OOTS #964 - The Discussion Thread

[nonamearisto]

I actually think a lot has happened in these 18 strips:

Durkon’s mother, Sigdi, is introduced
We learn how vampires work in OoTS
Thor knows the vampire took over his cleric, and is not pleased
The Mechane catches fire and Elan is deeply immersed in his role as backup healer
V listens to tactical advice and uses no more magic than necessary
Both rear propellers stopped, and Bandana gives orders to Roy
Belkar knows the vampire isn’t Durkon, but Roy doesn’t believe him
We learn how clerical powers are shared among the gods per the Domain Agreement
V prepares and uses defensive spells strategically
Tinkertown is foreshadowed, plus the team works together on their own initiative
Belkar’s words really annoys the vampire, who commands him to jump overboard
The vampire feeds on Elan
Haley and Bandana talk about gender and authority
Belkar gets a new weapon and immediately stabs the vampire
Roy double-checks that the vampire is praying to Thor
We learn why Hel has no clerics of her own
We see how Durkon’s behavior was shaped, and Durkon learns he can trick the vampire
The Mechane arrives in Tinkertown

Strictly speaking, even filler still contains content. Things still happen in useless content. That said, most of those things you mentioned fall strongly into the category of "not-filler."

[Cubanpep]

In an effort to keep from going crazy waiting for a new comic, I read all of the comics again.

Two points...

1) Not exactly excited that I had time to spare after having gone through them in their entirety.

2) Despite the lull in plot development and infrequent updates... I have to say that the comic has become one of the more visually appealing works of art available now.

Very impressed!

[...]

I'm just going to say that steampunk hit its high point in popularity a few years back, so Haley might want to hold off on that comment.

[dtilque]

Wow a lot of nice views there. And we are going to have rebuild the 4th wall again.

The fourth wall of this strip has been smashed with a wrecking ball, dynamited, bulldozed, jackhammered, sledgehammered, run through a crushing mill, and steamrolled. It now has the consistency of fine dust. If it gets broken any more, it'll be reduced to nanoparticles.

[Peelee]

I feel the same, and it is certainly frustrating to wait this long for a new strip when the plot hardly moves along. The previous strip wasn't as bad, seeing as we had 2 full pages, a lot of exposition, and plenty of speech bubbles. Here, we have two, with a grand total of 4 panels.

I love the art, love the story, and love everything about oots, but it's kind of disheartening to wait this long for new content and have it be underwhelming.

Then stop reading the comic and wait for the book to come out. The story is meant to be a cohesive whole. If you read a book at a rate of one page every two weeks, each page would be rather lackluster on its own, as it is meant to be taken in larger quantities. That is literally exactly what you see happening here, except the webcomic format also allows for single-page gags for the majority of strips. I'm not trying to be mean here, I'm not saying, "if you don't like it, then leave." I'm saying this may not be the proper format for you to get maximum enjoyment. The Giant has said words to this effect several times, and it holds true; if you don't enjoy it as is, wait until the full book is released. Its way more annoying, but pages like this will then seem properly paced and well done, instead of underwhelming because of your own inaccurate expectations.

[SeeDElite08]

Looks a lot like a steam punk Fisherman's Horizon. Any confirmation for basis, or just a sweet coincidence?

[Jay R]

And so our heroes who live in a magical medieval fantasy arrive at a secluded steampunk town several decades (possibly centuries) ahead of the rest of the world's technological development.

Leaving aside the fact that the highest level of technological development is magic, and any place with Wish spells is far ahead of the mere 21st century, ...

... this is clearly several decades behind Cliffport's technological development.

[ss49]

I doubt it. He looked like he had bare minimum technology and got news from a fox. However, he was coming down from the North, so...who knows?

Also, what's with the perfect Mechane-sized dock? Is this type of ship common?

I was wondering how the Mechane got ehough air to it's screws.

[JSSheridan]

Thanks Giant!

[OoTLink]

Holy cow!

Is.. that... plot movement?! We're actually going to have a comic that isn't dedicated to the vampire dude complaining about Durkon's thoughts? WOOHOOO!!!!!

it's a really pretty comic too :D

[Rogar Demonblud]

The fourth wall of this strip has been smashed with a wrecking ball, dynamited, bulldozed, jackhammered, sledgehammered, run through a crushing mill, and steamrolled. It now has the consistency of fine dust. If it gets broken any more, it'll be reduced to nanoparticles.

