OOTS #1013 - The Discussion Thread

[Peelee]

So it was the orb after all!

Also, a massive T-rex would be much more useful right now. No offense, Bloodfeast.

Awesome, a cowardly tiger, an aggressive cat, a curious miniature T-Rex, and an assertive thumb-less avian.
They are here to save us!
... and Blackwing attempting the Vulcan mind-meld with V. Great!
Thanks Giant!

PS Was just thinking I needed my 2016 calendar!

I keep waiting for that T-rex to manifest its true self.... preferably, going outside first!

Y'all misspelled "Allosaurus." Common mistake.

[War-Wren]

The boy who cried wolf scenario includes the villagers caring in the first place, and being driven to dismissive apathy through abuse of their credulity. Blackwing's last comment indicates V never took his concerns seriously in the first place.

And there's nothing to say that Blackwing's concerns haven't been queried several times during the day.

~buzz~
V: What's wrong?
B: They're after it.
V: Who? After what?
B: They're all after my precious bauble
V: Don't be absurd, your bauble is perfectly safe.
B: You don't see their eyes!
V: None of them a magic users, or have any idea what it is. Stop worrying needlessly.

-rinse and repeat for an entire day until V truly is like the villagers-

[Psyren]

Are there any mechanical advantages to being a free-willed vampire? Aside from freeing up Durkon to have another extra thrall, I mean.

If Durkon's behavior as a thrall is any indication, thralls aren't particularly capable of taking initiative or exercising their intellect. "The sun, it burns us!"

Freeing him as a fellow operative so he can improvise on the fly makes sense.

[zimmerwald1915]

And there's nothing to say that Blackwing's concerns haven't been queried several times during the day.

In fact we know Blackwing's concerns have been queried several times. V's been getting flashes from him all day.

[Filippo]

ok...Super scared for Mr Scruffy right now... hope he did not go "Crilin way" for super sayan ghost Belkar to emerge...

Well, not that this is a serious hipotesis...or it is?

[Neoriceisgood]

Poor little animals. :(

[War-Wren]

In fact we know Blackwing's concerns have been queried several times. V's been getting flashes from him all day.

Exactly, but I mean that there's nothing to say that V *hasn't* responded with concern each time previously, until it is like a feeling of 'Again? Really?' and is only now being dismissive.

[ardorrean_thief]

I'm not sure how exactly it's written in 3.5 - but if Blackwing dies, wouldn't V feel it - through loss of experience points or something similar?
Maybe Gontor might not want to be too zealous in his level-draining here.

[ti'esar]

A comic almost totally about the animal sidekicks felt kind of bizarre, but was also pretty funny.

I've been expecting for some time that the HPoH will survive the Godsmoot and become a recurring villain for at least the rest of this book, but I'm not sure whether that means they'll fail to stop 'Gontor Hammerhel' from stealing the orb or not. Depends a lot on what his boss wants it for.

Little Whiskers is the most useless tiger ever.

[Forikroder]

where is that orb from?

[schmunzel]

MMmmmmh

If V will think about it any further s/he will realize where Blackwing last was and know that someone is in the study.
What I think is more likely, is that the tiger will get angered somehow and make a lot of ruckus - I count panel 3 of the 2nd sheet as foreshadowing for that.
I would actually laugh if someone casts greater dispel on the extreme inator who will destroy the Mechane through his sheer size.
(Can Psionic Polymorph s be dispelled like that ?)

then the saurus will fall down through the planks and land on Durkula :P

sch

[Forikroder]

MMmmmmh

If V will think about it any further s/he will realize where Blackwing last was and know that someone is in the study.
What I think is more likely, is that the tiger will get angered somehow and make a lot of ruckus - I count panel 3 of the 2nd sheet as foreshadowing for that.
I would actually laugh if someone casts greater dispel on the extreme inator who will destroy the Mechane through his sheer size.
(Can Psionic Polymorph s be dispelled like that ?)

then the saurus will fall down through the planks and land on Durkula :P

sch

Miron plymorphed him

[zimmerwald1915]

Exactly, but I mean that there's nothing to say that V *hasn't* responded with concern each time previously, until it is like a feeling of 'Again? Really?' and is only now being dismissive.

