OOTS #819 - The Discussion Thread

[KoboldRevenge]

I wonder how he fits so many rings onto his hand. He's bound to have more that help him become god-player!

[Turgon9357]

While coming up with crackpot theories about what will happen next, I thought of Nale's bounty. It seems that Tarquin, who was certainly involved in issuing the bounty, considers the death of Nale an acceptable option (albeit far less lucrative to a bounty hunter). Also, Nale's bounty was flagged to go right upstairs for fiery consumption, an event that Tarquin, even if notified, might be too late to intervene in.

Therefore, I would not be especially surprised if Tarquin allowed Malack to immolate Nale, or even aided in the process. Yes, Nale is Tarquin's son. But he also threatens the security of the Empire (in his own incompetent way), has defied Tarquin's will rather strenuously, and is an embarrassment. As much as we've grown to love Tarquin, this man is still a monster. He has run over many people to get where he is, I'm not expecting him to stop, especially now, considering that he has another option regarding his future. He doesn't need Nale to succeed him if Elan overthrows him in a far more memorable and legendary fashion, which he seemed fairly comfortable with.

[Bulldog Psion]

Strangely enough, I'm starting to like Tarquin. Detest and like him at the same time. I suppose that like an inaccurate description -- "respect", sadly, is probably more like it.

[2xMachina]

I think Tarquin is smart. Somehow, bragging will be All Part of the Plan

[Vectner]

I wish one of my deceased wives would have given me a ring of true seeing.

[hamishspence]

Strangely enough, I'm starting to like Tarquin. Detest and like him at the same time. I suppose that like an inaccurate description -- "respect", sadly, is probably more like it.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LoveToHate

probably fits closest.

[WickedWizard17]

. . . 8D

Pure, utter win. I love you, Tarquin. Well, see the previous post for exactly how I love him. That is freakin' hilarious. And I love the genre savviness.

Also, I think Penelope giving Tarquin such a lovely birthday presents means that they didn't hate each other. Unless, of course, if she hadn't she would have been killed . . .

Fantastic comment, Giant. Love the quick updates this week!

[St Fan]

I wonder how he fits so many rings onto his hand. He's bound to have more that help him become god-player!

A character can wears up to two magic rings (one on each hand) with them staying functional. The only other ring that has been mentionned is a Ring of Regeneration. With the Ring of True Seeing that makes two, nothing surprising at all for a high-level character.

I don't see what you're implying by talking about god-playing. Tarquin's strenght comes from his smarts, genre-saviness and strategic mind. Magical items have very little to do with anything.

[derfenrirwolv]

Say it with me kids....


Invisibility purrrrrrrrrrrge!

[Beowulf DW]

"It's that moment of sudden realization that I live for."
-Hobbes the tiger

[Whiffet]

"It's that moment of sudden realization that I live for."
-Hobbes the tiger

Yeah, pretty much.

Good quote for this strip.

[recluso]

Tarquin said a lot in 819 just for Nale.

So why would he want Nale to hear:

For example i could say that i know because Nale is a cautious planner - and did not take the opportunity to leave the city even after learning whatever it was he learned via my dead departed Penelope. His team was stronger then that it is now, so i might have concluded that he will not depart until he's recruited replacements

?

These lines don't humiliate Nale or impress Malack.
This sounds sorta like an instruction/hint to Nale.
If it is meant as hint, Tarquin actually thinks Nale is not really a cautious planner and needs to be reminded he'll need new recruits (maybe Tarquin has a couple ready)

If it is an instruction, it's likely Tarquin wants a showdown between Elan and Nale.

[Holy_Knight]

"It's that moment of sudden realization that I live for."
-Hobbes the tiger

I believe it's "dawning comprehension", actually.

[Beowulf DW]

Yeah, pretty much.

Good quote for this strip.

I thought so, too. Can't believe I remember it after all this time.

I believe it's "dawning comprehension", actually.

Oh. Maybe I didn't remember it after all that time, then.

[Peelee]

While coming up with crackpot theories about what will happen next, I thought of Nale's bounty. It seems that Tarquin, who was certainly involved in issuing the bounty, considers the death of Nale an acceptable option (albeit far less lucrative to a bounty hunter). Also, Nale's bounty was flagged to go right upstairs for fiery consumption, an event that Tarquin, even if notified, might be too late to intervene in.