So, that'll be in, what, five more strips?

[GAAD]

So, that'll be in, what, five more strips?

Make it thirty. They always run long.

[Finagle]

What's the relationship between halflings and gnomes? A number of them might end up like old Solt Lurkyurk.

There are a lot fewer posts on the forum these days! It's like it's losing steam or something. That's a steampunk joke for you.

Also, I think as soon as they get all patched up and have a nice sidequest, Thor will start throwing more than thunderbolts at OOTS. It will be interesting having a Lawful Good antagonist for the party once again.

[BriarHobbit]

Gnomes, run for your lives. Belkar is in town.

[Messenger]

What religion do these gnomes follow? The Northern Pantheon? That seems likely.

'Coz the Mechane has Hel's High Priest with them.

I've got a feeling that there's going to be a bunch of "religious conversions" while Durkula is there. The Order and Mechane may well be leaving a newly formed coven behind.

Gnomes, run for your lives. Belkar is in town.

Belkar's not the one that worries me.

[Adun]

Looks a lot like a steam punk Fisherman's Horizon. Any confirmation for basis, or just a sweet coincidence?

I was going to write the same thing, the sleeping fisherman was a dead giveaway for me.
Also the FH was built by engineers, and what better engineers than gnomes?

[Ron Miel]

Also, what's with the perfect Mechane-sized dock? Is this type of ship common?

We've seen a few of them.
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0388.html
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0775.html

[Jaxzan Proditor]

Holy cow!

Is.. that... plot movement?! We're actually going to have a comic that isn't dedicated to the vampire dude complaining about Durkon's thoughts? WOOHOOO!!!!!

it's a really pretty comic too :D

Well, it's not really plot movement, since not much happens to the plot. The comics with Durkon and the High Priest of Hel probably move the plot along more.

[ManuelSacha]

"Are we allowed to spend a whole page on setting the scene, like that?"

Not if we get one page a month, you're not.

[stench]

the machine the fishing guy is sleeping in reminds me of the magitek armor from FF6.. with a huge wind-up gear in the back..

[Stella]

Its everything I imagined it would be... but im a little concerned we might be unable to tell apart gnomes from halflings.

The halfling will be the one stabbing things.
He's supposed to be jolly. WHY ISN'T HE JOLLY!?!

[Svata]

"Are we allowed to spend a whole page on setting the scene, like that?"

Not if we get one page a month, you're not.

Well, its a good thing we generally get about two, then.

[oppyu]

Do people really spend time pining after new strips? For me it's more of going about my life and every now and then I see OOTS pop up in my RSS feed. Makes waiting easier.

[...]

We have Steampunk Gnomes and a Volcano. What could possibly go wrong?

[Zonkerbl]

Yay steampunk!

And shame on those of you who have COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN about Arcanum!!!

[brian 333]

I haven't seen a male gnome without a goatee yet, though telling female halflings from female gnomes may be a problem. (Well, not for Balkar, anyway.)

But here we have the final solution to the puzzle: we now know why Belkar will draw his last breath and yet remain in the comic: he will get Frankensteined by the Steampunk Gnomes!

[YossarianLives]

Ohmygoditssteampunktophatguythisisamazingohmygod!

[Catticus]

The story is meant to be a cohesive whole.

I first came to OotS when it was in the late 700s. I started at the beginning, fell in love, read to current, and then repeated. At this point, I couldn't tell you how many times I've read from strip 1 to current or the number of times I've read the bound content outside the strips. The break between strips is just time to re-read prior content (or, gasp, read or do something else) and to appreciate that it really is written as a whole.

[Jaxzan Proditor]

I first came to OotS when it was in the late 700s. I started at the beginning, fell in love, read to current, and then repeated. At this point, I couldn't tell you how many times I've read from strip 1 to current or the number of times I've read the bound content outside the strips. The break between strips is just time to re-read prior content (or, gasp, read or do something else) and to appreciate that it really is written as a whole.

I absolutely agree with this advice. If you are tired of waiting for new strips, re-read (or even re-re-read) the old ones, or entertain yourself in other ways.

[Greatmoustache]

i love the tiny oots at the "air"port in panel 3. can't spot durkon though. i wonder why