OOTS #956 - The Discussion Thread

[Peelee]

They're not getting off the ship at Tinkertown, and neither were they ever going to--once the damage is repaired, they'll head on to the Gate (and presumably Dwarven lands) as anticipated. What makes you think someone else will happen?

Because they'll be in Tinkertown far longer than a quick refueling stop.

Also, I'm excited for the gnomes.

[suszterpatt]

What am I reading, and what happened to the Order of the Stick?

[Keltest]

What am I reading, and what happened to the Order of the Stick?

HPoH turned them all into vampires when we were off calling him silly names.

[Jaxzan Proditor]

Belkar has folded his arms in panel 2. I've never seen a character do that before.

I imagine it's easier to draw with the new style.

As for the comic: I am eager to see Tinkertown, as we really haven't seen many gnomes in the comic.

It's so funny to see how "useful" Roy is out of combat.

Durkon still needs to work on that Protection spell.

Also, I like the theories that Belkar is trying to spy on Durkon right now.

Overall, wonderful comic!

[Koretsu]

Blackwing's bauble is probably magical. But it doesn't matter. We won't see the identification process. If a magic item comes up, its utility will either be explained at the time or it will be self-explanatory.

Blackwing's bauble is an orange prism ioun stone. It effectively makes V's spells do more damage/last longer/affect more targets depending on the spell in question.

[gerryq]

2. At first I thought that Belkar's "I'll go... uh... check on Mr. Scruffy" was just an excuse to shuffle offstage, but looking back at it, it seems like he's looking at the HPOH, who we know is going back down to do spell research. Am I the only one wondering if Belkar is planning a staking?

Maybe just a stalking. But indeed it seems likely...

[gerryq]

They're not getting off the ship at Tinkertown, and neither were they ever going to--once the damage is repaired, they'll head on to the Gate (and presumably Dwarven lands) as anticipated. What makes you think someone else will happen?

Because it's TIME for something to happen!

[WindStruck]

2. At first I thought that Belkar's "I'll go... uh... check on Mr. Scruffy" was just an excuse to shuffle offstage, but looking back at it, it seems like he's looking at the HPOH, who we know is going back down to do spell research. Am I the only one wondering if Belkar is planning a staking?

Either that, or he really has nothing productive to do, as was the case a few minutes ago. The last panel with Belkar also really made me think that Vin Diesel would really fit the part for Belkar if there was ever an OOTS movie too.

[zimmerwald1915]

Blackwing's bauble is an orange prism ioun stone.

...Unless it isn't, and just happens to look like one. Besides, neither V nor Blackwing seems to know what it does, because neither of them are using it.

[Beacon of Chaos]

A great update! I love how Roy just got completely eclipsed by the speech bubble on the penultimate panel.

[NihhusHuotAliro]

A great update! I love how Roy just got completely eclipsed by the speech bubble on the penultimate panel.

Agreed.

I bet next comic will be that Belkar finds Mister Scruffy killed or vampirized.

[Chantelune]

Making a stop at Tinkertown ? Guess that means it's time for the order to get completely sidetracked with some side quest that might be barely relevant to the main plot. Always happen.

Am I the only one who's not really surprised that the party is able to manage on their own without Roy spelling what he think they should do to them ? I mean, before the party was made, most were faring pretty well by themselves, it's only natural that they can see what they can do best to help in such a situation. And by now, they're used to work as a team.

[Sunken Valley]

Prediction: Cameo! is a Gnome

[zimmerwald1915]

Am I the only one who's not really surprised that the party is able to manage on their own without Roy spelling what he think they should do to them ? I mean, before the party was made, most were faring pretty well by themselves, it's only natural that they can see what they can do best to help in such a situation. And by now, they're used to work as a team.

Before Roy hired them, Haley was deep in unpayable debt and had a crime lord's price on her head, Elan was unemployed, Belkar was on the run from the law, and V was homeless. This is not "faring pretty well."

