OOTS #1116 - The Discussion Thread

[Shining Wrath]

I'm not sure if this is an artistic choice or significant, but the symbols shown in panel three don't match those shown in panel 10 - so, perhaps, there are 8 symbols in the room.

Or Rich just didn't bother trying to make them match.

If there are 8 (Death on the ceiling, 4 from #3, 3 from #10) then a truly significant share of Team Durkula's spell casting has been used.

[wumpus]

Well. Hell wants to destroy the world, and Xykon has previously explained that he is part of the world. So, transitive property and all.

Avast, spoilers (hey! don't start here, go back to the beginning):

Greg doesn't know that Xykon moved his phylactery to a pocket plane
But Xykon doesn't know that it was a fake, his phylactery is still with Red Cloak.

So to Xykon, what looks like a temporary issue (it would mean that he wasted the last few centuries, but he can always find a new kick) would actually finish him off. Note that since all the gods were able to summon their high priests, I would certainly expect the Dark One to be able to tell Red Cloak if he finds out.

Red Cloak will be in quite a bind trying to convince Xykon that losing the world is not an option.

[Bluepaw]

That rat is all of us. Ride on, little dude. Ride on.

[wumpus]

The symbol of death was scribed on the ceiling; unless a giraffe looks up, they won't trigger it.

They're Giraffes. They eat the upper foliage of trees. They need to know when to duck. Of course they will look up. What's up to giraffes (food, head dangers) matters at least as much as what's down (predators).

[Sky_Schemer]

The symbol of death was scribed on the ceiling; unless a giraffe looks up, they won't trigger it. It will depend if Durkula chose "looks at the rune" or "reads the rune"; giraffes can't read.

"As a default, a symbol of death is triggered whenever a creature does one or more of the following, as you select: looks at the rune; reads the rune; touches the rune; passes over the rune; or passes through a portal bearing the rune."

Emphasis mine. I assume the universe is smart enough to treat "passes under" and "passes over" as basically the same.

[Crœsos]

The spawn may not be as stupid as a sand elemental, but they definitely stick very closely to their orders as given.

Does anyone else think it's going to become significant that Durkula ordered them to attack "the elf first, then the cleric of Thor"? Minrah definitely seems like she should be less of a tactical priority for Team Bloodsucker than Hilgya. Most of the spawn have hosts who personally knew Minrah, so they know from their hosts' memories that she's definitely a cleric of Thor. We don't know whether they know who Hilgya is, though she has been living locally and most likely trying to spread the good news of Loki. (See strip 1114 for Hilgya's take on Loki's good news for dwarfs.)

[Anarion]

Well, that was amusing. I like that the giraffes come in multicolor, really brightens up the room decor!

[Fyraltari]

And I had assumed that Roy had lost his bags of critters when he died. Silly me.

I'm not sure what they are supposed to do here.

Besides answering Lurkon's request, of course.

Silent snark is best snark.

[Dunsparce]

And I had assumed that Roy had lost his bags of critters when he died. Silly me.

I'm not sure what they are supposed to do here.

Besides answering Lurkon's request, of course.

Silent snark is best snark.

It reappeared early on in the last book when they were looking for the Gate:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0692.html

It's being used in the 7th panel.

[Fyraltari]

It reappeared early on in the last book when they were looking for the Gate:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0692.html

It's being used in the 7th panel.

Thanks.
ten

[Peelee]

Avast, spoilers (hey! don't start here, go back to the beginning):

Greg doesn't know that Xykon moved his phylactery to a pocket plane
But Xykon doesn't know that it was a fake, his phylactery is still with Red Cloak.

So to Xykon, what looks like a temporary issue (it would mean that he wasted the last few centuries, but he can always find a new kick) would actually finish him off. Note that since all the gods were able to summon their high priests, I would certainly expect the Dark One to be able to tell Red Cloak if he finds out.

