OOTS #820 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Psyren]

I love how casually he interrupted that jump.

The roaches can add another faction going after the gates now I suppose.

[Volthawk]

Well, looks like Tarquin will form one of the proper sides for the Gate conflict, then.

[Lvl45DM!]

He was never gonna let Malack kill Nale. Dammit Malack kill him anyway!

[banjo1985]

Oh Tarquin, will you never stop being an absolutely magnificent git?

Seriously, he's so sly and calm about everything that it's difficult to believe Elan's even the same species as his dad.

I'm guessing Tarquin will have quite a bit to think about when Nale spills about the gates and the Snarl.

[faustin]

He said "mere suggestion of his location...". Does it that mean that The Order is actually following a false trail?

[anamiac]

I don't understand really why Tarquin would care about the gates. Sure, they're a big plot element in the story, but it's not like Tarquin can use the Snarl to his benefit. I don't see how he would benefit from controlling them except in that he stops Xycon from destroying the world - the same thing the OOTS is doing.

[Ron Miel]

Aaaand Tarquin thus becomes one of the nine sides.

[Julian84]

The plot, it thickens! Again!

[Rastaban]

I don't understand really why Tarquin would care about the gates. Sure, they're a big plot element in the story, but it's not like Tarquin can use the Snarl to his benefit. I don't see how he would benefit from controlling them except in that he stops Xycon from destroying the world - the same thing the OOTS is doing.

Even if he can't benefit from it, he does know that until he hears what is going on. And knowing him, he can come up with something.

Great comic, love Tarquin!

[Psyren]

*snip*

Can I just say that I absolutely love your avatar?

I don't understand really why Tarquin would care about the gates. Sure, they're a big plot element in the story, but it's not like Tarquin can use the Snarl to his benefit. I don't see how he would benefit from controlling them except in that he stops Xycon from destroying the world - the same thing the OOTS is doing.

Well for one, keeping Xykon away from them is as important to Tarquin's plans as it is to all the other villains'. (Not to mention keeping them out of Nale's, who would surely use them against dear-old dad.)

For two, once Xykon is dealt with, he would likely put them to the same use Xykon would; i.e. a blunt-instrument WMD to threaten recalcitrant nations with.

[Roland Itiative]

Great comic, as always.

I wonder how long Malack will just accept Tarquin postponing his revenge...

[blueblade]

oh dear.. I kinda hoped Tarquin was going to stay ou of it, but no reason he should when the prize is this juicy!

[Parra]

Well for one, keeping Xykon away from them is as important to Tarquin's plans as it is to all the other villains'.

And a little forewarning on an Epic Level Lich coming your way is nice.

Not to mention you could potentially manipulate him into targeting your enemies

[Laws of Chaos]

I didnt expect that he'd allow Malak to off Nale right in front of him, but I figured he wouldn't do it himself. This was a really good strip! Shows a lot of the family dynamic.

Thanks Giant, notsopatiently awaiting the next update.

[Warmage]

Dammit, Giant, stop making me root for the evil tyrant!

[Morty]

The fifth panel sums up the difference between Tarquin and Nale - Tarquin is fine with looking like a fool if it's useful, but Nale will never stand for anyone doubting that he's brilliant even for a second.

[Andre]

Looks like Tarquin is able to employ that lovely, lovely spell...

[eras10]

I never comment, but I saw a chance to be the first one to point out just how seriously, seriously bad news this is.

Whether Tarquin's forces truly team up with the Linear Guild, execute Nale and absorb his remaining assets, or exterminate and replace them, the force ratio against OOTS just got a whole lot worse.

Something the audience hasn't got from this strip yet that you're supposed to be getting is that Tarquin's "la de dah, sure I'll help you neutralize this other evil guy" is a carefully planned act. It may even be true as far as it goes, but it's also a subtle lie - the lie part is that Tarquin has no interest in doing *better* than just using good guys to take out some other bad guys, and disrupting someone else's plot to conquer the world, instead of doing that and *then* conquering the world himself. That whole "I should probably just stick with my third of the continent" thing is baloney. Again, it may even be kind of true.... until it's not.

Tarquin is going to stop being pleasant and helpful now that he knows there's a big fat prize and OOTS are in the way. And, um, you may have noticed that Haley's father isn't exactly safe yet. I probably don't need to draw you a map to where this will go.

But it's brilliant unlayering of Tarquin's character. There's really a level of subtlety and manipulation being done here that's impressive to behold.

[The Pilgrim]

I think it's the first time we actually see Taquin wound someone with a weapon.

[Wanderer]

Oh, just kill Nale already!

[Laws of Chaos]

Tarquin is going to stop being pleasant and helpful now that he knows there's a big fat prize and OOTS are in the way. And, um, you may have noticed that Haley's father isn't exactly safe yet. I probably don't need to draw you a map to where this will go.

I see your point, and mostly agree. But I see him allowing the OOTS to stop Xykon first. The OOTS dont want to destroy the gate, just keep Xykon from it. At this point, destroying the gate will do just as much harm as letting Xykon control it.

[Bedinsis]

I don't think Tarquin intended for one second to let Nale be killed without him hearing him out.

This strip has formally anchored my view of Tarquin as a chess master of people, carefully playing people out to his own ends and knowing everything that goes around while holding the appearance of someone who doesn't.

Though despite his statement of it not being important to appear smart he sure seemed to enjoy rubbing it in Nale's face that he already knew what was going on.

[Defiant]

Well, crap...

[The Succubus]

How on earth can someone like Tarquin use the phrase "...in good conscience..."?

[Onyavar]

I think it's the first time we actually see Taquin wound someone with a weapon.

I also think so, yes.

Great comic - as always, Giant!

I also guess that Tarquin gave Elan "the fastest carpet available" to him, but he also has means of transportation which are much faster even. Let's say, he just calls his team wizard, tells him to teleport to his location, and then a teleport to Windy Canyon. In this case, he beats the Order by two days. Even if his team wizard first needs to memorize teleport for two times, Tarquin still has a time advantage!

Oh, and I guess, the Order will meet a random encounter during their flight.

[ref]

Whatever, kill Nale. Now the problem is with Tarquin trying for the gates, but he doesn't have a certain ritual, or even half of it, actually.

[ravage]

"but, you are free to make him suffer"
say it

[leakingpen]

Its not a series of tubes, see, or wagons you load power on, no, its a series of gates.

[electricbee]

I think i want to have Tarquin's babies. And i'm a man.