That would’ve been a great way to put a ring around this particular plot.
I also have to wonder why Julio actually showed up, in light of what he said to Elan when they parted ways at Azure City. ^.~
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I also have to wonder why Julio actually showed up, in light of what he said to Elan when they parted ways at Azure City. ^.~
Because he also understands, that while he will likely die, he will also kill his own arch-enemy.
As The black raven points out ...
Also I am pretty sure that "We meet again" is indeed the calling card of any self-respecting nemesis ;-)
And even Tarquin should appreciate this "dramatic twist."
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Personally, I would’ve been happy to see Elan do a Lurtz ‘grab the sword I’m impaled on’ routine, whip out his rapier, skewer Tarquin right through the heart, then lament as his father died: “You just didn’t get it, did you, Dad? You were the side-quest.” That would’ve been a great way to put a ring around this particular plot.
Yes, but that would have shown the OOTS being competent and defeating their enemies themselves. Which we can't have too often!
Looks to me like we are going to lose both Tarquin and Julio Scoundrel in an epic duel.
Possibly, only Julio will die and Tarquin will barely escape, but the Order of the Stick will also escape.
-Aaron
Looks to me like we are going to lose both Tarquin and Julio Scoundrel in an epic duel.
Possibly, only Julio will die and Tarquin will barely escape, but the Order of the Stick will also escape.
-Aaron
Could go any number of ways. We have recently been shown the folly of trying to predict where Burlew is taking the plot.
I think this showdown specifically deals with BREAKING the narrative concept. It is necessary to do this to defeat Tarquin. Thus, there is a chance Julio Scoundrél will survive.
As much as Burlew has totally out-flanked us on plot-predicting every time, I still think that Sabine will play (or at least SHOULD play) the part of ace-in-the-hole for Tarquin's inevitable demise.
The delicious irony of it all would be not if V 'Gated' her in, but if Tarquin called her himself (either via unknown power, item or ally) to assist him.
THAT would be classic.
As much as Burlew has totally out-flanked us on plot-predicting every time, I still think that Sabine will play (or at least SHOULD play) the part of ace-in-the-hole for Tarquin's inevitable demise.
The delicious irony of it all would be not if V 'Gated' her in, but if Tarquin called her himself (either via unknown power, item or ally) to assist him.
THAT would be classic.
Or Laurin. :)
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Or Laurin. :)As much as Burlew has totally out-flanked us on plot-predicting every time, I still think that Sabine will play (or at least SHOULD play) the part of ace-in-the-hole for Tarquin's inevitable demise.
The delicious irony of it all would be not if V 'Gated' her in, but if Tarquin called her himself (either via unknown power, item or ally) to assist him.
THAT would be classic.
Yeah, that would be awesome. With Julio coming in to back up the Order, I can see Tarquin wanting to bring in an old ally, too, so having Laurin gate in reinforcements, including Sabine.
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I think this showdown specifically deals with BREAKING the narrative concept. It is necessary to do this to defeat Tarquin. Thus, there is a chance Julio Scoundrél will survive.
I eagerly anticipate the nemesis strikes that will mortally wound both Tarquin and Julio. Elan will have to choose who he wants to hold in his arms as they breath their last.
I think Nale would go to Julio, leaving his biological father with no one to listen to his famous last words, except maybe the cat peeing on him :-)))
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The funny thing is, a few days before this comic came out, I was trying to figure out how the Order was going to get out of this.
I got a flash of inspiration when I remembered that Tarquin once had to pun-duel, and briefly considered that Julio Scoundrel might show up. Then I dismissed it out of hand, because it didn't make narrative sense. It sounded like, to quote a certain somebody, 'Disjointed anarchy'.
Now, one page later, Julio showed up and Elan put it into context as "Evil father figure versus Good father figure". Awesome.
I'd like to sit back and contemplate the levels of "Oh crap" that Tarquin is going through, but he's probably still stuck in his own worldview. He has an amazing grasp of storytelling and audience reaction tropes, but he's too arrogant and set in his ways to realize that there's more to the world than fits his own theories.
Personally, I would’ve been happy to see Elan do a Lurtz ‘grab the sword I’m impaled on’ routine, whip out his rapier, skewer Tarquin right through the heart, then lament as his father died: “You just didn’t get it, did you, Dad? You were the side-quest.” That would’ve been a great way to put a ring around this particular plot.
No, that is exactly what Tarquin wants, his son killing him in a dramatic moment would make him a legend for eternity, or something. The whole reason he wants to kill Roy is so Elan will rise up and become the protagonist and kill him in revenge. Elan knows it, and will do everything possible to avoid being the one that kills Taqrquin.
I think it is more 'Kill on the steps of the palace during a siege on the Empire of Blood'. If Elan kills Tarquin in the desert, there will be nobody except the Order to bear witness and they sure as heck won't be spreading the word. If it happens on the steps of the palace, all the riffraff will be going on and on about the fight.
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Could go any number of ways. We have recently been shown the folly of trying to predict where Burlew is taking the plot.
Too true. However, I still enjoy making guesses. :) Just call me "Often-Wrong Soong."
-Aaron
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Can't argue with that logic.
Can't argue logic with Elan anyway.
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Next one up.
Linkage!
Loved Durkon's response on that one. No spells doesn't mean helpless in his case.
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Next one up.Linkage!
Loved Durkon's response on that one. No spells doesn't mean helpless in his case.
I especially liked how the prior conflict between Nale and Malack reinforced the notion that Durkon would be helpless, but that there were important differences at play in the confrontation between Durkon and the psion (e.g., the shadow (obviously), but also the lack of negative energy protection that Nale had in place).
They have no somatic components.
I don't think it "grappling" so much as "touchy-level-draining" which I don't think actually causes concentration checks.
I could be wrong, though.
Awesome comic.
I can't remember off the top of my head if psions have somatic parts to their powers.
They do not.
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Does this mean Lauren has a contingency power that is used up also?
We see her reappear in the distance (so maybe she just manifested psionic dimension door?) She's not down for the count the way the wizard was.
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Julio has some minions on his flying boat I think. I wonder if they will also join the fray.
Looks like Roy might get his sword back too.
A little healing would be perfect about now.
I keep thinking about those wands Haley picked up.