What do you make of Blackwing's last comment? "Don't you emote dismissive apathy at me! It's a valid concern on a boat full of pirates! Plus you don't see how they greed at it with their money-eyes!!"

Those aren't the words of someone who's getting this reaction for the first time.

[Kantaki]

Poor Blackwing, his master ignores him. Not that V doesn’t have a good reason to do so.

Oh well, that means it's Team small helpless animals against the vampire. If notGontor is smart he grabs the large shiny bauble and runs. Grabbing the bauble being optional.

[LordRahl6]

Alas poor Blackwing! how will he stop the vampire formerly of the Creed of Stone from acquiring the teleportation orb?

[zimmerwald1915]

Poor Blackwing, his master ignores him. Not that V doesn’t have a good reason to do so.

She has a good reason not to; a book of supposed character growth. That apparently didn't take place, for how much it's worth here.

[Rinazina]

where is that orb from?

was part of the treasure of Trigak, if I remember correctly. but I'm quite sure of it. let say, 98% sure.

[EccentricFellow]

Oh those money-eyed pirates greeding hither and thither and yon. They would get away with their dastardly scheming too if it were not for the ever-alertness of the plucky feathered sidekick.

On a side note, it is always humbling how readily animals are to do battle for righteousness regardless of the odds stacked against them.

[hroþila]

She has a good reason not to; a book of supposed character growth. That apparently didn't take place, for how much it's worth here.

I think you're confusing character growth with extreme personality makeover.

[8BitNinja]

Did you guys see that? Blackwing was like oh no, and Mr. Scruffy was like RAAAWR and the tiger was like and, and, and...

*Breathing Intensifies*

[Peelee]

What do you make of Blackwing's last comment? "Don't you emote dismissive apathy at me! It's a valid concern on a boat full of pirates! Plus you don't see how they greed at it with their money-eyes!!"

Those aren't the words of someone who's getting this reaction for the first time.

Sounds like C-3PO.

"Don't get technical with me!" "Just open the door, you stupid lug!" "Stupid little short-circuit!" "Now don't you forget this! Why I should stick my neck out for you is far beyond my capacity!"

Dude sounds downright abusive to R2, yet clearly have a solid friendship. Sounds like the same thing going on here.

[8BitNinja]

Sounds like C-3PO.

"Don't get technical with me!" "Just open the door, you stupid lug!" "Stupid little short-circuit!" "Now don't you forget this! Why I should stick my neck out for you is far beyond my capacity!"

Dude sounds downright abusive to R2, yet clearly have a solid friendship. Sounds like the same thing going on here.

3PO, shut down the trash compacter on the containment level

[Gift Jeraff]

where is that orb from?

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0987.html

[Killer Angel]

Poor blackwing...

Somehow, it reminds me of "The boy who cried wolf".

[FlawedParadigm]

Hmm...y'know, depending on...

This plan may not work out too well for Durkula.

Spoiler

Show

Say Durkula gets the orb and teleports himself, and, hey, why not a few vampire spawn to Kraagor's Gate? There's no particular reason to suspect they *wouldn't* get smoked like...well, there's no gentlemanly way to finish that sentence...get smoked by Team Evil. Thus freeing the Order from the hard part - destroying Durkula's current body - and letting them resurrect him once they're in range and know the body has been destroyed.

[Fitzclowningham]

Rule of plot, funny, etc., notwithstanding, I'd think the empathic link would transmit the level drain and damage Blackwing just took loud and clear. Apparently not.

[zimmerwald1915]

I think you're confusing character growth with extreme personality makeover.

Well, that'd be nice to see, but no. Don't Split the Party had V apologize to Blackwing and promise to be more considerate. Blood Runs in the Family had them as close confidants. This book seems to have undone all that for some reason.

[8BitNinja]

R.I.P. in pastrami, Blackwing

He hit his head on the boards

1/10 masterpiece

like if you cry every time

1 like= d100 tears

25% chance to explode

[Great equalizer]

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

[Havelocke]

There goes my theory that Mr. Scruffy is actually a magical animal. I was hoping he was more than just a housecat. The tiger is natural but is channeling it's inner Cringer (bonus points if you know where that is from!). Sounds like Blackwing is not getting through to V...didn't Gontor come through a porthole? Blackwing just fly up to V you birdbrain!