You mean the flag that Tarquin himself put on the file? It was not flagged for fiery consumption, merely flagged to be brought to the throne room. Paying more for a live bounty, only to immediately kill the captured yourself, seems like a bit of hedonistic revenge that Tarquin wouldn't necessarily waste his time on. I'm more thinking Tarquin wanted Nale sent to the throne room for reasons other than "let the dragon eat him."

[Vectner]

If it is an instruction, it's likely Tarquin wants a showdown between Elan and Nale.

A showdown would benefit Tarquin, he doesn't want to waste anymore resources on Nale and Elan has sworn to kill him (Tarquin). I would bet hat he waits for a showdown, if they both kill each other he wins, otherwise Tarquin can mop up the winner easily.

[brionl]

A showdown would benefit Tarquin, he doesn't want to waste anymore resources on Nale and Elan has sworn to kill him (Tarquin). I would bet hat he waits for a showdown, if they both kill each other he wins, otherwise Tarquin can mop up the winner easily.

Yep, either way Tarquin wins. Like now, if Nale manages to escape Malack, he'll be a more worthy opponent for later on. If Malack nails Nale, Malack will be happy, and Tarquin will have one less problem running around loose.

[zimmerwald1915]

Yep, either way Tarquin wins. Like now, if Nale manages to escape Malack, he'll be a more worthy opponent for later on. If Malack nails Nale, Malack will be happy, and Tarquin will have one less problem running around loose.

I'm not convinced Tarquin [believes he] has problems. If "everything they do makes my victory more complete," they have ceased to be my problems and become my assets.

[Blaznak]

Gotta love the Ring of True Seeing! Wheee!

[EnragedFilia]

For bonus LOLing, turn on Yakety Sax at panel 10!

[Immonen]

I think this is the best strip I've read so far. Tarquin is so awesome, it's easy to see where Nale got his bardic knowledge from.

[t209]

Tarquin's epic genre savviness!

[Mr. Scaly]

Oh Tarquin...you are the wind beneath my wings!

Double bonus! I get to see one of my favourite villains make with the Magnificent Bastard routine. And I get to see another villain who never shuts up...get shut up. Everybody wins!

[Toofey]

Awesome. I actually lolled.

I love true seeing so much that I would cheat on dimension door with it.

(family of groups uses a VERY house ruled dimension door)

[Math_Mage]

Tarquin said a lot in 819 just for Nale.

So why would he want Nale to hear:

For example i could say that i know because Nale is a cautious planner - and did not take the opportunity to leave the city even after learning whatever it was he learned via my dead departed Penelope. His team was stronger then that it is now, so i might have concluded that he will not depart until he's recruited replacements

?

These lines don't humiliate Nale or impress Malack.
This sounds sorta like an instruction/hint to Nale.
If it is meant as hint, Tarquin actually thinks Nale is not really a cautious planner and needs to be reminded he'll need new recruits (maybe Tarquin has a couple ready)

If it is an instruction, it's likely Tarquin wants a showdown between Elan and Nale.

Lulling Nale into a false sense of complacency.

It's my considered opinion that Tarquin doesn't want a showdown with Nale to impede Elan from his current quest, since it's in Tarquin's interest that Elan and co. succeed rather than fail. Of course, if Tarquin has his fingers in the main quest pie as well, all bets are off.

[oddtail]

I think this comic's title should be changed from 'Parental Insight' to 'Parental Supervision'.

Awesome idea, I agree. "Parental Insight" works too, but "Parental Supervision" actually made me chuckle.

[Scarlet Knight]

I wonder how he fits so many rings onto his hand. He's bound to have more that help him become god-player!

He may be like Haley's Dad: 2nd edition. That means up to 10 rings!

[EnragedFilia]

He may be like Haley's Dad: 2nd edition. That means up to 10 rings!

Objection!
Her daddy has been clearly stated to be a first edition thief!

And if that sort of grandfather clause could fly around here, V would be using his transmutation-school teleport and many things would be much easier. I find it perfectly plausible that Tarquin has an arbitrary number of rings but only wears two at a time, swapping them in and out as the situation demands.

[Kish]

I find it perfectly plausible that Tarquin has an arbitrary number of rings but only wears two at a time, swapping them in and out as the situation demands.

There are few rings I'd choose to wear above a Ring of True Seeing.

[EnragedFilia]

There are few rings I'd choose to wear above a Ring of True Seeing.

Likewise, unless I happened to have one of these.

As an aside, passive true seeing can be highly useful in that game at some levels, but becomes largely irrelevant by endgame simply because in any quest where true seeing is useful, casters generally know to pass it out before starting.