[Nenec]

Gosh, Roy is getting better and better at holding ropes!! Such skills!!


As for Belkar, my initial thought was that while everybody else has something useful for the team to do, he doesn't so he just decides to go looking for Scruffy. But the theory of him, if not trying to stalk, spying Durkula is very much possible too.

[t209]

Dibs on Tinkertown plague.

[Lheticus]

D'aww...our Order of the Stick is getting all growed up and...showing signs of COMPETENCE! *sniff**

[BranMan]

Would Belkar checking on Mr. Scruffy really have been part of Roy's plan? Seems sort of strange. I can definitely see some move silently and hide checks around the corner for the belkster...

[Necris Omega]

Funny to think that at one point making Haley OotS's Accountant would be like putting a fox in charge of chicken counting...

[Kish]

Would Belkar checking on Mr. Scruffy really have been part of Roy's plan?

More likely, that part of the plan would have come out as, "Belkar, go somewhere else and stop annoying me."

[Lexible]

V's speech bubble in the second to last frame got quite a laugh from me, followed immediately by a grin at the content of V's speech bubble.

[Lexible]

That does seem like an interesting possibility.

Because his last encounter with a high level cleric vampire didn't convince him that he was completely outclassed?

[BrotherMirtillo]

They nead Roy as a LEADER. They no longer need Roy as a MICROMANAGER. There is a difference, you know.

I can live with that -- and I bet he can, too!

Before Roy hired them, Haley was deep in unpayable debt and had a crime lord's price on her head, Elan was unemployed, Belkar was on the run from the law, and V was homeless. This is not "faring pretty well."

Also, Durkon was a grump without a friend in the world and with a party that wanted to get him killed.

They really do grow up so fast in time.

I think it's more a joke about Belkar having nothing useful to do (sharpen his daggers??), so he'll... check on Mr. Scruffy, yeah, that'll help everyone.

Maybe he's going to sing his pets a calming lullaby and doesn't want anyone else to see his concern.

Because they'll be in Tinkertown far longer than a quick refueling stop.

Also, I'm excited for the gnomes.

So am I! We haven't seen many gnomes in this comic -- Leeky Windstaff springs to mind, and there was Solt, the guy that Belkar stabbed upon leaving Azure City -- but this could be a new opportunity for culture (and maybe culture shock).

[Keltest]

...Unless it isn't, and just happens to look like one. Besides, neither V nor Blackwing seems to know what it does, because neither of them are using it.

As mentioned, V has not yet identified any of the magic items they've picked up. If this is the first time V has encountered an Ioun stone of any sort (which seems likely given that its the first time weve seen any mention of them in the comic) he may not recognize them on sight, unlike us D&D asylum escapees.

[Anarion]

Don't worry, Roy, it won't last.

I'm looking forward to seeing a town of gnomes. Though I'm dreading the moment when the Giant decides that he can't handle drawing yet another whirring gear I. The background and flings his computer out a window.

[CrispyCriminal]

I am liking Roy's hilt design. The Giant is really taking advantage of the new opportunities the new style is giving him.

Applause.

[BriarHobbit]

That was nice. A good way to end the scene, and it demonstrates that the Order has moved forward as a group.

[Psyren]

I am disappointed we didn't get to see Blackwing as a giant roc

Oh well great comic!

I'm sure we will. This feels like foreshadowing.

That or it'll be a bonus strip in the book version.

[Bulldog Psion]

Belkar has folded his arms in panel 2. I've never seen a character do that before.

Actually, Sabine crosses her arms in the 7th panel of this comic:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0394.html

[pendell]

956 is up! Huzzah!

Roy must be pleased to see that his team is functioning as a well-oiled machine, doing what needs doing without being told. That's a reflection of his leadership and the teamwork they've been putting in for -- how long in-comic time? It's been at least a year.

Respectfully,

Brian P.