Red Cloak will be in quite a bind trying to convince Xykon that losing the world is not an option.

True enough, if either of them knew anything about it.

[JumboWheat01]

That may be the best use of Summon Monster ever.

[Gwynfrid]

Thanks for the laugh, Giant. I was much needed on a bleak week.

[Fish]

I had an interesting thought. Durkon must know that the cleric of Thor cannot have summoned the anarchic giraffes. Does he have enough information now to know that it's Hilgya?

[Fyraltari]

I had an interesting thought. Durkon must know that the cleric of Thor cannot have summoned the anarchic giraffes. Does he have enough information now to know that it's Hilgya?

You mean, besides the fact that she's about to come through the door?
Yes, taking Narrative Causality into account.

[SpectralTime]

...This is why I love this comic. Because we can go from dramatic character moments to this, and it doesn't even feel like tone shift.

[Windscion]

I had an interesting thought. Durkon must know that the cleric of Thor cannot have summoned the anarchic giraffes. Does he have enough information now to know that it's Hilgya?

For all he knows it could be a looted or purchased scroll.
And I doubt Greg knows ought of Hilgya, she hasn't appeared in the memories we've seen him review.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

I had an interesting thought. Durkon must know that the cleric of Thor cannot have summoned the anarchic giraffes. Does he have enough information now to know that it's Hilgya?

Depends on whether he subscribes to the same school of thought as V with regards to probability and its willingness to tart it up to service drama.

I.e. there is more than one cleric capable of casting this spell, but narrativium really suggests the one from their backstory, chances be damned.

GW

[Kish]

"A cleric of Thor cannot have summoned anarchic giraffes" is only true if 1) Thor, or 2) the cleric in question is Lawful.

[kidutsu]

This update, possibly more than any other in the entire history of OOTS, reminds me of how my D&D games usually go. Can't wait to see what happens next

[The_Weirdo]

Anarchic giraffes.

Anarchic.

Giraffes.

That's it, Hilgya, show them how a Chaotic fights!!!

"A cleric of Thor cannot have summoned anarchic giraffes" is only true if 1) Thor, or 2) the cleric in question is Lawful.

Not to mention the giraffes will kind of preoccupy Greg a bit too much for him to go "Hmm, must be a Chaotic Cleric that cast this, so that means..."

[Theris]

Depends on whether he subscribes to the same school of thought as V with regards to probability and its willingness to tart it up to service drama.

If I remember well, when Elan mentioned Tarquin was his long-lost father, it took him only a slight moment to realise that of course the odds of Elan meeting his father during the adventure were of 100% in the comic. I'd say he is aware of narrative power.

[The Pilgrim]

The Bag of Tricks never gets old.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

If I remember well, when Elan mentioned Tarquin was his long-lost father, it took him only a slight moment to realise that of course the odds of Elan meeting his father during the adventure were of 100% in the comic. I'd say he is aware of narrative power.

I don't recall Elan and Greg having any such conversation. Link please?

GW

[Matt620]

Good. I love a little randomness.

[Jaxzan Proditor]

The Bag of Tricks animals really made this comic. I also like Durkon’s last little side comment at the end.

[Rogan]

Nobody mentions the buff cast by our favorite halfling?

Sure, the Anarchic giraffes are great and all...

But...
: Bears Endurance!
(pic to add) : Bulls Strength!
: Cat's Disgrace!

Thats my sort of humor

[Draconi Redfir]

unexpected surprises are the best kind

[a_flemish_guy]

ah yes, the old "stand-before-the-bossfight-door-and-summon-away"-trick

get rid of traps and inmediate ambushes, bussies minions, hell even if the boss just drops a death spell then you've still gotten rid of that for lower cost

[AutomatedTeller]

I imagine that Rich had this idea 6 months ago and has been waiting for this moment since then.

Holy herbivores, that was funny. I am at work and I barely managed to keep my laughter in.

What a great strip. This battle will be awesome.