OOTS #1013 - The Discussion Thread

[Forikroder]

The repercussions couldn't be conflict however. The gods fighting with each other too much is what created the snarl in the first place. In moments it obliterated an entire pantheon. It could kill the rest of them just as quickly I presume. The gods will have to be more clever than strong to oppose because its not all of the gods vs. just her. Half the gods agree with her. Half the gods fighting the other half would be exactly the kind of thing that could create exactly what they are trying to oppose.

the problem came from them trying to force the world into there idea of right in spite of the others, by pulling on the strings to force it into how they want it, as long as there not using the strings fighting between them doesnt carry such a risk

theyd have to lynch Hel, throw her in a cell somewhere, make the world and make sure that none of the souls go to her this time

[littlebum2002]

Then how did the demigod representatives get IN? (If the theory I responded to is correct)

1) I guess it's a one way barrier. Rich has confirmed that the barrier keeps the priests in (so it's not a theory, it's confirmed canon), and the demigod priests can clearly get through it, so the only explaination is that it's a one way barrier, or that someone deactivated it to let them in.

2) What does that have anything to do with Belkar? He was outside the room protected by the barrier when he fell.

[Zorgoth]

If Vamptor considers Blackwing more worthy of an opponent than Mr. Scruffy ("at least the bird was a magical creature"), then I don't think he would consider that more befitting the "proper order of things". Magic has repeatedly been described as "unnatural".

Anyway the dominating gaze has always taken effect immediately, so I take the glowy eyes as more proof of the Children of the Night theory that many people have brought forth, since that ability takes a few rounds to come into effect.

As noted on the last page, I actually agree at this point that it's Children of the Night. I hadn't thought of the rat swarm. And Rich had already stated that the domination only works on people.

[D.One]

The other gods are unaware of the Dark One's Plan. Otherwise they'd do their best to block it.

Been thinking about that... Only two people knew of the plan: Redcloak and Tsukiko, whom he killed... and that was sent to Southern Gods afterlife, which could mean she could spread that intel. Granted, she wasn't the most reliable source, but she was a cleric (of someone), which means she retained some level credit...

[Rogar Demonblud]

As noted on the last page, I actually agree at this point that it's Children of the Night. I hadn't thought of the rat swarm. And Rich had already stated that the domination only works on people.

Actually, it pretty much has to be the rat swarm. There's no way for the wolves to get on board the Mechane, and no reason for bats to be that high up a mountain. Plus, there's rats already on board (because it's a ship), so they'll come in sooner rather than later.

[Forikroder]

Been thinking about that... Only two people knew of the plan: Redcloak and Tsukiko, whom he killed... and that was sent to Southern Gods afterlife, which could mean she could spread that intel. Granted, she wasn't the most reliable source, but she was a cleric (of someone), which means she retained some level credit...

hey ya! she could tell the gods that Xykon is after there gates i dont see that backfiring for her at all

also she would have went south so if anything would have been intercepoted by the IFCC (is that the right acronym?) so anything she told them would never make it to the people who would do something about it

[Keltest]

The Gods have a general Information Blackout on the whole existence of the Snarl. So it stands to reason that even if they know about what the Dark One is up to, they're being pretty tightlipped about WHY they want their mortal agents to go after his mortal agents.

As far as the SG is (well, was ) concerned, The bearer of the Crimson Mantle (and his god) are part of a foul plot to undo creation.

Where and how they got that idea, only Rich knows*.

* Spoilers for SoD:

Spoiler

Show

Though there is a flashback scene in SoD where we see the Order of the Scribble taking down the first Bearer of the Crimson Mantle.

As a piece of supporting evidence about the gods being pretty tightlipped about everything, the SG don't even realize the fact that the Crimson Mantle is in fact a (minor?) artifact and not just some symbol of authority. I mean, they keep leaving it on the ground for some other goblin to pick up instead of trying to destroy it/keeping it stored away. Though it is possible that the other gods themselves don't know about its significance.

IIRC, the Sapphire Guard got a prophecy at one point that said something to the effect of "A goblin wearing a red cloak will bring destruction to your gate." Paraphrased, obviously.

[wesleytj]

never mind. :)

[schmunzel]

"I am a vampire; you are a cat. Do you not appreciate the implicit hierarchy present here?"

The implicit hierarchy (as seen by every cat I've ever known): Cat > Everything Else

sooooooooo true - but dont tell the Vampire - he'll open up a can of worms ...

(or cat food as things may stand)

sch

[Aasimar]

My first thought is that he's summoning a hell hound to fight the cat, as he feels a dog is a hierarchically correct opponent for a cat.

[Peelee]

IIRC, the Sapphire Guard got a prophecy at one point that said something to the effect of "A goblin wearing a red cloak will bring destruction to your gate." Paraphrased, obviously.

I don't recall this. What book/pdf was it in?

[Keltest]

I don't recall this. What book/pdf was it in?

Not sure. I get a lot of information through hearsay.

[Idiotic_Bird]

Wait shouldn't V have noticed that nobody else was in the room where Blackwing is other than the other animals, who are all presumably asleep?

[Forikroder]

Wait shouldn't V have noticed that nobody else was in the room where Blackwing is other than the other animals, who are all presumably asleep?

how? he has no idea where the crew is, or even where blackwing is exactly for all he knows someone entered the study and blackwing left

[F.Harr]

The corRECT hirearchy is cat on top. As far as the cat is concerned. And I think the tiger's planning something. :D

[ackmondual]

Mr. Scruffy ain't no ordinary house cat. I recall he "critical hit" a guard back in the arena.

[Zwiebelchen]

Not technically, but you can have a dog so any DM worth his salt would allow it.

I once played in a campaign with a character who hat a cat animal companion and about 6 other cats surrounding her. She had weapon proficiency (cat) and a bunch of ranged weapon feats and would throw cats at her enimies.

I guess her favored enemies were social workers and tax officials?

[factotum]

Mr. Scruffy ain't no ordinary house cat. I recall he "critical hit" a guard back in the arena.

I think you're remembering wrong. He did kill a level 1 commoner back in the arena, but ordinary D&D cats can do that (just compare the stats).

[dtilque]

That means that Belkar didn't fall very far, since he started within the yellow glow, got knocked out of a window, bounced down the roof, and then began to fall.

At what point did the yellow glow catch him? You will note that in panels 17 and 18 there is still a yellow glow around Belkar, almost like a string attached to him ... from the moot aura?

That aura is from the Protection from Evil cloak clasp, which causes pain to Belkar because he's evil. The yellow barrier is only around the room the Moot is held in plus the stairs. We only see it once when the HPoBalder goes to the top of the stairs to fetch the HPs of the demigods.

Then how did the demigod representatives get IN? (If the theory I responded to is correct)

It's my theory, and it says that people authorized to be in the Moot can enter, but no one else. The HPs of the demigods are authorized, so they can enter.

Support for this is the fact that Durkula, a vampire unknown to any of the other high priests there, entered and was not immediately attacked or turned by the other participants. Normally, they would do so upon encountering a random vampire. But if everyone there knows that the barrier excludes all but authorized participants, then they won't attack him, since it would be against the rules.

Mr. Scruffy ain't no ordinary house cat. I recall he "critical hit" a guard back in the arena.

That was a commoner, actually. One of the other prisoner/gladiators. The guy who ended his sentence with a semi-colon. (Which is one of the most wretched (i.e. best) puns in the entire strip. Actually, a double pun, one on "sentence" and one on "semi-colon".)

[Rules Lawyer #1]

I wonder if "a fight more befitting the proper order of things" involves going Big Bad Wolf.

Yes! Please!

So, Blackwing can only communicate through emotions?

That's not a good form of communication

ikr?
Imagine that you could only send text messages consisting of emoticons...

Blackwing:
:

"I am a vampire; you are a cat. Do you not appreciate the implicit hierarchy present here?"

The implicit hierarchy (as seen by every cat I've ever known): Cat > Everything Else

It's clear that Mr. Scruffy isn't respecting damage reduction 10 Silver and Magic...
But Gontoratu is actually bothering to take time out out of his assigned task to address Mr. Scruffy directly?
Maybe the ex-nature priest has some unresolved issues where animals are concerned because Mr. Scruffy's just stopped Gonferatu as if he had kender taunt.

Poor Gontoratu, he doesn't know what he's dealing with yet. He thinks that he is dealing with an ordinary house cat, but unknown to him he is actually dealing with...

Spoiler: Mr. Scruffy

Show

a named cat

Spoiler

Show

If Mr. Scruffy's first name were ever revealed, then he would ascend to Godhood, automatically enter the nearest pantheon, and become a deciding vote at the Godsmoot.
shhhhh... don't tell Odin

[Seto]

I wonder if "a fight more befitting the proper order of things" involves going Big Bad Wolf.

I don't think so. I just noticed that his eyes are glowing in a "Dominate" way. I think he's going to coerce the tiger to fight Mr Scruffy.
Plus, it just makes sense. Feline against feline fits "the proper order of things".

[Shining Wrath]

Thought: Gontor was not a worshiper of the gods of the northern pantheon. Therefore his animating spirit may not be Hel's creation but some other deity's, although as the thrall of the HPoH he still must obey.

I'm getting a strong lawful vibe in his comments to Mr. Scruffy.

[Kantaki]

Thought: Gontor was not a worshiper of the gods of the northern pantheon. Therefore his animating spirit may not be Hel's creation but some other deity's, although as the thrall of the HPoH he still must obey.

I'm getting a strong lawful vibe in his comments to Mr. Scruffy.

Even if he worshiped Elemental Earth and not a deity Gontor was still a dwarf and thus falls under Hel's purview. That means providing a vampire spirit for him is her duty.

[Seward]

I don't think so. I just noticed that his eyes are glowing in a "Dominate" way. I think he's going to coerce the tiger to fight Mr Scruffy.

Can't. The Tiger isn't a "Person" (vampire dominate is based on Dominate Person. Earlier in this thread we have Word of Rich that he's using the normal rules for this, same reason why Durkula couldn't dominate a dinosaur in the fight versus Vector Legion)

[BriarHobbit]

I am curious to see whether V added any mystic wards to protect the "super bauble" beyond the presence of the plucky animal side kicks.

[Icedaemon]

Maybe he's not a thrall, but another free-willed cleric of Hel (and thus below his master Durkon in the church's hierarchy).

I too believe this. The High Priest is dedicated to his god far moreso than Malack was. He does not desire vampire 'children', he desires to grant his beloved goddess a larger clergy.

[kaoskonfety]

I too believe this. The High Priest is dedicated to his god far moreso than Malack was. He does not desire vampire 'children', he desires to grant his beloved goddess a larger clergy.

As in "any at all" followed by "as many as I can get away with".

[Demonsul]

I am curious to see whether V added any mystic wards to protect the "super bauble" beyond the presence of the plucky animal side kicks.

Guess what spell he cast before leaving this orb unattended?

[D.One]

Guess what spell he cast before leaving this orb unattended?

Oh, man. That never gets old...

[nyjastul69]

Oh, man. That never gets old...

For some reason her casting explosive runes is always an exercise in entertainment.